1 down is topical given that as I type this counting is still going on for the local elections. Lots of talk about swinging and most, like Jenrick, swinging to the right as if they are on an out of control anticlockwise merry-go-round. So many defective, sorry defecting, ex-Cons like him. I’ll say no more here – it’s all too depressing.
Anyway another great crossword from our one-eyed friend. I notice he will soon be starring in Christopher Nolan’s new blockbuster epic: “The Odyssey” trailer
beermagnet
Independent 12,339 by Liari
I think I’m right in saying this is the first time Liari has appeared in the saturday slot.
Private Eye ( Cyclops / 827 ) Uninvited Oomph
One of those where the last one in was the first one read. This happens all too often.
Does Cyclops make the clue to 1 Across tougher than the rest? I doubt it.
It must be that the little grey cells need more warming up before – so I’d better do another crossword before attempting this one…
… but then what if I have the same trouble with that. Oh dear.
Independent 12,309 by Punk
Is Punk making an attempt to offer his services as setter for Private Eye’s puzzle in the future?
Private Eye ( Cyclops / 825 ) Arrogant Blight
A mild Eye puzzle. Nothing terribly hard, but some lovely surface readings to the clues as usual.
Independent 12,279 by Mev
Happy Saturday Indy solving
Private Eye (Cyclops / 823) Nerdy Outsider
I really should not refer to Liz Truss as a nerd. It gives us nerds a bad name.
Private Eye (Cyclops / 821) Medicinal Camembert
If camembert cost about £200 per kilo and had the reputation that you lost weight after eating it, it would become highly sought after and anyone who bought it would certainly lose weight.
Otherwise they wouldn’t be getting their money’s worth.
Independent 12,249 by Bluebird
Another Saturday Bluebird that has coincided with my blogging duty, and that’s no bad thing.
Private Eye (Cyclops / 819) *Redacted redacted*
I normally make a headline for the Eye blog using a couple of the answers from the puzzle but I have redacted them this time.
Not because they are tremendously rude – it’s an Eye puzzle so anything may appear – but because some of you reading this might not have tackled the puzzle yet. You might not have realised the current issue very unusually is only for 1 week instead of the usual fortnight.
If so, go away and try this puzzle before coming back here. Link https://www.private-eye.co.uk/crossword
Independent 12,219 by Bluebird
Usually I enjoy a Bluebird puzzle, although they are often sneakily hard.
This one left me slightly empty.
I was fully expecting there to be a nice juicy hidden message in the perimeter unches – why else choose this grid design. Instead it is just gobble-de-gook.
Similarly, there have been interesting themes, especially on a Saturday. Again, I cannot see a theme here at all. (I do hope I’m proved wrong.)
All the while battling clues that are definitely on the hard side for me.
Private Eye (Cyclops / 817) Economic Sponsorship
Like many Eye crosswords of late I found this one no walk-over.
Independent 12,189 by Bard
First time we’ve seen Bard on a Saturday I think. I wonder if this completes a set of days of the week?
Private Eye (Cyclops/815) Rabid Hobnob
I must have been having a bad solving day. It took three goes at the puzzle to finish.
Private Eye (Cyclops 813) Lethal Shame
Better late than never