Guardian Cryptic Araucaria

[paulintownsville]

Best wishes to Araucaria

[gen2]

Almost 92 and still setting high class puzzles. I hope I am still as mentally alert as he is when I am almost 92.

In case anyone is wondering:


I don't know if Araucaria looks in here but if so, you have my best wishes as well John.

[mazie]

He's 92 in February isn't he gen? I remember seeing all the pictures of his 90th birthday party back in 2011. Best wishes from me as well x

[gen2]

The quote didn't reproduce in my post above so here it is again:

In case anyone is wondering:

[A series of medical tests have revealed a cancer which he and doctors have decided is better lived with than treated by surgery or chemotherapy. In typical fashion Araucaria says avoiding these two remedies is ‘brilliant’ and life will continue for some time buoyed with supplements. ]

[gen2]

Yes Mazie on Feb 16th, and the information that I attempted to reproduce above was contained in a newsletter that I received last week.

[mazie]

I'm sure we all wish him the best and that he continues for some time to come. x

[Tilly2]

I'm sorry to hear he's poorly. I do enjoy his puzzles. I wish him well.

[mikey4444]

Can I suggest that we all send a card to Araucaria, via the Guardian ? I am sure it would cheer him up.

[Tilly2]

Has there been something in the Guardian about him being ill? Gen2 seems to know about it through a newsletter.

[mikey4444]

Tilly...see here ::::

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20997052

[Tilly2]

Thank you, mikey. How sad.

[banjo123]

Best wishes,thought something was amiss after yesterdays xword in the Guardian.

[humbersloop]

I did yesterday's puzzle with a mix of tears and laughter - "sign of growth" was such a breathtaking clue.

For anyone interested, here's his Desert Island Discs. Thank you for John and I hope we have much more to come.

[humbersloop]

oops *thank you for everything John

[macgee]

A truly great charachter and will be sadly missed when he stops setting his crosswords. What style to announce in this way, it only dawned on me half way through the puzzle and then saw the news. The sort of man you wished you had met.
Best Wishes John.

[esmerelda3]

If indeed he does look, I should like to add my thanks for giving me such a great hobby and how when I catch onto his train of thought it is fun. Wishing him well and long may he keep his mental faculties which obviously afford him great pleasure too.

[maeva]

best wishes araucaria, the best ever crossword setter, will be greatly missed