Spectator Crossword

[cruciverbali]

We mourn the passing of another free link .

Let's just hope that the Grauniad ensures a future for Azed - here is this week's puzzle:

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2009/09/11/1946sept13.pdf

[cruciverbali]

You have certainly helped our overseas colleagues in that respect mintyman, so on their behalf thanks again ! If the Editor is correct, as reported by K above, we should all have access to this one by the 'front door' next Thursday, but 7 days could make a big diff if you live in Oz (or there's a postal strike).

[Rollo]

dr b you can download it from here.

http://www.ayh875.btinternet.co.uk/crossword.pdf

[zita-green]

Thank you, Mintyman. I walked all the way into town, tried every newsagent (that is, all three of them) None had even heard of the Speccie. Don't worry, Cruciverb, the're on strike in London & are balloting soon for a nationwide strike, so you won't be at that much of a disadvantage.

[mad max]

Many many thanks mintyman99

[dr b]

Thanks Rollo but I only get

"The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request."

from your link. Oh well; I have no problems waiting till next week.

[AHearer]

Many thanks, Mintyman -- I was beginning to wonder what to do on the train home this evening.

[kayakamina]

Thanks very much Mintyman.

Somehow Thursday's wouldn't be the same without it.

Sad but true!

[robinruth]

Mintyman99, I would love to know how you got it. I am a subscriber and can log in but can't get the crossword. Many thanks.

[Rollo]

There was something wrong with the btinternet server, but it is working OK now.

[dr b]

w00t! I am spec-ified. thanks mintyman (and rollo for the news)

[greyfox]

Many thanks mintyman for that selfless gesture. All power to your prize winning elbow!

[DocHH]

Thank you mintyman99, but please be assured I will not be submitting a completed grid, will not be adversely affecting your odds of winning a prize! I just enjoyed the puzzle!

[crucifernz]

Thank you VERY MUCH mintyman99! I've had no problem with the link, so can do my weekly mental exercises. Can we rely on you every Thursday - I hope so!
Thanks also Cruciverbali re your offer to convert book vouchers into cash if I win Azed. I had thought that I could post them to someone in the UK, who could then deposit the cash into my PayPal account or send me a cheque in GBP. The NZ banks take a month to clear GBP personal cheques but there again, I'm not complaining. Azed doesn't give a specific deadline date, just says postmarked no later than Saturday - am I right that for this coming weekend's that gives me until Sat 26 Sept - do they accept postmarks from outside the UK? If I posted this week's Airmail on Monday 21Sept. in theory it should get to London in time, but I might be wasting the postage if it doesn't...

[crucifernz]

P.S. I hope they don't discover who the circumventers are at Speccie HQ or they might disqualify us - if our entries arrive too early for non subscribers!

[slaney]

Thank you very much mintyman - I had resigned myself to waiting until next week.

[cruciverbali]

I'm certain that all postmarks are acceptable crucifernz. This weekend's Azed puzzle entry needs to be franked by 26 September, as you say. I suppose what folks overseas really need to know is when the actual draw is made, especially as I believe there are serious postal delays affecting London in particular at the moment. I wonder whether an entry postmarked after the 26th but arriving before the draw is made would really be rejected? I will make enquires !

C

[crucifernz]

Thanks for all your efforts Cruciverbali. I will see what happens with this Weekend's Azed, though with postal delays in the UK, even if it leaves NZ on the next plane... I've also just signed up for a trial period with the Telegraph's CluedUp Xwd Club - very competitive. It makes it very clear that overseas online submissions DO NOT qualify for the weekly and monthly draws. However, it's perhaps worth membership for a month or so to gather up some Enigmatic Variations puzzles.

[Mysterons]

... and thanks again to mintyman - this one definitely appealed to my sweet tooth. By the way, did you notice last week's announced winners ? Now that's what I call a Swiss roll !

[Christiana]

Just to add my belated thanks to Mintyman et al. as I've only just run it off. As I am also outside the U.K am grateful to get it in advance of the official date.

[crucifernz]

Hi Cruciverbali
Have just finished today's Azed and will post to London tomorrow. Will let you know if I need to cash GBP25 in Book tokens!