Listener 4118: Auf Wiedersehen by Loda

[AHearer]

I'm delighted to see that there is, after all, a Listener this week, and glad I signed up to the on-line service as our local newsagent does not open on New Year's Day.

It's a nice puzzle, but prompts me to ask whether anybody has correlated the intensity of the discussion here with the length of the rubrick.

[tenflags]

If this is one of the easiest I now know why I only have a go at these half a dozen or so times a year.

I only do an hour a day on crosswords, if I'm lucky, and as I am not as good / clever as you guys these ones can take me nearly a week. I liked this puzzle, and my NY resolution is to have a go at a few more and take the advice of Clamzy about being absolutely certain about an answer / solution. Even with my limited involvement I have learnt that these suckers tend to be very precise.
Even if I am invariably too late to 'contribute' to these threads they do at least sometimes give me a 'steer' as to whether to have a go or not. So thank you one and all.

[bobbycollins]

tenflags, it's no so much about being especially clever as experienced after (very often) many years involvement. Keep at it and I promise that you will quickly get more and more adept.

Study the solutions to puzzles to unravel the fiendishness of setters and have a bash at puzzles that are usually a tad easier. I also tackle the EV,Spectator, Mephisto and AZED each week.

Good luck and welcome to a very friendly forum.

[Mysterons]

Tenflags - you might already be aware that Derek Arthur produced a useful series of articles for newcomers to the Listener Cossword . The first article contains links to all the others:

http://entertainment....es/article1544042.ece

[aldanna]

Late comment this week as I have been into hospital for surgery, and saved the Listener to while away some time (impressing the woman in the bed opposite with the size of the BRB I had brought in). Enjoyable crossword, grid completed and I think I know what to highlight. I agree with most of the comments, including the one about the wordplay for 30dn (still thinking about that one though the answer seems clear).

And my Listener experiences totally confirm RR's view that if it doesn't feel good enough, it probably isn't.

[easterfool]

A late finish, but mainly because I took time off for family visits etc. Still managed to finish before the next one came. Thoroughly enjoyed this one - felt sure about everything, but like others I am prone to stupid errors. Certainly had at least one during 2010. I thoroughly agree with bobbycollins about this being a welcoming forum - welcome tenflags. Many people will be very pleased to help in any way that you want. You can always use private emails for more obvious hints, if you wish.

Happy New Year to all,

[teuchter2]

Very late entry. Unfortunately I only discovered this one on Friday evening when looking for 4119 - well I suppose I was looking for 4118 and discovered that I had missed it. I have been otherwise occupied all weekend, but have managed to complete grid, I think. Not too sure about 12d in that I don't understand it. Must now try to get theme and find the cells to be highlighted. Better late than never.