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? This crossword is a response to Matt Gaffney's recent "A City of Puzzles". It has to be said that metas can be rather US-centric, which often means Internet research for those of us without the requisite general knowledge. In my attempts to solve "A City of Puzzles", I came up with what I thought was the meta mechanic, based on a number of Google Map searches, only to discover that my browser tabs were in the wrong order which completely invalidated the whole thing. But then I thought: I could use that mechanic in one of my own puzzles. All this to say that anyone not living in Australia might need to make use of Google as you try and find the answer to the meta which is an Australian city containing 4 of the 5 vowels and which you will never have seen in any crossword ever!
PM me with your submissions or submit on Crosshare. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.
Last edited by benchen71 on Sun Mar 06, 2022 4:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
I’m across the moat and in the courtyard with the chickens and peacocks. I went down a lovely rabbit hole, which, though quite meaningful, led nowhere. Interesting.
EDIT: The more I look at this the more impossible it seems that it's possible to solve this. I'm fairly perplexed.... how did any of your solve it?
I guess I should change my signature, and start promoting this meta: Hungry Little Creature. I was going to sent it to people for testing but I dropped the ball on it.
woozy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 22, 2022 2:57 pm
Okay.... I submitted and confirmed.
Now I just have to wait for the explanation.
EDIT: The more I look at this the more impossible it seems that it's possible to solve this. I'm fairly perplexed.... how did any of your solve it?
I also found the answer by guessing. Well, more like a brute force attack. My fifth guess was correct.
Now to figure out why it is right. Hmmmm!
EDIT: Found the solution with collaboration and an assist from Ben. Very nice. I had it laid out in front of me but needed to squint a little bit to see it.
Last edited by lbray53 on Wed Feb 23, 2022 6:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
My avatar proves that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good!
Guesswork shouldn't be necessary, if you take everything into consideration. You will still need Google, though!
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
I'm trying to use logic and it is failing miserably. Five incorrect submittals.
I'd rather not resort to simple brute force. Maybe put this aside for a while.
Jeremy Smith
Darth
Cindy Weatherman
Meg
oldjudge
boharr
woozy
ChrisKochmanski
lbray53
dplass
Gutman
whimsy
Spid4567
vandono
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
sharkicicles wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:25 am
Ben, you have now passed both Paul Hogan AND Yahoo Serious for my premier source of all things Australian.
I'm in great company! "Throw another shrimp on the barbie!"
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
sharkicicles wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:25 am
Ben, you have now passed both Paul Hogan AND Yahoo Serious for my premier source of all things Australian.
I'm in great company! "Throw another shrimp on the barbie!"
To which I'm sure Muggle Chris Barbee would say "I beg your pardon!!"
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
And amazingly "A Puzzle of Cities" was Crosshare's top puzzle this week. I wasn't even expecting to make the list that Mike sends out in his weekly email, because my puzzle was not featured on Crosshare's homepage. So it is all thanks to you, my loyal xword-muggles!
Nudges coming tomorrow...
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
