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 26,879 / Rufus

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A traditional Monday morning medley of anagrams and double and cryptic definitions from Rufus, which I enjoyed solving. Thank you, Rufus. Across 1 Number, figure and cipher (6) NOBODY NO [number] + BODY … Read more >>

Guardian Prize26,866 / Puck

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When I entered my blogging dates into my new 2016 diary and saw that I was down to blog the Prize puzzle on 23rd April – the Shakespeare Quatercentenary and St George’s Day … Read more >>

Guardian 26,870 / Brendan

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A nice surprise this morning – a very welcome return for Brendan, with a puzzle that was not too much of a challenge for a weekday but a very enjoyable solve. Brendan’s puzzles … Read more >>

Guardian 26,863 / Paul

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My thanks to Gaufrid for standing in for me last week, while I was having a great time walking in North Mallorca. An enjoyable puzzle from Paul, with a perhaps slightly obscure theme … Read more >>

Guardian 26,847 / Imogen

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I approached this puzzle rather nervously, in view of the date, as Imogen puzzles can be tricky at the best of times. As it turned out, there was no hidden trickery, unless it’s … Read more >>

Guardian 26,840 / Paul

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I really enjoyed this puzzle from Paul – lots of witty clues and, though mostly straightforward, enough of a challenge to keep it interesting. Many thanks, Paul – nice one. Across 5,22 Senior … Read more >>

Guardian 26,819 / Rufus

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A traditional Rufus medley, with perhaps more anagrams and fewer cryptic and double definitions than usual. There are a couple of places where the cluing seems rather awry but it’s perhaps me being … Read more >>

Guardian 26,810 / Boatman

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A clever themed puzzle from Boatman, with some intricate wordplay and some ‘innovative’ anagram indicators, together with some, for me, rather loose definitions. I think there may be some protests about obscurity or … Read more >>