Times Crossword Championship

[dr john]

Anybody take part on Sunday? What did you think of the puzzles/organisation/venue?

[Aperio]

I found it hard to finish 3 puzzles in one hour. The first two puzzles were OK, but half way through the third puzzle my mind began to shut down. I didn't think there were any really difficult clues.

Organisation was very good. Venue not so good. My companions, who didnot take part in the competition, explored Cheltenham town centre which they did not find very inspiring. In particular, they gave the "Raymond Blanc cafe " zero stars.

We got stuck outside Oxford on the Headingly roundabout for a whole hour on the way back. Does any one know of a Web site route planner which includes potential holdups?

I enjoyed the lecture afterwards. I thought Colin Dexter and Sebastian Faulks both very funny.

Have yet to receive results.

Aperio

[dr john]

Thanks Aperio. I must say doing three puzzles together gave me the opportunity to go away from clues I was stuck on, and come back to them later without wasting time. I was on the second shift, whose puzzles were much easier than the first lot apparently.
Having to sit in silence after finishing wasn't much fun, so I hope they can find a venue more suitable for socialising next time.
I agree Cheltenham was disappointing, and I almost ran out of petrol driving round to find a garage.
Colin Dexter was good value - I didn't know he'd used the pseudonym Codex.

[ShamrockBlue]

I would be interested to know the degree of difficulty of crosswords set.
Would they be equivalent to the Times Saturday Cryptic say ?
If so, 3 of those in an hour sounds very challenging indeed.
Thanks

[Aperio]

Shamrock, The puzzles were not specially compiled for the competition. They were taken from those that would otherwise appeared in the Times.

Dr John, I was also in the second session. I overheard other people from my session saying that the first session was much easier. We will have to wait until we get the results to find out who is right.

I thought the previous format of the competition, based in London, was much better.

Did you make the grand final?

Aperio

[dr john]

Afraid not, though I did manage to complete the puzzles correctly, in good enough time to qualify for a bye next year. I heard that only 16 people completed the morning puzzles correctly, but that may be pure rumour.