Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? A weekly meta crossword constructed by forum member Ben (aka benchen71). These metas range from relatively easy to more challenging, depending on how many Australianisms he puts in them! Puzzles are posted in a new thread every Tuesday, with nudges appearing on Saturdays, and the solution coming out on Mondays. (At least, that's the plan. Given he lives in Australia, and they are so far ahead of the US time-zone-wise, things may get posted early!)
Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? Last night [actually, it was probably last year - but I write the blurb at the time of construction ] as I was reading in bed, I thought of a possible metanism. I did a quick OneLook.com search for a few terms, just to see if the idea could work, wrote a short note so I wouldn't forget it, and then went to sleep. Then, in the early morning, I spent a couple of hours tossing and turning, coming up with the puzzle specifics. Memo to self: don't get meta ideas late at night! The answer to the meta is an 8-letter word that suggests things might be looking up.
The easiest way to submit is on Crosshare (and you get instant feedback and unlimited attempts!) But you can also PM me with your submission. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.
Last edited by benchen71 on Sun Jul 16, 2023 7:27 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta!
Eventual success, after submitting an initial wrong answer which I suspected was wrong but had just enough of a click to warrant submitting since I had to run to a meeting and didn't have time for deeper thought. Upon returning I eventually figured out the much better and correct solution.
Fun stuff as always, thanks!
Check out this very cool project by many of your favorite muggles to raise money to fight cancer. You get a fun puzzle bundle and good causes get $. Win-win: Crosswords for Cancer
We're still a couple of hours away from the first 24-hour mark, but here's the first batch of solvers:
SeamusOL
markhr
Laura M
JM
rjy
Capn Rick
boharr
Alex Sisti
Tom Wilson
Pair O Ducks
jbird
Cindy Heisler
MrTheHan
Meg
Hector
Tyrpmom
Berto
merlinnimue
whimsy
MatthewL
DIS
hoover
Schmeel
DrTom
Dow Jones
heidi
HeadinHome
ajk
Johnny Luau
kurtalert
CPJohnson
KayW
Cindy Weatherman
Streroto
ChrisKochmanski
That's 35, which is a great start!
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta!
Streroto wrote: Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:43 pm
Fun one. Have not been doing these and need to do more!!
Well, there's the back catalogue, if you are extremely keen.
I've also got this week's MEOW, which will drop at 4pm Melbourne time (just under 2 hours from now)...
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta!
] as I was reading in bed, I thought of a possible metanism. I did a quick OneLook.com search for a few terms, just to see if the idea could work, wrote a short note so I wouldn't forget it, and then went to sleep. Then, in the early morning, I spent a couple of hours tossing and turning, coming up with the puzzle specifics. Memo to self: don't get meta ideas late at night! The answer to the meta is an 8-letter word that suggests things might be looking up.
MOAT crossed. 
