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 25,650 / Tramp

Thu May 31, 2012 at 10:56 amThu May 31, 2012 at 8:47 am by Eileen

Another great puzzle from Tramp, with the hallmarks we have come to recognise and appreciate – witty and ingenious cluing, fine story-telling surfaces and interesting references. Previous Tramp puzzles have had themes based … Read more >>

Guardian 25,644 / Gordius

Thu May 24, 2012 at 9:54 am by Eileen

The usual Gordius mix, I think. Across 1 INVOICE: simple charade of IN [fashionable – yet again] + VOICE [singing] 5 GOODBYE: anagram [trip] of BODY and EGO: the clue actually indicates that … Read more >>

Guardian 25,642 / Paul

Tue May 22, 2012 at 9:53 am by Eileen

Not the blogger you were led last week to expect [I’m a 23’s 23 today] with a rather later blog than usual for a Tuesday [but Uncle Yap has a 7-hour start on … Read more >>

Guardian 25,639 / Chifonie

Fri May 18, 2012 at 9:39 am by Eileen

A typically straightforward puzzle from Chifonie, with a preponderance of charade-type clues and insertions and a wide use of single-letter abbreviations. Chifonie is known for his smooth surfaces and there are some good … Read more >>

Guardian 25,629 / Rufus

Mon May 7, 2012 at 10:02 amMon May 7, 2012 at 9:27 am by Eileen

There are some clever clues here, mixed in with some rather tired ones. Nothing too taxing for a Bank Holiday and several to raise a smile. Thank you, Rufus. Across 1 PACIFIC: double … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,622 / Shed

Sat May 5, 2012 at 8:45 pmFri May 4, 2012 at 10:16 pm by Eileen

A rather more straightforward puzzle than usual from Shed, I thought, particularly for a Prize, although there seems to be a consensus that the Saturday puzzles are generally less of a challenge these … Read more >>

Guardian25,625 / Paul

Wed May 2, 2012 at 11:20 amWed May 2, 2012 at 9:35 am by Eileen

Another fun puzzle from Paul, with amusing surfaces and ingenious cluing – several laugh out loud moments, especially at 11ac. Many thanks, Paul, for the entertainment! Across 1 SHIATSU: anagram [difficult] of THIS … Read more >>

Guardian 25,620 / Araucaria

Thu April 26, 2012 at 9:59 am by Eileen

A reasonably straightforward puzzle from Araucaria, with a trademark long answer to help things along and some nice constructions to boot. Very enjoyable, I thought. Across 1,5 ROBINSON CRUSOE: ROBINS [birds] + ON … Read more >>

Guardian 25,615 / Puck

Fri April 20, 2012 at 4:34 pmFri April 20, 2012 at 10:11 am by Eileen

I thought this puzzle was great fun – lots of smiles and ‘aha’ moments along the way. Many thanks, Puck, for a very enjoyable and entertaining end to a wet week. … Read more >>

Guardian 25,605 / Rufus

Mon April 9, 2012 at 9:08 am by Eileen

A fairly typical Rufus mix of anagrams, double definitions and cryptic definitions – except that several of the cryptic definitions are rather less cryptic than usual. Across 1 WELL OFF: WELL [oil producer] … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,598 / Gordius

Sat April 7, 2012 at 12:02 am by Eileen

Well, here’s a turn-up – a Gordius as a Prize crossword, especially after a week of pretty challenging puzzles. [Regular readers will understand that I was speechless when I saw it as my … Read more >>

Guardian 25,601 / Brummie

Wed April 4, 2012 at 9:41 am by Eileen

Many thanks to Andrew for standing in for me last week. A reasonably straightforward puzzle from Brummie, which I found quite enjoyable but the very clear definitions and / or enumeration in the … Read more >>

Guardian 25,591 / Tramp

Sun March 25, 2012 at 12:38 amFri March 23, 2012 at 9:15 am by Eileen

After my comments on themed crosswords on Wednesday, the gods continue to smile on me and I get to blog another of Tramp’s puzzles and, once again, it’s one right up my street. … Read more >>

Guardian 25,585 / Picaroon

Fri March 16, 2012 at 10:42 amFri March 16, 2012 at 9:58 am by Eileen

It’s always a little disconcerting to come across an unfamiliar setter’s name – particularly on a Friday, when we expect something more challenging, and even more so if you’re the one due to … Read more >>

Guardian 25,581 / Rufus

Mon March 12, 2012 at 9:20 am by Eileen

The usual Monday mix of double and cryptic definitions and a couple of really nice anagrams. Thank you, Rufus! Across 5 STAYED: double definition 6 KOPECK: KO [knock out] + PECK [large quantity]: … Read more >>