Where Was I?

[comerton45]

Hamlet near Earlsdon? Near Coventry too?

[goodgoalie]

You're way off - much further south

[Flonska]

Is that where you are, Comerton????

[goodgoalie]

Hi, F. Judging from his previous posts, I think comerton just wants the answers. I don't mind giving a few clues, but it spoils it just to give the game away. Where's the fun in that?!

[Flonska]

Hello GG. I do hope you are keeping well? Had to smile at last week's script with a nod to Magnus Barefoot and his land yachting exploits across Tarbet (again!!). We weren't that far from Rob Roy cave either - which was also featured in a previous puzzle.

I too am always happy to provide clues but not the answers! In some instances even clues aren't really that necessary. Take this week's for example. I think there is enough information in the first sentence of paragraph two and putting those features into a "search" on t'internet should identify where Mr Fautley and his chums began their journey.

[Tilly2]

Why he takes Terribly Trendy Friend, Navigationally Challenged Friend (reads maps upside down) and Loudly Loquacious Friend, is a mystery to me. :-)

[goodgoalie]

Hi both. Have to say I don't really enjoy this puzzle nearly as much as I used to. Came across a few I'd cut out from several years ago, and they were MUCH more interesting, mainly because they were almost twice as long. Can only think The Sunday Times have requested a shorter puzzle, which necessitates CF removing a lot of the interesting detail he used to put in.
Still (usually) submit, though.....

[Flonska]

Well . . . Tilly, at this time of year, many organisations appear to hold their conferences. Maybe this week it's time for the "Friends of Fautley" annual "work's outing" - who knows?

[Tilly2]

Did he have irritating friends back in those days, GG?

[Tilly2]

Where does Mr F live? Do you know?


He does get about a bit. :-)

[goodgoalie]

He sure did, Tilly. Especially his 'puzzle-loving friend', which involved treasure-hunt puzzles where we had to solve quite a few problems, take certain letters and put them together for his final destination. CF still sets one or two like this, but very seldom.

[Tilly2]

I have the hill fort, but I'm struggling to find the hamlet.

I do learn something every week, doing this puzzle. I have just read all about the aeronautical engineer. :-)

[Tilly2]

Yes, I seem to remember one where he had a puzzle loving friend with him. Thank you.

[Flonska]

Although NCF's map reading skills are oft commented upon, there are times, when following a route, the proper course is to read the map "upside down." Perhaps, s/he forgets that when asked for directions/locations etc, the connection between paper and reality evaporates? A sign of getting old, perhaps - like many of us?

I find that the puzzles are much easier/quicker to solve because of the data we can access so easily on-line. In that sense, I think that they are not as challenging as they used to be rather than describe them as less enjoyable. The solving of the incidental clues often turns up some interesting facts.

[goodgoalie]

Agree with that, F. Back when I began doing WWI (1999) there was no Google, and maps and reference books were the only way of getting to the answer. I can remember going in to my local library several times in search of an answer, and one Sunday I even ended up buying a hardback copy of The Cambridge Guide to English Literature in a second-hand shop, so desperate was I to find out about a mentioned author!

[Helen8]

I agree, clues only and no answers as that's no fun! I think I have solved it and all I can say is wiki whittle (right to the end) to find the right county, and sing the song that CF alludes to.... The fort is a bit tricky but local hillforts site and a paper ruler helped....