Ploughing With A Toy Plough
Concerning an ecstatic spring, a glitzy scoreboard, some far-flung buildings, what Buddha has against Jenga, and what I have against Monopoly.
A Spring In His Step
You might imagine that being the spring on a garden gate would be a rather boring, cheerless existence, which over the years would crush the spirit of even the most joyful soul.
But apparently not.
News and Ads
Still none. I’m sowing at the moment, not reaping.
Solution to ‘You Stole The Wall’
Last time, I presented you with this furious telegram I received after stealing the format of Only Connect’s connecting wall round for a previous puzzle, and asked you how I should resolve the situation.
Well, it turns out the author of the telegram (whoever they may be) is so steeped in the world of Only Connect that they can now only communicate in the form of connecting walls. So, the best way to resolve this telegram is to cut out the various elements of it, and rearrange them into four linked groups, as follows:
This seemed slightly easier than usual - or else you’re getting better. Whichever it is, I’m glad about it. Honourable mentions to Caroline Hardman and Toblerones, who each identified one part of the solution, and hinted towards it; but I’m afraid I don’t think that’s quite enough to get ‘assist’ points. Nor will I demote the first complete solution to an ‘assisted’, even though it’s posted in agreement with Caroline’s, because I’d be surprised to hear she only got the Cash group with Caroline’s help. Five points therefore to first solver Jane Ann Liston, with her coded solution:
I agree that money is likely at the root of it, perhaps with an epistle, maybe Italian - just saying!
Commiserations to Bev Maydon, who I think came in next, but got The Wall and Dear John switched round. And I can’t find any record of a Johnny Cash song called ‘Dear John’, so I don’t think it’s an alternative solution, but let me know if I’m wrong.
Which means the three second place points go to Lev Parikian, whose excellent Substack, by the way, is here.
But what does that do to the leaderboard? Well, it changes EVERYTHING (some things) COMPLETELY (slightly) FOR EVER (for a short while). Behold.
Sketch Book
Commentary Box, on:
Re the excerpt from the Cabin Pressure TV pilot script, Rebecca Berry says:
I will pay you a million, billion, zillion, jillion pounds to publish the Cabin Pressure pilot scripts.
Every man has his price, and with uncanny intuition, Rebecca has precisely identified mine. Shall we say half now, and half on delivery?
Anna M.C. asks me if her friend’s son-in-law’s mate was lying when he said the cast of Cabin Pressure had filmed a pilot at the airport he worked at. I’m sorry to say this, because I know how precious the relationship with one’s friend’s son-in-law’s mate can be, but yes he was.
And now, farewell to Thrifty Squadron, as Spendy Squadron and I ascend to a higher plane to examine the long list of games Buddha wouldn’t play, and the rather shorter list of games I won’t play. Also, at one point I break off to go and cover my hand with red paint.