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 Prize 28,063 / Puck

February 29, 2020 at 12:02 am by Eileen

‘Special instructions’ [in this case, ‘Wordplay in 15 clues lacks something crucial in one form or another’] usually make me wince slightly – and especially when I’m blogging! As it happened, I fortunately … Read more >>

Guardian 28,067 / Paul

February 27, 2020 at 11:08 amFebruary 27, 2020 at 10:35 am by Eileen

My apologies for the late blog: when the theme penny did finally drop, it entailed a bit of research! Paul sets today’s challenge – and a challenge it was! I woke up at … Read more >>

Guardian 28,060 / Philistine

February 19, 2020 at 10:04 am by Eileen

It’s Philistine’s turn to provide our entertainment today – and he does it in characteristic style. Lots of clever clues, as usual from this setter – my favourites were 14ac and 6,9 – … Read more >>

Guardian 28,053 / Nutmeg

February 11, 2020 at 12:10 pmFebruary 11, 2020 at 9:14 am by Eileen

I do love Nutmeg’s puzzles and this one more than lived up to expectations in wit, elegance and ingenuity. I’ll leave you to name favourites. Many thanks to Nutmeg. Definitions are underlined in … Read more >>

Guardian 28,046 / Chifonie

February 3, 2020 at 9:22 am by Eileen

Typically straightforward Monday fare, I think. Thanks to Chifonie. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 5 Workshop produces ornament I love (6) STUDIO STUD [ornament] + I O [I love] 6 … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 28,039 / Philistine

February 1, 2020 at 8:43 amFebruary 1, 2020 at 12:02 am by Eileen

A celebratory puzzle from Philistine to mark January 25th with a theme that would be hard to miss, I think. My late Scottish husband would have really loved this! I was enjoying it … Read more >>

Guardian 28,044 / Paul

January 31, 2020 at 1:25 pmJanuary 31, 2020 at 10:02 am by Eileen

After two successive Saturday Prize puzzles by other setters, it was a surprise to see Paul turn up today. All pretty straightforward, I think – thanks, Paul. Definitions are underlined in the clues. … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 28,033 / Brendan

January 25, 2020 at 1:34 amJanuary 25, 2020 at 12:02 am by Eileen

I count myself lucky to have been asked to step in for mhl, who is on holiday on the other side of the world, with unreliable internet access, to blog a puzzle by … Read more >>

Guardian 28,037 / Crucible

January 23, 2020 at 4:11 pmJanuary 23, 2020 at 9:55 am by Eileen

It’s Crucible today, with a themed puzzle right up my street. I know the theme won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I hope there’s enough wit and ingenuity in the clues to … Read more >>

Guardian 28,030 / Paul

January 15, 2020 at 9:23 am by Eileen

Paul moves to the midweek slot today. A fairly typical medley of clues, I think: some good [10,7, 22, 23, 26,2ac, 13dn], some quirky [11ac, 6dn] some bland [15 and 20ac, 21 and … Read more >>

Guardian 28,023 / Qaos

January 7, 2020 at 10:48 amJanuary 7, 2020 at 10:00 am by Eileen

Hurrah on two counts from me today: a puzzle from one of my favourite setters and I managed to see the theme – although it would have been quite hard to miss. I … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 28,015 / Paul

January 4, 2020 at 12:02 am by Eileen

It fell to Paul to round off the year with a Prize puzzle that I enjoyed solving, apart from one or two quibbles. I think if there were no name on the puzzle … Read more >>

Guardian 28,016 / Vulcan

December 30, 2019 at 9:33 am by Eileen

Back to typical straightforward Monday fare today – thanks, Vulcan. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 7 Game one would want to exclude? (8) DRAUGHTS Cryptic definition, alluding to draught excluder 9 … Read more >>

Guardian 28,014 / Picaroon

December 27, 2019 at 11:18 amDecember 27, 2019 at 10:37 am by Eileen

Picaroon turns up to round off an excellent week of puzzles [we have been spoiled] in characteristically witty style. Many thanks to him. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 8 Change popular … Read more >>

Guardian 28,008 / Philistine

December 19, 2019 at 4:22 pmDecember 19, 2019 at 9:35 am by Eileen

A characteristically ingenious and witty puzzle from Philistine, which, as usual, I thoroughly enjoyed. Many thanks to him. There is an unfortunate and inexplicable error in the enumeration of 5,23,15, which should be … Read more >>