Spectator 2583

[gourami67]

Spec 2583 - a rather too easy solve I think

[Neveracrossword]

I agree, gourami67, it was hardly worth doing!

[novalis]

It certainly wasn't the most challenging. The clue for 36 down brought a smile to my face simply because the river referenced is one I'll be crossing when I am on my way to visit friends next Friday.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Novalis. We might get a post or two with the usual 'it's good to encourage new solvers' message, but I feel Doc can do far better than this.

[novalis]

Doc certainly can do much better than this and apparently does so elsewhere under various other guises.

[Farrwest]

You guys should really listen to yourselves. Don't you appreciate that there are all sorts of solvers many not as clever as you but who enjoy tackling the Speccie. "hardly worth doing" ugh!

[Neveracrossword]

Farrwest, Doc used to be a great setter and I used to let him know how much I appreciated some of his wonderful puzzles. Those days are receding further and further into the distant past! I don't mind if new solvers get pleasure from this one, but some of us have been tackling these puzzles for possibly decades and are entitled to voice our disappointment, surely?

[novalis]

I certainly don't regard mself as 'clever' when it comes to crosswords and I usually have to spend ages finishing the 'Spectator'. This was probably the quickest I have ever finished it.

[johnpiper]

yes it was on the simpler side which makes a nice change! as was last week's effort!

[greyfox]

Hear hear Farrwest! Do tell NAC - in those early days decades ago as you were learning the cryptic crossword craft, did you romp through "these puzzles" with as much ease as you so evidently do than us lesser cruciverbal mortals these days?? I very much doubt it. As a reasonably competent solver (who has spent decades doing all sorts of cryptics) I don't have any problem with the Speccie's spectrum of relative difficulty so am firmly in the "it's good to encourage new solvers message" camp and that goes for any other cryptic too. The more people who can be introduced to the very rewarding world of the cryptic crossword the better in my opinion. It's not as if there aren't consistently more difficult puzzles out there (e.g. The Listener, EV) to keep the more accomplished solver satisfied. "Hardly worth doing" is more unwarranted and patronising comment from you I'm afraid.

[Farrwest]

Thanks greyfox.