Private Eye / Cyclops 533 Ukip Calypso
Took a while to get going on this puzzle. I didn’t solve any till getting IDYLL at 26 from the obvious definition. Successful solving needed crossing letters to aid the brain cells. Once a … Read more >>
Never knowingly undersolved
Took a while to get going on this puzzle. I didn’t solve any till getting IDYLL at 26 from the obvious definition. Successful solving needed crossing letters to aid the brain cells. Once a … Read more >>
If there’s one thing that is notable about a Jambazi puzzle, it is that every clue surface reading makes sense, but not necessarily one that helps solve the clue much… … which is why … Read more >>
I had the impression this was Cyclops coasting along. Yes, there were a couple of references to a recent political event – the Scottish Referendum – but nothing that could be classed as … Read more >>
Alchemi gives us a fun, themed puzzle on the easy side for a Prize crossword – if you knew the subject. Happily I did. The theme is Kenneth More (3D) and five of … Read more >>
One of those solves where half the grid was filled on the first pass, and for a change there wasn’t anything hugely troubling at the end. The last couple took a bit of thought but … Read more >>
I made some notes when I solved this: First pass of the clues – 10 minutes – 1 answered (18D – 2nd to last clue read) One. That’s all. It’s Nimrod. Oh dear. … Read more >>
This crossword must be on the easy side of average for an Eye crossword because I completed it at one sitting with only 8 left to go after the “all clues read” first … Read more >>
Enjoyable stuff from Mr C this time. Over half answered on the first pass meant that there were enough crossing letters to facilitate solving those pesky final few tricky clues. Indeed there were some novel clue methods … Read more >>
It’s about a year since eXternal and I first crossed swords over a pencil and a pint, and since then I try to have a go the puzzle when I hear it’s been set … Read more >>
Solving proceeded at a pace … Several answers entered on first reading, thus I had more than half the grid filled at “first pass” (all clues attempted). Another pass left me with just … Read more >>
Quixote gave us a bit of run around with this one. A run around of just over 12 furlongs. I hadn’t got any idea what DW might refer to – the first thing … Read more >>
Read through at least 10 clues before spotting the first answer. Not sure why as most of the puzzle filled in on “first pass” (when all clues read) – only about 10 to go. … Read more >>
When I know I am going to blog a puzzle I try to make some notes as I solve it, roughing out the wordplay etc. So it might take a bit longer than usual. … Read more >>
At the start of solving this I was absolutely racing through, slapping in answer after answer covering top left down to bottom right. Then I slowed right down and had to grind out … Read more >>
I was very pleased to see I’d drawn a Morph puzzle this time as I always find them entertaining. Seeing 1D mentioned in several clues I naturally tried to crack that first, but … Read more >>