Guardian 24520 / Paul
Apologies for the late posting today – I’m stuck on a train, so internet access is a bit frustrating, and I’m afraid that as a result some of these explanations aren’t as well … Read more >>
Month: October 2008
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,899 by IO
Well, that gave my brain a workout for today. At times I felt as if I was solving one of the weekend barred/thematic crosswords. An ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ primary theme and a … Read more >>
Independent 6864 by Dac
I found this quite a bit easier than usual, but I may have been lucky in knowing many of the references, solving time just under 15 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 1 FIR … Read more >>
Independent 6863/Morph – Little Pigs
This little pig went to market, This little pig stayed at home, This little pig had roast beef, This little pig had none, And this little pig cried, Wee-wee-wee-wee-wee, I can’t find my … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,898 / Neo
Not too easy, not too hard. For this puzzle I took full thirty minutes and a little more. After some crossings were in, I got the long perimeter entries at 1ac and 26ac … Read more >>
Guardian 24,519 – Rover
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Today, I had to keep looking above … Read more >>
Independent 6862 by Mordred
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone After last week’s debacle, the crossword returned to the printed version in its usual spot inside the back cover. An added benefit to any sports-hating solvers is that it … Read more >>
Guardian 24518/Rufus
A pretty straightforward puzzle from Rufus, with no real ‘complications’ [one of two rather weak clues, I thought] and perhaps fewer cryptic clues than usual. dd: double definition cd: cryptic definition [*]: anagram … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 375 – Why Syria?
There are a couple of questions arising in the chat below that I’d be obliged if someone can answer. Across 1 SPACED AC inside SPED Yet again 1A is the last I fill in … Read more >>
Azed 1897 – Competition puzzle
Solving time: 36 minutes, with Chambers used for about the last 30% of answers. One query left from me about wordplay – so maybe a wrong answer (34), one minor slip-up by Azed … Read more >>
Guardian 24,511 (Sat 4 Oct)/Araucaria – Ship shape
Solving time: 9:02 A very rapid blog this week as I’m already running extremely late! I found this much easier than some of Araucaria’s recent puzzles. There is a geometric theme running through … Read more >>
Guardian 24,516 – Orlando
Nothing too difficult but certainly some very clever clueing and nice surfaces throughout. Loved 24ac. Across 1 CHUMMY CHUMMY=”sociable” and I’ve vaguely heard of police calling a criminal “chummy”. 4 DISCUS DISCUS[s] 9 … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,895 by BRADMAN
Smiffy has had to get his priorities right and put business before pleasure today so unfortunately we won’t be seeing his cheerful avatar. I found this an interesting and entertaining set of clues from Bradman, … Read more >>
Independent 6860 by Phi
I found this quite tough, esp SW corner. Solving time, 26 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 (t)RAP 3 ZIP (nothing) FAST ENER Rene< Archetypal Crossword Frenchman 9 B (OLd) … Read more >>
Independent Saturday Prize No 6855 (Monk)
This was my first attempt at completing an Independent prize crossword (I’m substituting for Neil, who’s on holiday). With one or two exceptions I didn’t find it too difficult, finishing all but one … Read more >>