FT 12,593/Bradman
Although Bradman is a prolific stalwart of several national dailies, his FT appearances seem to approximate at only monthly in frequency. So the fact that publication also coincides with our sporadic FT blogging … Read more >>
Month: October 2007
Independent 6555/Phi
I rattled through this puzzle but fell at the final hurdle, well as 24ac and 17dn. Across 5 PAYSLIP — PAYS + LIP — pays is French for country. 9 DOUBLE-BARRELLED — DOUBLE … Read more >>
Guardian 24211 / Auster – Monster mistake
Solving time: 9 minutes Sometimes when I encounter what I believe to be a less than adequate puzzle, I tell myself that it’s aimed at the easier end of the scale and solvers … Read more >>
Independent 6554/Merlin
Just spotted the Nina in this puzzle – look at the unchecked letters around the perimeter (the left-hand side doesn’t work properly because it needs a three-letters rather than four). Across 5 BORE … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,582 by Cincinnus
This was for me a bit more difficult than the average Cincinnus but just as impressive. There were two clues I did not completely understand (10A and 19D). Across 1. BOOTBLACK – BOOT … Read more >>
Guardian 24,210, Paul: Flabby bustards
Across: 1. F(L)AB BY. Liver’s heading is L, and times is BY, (as in 15 by 15) which took me a moment to spot. 4. MUSCAT. I feel conviced there are half a dozen other possible … Read more >>
FT 12591/Cinephile – Wed 17.10.07
Solving time : About three-quarters of an hour, but meaningless anyway since I got 12A wrong, as I discovered later when trying to justify LIRE. The theme is Evelyn Waugh’s magnificent novel Scoop. … Read more >>
Independent 6553/Dac – Cheeky
This was a “solved-before-the-bus-came-along” puzzle for me so much of the wordplay went by in a bit of a blur, although I knew I would get the opportunity to look at it all … Read more >>
Guardian 24209/Gordius
Solving time – approx. 35 mins. I managed to find some time at lunchtime to have a look at this, and was pleased to finish it without resorting to a dictionary (with three … Read more >>
Independent 6552 by Virgilius
Themed as almost always from Virgilius: this time fairly clear when looking at clues: 4 (6,3,6) phrases, connected by “and”. Very fast solve for me, 11 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 1 SENATORSHIP … Read more >>
Guardian No 24,208 – Rufus/That’s better…
Didn’t realise it was my turn to do the Grauniad; my apologies for the late post. A nice easy start to the week. I am normally one of Rufus’s harshest critics, but this … Read more >>
Guardian 24,201 (Sat 6 Oct)/Araucaria – Blind man’s pluff
Solving time: 17:17, one mistake (4dn/P) The clues for this puzzle were presented in order of their first letters (specified), with each letter used once (and D and J twice). Probably quite a … Read more >>
Inquisitor 40 – New Broom by Dimitry
Sorry for the late post, but I have to admit that I really struggled with this one, and I haven’t quite finished it, as one of the answers still has me beat. Once … Read more >>
Independent 6551 by Hypnos
This puzzle by one of the occasional setters was a very fast solve for me. Got quite a few answers by seeing definitions. Solving time: 13 mins. * = anagram < = reversed … Read more >>
Azed 1845: Quipsters and quacks
As Azeds go, this was fairly straightforward to solve, and it had the usual quota of delightfully witty clues and elegant surface reading. I wasn’t too sure of all the wordplay, though; perhaps … Read more >>