Monday, November 2, 2009 (DT 25974)

This puzzle was originally published Tuesday, July 7, 2009 in The Daily Telegraph

Introduction

Today, the National Post takes a big leap forward - skipping ahead a little more than three weeks from Friday's puzzle (DT 25954, published June 13 in the UK) to today's puzzle (DT 25974, published July 7 in the UK).

I don't think my brain was in gear today, as I found this puzzle rather difficult - having to dig into the Tool Chest after solving only three or four clues. The Brits seemed to have had a mixed assessment of the puzzle - with some feeling it was easy and others finding it difficult. Perhaps - as Big Dave likes to say - I was just not on the same wavelength as the setter today.

I must admit that I solved most of the puzzle by using tools to generate lists of synonyms or lists of words satisfying the checking letters, then finding the correct solution by reverse engineering the wordplay. I find this to be a somewhat mechanical process and not nearly as satisfying as being able to work out the solution directly from the wordplay. I did complete the puzzle, only to discover from Gazza's review that I had an incorrect solution for one clue.

Today's Glossary

Some possibly unfamiliar abbreviations, people, places, words and expressions used in today's puzzle

Leeds - a city in West Yorkshire, England

Today's Links

Gazza's review of today's puzzle may be found at Big Dave's Telegraph Crossword Blog [DT 25974].

Commentary on Today's Puzzle

12a Mariner following sound of albatross's guide (8)

This is the clue on which I went wrong. I had POLESTAR as the solution but - as this is incorrect - it is no wonder that I could not figure out the wordplay.

7d Button's quicker taking English pole (8)

Much of the enjoyment of cryptic crosswords derives from seeing through the deceptive surface reading to identify the cryptic wordplay hiding underneath. Not being a racing aficionado, I had no idea (before reading Gazza's review) that Jenson Button is a British Formula One driver. Consequently, this level of the surface reading was lost on me - though I still managed to find the solution. However, I am sure that those "in the know" took much more enjoyment from this clue.

Signing off for today - Falcon