Eileen

I’ve been doing cryptic crosswords since university days, learning how with a group of friends in coffee breaks. The Guardian crossword has been part of my life for most of the time since. Since retiring from teaching (originally Classics and, subsequently, when that was dropped from the curriculum, mostly English and History), having serendipitously stumbled on 15², I discovered that I could get the Indy and FT puzzles online and so I now add those, when they are set by my favourite compilers. Occasionally, I try the Genius and have even submitted a few. (Some years ago, I won a Collins dictionary in the Guardian Prize lottery, which established it as my referred reference.) I don’t take note of solving times: I enjoy taking time savouring the construction and particularly the surface of clues and always feel slightly disappointed when I finish too quickly. My one regret is my complete failure to enthuse any member of my family with cryptic crosswords.

Guardian 26,953 / Brendan

by

It’s always a real pleasure to see Brendan’s name on a puzzle – and thank goodness he’s back more regularly again now. The solving was quite straightforward but it soon became obvious that … Read more >>

Guardian 26,939 / Rufus

by

The usual Monday medley of anagrams and double and cryptic [some not very] definitions from Rufus. Thanks to him for a 17dn start to the week. Across 1 Declared a number was incorrect … Read more >>

Guardian 26,937 / Paul

by

Paul makes his expected weekly appearance with a reasonably straightforward puzzle, with a wide variety in the style of the answers. Thanks, Paul. Across 1 White powder pocketed by outlaw from a Christian … Read more >>

Guardian 26,930 / Qaos

by

A lighthearted puzzle from Qaos, with great cluing and witty surfaces throughout. Qaos puzzles usually have a theme and this one was easier to spot than they sometimes are – Guardian crossword setters, … Read more >>

Guardian 26,923 / Imogen

by

I found this reasonably straightforward, with just one unfamiliar word – all fairly clued, as usual from this setter, with some very nice surfaces. Thanks to Imogen. Across 1 Made neat, because tangled … Read more >>

Guardian 26,916 / Pasquale

by

A second surprise this week: after Rufus standing aside for Tramp yesterday, I was thinking we might see him today. Instead, it’s Pasquale, in rather milder mood than usual – not a single … Read more >>

Guardian 26,909 / Nutmeg

by

We’re more used to seeing Nutmeg in the Quiptic slot on a Monday but it’s always a pleasure to find her name on a puzzle. The usual blend of wit and elegance, with … Read more >>

Guardian 26,907 / Orlando

by

It’s four months since Orlando last appeared in the Cryptic slot, so this was a welcome sight on a rather duller morning than we’ve become used to this week. Orlando’s fans will not … Read more >>

Guardian 26,900 / Bonxie

by

My apologies for being rather later than usual with the blog: I had various computer problems, resulting in losing the blog altogether. Bonxie puzzles are rather rare and I was pleased to see … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 26,890 / Puck

by

Tons of fun from Puck this week! ‘Special instructions’ can be a little unnerving, especially if you’re down to blog the puzzle, and at first sight these  – ‘Thirteen of the solutions contain … Read more >>

Guardian 26,887 / Arachne

by

A lovely surprise for a wet morning – Arachne in sparkling form with a puzzle brimming with natty devices, witty topical references and stunning story-telling surfaces, along with well-disguised definitions providing many a … Read more >>