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 27,537 / Philistine

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I was delighted to find one of my top favourites’ name on this Prize puzzle. As regular readers know, my solving method is, boringly, to go through the clues strictly in order but, when … Read more >>

Guardian 27,536 / Arachne

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A treat from Arachne to end the week.     Perhaps a less tough challenge than some of Arachne’s puzzles but with beautifully-crafted and witty clues aplenty, as ever, and much to enjoy. Many thanks … Read more >>

Guardian 27,529 / Brummie

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Brummie fills the Thursday slot today.     I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy this puzzle nearly so much as the last one [with a theme of children’s television] from Brummie that I blogged. … Read more >>

Guardian 27,515 / Tramp

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My second Tramp blog in a row – I must have done something good. Unusually for Tramp, there doesn’t seem to be a theme, unless I’m missing something. I found this quite a … Read more >>

Guardian 27,508 / Pan

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It has  become quite a game, trying to guess who will fill the Monday slot. Today it’s Pan’s turn to provide the ‘gentle start to the week’. Here we have a straightforward, precisely … Read more >>

Guardian 27,492 / Picaroon

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  Another ingenious and witty puzzle from Picaroon, with an interesting  theme, clearly indicated in the clue for 11dn. Solving 11dn fairly early did nothing to spoil the fun, which was there in … Read more >>