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 28,284 / Nutmeg

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Nutmeg, not at her toughest, ends the week with her customary elegance and style. Lots of lovely clues, as always:  I‘ll leave you to name favourites. Many thanks, Nutmeg. Definitions are underlined in … Read more >>

Guardian 28,277 / Paul

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A fairly tough challenge from Paul this morning, especially in the parsing department. This was another middle-of-the-night solve for me, with the parsing left until the morning, in the hope that light would … Read more >>

Guardian 28,270 / Qaos

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It’s Qaos providing the mid-week entertainment, with an enjoyable and, as usual, themed puzzle. Regarding the theme, I was led for a short while up the garden path. For once, I thought to … Read more >>

Guardian 28,263 / Imogen

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It’s Imogen providing the challenge today, with a mix of straightforward and more tricky clues. As one who works through the clues in order, I was not delighted when the first clue directed … Read more >>

Guardian 28,256 / Vulcan

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Vulcan starts the week with a typical Monday medley of charades, anagrams and cryptic definitions, with just one double definition today. I’m not usually a great fan of Vulcan’s puzzles but I enjoyed … Read more >>

Guardian 28,254 / Vlad

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Vlad rounds off a good week of puzzles with a reasonably tough challenge. The four long perimeter clues helped, as usual, but there were some rather tricky bits of parsing and one I’m … Read more >>

Guardian 28,247 / Qaos

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Well, this should have been the last day of my walking holiday in Mallorca but finding the name of one of my favourite setters above the puzzle I was down to blog went … Read more >>

Guardian 28,240 / Imogen

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A reasonably tough challenge from Imogen today, with one or two tricky bits of parsing but I think I got there in the end. The clues are, on the whole, elegantly constructed, with … Read more >>

Guardian 28,233 / Nutmeg

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A typically elegant and witty puzzle from Nutmeg today. Many thanks to her for the fun. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 First chapter on one subject (5) TOPIC TOP (first) … Read more >>

Guardian 28,226 / Pan

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It’s Pan to help cheer up a rather chilly Bank Holiday, with a puzzle with a bit more bite to it than the Monday usual. (That isn’t a criticism.) I really enjoyed this … Read more >>

Guardian 28,224 / Philistine

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It’s Philistine to round off the weekday puzzles, in his customary playful and witty style.   I found this a fairly straightforward puzzle – not Philistine at his hardest – with a mini-theme … Read more >>

Guardian 28,217 / Brendan

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I’m lucky enough to have landed a puzzle by another of my favourite setters to blog today. It’s Brendan, with a themed puzzle which is just my cup of tea. Brendan is a … Read more >>