Listener No. 4454: Honest Grey Maker By Augeas

[AHearer]

Thanks, Augeas, for giving us an easier ride than we had last week, and for reminding us of this anniversary. Nice unambiguous end-game.

[Encota]

Enjoyed that - I was wondering if we'd get two toughies on the trot, but no. Great fun & a nice tribute - thanks Augeas!

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, we initially thought we were celebrating a different celebrity. Nice to have a gentler one. Many thanks for one we have enjoyed all the way through, Augeas.

[Hagen]

Just what the doctor ordered! I wasn't familiar with the subject so it was educational as well as fun. Thank you Augeas.

[starwalker]

No disrespect, but that was far more enjoyable than last week. Thanks Augeas. Now you have left me with a dilemma. Do I catch up on all the election post-mortems, or do I watch my lawn grow ?

[Philoctetes]

Another Friday for me, so I must be getting better. Were there two or three examples in the unclued entries? No matter. A nice reminder

[Hagen]

Good point Philoctetes, for a dreadful moment I thought we were going to have a repeat of the 5,6 vs 6,6 issue!

[Scorpius]

Yes, a pleasantly easy stroll this week. I'm certainly puzzled by the three works. I have a full grid but only two works.

[perseverer]

Consult, for example, the Wiki article on the theme, and you'll resolve the 2/3 issue, and the reason for the slightly unusual wording in the preamble.

[midgler]

A good puzzle, even if it felt like a let down after scaling the heights of last week. I have three works, which are accounted for by the three unclued entries (Augeas chose this word with care)

[bobbycollins]

AHearer presumably polished this one off by around half four on Friday, but how can one possibly enjoy the journey and the scenery when travelling at such Helter-Skelter speed?

[icynorth]

Thanks Augeas - an enjoyable and unambiguous solve.

The surface reading of 34 amused me, after recent events.

[IainGrace]

Good fun, but for those who know the subject matter all is readily revealed by solving the first few across and down clues.

[emcee]

bobbycollins, I'm afraid we have a case of "aren'ticleveritis" amongst a couple of regular posters who seem to think there is some kudos to be derived from being the first to post. This thread has been in existence longer than those posters and it was never intended to be a race to the finish.

[Ruthrobin]

Emcee, I think that is rather unkind. Some of us set aside time on a Friday evening to solve and work steadily at it until we have finished. It is our choice to do it in a single stretch rather than spread it over a few days and I am sure we enjoy the scenery and proceed with just as much caution as anyone who prefers to spend a week at it. I don't think there is any 'aren'tIcleveritis' in the early posts though I am invariably astounded at the speed and skill of solving of AHearer who is clearly exceptionally able (and always courteous and generous in his or her posts and certainly not giving any impression of thinking there is kudos in his/her early posting). Perhaps you are thinking of the annual Times competition where there really is a race?

[emcee]

Ruthrobin, not unkind just a true statement. One can almost visualise you early birds racing to their gadgets to register their apparent completion before the rest.

My point stands.

[Garaman]

I don’t really care whether or not there is a bit of a race to be the first to post on AB, what matters is that there is a thread. I am very happy that AHearer opens it most weeks as he/she is always generous in comment, plus I know now that I get a reasonable estimate of how long it is going to take me by multiplying his/her time taken by a factor or ten.

Thanks for this puzzle, Augeas, I enjoyed reading about the theme.

[Garaman]

'of ten'

[olichant]

Totally agree with Garaman.

I enjoyed this very much. I made heavy weather of the message, but that was my fault for making a wrong assumption. One or two slightly odd surface readings maybe? That could just be me.

Either way, a fun solve and - best of all - an excuse to spend a few lazy Sunday hours reading into a theme that was new to me in all but name.

[Cloverjo]

I enjoyed that. Nice to have a Listener that I can actually do. Interesting theme.

[upsetter]

That was tricky enough.