BS: Araucaria's Support (light)

Subject: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: GUEST,Jack Sprocket
Date: 12 Jan 13 - 06:15 PM

I know Guests aren't supposed to start BS threads, but I've been waiting too long for someone else to get it going...

The doyen of British cryptic crossword setters, the Rev. John Graham, better known to his victims as Araucaria, is dying. With the courage of a true Stoic, he revealed it in a series of cryptic clues in a crossword.

In the Grauniad. He should have known better. They headlined it (the day after the crossword was published): "The clue is in the crossword: Araucaria has 18 across".

Araucaria has "cone"??????

Of course, it's a characteristic Guardian cockup- 18 DOWN was "cancer".

I wish the happiest of deaths to my longstanding enemy and humiliator, and hope, when the time comes, St Peter has his name spelt right in the book. Only the good die young, and he's 91.

The thread title? 7

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 12 Jan 13 - 06:19 PM

You have made a well written and imaginative opening post. Since I have very little knowledge of any noun mentioned in it, especially the proper nouns, that is all I have to say.

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: Mo the caller
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 05:57 AM

That was a breathtaking crossword. From the king of crossword setters.

I haven't solved your clue yet, but it is fitting that his fans should make clues in his honour.

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: greg stephens
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 06:08 AM

A splendid crossword and a great way to spread his news. I do hope he hangs on as long as possible, I rely on him. The Guardian's current other setters I find tedious and clasically imprexcisse or tediously clver-dickery. Araucraria's clues are beautifully constructed , and some quite breathtaking. Keep them coming as long as you can, old boy!

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 06:12 AM

Yes, sad indeed that he should go thus. Cancer of the oesophagus ain't pleasant/ Like Jack, I wish him a pleasant passing.
Araucaria for those who don't know, is the Latin name for a tree known in the UK as the Monkey Puzzle tree. It's a variety of pine, from South America, I think.

Yup, this is the one.

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: Mo the caller
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 06:13 AM

They've retitled the article
but solve the puzzle before you read it - it gives away all the answers

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: Mo the caller
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 06:28 AM

The Monkey Puzzle tree used to be very popular, I have an mental image of very tall specimens in suburban front gardens, taking all the light from the front rooms. Slow to get started but they grow huge.

The Guardian published a book of his puzzles (called it Monkey Puzzles). I had to buy 2 copies so that my daughter and I could work collaboratively - someone saying 'I've got 1 across' may be all the nudge you need, and someone to explain or reject a possible answer is a help.

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 07:06 AM

I believe the monkey puzzle tree is also called the Chilean Pine.

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 07:09 AM

I totally agree with Mr. Stephens. When there are no more of the gentleman's wonderful crosswords life will be just that little bit emptier.

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 07:17 AM

Is the answer to your clue 'bravery'? (bra = support and Very = a light)

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: Mo the caller
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 08:24 AM

I was trying for something religious, since presumably a vicar faces what other people think of as 'the end' with less regret. But that sounds right Eliza.

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 09:04 AM

The Rev Graham's generation (those now in their nineties) were a really tough and determined bunch. There are two in our village, and they put the rest of us to shame, as they refuse to give in and just keep going. I'm sorry this gentleman is ill with cancer, it will be a sad loss indeed.

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: GUEST,Jack Sprocket
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 05:31 PM

Eliza is of course right - a description of what we possess in confinement would have been another way of putting it, though it wouldn't fit in the title edit box. Without disrespect to Eliza's good self, it's the best I could do.

But he is (still with us yet) so much more inventive in setting clues than others that I rather despair for the future. Where will we find another Master who can set alphabetical puzzles (where you don't have numbers, just the letter they start with) in rhyme? Damn'd siesta! My God, I'm not Gunga Din! Heel, hounds! (3,4,3.10,2,3,2,3,3-3,3)

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: Mo the caller
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 06:28 PM

I think my favourite recent clues were in his Christmas puzzle. 38,29 and 31 (groan)

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 02:24 PM

I wonder if this is 'Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun' ? Excellent clue! Thank you for giving my poor old brain a workout!

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: GUEST,Jack Sprocket
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 03:57 PM

It is, and it took me most of a train journey from Derby to Westbury (change at Reading) back in about 1989 to work it out.

Subject: RE: BS: Araucaria's Support (light)
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 04:30 PM

Wasn't it clever of him to make an anagram out of it which so aptly fitted the answer? He must have a real razor-brain. I must look out for some of his crossword puzzle books, as I like to try and keep my brain cells going, even if the rest of me is clapped out!