Independent 7679 / Phi
I only head a short while ago that flashling is unwell, and unable to blog, so apologies for the delayed appearance of this post (which has been produced in somewhat of a hurry … Read more >>
Month: May 2011
Financial Times 13,704 / Sleuth
Half of the answers went in very quickly during my first pass through the clues, the other half took somewhat longer due to some intricate wordplay in places. I am unable to fully … Read more >>
Guardian 25,332 / Philistine
Philistine hasn’t yet got a profile on the Guardian website, let alone made it to Michael Curl’s ‘Who’s Who’, so I think we can take it that s/he is a new setter. This … Read more >>
Financial Times no. 13,703 by Flimsy
Enjoyable one, this, though not too challenging. If I were feeling crotchety, I’d say that a couple of the devices were a little hackneyed – but happily I’m not (today, at least), so … Read more >>
Independent 7,678 / Klingsor
For me, this puzzle was pitched at exactly the right level, offering me a manageable challenge and plenty of entertainment to start the day, as well as broadening my general knowledge – many … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,694 / Dante
Monday Prize Crossword from May 16 Apologies for the late posting. Unusually for Dante, I thought the best clues here were some of the anagrams, e.g. 19 across, rather than the cd’s. I … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,693 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 14 Another beaut from Cincinnus this week. My top honours go to 12A (ELMER). This may be a perfect clue: ELMER is precisely in the … Read more >>
Independent,7,677/Crosophile
There’s a mighty big pair of shoes to fill with Dac only appearing fortnightly, but I thought this was every bit as good as we’ve come to expect on a Wednesday. Nothing hugely … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,702 by Mudd
A pleasant and not too difficult crossword today. Yet another crossword I have solved recently from Mudd/Paul/Punk with references to ‘arses/bottoms/bums’ (17 across). This seems to be becoming something of a signature from him, make of that whatever you will. My … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1177: Problem by Phi
Another puzzle, another preamble that has me wondering ‘What?’ on the first run through. In the end though it all made sense. This was a wonderful puzzle which took a couple of days … Read more >>
Guardian 25,331 – Araucaria
I was surprised to find that I haven’t blogged an Araucaria puzzle for just over six months (since when I have met the man himself for the first time), but this makes up … Read more >>
Independent 7676/Nimrod
Just what one doesn’t want when in a hurry to get the blog done. This took me quite a long time and if it hadn’t been for the Reveal button I’d still be … Read more >>
Financial Times 13701 REDSHANK
First time I’m blogging this setter, and can’t say whether I’ve done his puzzles previously. Slow start, but progressed steadily. He seems to favour &lits, at least in this puzzle, and there are … Read more >>
Guardian 25,330 – Arachne
I do not remember ever blogging this setter and today’s mini-theme of people who need their heads examined left me as cold as if I were reading about 18th-century Russian shipbuilding terminology. However, … Read more >>
Independent 7675 by Radian
Very tough puzzle today from Radian, but I got there in the end, solving time 67 mins. The lower half of the grid I found particularly difficult. Think I have seen Radian associated … Read more >>