politicalbetting
Home› General

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

Sign In Register

Categories

Options

The 2022 StJohn PB Christmas Crossword (Est 2006) – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 11,006
edited January 2023 in General
imageThe 2022 StJohn PB Christmas Crossword (Est 2006) – politicalbetting.com

Across

Read the full story here

«13

Comments

  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,367
    edited December 2022
    7 across is presumably far?

    That will be my sole contribution, I think.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,367
    7 down Fabricant ?
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,367
    26 down eye ?
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,367
    11 across Jenkins ?
  • Options
    BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,187
    Move Mrs Hamster, I cry
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Hi all. Merry Xmas. I think this year’s puzzle is more accessible than previous years. I hope some of you give it a go.
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,129
    Nigelb said:

    26 down eye ?

    I am hopeless at crosswords but I think it is Ely, which would be every second letter.

    And with that I will wish everyone a very happy and healthy Christmas and got on with the turkey.
  • Options
    dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 27,940
    5 down is India?
    Before Nigel completes the grid before anybody awakes.
    Merry Christmas!
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Far - no
    Fabricant - yes
    Eye - no
    Jenkins - yes
  • Options
    dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 27,940
    Nigelb said:

    7 across is presumably far?

    That will be my sole contribution, I think.

    Didn't age well.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,367
    dixiedean said:

    Nigelb said:

    7 across is presumably far?

    That will be my sole contribution, I think.

    Didn't age well.
    I'm crap at crosswords, so it was a reasonable prediction.
  • Options
    JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,891
    Thanks StJohn for this.

    I'm terrible at crosswords so will give this a miss, but I enjoy reading people chewing the cud over the answers.
  • Options
    dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 27,940
    27 across Yen.
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Ely - yes.
    India - yes
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Yen - yes
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,129
    stjohn said:

    Ely - yes.
    India - yes

    Getting a clue in the @stjohn crossword on Christmas morning. Who was trying to claim that this was not a successful year for me? Ha! Read this and weep.
  • Options
    pingping Posts: 3,731
    Crosswords have always seemed like magic to me.

    Happy Xmas, all!
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,367
    DavidL said:

    stjohn said:

    Ely - yes.
    India - yes

    Getting a clue in the @stjohn crossword on Christmas morning. Who was trying to claim that this was not a successful year for me? Ha! Read this and weep.
    I had two firsts - correct and incorrect.
    Weep more :smile:
  • Options
    BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,187
    Is it fah rather than far?
  • Options
    BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,187
    8 down hand-out bill
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Fah - yes
    Hand-out Bill - yes
  • Options
    Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 7,522
    A slightly belated Merry Xmas to all.

    I am enjoying the luxury of there being just the two of us today, for the first time in 17 years. The 4 grown-up kids and 2 grandkids are elsewhere. I love them all dearly, but it's bliss!
  • Options
    rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 7,905
    17A - President
    23D - Avail
    2D - Ahern
    26D - spy

    Thanks for the crossword - this is the only one I do each year! Merry Christmas all
  • Options
    BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,187
    10a TOBIN
  • Options
    BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,187
    6d NUTTIER
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    President - No
    Avail -yes
    Ahern - yes
    Spy - no
    Tobin - yes
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Nuttier - yes
  • Options
    BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,187
    edited December 2022
    12a AKIHITO
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Akihito - yes
  • Options
    jamesdoylejamesdoyle Posts: 636
    edited December 2022
    22a Red Wall
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Red Wall - yes
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,109
    stjohn said:

    Nuttier - yes

    Is that linked in some way to Fabricant?
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,109
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Many thanks to StJohn for this, and merry Christmas to all of you and your families, even the ones who put pineapple on their pizzas.

    What about the ones who are watching Die Hard? :smile:
  • Options
    Peter_the_PunterPeter_the_Punter Posts: 13,288
    edited December 2022
    Happy Christmas to all members of the PB community who have tolerated me well for so many years.

    From Mrs & Mrs PtP.

    PS Special thanks to StJ for his annual crossword.
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,222
    ydoethur said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Many thanks to StJohn for this, and merry Christmas to all of you and your families, even the ones who put pineapple on their pizzas.

    What about the ones who are watching Die Hard? :smile:
    Silly, that’s a Christmas Eve movie.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,367
    MaxPB said:

    Merry Christmas all, just packing the car and heading to my parents place. Jen's first Christmas and her first time staying anywhere other than our house, hopefully she won't have any issues. My old room is just about big enough for a double bed and the travel cot. My sister and brother in law have two kids in with them tonight!

    My mum keeps hinting that maybe it's time to move Christmas to my house or my sister's as they're bigger but it wouldn't be the same, and once the kids are old enough they can sleep on the floor anyway.

    Who does the cooking ?
  • Options
    SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 591
    15 across Informant?
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Informant - yes. Mark Felt. Deep Throat
  • Options
    SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 591
    19 across Mutti?
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,525
    Northern_Al said:

    A slightly belated Merry Xmas to all.

    I am enjoying the luxury of there being just the two of us today, for the first time in 17 years. The 4 grown-up kids and 2 grandkids are elsewhere. I love them all dearly, but it's bliss!

    Having a Die Hard movie marathon in peace?
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Mutti- yes. Merkel was so called.
  • Options
    DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 24,238
    IanB2 said:

    ydoethur said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Many thanks to StJohn for this, and merry Christmas to all of you and your families, even the ones who put pineapple on their pizzas.

    What about the ones who are watching Die Hard? :smile:
    Silly, that’s a Christmas Eve movie.
    Die Hard was duly watched and reviewed on the early-morning thread.
  • Options
    MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,606
    Nigelb said:

    MaxPB said:

    Merry Christmas all, just packing the car and heading to my parents place. Jen's first Christmas and her first time staying anywhere other than our house, hopefully she won't have any issues. My old room is just about big enough for a double bed and the travel cot. My sister and brother in law have two kids in with them tonight!

    My mum keeps hinting that maybe it's time to move Christmas to my house or my sister's as they're bigger but it wouldn't be the same, and once the kids are old enough they can sleep on the floor anyway.

    Who does the cooking ?
    I do, my sister is the sous chef for the day, or the self styled queen of peeling and chopping.
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    I will be without internet access for a while. Keep solving!
  • Options
    andypetukandypetuk Posts: 69
    11d Justin Welby
  • Options
    SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 591
    edited December 2022
    28 across Denis Healey?
  • Options
    northern_monkeynorthern_monkey Posts: 1,503
    Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you all have a lovely day.
  • Options
    SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 591
    edited December 2022
    19 down Moderne? MOD+ere= before with n for new.
  • Options
    BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,187
    SandraMc said:

    19 down Moderne? MOD+ere= before with n for new.

    I was sure it was that, but couldn't see the wordplay for erne
  • Options
    andypetukandypetuk Posts: 69
    1a Stagflation
    Very nice anagram.
  • Options
    SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 591
    Is 24 across Later? and 18 down Assured A + s for society +sure = certain plus d for democrat?
  • Options
    SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 591
    Got to go for a bit. Thanks for the crossword. I always enjoy it.
  • Options
    BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,187
    1d SEC
  • Options
    ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 4,964
    Theuniondivvie said:

    Merry Christmas, but never forget what horror is abroad in the world.


    At first sight I thought the guy on the right was OGH! But it’s Rupe, right?
  • Options
    ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 4,964
    IanB2 said:

    ydoethur said:

    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Many thanks to StJohn for this, and merry Christmas to all of you and your families, even the ones who put pineapple on their pizzas.

    What about the ones who are watching Die Hard? :smile:
    Silly, that’s a Christmas Eve movie.
    For today, it’s gotta be Merry Christmas Mister Lawrence.
  • Options
    Peter_the_PunterPeter_the_Punter Posts: 13,288
    ThomasNashe said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    Merry Christmas, but never forget what horror is abroad in the world.


    At first sight I thought the guy on the right was OGH! But it’s Rupe, right?
    But has anyone ever seen OGH and Rupe in the same room together?
  • Options
    BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,187
    9a CLEVELAND?
  • Options
    ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 4,964
    Peter_the_Punter said:

    ThomasNashe said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    Merry Christmas, but never forget what horror is abroad in the world.


    At first sight I thought the guy on the right was OGH! But it’s Rupe, right?
    But has anyone ever seen OGH and Rupe in the same room together?
    One is the founder of an international publishing empire, and the other is an Australian with a colourful marital history.
  • Options
    TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 39,962
    ThomasNashe said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    Merry Christmas, but never forget what horror is abroad in the world.


    At first sight I thought the guy on the right was OGH! But it’s Rupe, right?
    It is.
    I’m horrified if this image has caused hurt and I shall be more careful in future.
  • Options
    Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 32,859
    Ho

    Ho

    Ho

    https://twitter.com/chrismcquarrie/status/1606943226308747264/photo/1


  • Options
    viewcodeviewcode Posts: 18,619
    1/2: Good morning children, and I hope you had the bestest presents. A rare front-stage appearance from me, one happy, one sad. The happy one is to wish you all the best for the upcoming 2023. Despite being a rather fallow period for elections I hope it brings you everything you need. (2024 in contrast will contain one POTUS, one EP, and one GE. Zoinks!)
  • Options
    viewcodeviewcode Posts: 18,619
    2/2 in contrast, the sad post is to ask you for a death. As some of you know I keep an informal list of obituaries of PBers who have died and I write their obituaries. A bit morbid, but I am of the mind that everybody deserves to be remembered, if only for a little while. One PBer (more than one) died this year and my Swiss-cheese memory prevents recall of their names. So if some kind person can inform me, here or via PM, then that would be nice. Despite the morbid question, please enjoy the rest of your day. Merry Xmas!
  • Options
    SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 591
    20 across Windsor. Barbara+ Castle.
  • Options
    TresTres Posts: 2,208
    Scott_xP said:

    Ho

    Ho

    Ho

    https://twitter.com/chrismcquarrie/status/1606943226308747264/photo/1


    sadly, the 3 lead baddies have all passed on, rip
  • Options
    dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 27,940
    SandraMc said:

    20 across Windsor. Barbara+ Castle.

    Great clue!
  • Options
    RobDRobD Posts: 58,961
    Merry Christmas everyone!
  • Options
    SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,843
    Merry Christmas one and all! 🎄

    Hope Santa brought everything you wanted 🎅
  • Options
    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 60,969
    Mr. Sandpit, just finished the introduction to the Canterbury Tales, though I'll perhaps leave starting the text proper until tomorrow.

    Hope you and yours (and other PBers, of course) have a splendid day.
  • Options
    OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 15,064
    4 down: Adam Smith.
  • Options
    OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 15,064
    Theuniondivvie said:

    Merry Christmas, but never forget what horror is abroad in the world.


    Boak.
  • Options
    kinabalukinabalu Posts: 39,108
    And so Happy Christmas ... to all on PB
    When dinner is over ... don't hog all the brie

    I'm a dunce at xwords but I can do stupid rhymes :smile:
  • Options
    SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 591
    edited December 2022
    17 across Impeached? 1 MP + each. Ed.

    Now off to open the champers.
  • Options
    checklistchecklist Posts: 179
    kinabalu said:

    And so Happy Christmas ... to all on PB
    When dinner is over ... don't hog all the brie

    I'm a dunce at xwords but I can do stupid rhymes :smile:

    Brie after Xmas pud and Brazil nuts? Mouthfeel fail

    To all you good posters whose work PB's built on
    You have a good Christmas, and pass me the Stilton.
  • Options
    CookieCookie Posts: 11,363
    checklist said:

    kinabalu said:

    And so Happy Christmas ... to all on PB
    When dinner is over ... don't hog all the brie

    I'm a dunce at xwords but I can do stupid rhymes :smile:

    Brie after Xmas pud and Brazil nuts? Mouthfeel fail

    To all you good posters whose work PB's built on
    You have a good Christmas, and pass me the Stilton.
    To all on pb, whether bluer or redder,
    Happy Christmas! And my preference's the cheddar.
  • Options
    checklistchecklist Posts: 179
    Cookie said:

    checklist said:

    kinabalu said:

    And so Happy Christmas ... to all on PB
    When dinner is over ... don't hog all the brie

    I'm a dunce at xwords but I can do stupid rhymes :smile:

    Brie after Xmas pud and Brazil nuts? Mouthfeel fail

    To all you good posters whose work PB's built on
    You have a good Christmas, and pass me the Stilton.
    To all on pb, whether bluer or redder,
    Happy Christmas! And my preference's the cheddar.
    There's posters that to Pecorino say "Ooh, yeah,"
    But me, I prefer... work it out for yourself.
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Yes to all answers submitted since my last response. Just half a dozen or so left. I am at Quito airport due to board a flight to the Galápagos Islands just after 2pm Uk time. Be good if the last 7-8 clues or so could be solved before I lose internet. 😀
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    I think 6 left. Across 13 and 25. Down 3, 14,16,21.
  • Options
    DougSealDougSeal Posts: 11,111
    edited December 2022
    Merry Christmas everyone!

    Off up to Canterbury in a bit to reenact the Plum Pudding Riot on its 475th anniversary.
  • Options
    GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,191
    14D Orpington?
  • Options
    viewcodeviewcode Posts: 18,619
    13across - pivot?
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Orpington - yes. Thorpe without the + in g(good) + ton (fashion). “Famous” By election Liberal victory in the 60s
  • Options
    GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,191
    16D Federates
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Pivot - no. S-o- - from other clues solved
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Federates - yes
  • Options
    Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,306
    Cookie said:

    checklist said:

    kinabalu said:

    And so Happy Christmas ... to all on PB
    When dinner is over ... don't hog all the brie

    I'm a dunce at xwords but I can do stupid rhymes :smile:

    Brie after Xmas pud and Brazil nuts? Mouthfeel fail

    To all you good posters whose work PB's built on
    You have a good Christmas, and pass me the Stilton.
    To all on pb, whether bluer or redder,
    Happy Christmas! And my preference's the cheddar.
    May all your Christmas dreams come true
    Mine's the Shropshire blue

  • Options
    TheKitchenCabinetTheKitchenCabinet Posts: 2,275
    7 across - Fabricant?
  • Options
    ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 2,909
    FPT:
    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    OT I have this morning binge-watched A Spy Among Friends on ITVX aka ITV hub
    https://www.itv.com/watch/a-spy-among-friends/2a7931/2a7931a0006

    It is a fictionalised account of Kim Philby's flight to Moscow and its aftermath. Enjoyable but you probably need to know the outline of the Cambridge Spies story.

    There is a really excellent early Denis Potter TV play based on Kim Philby living in Moscow. Stand out performance from John Le Mesurier too :

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traitor_(Play_for_Today)

    I can 'make it available' if it's not on youtube or the like.

    Oh, and happy christmas everyone!
  • Options
    GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,191
    25A Watergate fits, but other than it being a scandal I can't get it from the clue.
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Fabricant - yes
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Still needed. Across 13,25. Down 3,21
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Watergate- yes. Rebel = Wat (Tyler). Group of MPs = Erg. Had =ate
  • Options
    GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,191
    I can see Rowan in 21D, and it would fit with Watergate, but again I can't work it out from the clue.
  • Options
    GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,191
    stjohn said:

    Watergate- yes. Rebel = Wat (Tyler). Group of MPs = Erg. Had =ate

    Nice one ;-)
  • Options
    HeathenerHeathener Posts: 5,253
    Merry Christmas one and all.

    Thank you @MikeSmithson for running such an excellent site and for the other contributors especially @TSE and @rcs1000

    I am as far from convinced as others that 2023 won't see a General Election. And I think you know by now my views as to who will win it :smiley:

    xx
  • Options
    stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,777
    Yes Rowan
  • Options
    GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,191
    3D Fleming, as in the author of Bond?
This discussion has been closed.