guardian 22/12

[pollyspeed]

13a. pioneering message:batterer turned aginst soldier turned batterer

M - - - O - I - R - -.

14a. duchy at 10 with smothered daughter.

- - - - - - T - O.

21a. bar worker from street whenthers light outside.

T - - - T - R.

34a. flirts at dance in playground?

T - - / - - - -.

43a. a little paper on holiday.

- - I - S - N.

44a. sulky start of reporters request.

P - - - I - - .

[sarumite]

13a Marconigram

[sarumite]

21a Tap (st) er ... Tapster

[sarumite]

34a Toys hop ..... Toy Shop ?

[kayakamina]

14a Brabantino

43 Whitsun

44 Pettish

[kayakamina]

14a Brabantio

43 Whitsun

44 Pettish

[kayakamina]

Yes S it is Toy Shop

K

[sarumite]

Thanks K ... I was getting there very slowly ! (S)

[kayakamina]

I was a bit disappointed with this Araucaria special as once 17a was solved the rest took only 25 minutes to finish.

I hope there is a better one for Boxing Day.

[bathtub]

I totally agree, K... got onto it this evening and it took me a little longer, but not much. Maybe part of the thinking here was that people could complete it quickly to hit the deadline for submission which, in the light of the Christmas post, is a ridiculous one. I remember Guardian holiday puzzles being a lot more testing and enjoyable than this.

[cruciverbali]

...... well at least we all have plenty of time to look at Invitation by Duck