Spectator Crossword 1859

[Rapparee]

The latest is here: 1859 by Ascot

[Tichfield]

Thanks for the link.

[BigMac]

Yes, thanks for the link.

I printed this off earlier and am wondering whether to recycle the page now or try and complete the crossword.

For some reason, I find this type of puzzle very dificult - I suppose because I have never managed to complete one I have lost the desire to try. I know, that's defeatist talk.

So, could you and the other regulars kindly be patient with me this week as I try to get to grips with mechanics of solving this week's puzzle?

[Rapparee]

Morning Big Mac

If, by "recycle" you mean bin it I'd say don't do it!. Try to complete it on your own if you can. After all you didn't give up on X-word by Doc just recently.

But if you get really stuck you can always ask. I'm sure plenty of people will be only too willing to help.
It is the Answerbank after all.

[BigMac]

Thanks for the encouragement!

Now, trying not to harm others' enjoyment:

Is 1d too obvious? Possessive foreneame?

And 30a looks like the misprint could bequeth something in Arabia?

[cruciverbali]

Thanks Rapparee ! Good luck with this one BigMac - you are spot on with these two already.

[kayakamina]

Bigmac there is always a clue in the title (or number) of the crossword.
Once you have the connection the rest is 'elementary'

Good luck K

[Rapparee]

BigMac,

You're way ahead of me at the moment as i won't be able to take a proper look at this for another couple of hours but taking a quick glance 1d does seem obvious and you're on the right lines with 30a though Lawrence is more significant than Arabia.
There are some obvious misprints in some other clues. If you can identify them you'll be well on your way. Otherwise try to seek out some of the normal clues.

Catch you later!

R

[BigMac]

kayakamina, Following your hint, if the punch-line were "someone's nicked the tent" would that suggest I am on the right lines?

Rapparee, I only had a quick glance at a couple of them - the ones that looked easiest; I won't get a proper look at it until tomorrow evening but will, no doubt, be seeking (re)assurance regularly thereafter.

cruciverbalist, thanks for the confirmation.

[kayakamina]

Bigmac I don't want to spoil it for others who haven't finished it, but 1859 is the year a famous person was born
( 4 words) and was associated with someone who said something I mentioned earlier.

I'm 'away' at the Masters Golf so won't be on here much, if at all ,so I hope you can solve it with what you've got.

Good luck K

[BigMac]

Thanks, k, that confirms it.

BTW, the punchline comes from a joke that (I think) came top in a poll of the best jokes ever.

The words were spoken by a medical professional as his violin-playing accomplice established the pair's position by use of the stars....

Enjoy the golf - I'm getting geared up for Cardiff at the end of May, looking forward to London Irish vs Munster in the Heineken Cup Final.

[starwalker]

I think that 18 down should be clued. I don't see how it fits the theme, but it's easy enough to complete once all other answers are in.

[Rapparee]

18d is certainly thematic as a spot of googling will show.

[midazolam]

thanks for the link - took a bit of "solving" with the unusual misprints - nice to see the spectator change from the norm over the last couple of weeks

[starwalker]

My apologies. It didn't get a mention in the book which I checked.

[cruciverbali]

Yes, the inclusion of misprints has been a refreshing change - did anyone spot sweep for sheep in both this and the previous week's puzzles ?

[Rapparee]

I didn't notice till you mentioned it. Well spotted!

[BigMac]

Well, I didn't give up.

With patience and noticing some of the other contributions on here, I have solved it.

By the way, I have a self-imposed rule that if I don't understand the 'why' of an answer then I certainly shouldn't enter the competition.

So, one final question on this one (I've almost completed 1860): what does the first half of the clue to 16 across mean? I understand the last five words (and the answer), but not the first three. Could you kindly explain how they fit?

16a A small flock just clear of the bottom (5) = ATRIP

[Rapparee]

Hi BigMac

If you look up trip2 (i.e. the 2nd entry for trip, just above tripartite) in Chambers you will find your answer. And you still have time to send this in!

[BigMac]

Thanks again.

Sorry for the delay in responding, but am in a new job which is taking up all my time....

[Rapparee]

BigMac

No problem. I hope you got the answer you were looking for....
Still waiting for an answer to the anomaly at number 1860!

Regards,

Rapparee