Listener Crossword 4262 - One Across By Mr Magoo

[starwalker]

Was a bit upset to have to put the latest Magpie (plug, plug) aside, but lo and behold - it's a Magoo ! With just a couple of clues to go, the light has dawned and the penny has hit the ground. Just a little tricky partitioning to go, and then it's back to the Magpie. (plug) Thanks Magoo.

[borealis]

Some of us are easily pleased.
Some not so.
Nice mixture here!

I am more easily pleased than most.
I enjoyed this one (well, I enjoy most of 'em).
I enjoyed it mostly for the construction, partly for the easier-than-average logic of the endgame, and partly for some clues which I found fun.
Trying hard to find fault - other than "too easy" which seems to me a very inadequate basis for criticism. Maybe there should be a higher base standard for Listeners? I don't think so - what about the younger up-coming solvers who need an occasional leg up?

Ok, my best attempt at a fault - NO indication of thickness or colouring of bar-drawing for the partitioning in the preamble. Should such momentous decisions be left to the solver??

[IainGrace]

Staurologist, don't demur, save to say that the setter does himself a bit of a disservice in this instance. We solved all clues, and a few that we didn't need to solve are cleverly constructed: this may pass some solvers by.

[Cruncher]

To any of you clever people who've sorted out Mash's Perfect in the Magpie. I'm curious about this puzzle and have solved most of the clues and noticed some patterns in the letters but have yet to fit them together. I'm wondering how essential the thematic numbers are in constructing the grid because I can't make head or tale of them. Is it feasible to create the grid first and then figure the numbers out afterwards? Any answers by email to [email protected]
Many thanks

[Cruncher]

Tale = tail. Oops

[the_heisman]

Thanks Mr Magoo. I have not seen anything like it before but although it was quite a quick canter I thought it was very neat and satisfying. Nice to see you back bobbycollins - I hope the rather abrupt disappearance of alekhine will bring you back into the fold. Alekhine's efforts would be far more appealing if they were not prefaced by the word "Yawn".

[voulezvous]

Well that was pretty tough for the likes of me, whatever you veterans think!
Managed the grid fill fairly well, but the endgame did not come easily with my (clearly) non logical brain.
It was so worth the effort to soldier on!
Thanks Magoo. I am in awe of the construction.

[trux]

@Cruncher: do persevere with the Mash. And (as ever) read the preamble very carefully. It's all there to help you.

And, oh yes, you don't have to solve all the clues in the Mash either to complete the grid!! But I haven't heard anyone complain about that ...

And, oh yes, final point (2), someone told me that Mr M apparently also finds solving tedious if it takes him more than 3 or 4 minutes....

[the_heisman]

The clues for the Mash one don't seem quite as hard as one would expect but the message and the numbers seem to make little sense - the pattern amongst the answers is intriguing but light has yet to dawn sadly - oh well - plenty of time left.