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 25,505 / Arachne

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We know from Arachne’s numerous Marathon achievements that she’s not one to baulk at a challenge and this is her response to the gauntlet thrown down at the Sloggers and Betters get-together in … Read more >>

Guardian 25,501 / Puck

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I commented on the most recent Puck puzzle that it seemed to lack his characteristic playfulness. No such complaint with this one, which I found fun to solve. There is a range of … Read more >>

Guardian 25,488 / Araucaria

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Since I’m only a substitute today, I count myself very lucky to have drawn this fun puzzle from Araucaria. I really enjoyed it, for its  amusing, whimsical  cluing and some clever linking between … Read more >>

Guardian 25,485 / Rufus

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Apologies for the rather later posting today: I’ve been whiling away two hours at the surgery between glucose-tolerance blood tests. It’s a pretty straightforward Rufus for a grey morning, with perhaps even more … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,478 / Paul

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An entertaining pot-pourri of a puzzle from Paul, to round off an excellent week: a mini-theme of Dad’s Army  and mini-mini-themes of pastas, Prime Ministers and flowers. Just right for a Saturday, I … Read more >>

Guardian 25,481 / Paul

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There’s much to admire, enjoy and laugh [or groan] at in this typically Paul puzzle. Not much more to be said – I hope you enjoyed it. Many thanks, Paul. Across 9   PEPPERONI: … Read more >>

Guardian 25,476 / Boatman

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This time yesterday, I was thanking my lucky stars that I wasn’t blogging the Enigmatist. [Well done, Andrew – I was among those who had a busy day and had to come back … Read more >>

Guardian 25,471 / Tramp

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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

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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 25,447 / Araucaria

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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 >>