Cryptic Island

Well that was worthwhile. As I mentioned last week, John Graham (Araucaria) was this week's Desert Island Castaway. 

The show was never going to give great insights into crosswords, particularly as young Kirsty doesn't do then herself - or so she claimed - and put herself in the role of the naive (ignorant) enquirer.  Probably something about standing in as the listener's representative, to get an explnation for the intelligent novice.  Or some such.  Either way, when explaining that "Altered sets in North? O don't I care! (11)" meant Orthodontic, the enjoyable misdirection in 'altered sets' wasn't mentioned.  The Jeffrey Archer uber-anagram was wheeled out again (John Graham sighed) - but I enjoyed hearing his favourite clue was "Go to the country? Let Green Line coach drop off companion. (7, 8)"  (**)

Most of his music was choral, classical.  But there was some Procul Harem (B side of "Stairway to Heaven") from the days when he was the chaplain to Reading University.

And it was interesting to be told about his first ministry - St John's East Dulwich.  Which apparently in those days expected its priests to be celibate, so when he fell in love with a member of the congregation,he was moved a long way away (to Durham).

Although enjoyable, there was a sense that they only really touched upon some subjects - and others (like his politics) weren't mentioned at all.  But that may be a failure of the format.

But next week will be Michael McIntyre - and I won't be listening...


(** --> Answer:  "General Election")