i Cryptic Crossword 2634 Nestor
July 18, 2019
When you’re in a bit of a rush, in between a Year 6 Leaver’s Assembly and afternoon tea (very posh, I know, but I’m not paying 🙂 ), what you don’t necessarily want is a particularly taxing Nestor to quickly solve and blog. Well, that’s what we’ve got, and quite tricky it was too. All fair and above board as expected, though with a few convoluted bits of wordplay, and quite a few not fully understood on solving. Thankfully we had clues like 8d and 15ac to open up the grid very nicely, and 20ac to the SE that was a godsend if you spotted the definition quickly, as I did. First in 24ac, last in a not-understood-at-all 17d.
Anyway, all enjoyed, if rushed, and now I must run…
COD? 12ac, just because it elicited a groan here too – “Feeding on grass and taking photos? (10)”
To April 2015:
http://www.fifteensquared.net/2015/04/16/independent-8893-nestor/
batarde
flashling
jonofwales
michaelatcobblerscottage
Cornick
sprouthater
uiytjhgmj
Okay, I couldn’t do 6dn or 14ac so came here to see what those were.
Everything else done okay, though I did write “christ!” next to 17dn after working that out (and “ew” next to 20ac). Appreciative ticks next to 15ac and 24ac, on the other hand.
That was a bit taxing, wasn’t it? The cognitive gears were slow to mesh today so it was anything but a flying start, but things did improve and I wound up thoroughly enjoying myself. Excellent, intricate workmanship by Nestor throughout, and I really liked 17d when I eventually worked out what was going on.
Yup – satisfyingly chewy, but not at all fazed by A-level maths or Spanish geography (and toke came up in yesterday’s Guardian). Just took a bit too long to parse the obvious Canadian reference, but the penny-dropping moment was sublime! Some iffy subject matter for the squeamish, but full marks to Nestor, especially for the geriatric accommodation at 13 and my favourite opera singer at 22.
VECTOR and EBRO eluded me too, so a rare Did Not Finish for me today, despite putting it down and picking it up again after a break.
Everything else ok (at least sort of ok). Lots to admire and enjoy. Seeing the X and the J I quite expected a pangram…
Glad those two weren’t just me then!
Enjoyed that.
Hard to get into, but progress never held up for too long and ultimately all solved with reference books or anything, which means a thumbs up from me.