Andrew

An enjoyable puzzle where I was fooled on a couple of occasions by clues that turned out to be much simpler than I was expecting. Thanks to Philistine.   Across 1 OSPREYS Birds … Read more >>

I found this much harder than usual for a Brendan, with some very tricky parsings that I only just managed to work out when writing up the blog (with one minor doubt in … Read more >>

The new editor’s policy for Mondays seems to be to alternate Vulcan with setters who we haven’t previously been used to seeing starting the week. This puzzle was perhaps on the gentler end … Read more >>

Quite an easy one for a Friday, I thought, but neatly clued and with some nice touches. Thanks to Fed.   Across 8,9 NO‑CLAIMS BONUS Musical snob on convoluted reason cover can be discounted? … Read more >>

I found this quite hard, with some unfamiliar words and meanings. Thanks to Imogen for the tough workout.   Across 9 POKER FACE One making a stir has to deal with blank look … Read more >>

My second Paul in a row, and this time it took me a while to start making any headway, but it all worked out in the end. Thanks to Paul and Happy New … Read more >>

Happy Boxing Day all: I hope you had a good Christmas. Paul starts the Guardian week with a puzzle containing a number of linked answers, as is quite common for him these days. … Read more >>

It’s not often that I can complete even an easy crossword in a single pass, but that was the case today. Definitely one for beginners and those in a hurry… Thanks to Vulcan. … Read more >>

I got off to a good start by guessing the long answer to 1,12 from the definition and enumeration, and it was reasonably plain sailing (by Vlad’s standards) from then on. There was … Read more >>

The ever-reliable pirate provides another enjoyable puzzle, with a couple of intersecting unfamiliar words giving a bit of a sting in the tail. Thanks to Picaroon.   Across 1 JAILBIRDS Judge troubles to … Read more >>

A characteristically mixed bag from Anto, including one faulty clue, one whose parsing I’m not sure about, and one that I can’t explain at all (and a couple of niggles). Over to you… … Read more >>

I started slowly on this, but it all came together nicely in the end. Thanks to Philistine.   Across 1 CHELSEA TRACTOR Empty large car? Earth cost appalling! (7,7)Anagram of L[arg]E CAR EARTH … Read more >>

Thanks to Brummie for our entertainment on a wet Monday morning. I was lucky to guess the theme early on from JOHN and FRIAR, which helped quite a lot with the rest: we … Read more >>