Guardian 24399 Paul : “Render Bender”
Pretty straightforward Paul today, but full of fun. ACROSS 1 s(kim)py 4 pi-l-char-d 9 tackle : typical Paulish schoolboy humour – made my day 10 pa(m ay)res : author of “I wished I’d … Read more >>
Month: May 2008
Independent 6743/Dac
What’s Dac doing on a Tuesday? Something’s afoot. Oh yes, today must be special – look at the outer unches – in which case many congratulations. A typical Dac, as usual excellent, but there were one … Read more >>
Financial Times 12778 / Highlander
Quite an easy crossword that I finished in just ten minutes. A beginner-level puzzle with simple words and uncomplicated and rather familiar wordplay. Across 1 TUMBLE DRIER – tumble, Dr., i.e., R – charade … Read more >>
Guardian 24398/Rufus – should have stayed in bed
Somewhat patchy Rufus — some doubtful cryptic definitions but elsewhere some clever misdirections. I’m writing this up through the fog of a migraine so no promises as to quality. In retrospect, I wonder … Read more >>
Independent 6742 – Eimi / Bank Holiday Fun
Solving time: 24 minutes A good stiff Bank Holiday mental workout. A very entertaining curate’s egg of a puzzle for me in that i really liked some clues, but one or two definitions … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 365 – I will survive
This was most enjoyable. Across 6 NOAH NO-AH “Flood survivor” I had a real blank on this one. I expect it was just me. It ended up being the last in. I left … Read more >>
Azed 1877: Take a bow
Very much at the easy end of the Azed spectrum (I hope that doesn’t upset anyone). I don’t know how long this took me, as I don’t time myself and I’m usually multi-tasking … Read more >>
Guardian 24,391/Araucaria – Herbal medicine
Solving time: 45 mins This was the hardest Guardian prize puzzle for ages and I thought for a while that I was going to fail it completely, with less than half of the … Read more >>
FT 12,775/ Sleuth
With apologies for the later than usual posting. Nothing desperately troublesome in this puzzle. Given the grid structure, I was half expecting some sort of Nina message to emerge in the outside columns. … Read more >>
Independent 6735/Morph
Across 6 MA,(HID)* – MAHDI (“Guided one”) was the prophesied redeemer of Islam. MA is the Internation Vehicle Registration (IVR) for Morocco. 9 (MESSY ST)* – SYSTEMS. 10 ANDOVER – DNA is “AND … Read more >>
Inquisitor 72 — Neighbours by Lato
I nearly didn’t finish this puzzle. I was a page turn from giving up despite having completed the grid. I had no idea what the theme was and with a couple of ambiguous … Read more >>
Independent 6740 / Phi – Elegant Stuff
Solving time: 22 minutes The usual high-calibre fare we have come to expect from Phi. Lots of clever clues and a smattering of new words. I was interested to see 3 down in … Read more >>
Guardian 24396/Audreus – men are chesspieces
The only HELMSLEY I know is the very wealthy NYC socialite Leona who I think recently died and was not well-loved in America. Well, I didn’t actually know her. Across 1 S,CO,USER – … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 953 by Quixote (18 May 2008)
Quite easy, I found, solving time 13 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 5 STAIRCASE (car seat is)* 7 FINE R Sharpness of pencils 9 S (P) INNER Not a doctor in the medical … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES No. 12,774 Set by Orense
FINANCIAL TIMES No: 12,774 Set by ORENSE , May 22, 2008 Much easier today – a fifteen minute puzzle. Only clue which gave me pause was 8 down, as I was trying to … Read more >>