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 25,471 / Tramp

Fri November 4, 2011 at 10:06 am by Eileen

I’m certainly not complaining today at having landed the third of a recent handful of a setter’s puzzles to blog! This time it’s Tramp and, in fact, this is only his fifth Guardian … Read more >>

Guardian 25,461 / Rufus

Mon October 24, 2011 at 10:30 amMon October 24, 2011 at 9:09 am by Eileen

A pleasant Rufus puzzle to start the week, with the expected succinctly elegant surfaces and touches of wry humour, with a liberal sprinkling of double definitions. There are a couple of old favourite … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,454 / Araucaria

Sat October 22, 2011 at 8:28 amFri October 21, 2011 at 9:08 pm by Eileen

As always, I was pleased to see Araucaria’s name on the Saturday Prize puzzle but was rather disappointed at how quickly I finished it – I like to savour these weekend ones. There … Read more >>

Guardian 25,457 / Gordius

Wed October 19, 2011 at 9:53 am by Eileen

This is the third Gordius puzzle I have blogged of his most recent four – almost enough to make me paranoid. 😉 I shall resort to the traditional summary [and I’m not the … Read more >>

Guardian 25,452 / Paul

Thu October 13, 2011 at 10:17 am by Eileen

It took me a while to crack the clue to the theme and I was meanwhile rather apprehensive, in view of some of Paul’s recent themed puzzles, so I was very relieved to … Read more >>

Guardian 25,447 / Araucaria

Fri October 7, 2011 at 3:58 pmFri October 7, 2011 at 10:00 am by Eileen

An entertaining and enjoyable workout from Araucaria, with not too many liberties taken, I think. A few weeks ago, I blogged an Enigmatist puzzle based on London Underground stations, some of which I’d … Read more >>

Guardian 25,437 / Rufus

Mon September 26, 2011 at 12:22 pmMon September 26, 2011 at 8:54 am by Eileen

It’s Monday, it’s Rufus and I’m saying no more today, except,’Thank you, Rufus’! Across 7 SOFT PEDAL: cryptic definition Edit: I completely missed the anagram [‘regulating’] of ADOPT SELF [thanks, Neil and Geoff] … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,430 / Araucaria

Sat September 24, 2011 at 11:39 amSat September 24, 2011 at 12:02 am by Eileen

If I hadn’t seen the name on this puzzle, I think I’d have been rather hard put to it to guess that it was an Araucaria, let alone a Prize [though the appearance … Read more >>

Guardian 25,433 / Gordius

Wed September 21, 2011 at 11:25 amWed September 21, 2011 at 9:53 am by Eileen

My second blog of a Gordius puzzle in less than two weeks – and it’s another rather mixed bag … Across 1 REPEATING: REP [agent] EATING [having lunch] 6 EACH: contained in tEACHing … Read more >>

Guardian 25,428 / Orlando

Thu September 15, 2011 at 9:50 pmThu September 15, 2011 at 9:45 am by Eileen

An Orlando puzzle with the usual good variety of clues and some brilliantly misleading surfaces, with a number of smiles to boot. ‘Wit’ and ‘elegance’ are the epithets that most naturally spring to … Read more >>

Guardian 25,423 / Gordius

Fri September 9, 2011 at 9:43 am by Eileen

A fairly typical Gordian mixed bag, I think – some clever clues, together with some very loose definitions and one glaring inaccuracy. Older solvers may have found this puzzle rather easier. 😉 Across … Read more >>

Guardian 25,413 / Orlando

Mon August 29, 2011 at 9:47 am by Eileen

After Araucaria’s Bank Holiday double challenge, a very pleasant diversion from Orlando for the holiday itself. I didn’t find this too taxing but there’s much to admire here: the usual wit, elegance and … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,406 / Brummie

Sat August 27, 2011 at 1:17 pmSat August 27, 2011 at 1:00 am by Eileen

I was away for the weekend and took my Guardian with me. I was, naturally, amazed and disappointed to find the previous day’s Araucaria’s puzzle when I opened it to solve the crossword! … Read more >>

Guardian 25,409 / Enigmatist

Wed August 24, 2011 at 10:10 am by Eileen

Well, this was a surprise for a Wednesday – especially as I was convinced we were due for a Gordius – but I’m certainly not complaining! It was quite a tough work-out but … Read more >>

Independent 7,751 / Phi

Fri August 19, 2011 at 9:47 amFri August 19, 2011 at 9:00 am by Eileen

My first blog of an Indy puzzle – as a one-off substitute for flashling, who’s been away setting off spectacular fireworks. I know to expect a Nina or theme from Phi and the … Read more >>