However, until recently, the lack of available memory space on my phone limited what I could download and play.
Each week I try to hit my modest weekly points target on 'Words With Friends' and usually succeed.
A version of Solitaire provides great satisfaction, as I love to create runs and sequences of numbers (just don't ask me to add the blessed things up!). For added interest I apply the self imposed target of solving two consecutive games before I will allow myself to attempt the daily challenge.
Sometime last year I was introduced to 'Spelling Bee'
a daily word game on the website of a certain famous American newspaper.
consisting of seven letters arranged in a a hexagon shape.
Each word must be at least 4 letters long and include the central letter.
Each puzzle includes at least one 'Pangram' -
a word that utilises every letter AND scores bonus points.
Unlike the more famous 'Countdown conundrum', you can any of the letters more than once.
My friend and I are quite competitive
and have a daily battle to see who could achieve the highest score.
This is a battle in which I am never victorious, but I always try!
However, unless my fellow competitor finds every word (which has been known)
there are usually a couple of words that I get that she doesn't
- and usually more words that she gets that I don't!
All that fun ended when the newspaper decided to put Spelling Bee behind a paywall.
You could start playing but then you would be booted out
and advised to subscribe to continue playing.
Much as we enjoyed the game, the price was rather more than either of us was willing to pay.
Being English I am used to getting my news for free, or tolerating adverts and my limited interest in American news does not warrant a news subscription.
During the lockdown lots of things have suddenly become available,
hoping that we will decide that we cannot possibly live without them
once the current crisis is over.
I decided to check the game to see if was still restricted.
Sure enought we could play again. Woohoo! Game on!
Maybe it was because we hadn't played for several months.
Who knows.
"Guess what!" I informed my friend, "Spelling Bee is back!"
Our daily battles recommenced - until last week when it returned behind the paywall.
Once more you can start a game.
Then after a while it closes, compliments you on your ability and advises you to subscribe.
I am not falling for all that flattery, I know you just want my money!
To get round this problem, I have adapted how I play -
setting myself the challenge of finding the Pangram and that is it.
I refuse to suffer daily rejection from an online newspaper!
Today was the hardest puzzle.
I was stumped.
My friend was stumped.
We were both stumped!
This is most unusual.
Often the pangram is two words that are also a word in their own right, like 'roadworks'.
We both tried various words 'roof', 'booby' 'pray' 'faro',
but that strategy didn't help either of us solve the pangram.
On the trail of the holy grail, I got creative, creating some 'never-will-be' words in the process...
"PraybabyFo"
"Robbyfar"
"Rafborpy"
"Yarfbop"
"Bopraphy"
"Proffaby"
"Boobyfarp"
"Faroprobby"
I was advised that my suggestions were not 'proper words',
and I have to admit that the rules exclude obscure words.
From this side of the pond we are always amused what is considered obscure -
'laird', for instance, is never a point scorer!
Before it became restricted again, it was a point of interest to note what words were unacceptable.
My friend decided that she was never going to get it
and would wait until tomorrow, when all will be revealed under 'yesterdays answers'.
I have to admit that what ever the word is,
it is not only babyproof, it is "Daffyproof" as well!
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