A parson’s egg from PSSTHPOK
Guardian 26,785 – Boatman
Boys and girls come out to play with Boatman today, with at least one of the two words occurring in about two thirds of the clues, and quite a few names in the … Read more >>
Month: January 2016
Inquisitor 1420: Coming Through by Phi
The second puzzle of the year, and another prolific IQ setter – Phi, current runner-up to Sch … you know who. Preamble: Apart from 1ac and 18 (normal), each clue is actually … Read more >>
Guardian 26,784 / Arachne
Well, this was a very agreeable start to the day. One of my favourite setters in top form and, I think, my first opportunity to blog one of her puzzles. What can one … Read more >>
Independent 9130 / Hannah
Well, a Bowie theme yesterday and a Star Wars theme (at least in the clues) today. We love themed puzzles so this was right up our alley, even though some of the clues … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 844/Nutmeg
I never thought that I’d be writing this sentence, but this Quiptic from Nutmeg didn’t really do the business for me this morning. Some words that perhaps shouldn’t get … Read more >>
Sloggers and Betters Event – Derby – May 21st 2016.
A message from Eileen and Peter (Kathryn’s Dad).
Eileen and I have arranged a 2016 Derby Sloggers and Betters event in Derby for Saturday May 21st.
Independent 9,129 by Knut
A 24 today, very much a Marmite puzzle I suspect which will be loved or hated.
Guardian Cryptic 26,783 by Rufus
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26783.
Cyclops 564: House of fools?
Happy New Year! A relatively gentle start to 2016, with no major hold-ups, though there are a couple I might have struggled with a bit if I hadn’t had the checking letters.
Apologies for the fact that, in my last-minute rush, I forgot to fill in the entries at 23d and 27d in the grid. I only got round to completing it in Crossword Compiler and generating the exported graphic after I had done the rest of the blog, and Crossword Compiler defaults to putting Ds in the cells. I haven’t time to amend it this evening, but will try to do so tomorrow m0rning.
Everyman 3,614
Not the hardest Everyman I’ve encountered but one or two a little tricky to fully parse out
Independent on Sunday 1,351 by Alchemi
As far as I can tell, we haven’t seen Alchemi on a Sunday since July 2014. In any case, welcome back Alchemi! This started off quite slowly for me. It didn’t help that … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1349
I felt there were more ‘entry’ clues than usual in this one and I might have completed it in record time had I not been interrupted by a phone call. Plenty to enjoy … Read more >>
AZED No. 2,275 Plain
When I first solved The Listener crossword I was pleased with myself, then went to a website that discussed it and everyone said how easy this particular puzzle was. This was rather dispiriting … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 26,776 by Paul
Thank you Paul, always a pleasure to solve and blog.