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

SystemSystem Posts: 12,820
edited January 2023 in General
imageThe 2022 StJohn PB Christmas Crossword (Est 2006) – politicalbetting.com

Across

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  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 84,053
    edited December 2022
    7 across is presumably far?

    That will be my sole contribution, I think.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 84,053
    7 down Fabricant ?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 84,053
    26 down eye ?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 84,053
    11 across Jenkins ?
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,094
    Move Mrs Hamster, I cry
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    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.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 57,031
    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.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 30,977
    5 down is India?
    Before Nigel completes the grid before anybody awakes.
    Merry Christmas!
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Far - no
    Fabricant - yes
    Eye - no
    Jenkins - yes
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 30,977
    Nigelb said:

    7 across is presumably far?

    That will be my sole contribution, I think.

    Didn't age well.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 84,053
    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.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 47,787
    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.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 30,977
    27 across Yen.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Ely - yes.
    India - yes
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Yen - yes
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 57,031
    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.
  • pingping Posts: 3,805
    Crosswords have always seemed like magic to me.

    Happy Xmas, all!
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 84,053
    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:
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,094
    Is it fah rather than far?
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,094
    8 down hand-out bill
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Fah - yes
    Hand-out Bill - yes
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 9,238
    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!
  • rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 8,939
    17A - President
    23D - Avail
    2D - Ahern
    26D - spy

    Thanks for the crossword - this is the only one I do each year! Merry Christmas all
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,094
    10a TOBIN
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,094
    6d NUTTIER
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    President - No
    Avail -yes
    Ahern - yes
    Spy - no
    Tobin - yes
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Nuttier - yes
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,094
    edited December 2022
    12a AKIHITO
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Akihito - yes
  • jamesdoylejamesdoyle Posts: 816
    edited December 2022
    22a Red Wall
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Red Wall - yes
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 76,275
    stjohn said:

    Nuttier - yes

    Is that linked in some way to Fabricant?
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 76,275
    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:
  • Peter_the_PunterPeter_the_Punter Posts: 14,986
    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.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 53,465
    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.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 84,053
    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 ?
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 807
    15 across Informant?
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Informant - yes. Mark Felt. Deep Throat
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 807
    19 across Mutti?
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 54,183
    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?
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Mutti- yes. Merkel was so called.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 34,036
    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.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 41,024
    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.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    I will be without internet access for a while. Keep solving!
  • andypetukandypetuk Posts: 69
    11d Justin Welby
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 807
    edited December 2022
    28 across Denis Healey?
  • northern_monkeynorthern_monkey Posts: 1,640
    Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you all have a lovely day.
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 807
    edited December 2022
    19 down Moderne? MOD+ere= before with n for new.
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,094
    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
  • andypetukandypetuk Posts: 69
    1a Stagflation
    Very nice anagram.
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 807
    Is 24 across Later? and 18 down Assured A + s for society +sure = certain plus d for democrat?
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 807
    Got to go for a bit. Thanks for the crossword. I always enjoy it.
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,094
    1d SEC
  • ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 5,408
    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?
  • ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 5,408
    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.
  • Peter_the_PunterPeter_the_Punter Posts: 14,986
    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?
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,094
    9a CLEVELAND?
  • ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 5,408
    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.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 45,977
    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.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 41,154
    Ho

    Ho

    Ho

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


  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 26,961
    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!)
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 26,961
    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!
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 807
    20 across Windsor. Barbara+ Castle.
  • TresTres Posts: 3,247
    Scott_xP said:

    Ho

    Ho

    Ho

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


    sadly, the 3 lead baddies have all passed on, rip
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 30,977
    SandraMc said:

    20 across Windsor. Barbara+ Castle.

    Great clue!
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,882
    Merry Christmas everyone!
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 58,639
    Merry Christmas one and all! 🎄

    Hope Santa brought everything you wanted 🎅
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 63,240
    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.
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 17,389
    4 down: Adam Smith.
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 17,389
    Theuniondivvie said:

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


    Boak.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 48,254
    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:
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 807
    edited December 2022
    17 across Impeached? 1 MP + each. Ed.

    Now off to open the champers.
  • 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.
  • CookieCookie Posts: 16,476
    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.
  • 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.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    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. 😀
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    I think 6 left. Across 13 and 25. Down 3, 14,16,21.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 13,079
    edited December 2022
    Merry Christmas everyone!

    Off up to Canterbury in a bit to reenact the Plum Pudding Riot on its 475th anniversary.
  • GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,210
    14D Orpington?
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 26,961
    13across - pivot?
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Orpington - yes. Thorpe without the + in g(good) + ton (fashion). “Famous” By election Liberal victory in the 60s
  • GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,210
    16D Federates
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Pivot - no. S-o- - from other clues solved
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Federates - yes
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 33,385
    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

  • TheKitchenCabinetTheKitchenCabinet Posts: 2,275
    7 across - Fabricant?
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 5,669
    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!
  • GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,210
    25A Watergate fits, but other than it being a scandal I can't get it from the clue.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Fabricant - yes
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Still needed. Across 13,25. Down 3,21
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Watergate- yes. Rebel = Wat (Tyler). Group of MPs = Erg. Had =ate
  • GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,210
    I can see Rowan in 21D, and it would fit with Watergate, but again I can't work it out from the clue.
  • GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,210
    stjohn said:

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

    Nice one ;-)
  • HeathenerHeathener Posts: 7,085
    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
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,915
    Yes Rowan
  • GadflyGadfly Posts: 1,210
    3D Fleming, as in the author of Bond?
This discussion has been closed.

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