This was a treat to solve and blog.
Month: June 2014
Guardian 26,279 / Paul
I haven’t been able to detect any encrypted references to the D-day landings but, as ever, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. Here is Paul in Mr Clean mode, with a puzzle that … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,641 by BRADMAN
Bradman for me yet again. From next week onwards, I am going to keep a running tally of who I get on Fridays just for kicks – as of now, Bradman is way above the rest!
Decent puzzle this – pleasant cluing and easy to work through most of them. This would be appropriate fare for someone starting out on the FT.
Independent 8625 / Phi
Phi is one of the most prolific setters in the Independent stable. While Friday is his regular weekday slot, he does also appear on Saturdays in the Inquisitor series where he has contributed … Read more >>
Independent 8,624 by Monk
Poor old Monk must be getting quite tired of having his crosswords blogged by me —this seems to be his fourth since December that I’ve blogged — especially since I always go on so about CDs and less than 50% checking (as in five answers here). But these blemishes (?) apart I feel pretty positive about this. Monk is one of my favourite setters and many of these answers are very nice and can be explained simply and clearly in one line.
I found this on the hard side and by the time I’d finished was so relieved that I couldn’t bring myself to look for a Nina. This I will leave to you, dear reader.
Definitions in italics (but in the case of 21ac, where in any case I’m not certain of the definition, I’ll insert italics as in the clue, which refers I think to a book title that I haven’t been able to trace).
Financial Times no.14,640 by Jason
I struggled a bit with this, never quite feeling that I was on the setter’s wavelength.
Guardian 26,278 by Imogen
I found this tough to get through – after the few easier clues went in, there was a lot of guessing from checking letters and trying to make the wordplay fit. Really enjoyed 9ac, 8dn and 14dn.
Financial Times 14,631 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/May 26 You often hear that solvers don’t like Spoonerisms that much but my least favourite device is the Double Definition. In this otherwise typical and enjoyable Dante puzzle there were … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,630 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 24, 2014 This puzzle has one stand-out clue, 29a (LORD OF THE FLIES), and a couple more that I think are very good, 20a (EARTH) … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,639 by Goliath
I have not seen a Goliath puzzle before. From the general feel of the puzzle I’m guessing that Goliath is a new setter rather than an established one setting under a new pseudonym.
Guardian 26,277 – Picaroon
As seems to have become the norm when I contend with Picaroon, I made a slow start, but followed this with steady progress through to the end. I was able to guess, or … Read more >>
Independent 8623 / Jambazi
Well, when we saw it was Dac on Monday, we wondered who would appear today, and were delighted when Jambazi showed up. This is only our second blog of a Jambazi puzzle, … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1335: Clue Two by eXternal
Preamble: Five clues contain an extra word. The extra words must be interpreted to give instructions to make numerous adjustments to the completed grid. Solvers must then find a path from left to … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,638 / Phssthpok
A definite mixture today with some very easy clues and some that presented far more of a challenge. In fact one (28ac) has defeated me completely apart from the definition. 23dn didn’t work … Read more >>
Guardian 26,276 by Philistine
This was quite a struggle in places. rather tougher than the last Philistine I blogged.