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 29,423 / Vulcan

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Vulcan slips into his fortnightly Monday slot, with a generally benign puzzle to start the week. There’s the usual mix of anagrams and double definitions to help things along. The top left corner … Read more >>

Guardian 29,414 / Paul

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I was quite surprised to see that it’s five months since I blogged a Paul puzzle. (Please read through to the end of this preamble!) From time to time, I comment that a … Read more >>

Guardian 29,409 / Imogen

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I’m standing in for scchua today, as Imogen rounds off the weekday puzzles in fine style. An enjoyable challenge, with a good mix of clues, including a couple of less familiar words. Brilliant … Read more >>

Guardian 29,407 / Sphinx

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I have not even attempted, let alone blogged a Sphinx puzzle before – and when I consulted the 15² archive, I remembered why. This setter’s previous puzzles have been themed on a BBC … Read more >>

Guardian 29,400/ Brummie

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It was only last week that I began my blog with ‘It was something of a surprise to see Brummie’s name for the third time in ten days’ – Brummie’s really working overtime! … Read more >>

Guardian 29,393 / Brummie

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It was something of a surprise to see Brummie’s name for the third time in ten days but no complaints here. Brummie’s puzzles often have a theme but I haven’t spotted one today. … Read more >>

Guardian 29,384 / Pangakupu

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Pangakupu fills the Thursday slot this week with an enjoyable challenge. I’ve said in previous blogs that it has taken me a while to get onto Pangakupu’s wavelength. Either I’m getting used to … Read more >>

Guardian 29,377 /Carpathian

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Carpathian continues her travels around the various categories of Guardian puzzle (always welcome in any one of them) and settles today in the Cryptic slot. I’ve had a few days completely away from … Read more >>

Guardian 29,363 / Vulcan

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Vulcan steps into his regular fortnightly Monday slot. A typical Monday medley of anagrams and double and cryptic definitions. I had ticks for the anagrams at 11ac (BEDLINGTON) and 23ac (PLASTICINE), the succinct … Read more >>

Guardian 29,361 / Harpo

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Harpo rounds off the week’s puzzles with an enjoyable challenge. I found this quite tough going but very satisfying to (almost) finish, with some splendid anagrams, ingenious and meticulous cluing and witty surfaces … Read more >>