bensand

This made a quick solve for me – possibly because two of my grandparents were from New Zealand and I’m more familiar with the cities than I might otherwise have been. I think … Read more >>

This seemed like a harder crossword than a standard Dac. Looking back I can’t quite see why though although three words being new to me slowed me down (1ac, 27ac, 20d) Across 1 … Read more >>

Across 1 LOTHARIO – T + HARI in LOO 10 COMIC – COSMIC minus S (close to tears) 11 SEA URCHIN – SEA(U)RCH + IN 16 DONKEY – DON + KEY 26 ENNUI … Read more >>

No two ways about it, Scorpion’s tricky. Thursday is also the day of the week I have least time for solving and blogging so apologies that this is a little late. I cracked … Read more >>

I always enjoy crosswords from Virgilius and this was no exception. I can’t see a theme which is unusual for Virgilius but maybe I haven’t looked long enough! Across 1 GREATA GARBO – (RAGE … Read more >>

Across 6 BORIS – SIR + OB =< 7 RETICENT – CITE <= in RENT 10 HOGWEED – ((L)OW HEDGE)* 13 DOWAGER – “DO WAGER” 14 STAGE FRIGHT – Cryptic definition 20 CARAMEL … Read more >>

I thought I’d got the schedule wrong when I came to post this and saw the top Independent post from Neil for a Phi! Closer examination revealed a different crossword completely so business … Read more >>

A fair and satisfying crossword but I’m still missing an explanation (25) which always niggles! No theme as far as I can see. Across 1 RANSOM – RANSOM(E) refers to Arthur Ransome, famous … Read more >>

Always a pleasure to do a Virgilius. Not especially taxing on the obscurity of answers (although 19 was new to me) but inventive and amusing. As indicated in 16/17 there are plenty of … Read more >>

I think this is an easier crossword than Morph’s previous Independent crosswords, it’s certainly the quickest I’ve solved a Morph! That’s not a criticism though as it’s thoroughly fair and characteristically entertaining. Anyway, … Read more >>

I remembered slightly late in the day that it was my blog today and dashed out for the paper. I’m not sure Bannsider sits well with having had a few drinks at lunchtime! … Read more >>

A quickish and crossword and a quickish blog as I have to get back to finish some work! Not absolutely sure about 15 across so if anyone’s got a better answer or explanation … Read more >>

Done in a slightly distracted fashion as I was in a soft play centre for children with half an eye on a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. Slick as ever from Virgilius without a … Read more >>

I felt slightly short-changed by this puzzle but that’s probably just because of the grid! Hardly seemed worth going for the full 15×15 with only 3 white squares in the left and right … Read more >>

A satisfying and well-worked crossword although there are a couple I’m looking for further explanation on. Very unusually for me I spotted a nina in the unchecked letters on the middle column and … Read more >>