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 25,399 / Paul

August 12, 2011 at 9:25 am by Eileen

As I solved the excellent Brendan puzzle yesterday, I wished it might have been mine to blog but getting a Paul on a Friday can’t be bad, either. Some clever clues here, as … Read more >>

Guardian 25,389 / Rufus

August 1, 2011 at 7:53 am by Eileen

It’s Monday, it’s Rufus – say no more! Across 1 POINTLESS: double definition 6 COPE: OP [work] in CE [Church of England] 8 COLOSSUS: LOSS [no profit] in [is taken] CO [firm] … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,382 / Paul

July 30, 2011 at 2:38 pmJuly 30, 2011 at 12:02 am by Eileen

I thought this was rather on the easy side for a Paul crossword, especially a prize one. The number of double definitions [eight!] was more typical of a Rufus puzzle but there were … Read more >>

Guardian 25,385 / Araucaria

July 27, 2011 at 11:18 amJuly 27, 2011 at 10:27 am by Eileen

My second Araucaria blog in less than a week. I’ve learned a couple of new words, where the cluing fortunately made them gettable, and wrestled with several of Araucaria’s characteristic long clues, which … Read more >>

Guardian 25,380 / Araucaria

July 21, 2011 at 9:48 am by Eileen

Certainly the toughest challenge of the week so far, with some typically Araucarian liberties which will be a step too far for some. I’ll say no more at this stage! Across 1 DECLARE: … Read more >>

Guardian 25,375 / Paul

July 15, 2011 at 9:51 am by Eileen

This is vintage Paul – some very clever cluing and lots to entertain and raise a smile. Enough said! Many thanks, Paul. Across 1 FEWEST: F[our] + E[ast] + WEST 9 DAMNATION: DAM … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,364 / Enigmatist

July 9, 2011 at 12:02 am by Eileen

I had advance warning at the Birmingham Bash from the man himself that I had an Enigmatist to blog this week, so I was looking forward to it – with just a little … Read more >>

Guardian 25,365 / Rufus

July 4, 2011 at 9:00 am by Eileen

I think this was perhaps just a little trickier than your average Rufus but there’s the usual mix of witty cryptic definitions and clever anagrams – and I wish I could think of … Read more >>

Guardian 25,361 / Brendan

June 29, 2011 at 9:38 pmJune 29, 2011 at 8:23 am by Eileen

I was thinking it was a while since we had a Brendan puzzle, so I was very pleased to see his name on this one. Unusually, his last offering told us, ‘There is … Read more >>

Guardian 25,356 / Gordius

June 23, 2011 at 9:14 am by Eileen

I seem to have spent almost as much time trying – unsuccessfully – to come up with a preamble for this puzzle as I did in solving it. I’ll just say that I … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,346 / Pasquale

June 18, 2011 at 8:20 amJune 18, 2011 at 12:02 am by Eileen

An entertaining puzzle from Pasquale, in which we were told that six solutions were undefined in their clues, with five lying within the bounds of the sixth. I think non-UK residents might have … Read more >>

Guardian 25,351 / Tramp

June 17, 2011 at 10:31 amJune 17, 2011 at 9:39 am by Eileen

I’ve been looking forward to Tramp’s second Guardian cryptic, having blogged his début Fawlty Towers-themed puzzle, so I was very pleased to land this one, too. I didn’t detect a theme this time … Read more >>

Guardian 25,344 / Gordius

June 9, 2011 at 9:43 am by Eileen

Rather surprisingly, it’s me for the second time this week. I was asked to stand in – it’s not that I put in a special request for a Gordius! 😉 Across 8 BEDSTRAW: … Read more >>

Guardian 25,341 / Rufus

June 6, 2011 at 12:53 pmJune 6, 2011 at 9:03 am by Eileen

Monday morning and a fairly typical Rufus, I think, although the cryptic definitions are perhaps slightly less cryptic than usual and some double definitions are rather similar in meaning – but the surfaces … Read more >>

Guardian 25,337 / Crucible

June 1, 2011 at 11:39 amJune 1, 2011 at 9:29 am by Eileen

I was delighted to see Crucible’s name on this puzzle and I was not disappointed. His crosswords often have a theme and here we have a nice cheerful one, with no obscurities, I … Read more >>