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 26,578 / Screw

Fri May 22, 2015 at 12:56 pmFri May 22, 2015 at 10:16 am by Eileen

Another tough but entertaining work-out from Screw. Looking back at the preamble to my blog of his last puzzle, I see that I mentioned how the parsing came rather later in some cases … Read more >>

Guardian 26,571 / Vlad

Thu May 14, 2015 at 9:35 am by Eileen

It’s a real treat for me to get Vlad’s second puzzle to blog. I’ve come to grief several times with his Tyrus puzzles in the Indy – he’s there today – so I … Read more >>

Guardian 26,564 / Imogen

Wed May 6, 2015 at 11:03 amWed May 6, 2015 at 9:58 am by Eileen

A very stylish puzzle from Imogen, with a variety of sound, well-constructed and witty clues, wih excellent surfaces throughout. Many thanks to him – I thoroughly enjoyed it. Across 1 Calm, swallowing drink … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 26,555 / Picaroon

Sat May 2, 2015 at 12:02 am by Eileen

Quite a few people in Cambridge last Saturday had done this puzzle on the way to the S and B and were remarking on how enjoyable it was. I deliberately left it at … Read more >>

Guardian 26,557 / Screw

Tue April 28, 2015 at 9:27 am by Eileen

I had it on good authority – from the horse’s mouth, as it were – in Cambridge on Saturday, that today would see Screw’s second puzzle. When I realised that it was my … Read more >>

Guardian 26,550 / Rufus

Mon April 20, 2015 at 9:54 am by Eileen

I found this a bit tougher than the usual Rufus and enjoyed unravelling it. Nice clues at 13 and 18ac and 4, 15, 20 and 22dn. Thank you, Rufus. [Looking forward to seeing … Read more >>

Guardian 26,548 / Qaos

Fri April 17, 2015 at 4:11 pmFri April 17, 2015 at 9:59 am by Eileen

I had decided to have a go at doing my own blog today [renewed thanks to Gaufrid for last week] – broken wrist notwithstanding [it was with falling over, actually 😉 ] knowing … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 26,531 / Otterden

Sat April 4, 2015 at 12:02 am by Eileen

I know that Otterden has plenty of admirers here but regular readers will know that he does not feature in my long list of favourite setters and so I have followed Qaos’ advice … Read more >>

Guardian 26,534 / Atë

Wed April 1, 2015 at 3:50 pmWed April 1, 2015 at 10:06 am by Eileen

In view of the date, I was prepared for perhaps a Qaotic or Puckish puzzle but instead found a potentially daunting ‘new’ setter – Atë. She [sic] is, of course, the goddess of … Read more >>

Guardian 26,527 / Picaroon

Tue March 24, 2015 at 8:25 pmTue March 24, 2015 at 9:13 am by Eileen

A Tuesday treat from one of my top favourite setters, brimming with a variety of the usual top-quality clues with great surfaces. I thought it was relatively straightforward – but Picaroon’s puzzles worryingly … Read more >>

Guardian 26,520 / Chifonie

Mon March 16, 2015 at 9:31 am by Eileen

A change from Rufus on a Monday but a similar mix of anagrams and charades – no cryptic definitions, though, which will be a relief to some. Nothing too tricky, I think, but … Read more >>

Guardian 26,518 / Qaos

Fri March 13, 2015 at 6:30 pmFri March 13, 2015 at 9:32 am by Eileen

It’s been a most remarkable week for crosswords and we end it with one by another of my favourite setters, sparkling with his customary wit and ingenuity. I seemed to be typing ‘anagram’ … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 26,507 / Paul

Sat March 7, 2015 at 8:40 pmSat March 7, 2015 at 10:05 am by Eileen

This was one of those puzzles which, at first glance, with all the cross-references, cause the heart to sink a little and, at first glance, the two XXs looked a little daunting, too … Read more >>

Guardian 26,511 / Paul

Thu March 5, 2015 at 9:24 pmThu March 5, 2015 at 10:12 am by Eileen

Lots of chuckles and a touch of déjà vu in a most enjoyable puzzle. Favourite clues: 1, 12, 20,18ac and 16dn. Many thanks, Paul. Across 1 Possibly time to finish messing about with … Read more >>

Guardian 26,504 / Brummie

Wed February 25, 2015 at 9:59 am by Eileen

I enjoyed solving this one. As one who delights in witty, story-telling surfaces, I’ve sometimes despaired of some of Brummie’s but there are some really interesting pictures conjured up by some of these! … Read more >>