Listener 4169 : Seaside Shuffle by Monk

[trux]

PDM at last! Having huffed and puffed, suddenly it dawned on me what it was all about. Of course, haven't actually finished it yet but wanted to get in early as never started this thread before. Ho,ho,ho!

[AHearer]

Yes, trux, I guessed the theme very early on (that is to say, I think I did -- with only half the across clues my guess at the exchange seems to fit, the names of those involved have the right length, and the title works, but I haven't yet got a single letter I could put in in ink!).

[trux]

AH : surely you can have no doubt about the grid entries for two of the unclued lights? Have grid half-filled, but clues are tough and progress not as fast as one might expect when one knows exactly what to do.

[AHearer]

... and I've just realised how neatly the preamble confirms that I have the correct exchange.

[midazolam]

I now understand everything, but I am yet to solve all the clues. I have the exchange, the unclued entries and how to insert them, but this is very much a taxing affair just before Christmas. Not a festive theme I was hoping for but it is a significant anniversary. Well done Monk, I wonder why the Listener long break since 2003 given you still set for the Independent?

[Vagans]

After last week's struggles this one positively skipped off the page, thank goodness. And I suppose there is a festive link, if not one my avatar would have recognised...

[AHearer]

Yes, trux, you're right, of course, about those two of the unclued lights -- and the circled entries.

[Ruthrobin]

Well, I am underway, but this is going to be a long, hard struggle. Not quite the little Christmas treat I was hoping for!

[trux]

All done, and many thanks to Monk for this. The denouement exercises ones grey cells for quite a lot longer than one originally thinks it will, post-PDM. Festive greetings to one and all.

[Rogue-Elfe]

Yet again, I'm stymied by the cold solving requirement. I've got four of them - only four - and the rest are baffling. Extra letters in the wordplay means correct definitions, so why so tricky??

[Ruthrobin]

So tricky, I think, because this is rather like the knights' moves and Mash's Klein bottle - with gaps in the clues, there are always going to be unknowns. One of the trickiest this year for me. I'm labouring on! Best wishes to all for Christmas.

[floaker]

I remember a couple of Monk’s earlier puzzles and so far, and that’s not very far at all, this looks as if it too will be memorable. I was hoping the solution to 4166 would explain the four protruding letters around the grid but no mention is made of them. Did they signify something or was it simply a device to fit in all the thematic material? Does anyone have an explanation?

[cluelessJoe]

Well, I have limped to cold solving half the clues. I suspect it will not be halfway in terms of the whole solution though - a couple of strings from the exchange are not helping, and the reference source is not one I possess so I hope there is some internet availability if I ever get close enough to run a search. Meanwhile I'm not enjoying it, so off to do something more useful, this chore can wait.
Do have a great Christmas everybody and thanks for your company through the year.
cJ

[Walterloo]

There once was a solver called Walterloo
After last weeks puzzle his brain turned to goo
But on Christmas Eve
He did but grieve
At more cold solving he had to do.

Season's greetings to all. Enjoy.

[emcee]

cJ, you won't need said reference - I don't possess it either - however, it's quite a memorable phrase.

I enjoyed this puzzle, the clues were challenging but fair. Saying that, I'm surprised one answer was allowed as many solvers may not have heard of them!

The finale requires much care and I'll probably need to check again once the turkey has all gone.

Finally, a very Merry Christmas and a joyous 2012 to one and all.

[dead-eye]

I think I may have erred somewhere, since I have two possible grid fills! A real slog. Happy Christmas everyone.

[Philoctetes]

Not started this - only just started last week's in earnest. But I have a question. If the new edition of the BRB does not have the "Names" appendix, does this mean a rich vein of cluing is lost forever?

[cluelessJoe]

Well the breather helped, but still a lot of grid filling to contemplate. Thanks emcee .. afraid I remember the exchange all too well. I seem to recall it was used elsewhere within the last couple of years too.
I see AZED just had a tilt at the new Chambers in his latest slip ('slip' as in his comp commentary, not the clue-type error in his last puzzle!). I suppose Philoctetes that setters will still be able to use first names in puzzles, but no longer reference them by their meanings/derivations. Shame!

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, indeed CJ, you don't need the reference book in question - I don't have it but the Internet and common knowledge will help there. For me the name emcee is certainly referring to and another were not in my knowledge - but it is possible to work backwards to them when your gridfill has progressed. Quite a challenge, though, thank you Monk!

[midazolam]

I should wise up to the tricks of the Listener by now....hands up who made the error and put the wrong one in. Tricky clues made even harder with that slip up. Anyway, I checked through my grid this morning and there is definitely only one solution.

Visiting all done so a relaxing couple of days ahead. Happy Xmas to everyone and lets hope for a good year of solving in 2012

[IainGrace]

Just been reading the solution to 4166. Struggled with the clues but got there. Mulled over matters, inserted "David Lean" in the diagonal, then stared at the grid on and off for days, armed with a list of his films. Oh well. Hey ho. Or should that be Ho Ho Ho? This week's challenge looks easier.