It was good to see a newbie’s cryptic within the puzzles summer time particular that got here together with your print version (16 July), with explanations of a number of the fundamental varieties of cryptic crossword clue. However an important conference went unexplained: the definition a part of the clue at all times comes both at first or the top, or in some devious method takes up the entire clue – it’s by no means squirrelled away within the center.
Jonathan Gibson
Cottenham, Cambridgeshire
I’m not positive whether or not I’m relieved or dissatisfied to see the answer to final Saturday’s Fast crossword. Having obtained the primary letter T and third letter A for six down, “Despicable particular person (casual) (4)”, I notice it’s revealed to be TOAD.
Charlie Leventon
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Your article says Tafarn Sinc (Zinc Tavern), “regardless of the identify, is definitely constructed from sheets of corrugated iron” (An incredible hill stroll to an important Pembrokeshire pub: Tafarn Sinc, 1 July). The rationale that the corrugated iron continues to be there after greater than 140 years is that it was galvanised, ie coated with zinc.
John French
London
Stuart Jeffries, looking for a remedy for his loud loud night breathing, would possibly prefer to strive nostril respiration by inserting a small, vertical strip of surgical tape over his lips, as championed by James Nestor within the ebook Breath. It might be quite a bit cheaper than all of the anti-snoring devices (Loud night breathing was ruining my marriage – right here’s how I lastly cured myself, 16 July).
Sarah Hughes
Chichester, West Sussex
Bryan Criminal ought to know that it’s by no means too late to fall in love (Letters, 20 July). “When the gorse is out of bloom, kissing’s out of season.”
Margaret Forrester (additionally 85)
Edinburgh
