How lovely to have an Arachne. The surfaces were delightful and her wordplay so refined. Not easy however: 15, 6d, 17 all very difficult to spot. Top quality.
All those unfamiliar with the free lunch were clearly not regular readers of the NME in the 80s, where it was as ubiquitous as a phalanx of their 'hip young gunslingers' at The Wag Club.
Elegant throughout. Came to this late in the day, and it was a real treat. The bottom half yielded more slowly than the top, but the clues throughout were neatly constructed and it was a pleasure to see things fall into place. Thanks, Arachne.
Top half swift, SE slower, SW slower still. I join others in picking up a new word in 21ac. Arachne is always a pleasure and this was no exception. 18d, reasonably obvious, took me longer than anything else. Curious how the brain works. Or, in my case, doesn't. Thank you.
That was great fun, Arachne. The idea of them patting his elbow to show understanding made me smile. Will be calling into 15 sqrd for some parsings. Many thanks.
Lovely to see Arachne back again. As for many here, this felt like it was going far too quickly at first, but got more toothsome as it worked its way down finishing with some crackers in the SW. And I learned something new with 21a.
Found some of this ridiculously tough, and was reaching a point of exasperation. But, much of it was a case of not seeing the wood for the trees. Both a relief and satisfying to finish this.
I got there and enjoyed the challenge. 3D took much longer than it should have done.
I lost count of the number of times a clue suddenly came into focus and the answer revealed itself
Managed most of this by myself, but had to reveal a few. And there are some that I still don't understand how the clue leads to the answer. But hey ho, getting better at cryptic solving, little by little. Ever onwards and upwards.
Very enjoyable. Learnt a new word (or rather an old one) with 21 - would have been useful recently so not sure why it has dropped out of use. I have a vague memory of that word in 6d being used geographically but I can’t remember where - or maybe I’m missing something. Thanks Arachne.
One of those puzzles where I read the clues but don't quite see the answer and then something pops into my head and it's correct. Delightful clueing! Thank you, Arachne!
Agree with every word you say. Somehow, I feel that Arachne really wants me to get the answers, because, so often, my reaction us "But of course!"
Megaticks for the fellow with the rash and the non-standard language.
Enjoying this one so far, a great hidden word and very nice anagram. Just a very pleasant solve, so thanks to Arachne for the diversion. Couldn't parse 21a completely until used Google, might have known, British slang, despite being British, I've never heard of.
6 LOI with a chuckle when I saw it. My wife is an habitual user of 8, so got that fairly quickly. Didn't solve much on the first pass through the across clues, but the down clues came to the rescue. Liked 1a and 27 amongst others. Thanks to Arachne.
Yes. It's refreshing to see such deft, economical clueing and pleasing surfaces. Arachne has a light touch and an impish sense of humour. I always looked forward to her appearance. and wish we could see more of her.
I always enjoy the webs Arachne weaves and this was no exception. Will have to visit 225 for help parsing 6d and 21a, unless lightening strikes in the morning.
Cryptic crossword No 29,551
Comments
How lovely to have an Arachne. The surfaces were delightful and her wordplay so refined. Not easy however: 15, 6d, 17 all very difficult to spot. Top quality.
All those unfamiliar with the free lunch were clearly not regular readers of the NME in the 80s, where it was as ubiquitous as a phalanx of their 'hip young gunslingers' at The Wag Club.
So enjoyable, and so many silky surfaces!
Some easy across clues to get started then a steady solve as crossers dropped in.
Elegant throughout. Came to this late in the day, and it was a real treat. The bottom half yielded more slowly than the top, but the clues throughout were neatly constructed and it was a pleasure to see things fall into place. Thanks, Arachne.
Struggled to parse 24a but got there in the end.
Smooth as silk. Thanks, Arachne.
no such thing as...
Some really clever clues here! 26d is lovely, for example. Still lacking some parsings so you know where I’m headed now …
Lots of delightful moments of discovery when answers came clear (though a few in SW didn't), thanks Arachne.
Top half swift, SE slower, SW slower still. I join others in picking up a new word in 21ac. Arachne is always a pleasure and this was no exception. 18d, reasonably obvious, took me longer than anything else. Curious how the brain works. Or, in my case, doesn't. Thank you.
That was great fun, Arachne. The idea of them patting his elbow to show understanding made me smile. Will be calling into 15 sqrd for some parsings. Many thanks.
Lovely to see Arachne back again. As for many here, this felt like it was going far too quickly at first, but got more toothsome as it worked its way down finishing with some crackers in the SW. And I learned something new with 21a.
Brilliant! Hooray for Arachne :)
Arachne spinning web of confusion?
Some absolute gems. Thank you Arachne!
Two super puzzles in two days. Tricky but well-crafted from Paul, elegant sometimes tricky from Arachne (or permutations ). Thanks to both.
Liked this very much, especially after abrading my grey matter against Paul yesterday. 16 was spiffing.
Apologies if you know this already, but do look at FifteenSquared for all the workings-out.
After yesterday's humiliation, pride is restored, together with the enjoyment to be had from reading and solving such well-constructed clues.
Excellent clueing. Thanks, Arachne.
Found some of this ridiculously tough, and was reaching a point of exasperation. But, much of it was a case of not seeing the wood for the trees. Both a relief and satisfying to finish this.
Welcome back Sarah. I hope we see you more regularly. Makes it look so effortless but this is really top-notch setting.
Great crossword. Thought is was straightforward until SW corner. Liked 16a, 18d, 26a. Can't work out lunch part of 21a. Calling 225 helpline. Thanks.
Yep, another vote from me. Just about the right level of challenge, and genuine satisfaction at solving some of the wittier clues.
Good to see Arachne back. Hard but fair.
Superb puzzle. Taxing, amusing, rewarding lots of ings.
27a is a cracker but there are so many excellent clues here it's hard to pick one.
Thanks Arachne.
An absolute joy.
If you haven’t done it already this is well worth a look: https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/prize/29530
I got there and enjoyed the challenge. 3D took much longer than it should have done.
I lost count of the number of times a clue suddenly came into focus and the answer revealed itself
A setter I really wish we saw more often. Thanks Arachne
What a treat. Every one a gem. Looked like being a very quick solve until I got to the SW corner. Never heard of the free lunch.
Thanks, SH.
Just lovely! A mistressclass in setting, though all over way too soon. Very enjoyable.
Managed most of this by myself, but had to reveal a few. And there are some that I still don't understand how the clue leads to the answer. But hey ho, getting better at cryptic solving, little by little. Ever onwards and upwards.
Not too difficult, but beautifully-constructed clues and hugely enjoyable. Thanks, Arachne!
Very enjoyable. Learnt a new word (or rather an old one) with 21 - would have been useful recently so not sure why it has dropped out of use. I have a vague memory of that word in 6d being used geographically but I can’t remember where - or maybe I’m missing something. Thanks Arachne.
One of those puzzles where I read the clues but don't quite see the answer and then something pops into my head and it's correct. Delightful clueing! Thank you, Arachne!
Agree with every word you say. Somehow, I feel that Arachne really wants me to get the answers, because, so often, my reaction us "But of course!"
Megaticks for the fellow with the rash and the non-standard language.
Well up to this setter's very high standards - ingenious and impeccably accurate, with a wide range of references and a sense of fun.
Enjoying this one so far, a great hidden word and very nice anagram. Just a very pleasant solve, so thanks to Arachne for the diversion. Couldn't parse 21a completely until used Google, might have known, British slang, despite being British, I've never heard of.
What a joy to see Arachne's name on the crossword today!
Phew! Nice mix of clues, but some will need a visit to 225.
6 LOI with a chuckle when I saw it. My wife is an habitual user of 8, so got that fairly quickly. Didn't solve much on the first pass through the across clues, but the down clues came to the rescue. Liked 1a and 27 amongst others. Thanks to Arachne.
nice one.
cheers ears.
Yes. It's refreshing to see such deft, economical clueing and pleasing surfaces. Arachne has a light touch and an impish sense of humour. I always looked forward to her appearance. and wish we could see more of her.
Lovely balance here, some real head-scratchers mixed with near-Monday ones to make things a little easier. Very enjoyable, thanks Arachne
*Special mentions for…
Fun and quick, thanks. nho the free lunch, almost don't believe it's a thing, despite what google says... Not sure about the shift either.
I always enjoy the webs Arachne weaves and this was no exception. Will have to visit 225 for help parsing 6d and 21a, unless lightening strikes in the morning.
Thanks Arachne for being so clever without being contrived in the least. Top class all around.
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