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 26,077 / Boatman

Sat October 19, 2013 at 12:02 am by Eileen

At first, this looked impenetrable and therefore pretty daunting, especially as it was my blog. The first run through produced only 2dn, so none of the crucial ‘next’ clues, but it did give … Read more >>

Guardian 26,079 / Philistine

Tue October 15, 2013 at 8:47 amTue October 15, 2013 at 8:13 am by Eileen

Although I was only away for a week, I missed two blogging slots, so my thanks to Writinghawk and Gaufrid for standing in for me. And what a treat to come back to … Read more >>

Guardian 26,063 / Pasquale

Thu September 26, 2013 at 10:55 amThu September 26, 2013 at 10:17 am by Eileen

When we see Pasquale’s name on a puzzle, we can expect to come up against some unusual or even unknown words but we can also be confident that they will be clued scrupulously … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 26,053 / Brendan

Sat September 21, 2013 at 8:19 amSat September 21, 2013 at 12:20 am by Eileen

I love Brendan’s themed puzzles and so was very pleased to see that I had this one to blog. The solutions went in fairly easily, except the crucial 15ac, which was actually my … Read more >>

Guardian 26,056 / Philistine

Thu September 19, 2013 at 7:46 pmWed September 18, 2013 at 9:22 am by Eileen

I was rather disappointed yesterday to miss blogging Puck’s lovely offering by one day and so was doubly delighted to see Philistine’s name on today’s puzzle. To say that I was not disappointed … Read more >>

Guardian 26,049 / Gordius

Tue September 10, 2013 at 9:48 am by Eileen

Yet another mixed bag from Gordius, with several examples of what I would call loose or vague cluing / definitions. Regular readers will know that seeing Gordius’ name on a puzzle does not … Read more >>

Guardian 26.042 / Rufus

Mon September 2, 2013 at 10:37 pmMon September 2, 2013 at 9:20 am by Eileen

I think Rufus provides his own description of this Monday puzzle in the clue for 27ac, so no more comment here! Across 1 Perhaps he’s right to gamble and drink (7) SHERBET Anagram … Read more >>

Guardian 26,040 / Paul

Fri August 30, 2013 at 8:57 am by Eileen

An entertaining and enjoyable puzzle from Paul today – not too difficult but quite a bit of misdirection, one way or another. As well as some great misdirecting / story-telling surfaces , … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 26,029 / Enigmatist

Sat August 24, 2013 at 5:27 amSat August 24, 2013 at 12:02 am by Eileen

Enigmatist puzzles are rather few and far between these days, so this was a welcome return to the prize slot. On the whole, I didn’t find it quite so tortuous as his puzzles … Read more >>

Guardian 26,033 / Puck

Thu August 22, 2013 at 9:52 amThu August 22, 2013 at 9:02 am by Eileen

A highly entertaining puzzle from Puck, which turned out to be not so daunting as it looked initially [apart from one piece of parsing which has me completely stumped]. Along with some easy … Read more >>

Guardian 26,026 / Brendan

Wed August 14, 2013 at 9:02 am by Eileen

It’s always a pleasure to see Brendan’s name at the top of a puzzle and there was no disappointment here. The clues are mostly very straightforward, with a number of anagrams and charades … Read more >>

Guardian 26,019 / Picaroon

Tue August 6, 2013 at 4:44 pmTue August 6, 2013 at 8:28 am by Eileen

We seem to be getting to see Picaroon more frequently, which is more than fine by me. Lots of witty, story-telling surfaces and ingenious constructions, as usual, contributing to a thoroughly enjoyable puzzle. … Read more >>

Guardian 26,012 / Rufus

Mon July 29, 2013 at 2:09 pmMon July 29, 2013 at 8:46 am by Eileen

The usual Rufus potpourri of anagrams, double definitions and ‘cryptic’ definitions – some more so than others [one of which I’m not entirely sure of]. Across 1 Where they wash French articles without … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 26,005 / Brummie

Sat July 27, 2013 at 1:28 pmSat July 27, 2013 at 12:02 am by Eileen

I get a slight sinking feeling, when scanning a puzzle before starting to solve it, when I see several long clues, especially when they also turn out to refer to each other. Either … Read more >>

Guardian 26,008 / Brendan

Wed July 24, 2013 at 12:20 pmWed July 24, 2013 at 9:53 am by Eileen

A pleasant surprise to find Brendan’s name on this puzzle, with another ingenious theme, succinctly indicated at 19 ac. I found the solving of this rather easier than usual for a Brendan but … Read more >>