Independent – Review of 2007
Another very interesting year at the Indy as the new editor, Eimi, who took over early in 2006, puts his mark on the paper. The main features are a continued move towards themed … Read more >>
Month: December 2007
Independent 6616 by Nimrod
Very tough puzzle to finish the year. There is a theme, which I’ll give after the clue explanations in case anyone wants to have another look at the grid. I found it after … Read more >>
Guardian 24,272 : Enigmatist – “In with the New”
Monday is usually the day the crossword editor sends down a “loosener”, such as the recent series of pleasing, humane Rufus puzzles. This isn’t a usual mundane Monday, so he’s let loose the mighty … Read more >>
Independent’s missing cryptic of Sat 29 12 2007
There are comments on this following the blog of Dac 6614 (Fri 28 12 2007)
Guardian 24,267 (Sat 22 Dec)/Araucaria – Hardy lines
Solving time: 35 mins, three missing (14ac, 44ac, 35dn) This Christmas special from Araucaria contained 6 works by Thomas Hardy. I started well enough, spotting the anagram at 18ac to crack the theme … Read more >>
Guardian 24,270: Puck – “Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes, it’s awful!”
linxit has reported in sick, so I’ve thrown the following last minute blog together. I’m something of a Beckett nut, so this puzzle was a joy. Quotation above from “Waiting from Godot”, but … Read more >>
Guardian 24270/Puck
This was an enjoyable thematic puzzle based on Samuel Beckett (1,4 ac). I’ll put some more up when I can, but I’ve been in bed with flu for the last 3 days, and … Read more >>
Independent 6614/Dac
Considering some of the tough and thematic puzzles this week this was a nice easy end to the week with no themes or hidden messages (famous last words!) It was the usual high … Read more >>
Independent 6610/Scorpion (22-12-07)
The easiest puzzle I’ve solved by this usually difficult setter. A few people here have mentioned that they’ve often found many of Scorpion’s clues to be a bit contrived but I don’t think … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,642 by Cincinnus
A fairly standard Cincinnus puzzle this week with at least one great clue (3D) and one that I do not understand the workings of (26D). Across 1. THE WASP FACTORY – anagram of … Read more >>
Inquisitor 51 – For the record … by Eddie
Solving time: a couple of hours, maybe a bit less. Experienced Inquisitor solvers will know already that Eddie (from Eddie the Eagle, referring to the Indie masthead as well as the ski-jumper) is … Read more >>
Independent 6613 by Tees
A very difficult puzzle, which I was not able to finish – clues I struggled with listed in full below – any help provided would be much appreciated. The theme is “The Scottish … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 932 by Quixote (23/12/2007)
A special Christmas offering from Quixote, the main theme being the use of a well-known Christmas item in its role as an anagram indicator. Once seen, solving was very fast. Solving time: 14 … Read more >>
Guardian 24269/Araucaria – count me out
Christmas songs not being a strong suit, I would never have worked out the song so thanks to Shirley for putting me out of my misery. It’s “Green Grow the Rushes, O” – … Read more >>
Independent 6612/Phi – not so easy as it first appeared
Across 7 I POD [with the I “put back”] UM 8 CHESTNUT. 8 Down is “Christmas tree”, but unless I don’t know about Christmas trees in various parts of the world, the connection … Read more >>