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 25,740 / Araucaria

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I’m not very good at spotting ninas but these days the name of the game seems to be  ‘Spot the error’.  However, Araucaria is not noted for either and I found this an … Read more >>

Guardian 25,735 / Brummie

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A not-too-taxing but interesting puzzle, with some very nice touches, including several ‘lift-and-separate’ clues, which I enjoyed solving and blogging. There is a mini-theme, which I only discovered when writing the blog, so … Read more >>

Guardian 25,725 / Brendan

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Something of a surprise – but I’m not complaining! – to see Brendan’s name again so soon, on an interesting puzzle with cleverly interlinking clues, which all fell out without too much difficulty … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,718 / Paul

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An entertaining and enjoyable Prize puzzle from Paul, with a mixture of straightforward and more complicated clues, with some interesting wordplay. Many thanks for the fun, Paul. Across 8 Covering back, a politician … Read more >>

Guardian 25,721 / Arachne

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There’s been a rather longer than usual gap since the last Arachne puzzle, so I feel particularly lucky to have drawn this one. I think I found it rather easier than usual, except … Read more >>

Guardian 25,701 / Brendan

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It’s one of those disorientating Mondays when we don’t have a Rufus crossword to start the week. Instead, we have a cleverly-crafted puzzle from Brendan, with mostly straightforward clues, which nevertheless produced several … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,694 / Araucaria

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I found this a pleasantly enjoyable solve, although over rather quickly for a Saturday. I’ve seen much tougher clues from Araucaria but there are some nicely constructed ones here. Nothing too outrageous but … Read more >>

Guardian 25,697 / Orlando

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On a bright sunny morning, we have a lovely puzzle from Orlando, with a number of ingenious and witty clues and some fine surfaces, together with, for me, anyway, a satisfying penny-dropping moment … Read more >>

Guardian 25,692 / Brummie

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An entertaining puzzle from Brummie, with some cleverly interlinking clues which may perplex non-Brits. My only quibble is that some of the clues are over-long and / or clunky but, overall, it was … Read more >>

Guardian 25,677 / Rufus

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A typical Monday miscellany of cryptic / double definitions, ingenious anagrams and smooth surfaces from Rufus to start our week.  Many thanks to him. [Readers will no doubt be glad to hear this … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,670 / Puck

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  Well, I’m certainly not complaining about this Prize puzzle not being challenging enough / being over too quickly! I had all the answers in on Saturday but it took a day or … Read more >>

Guardian 25,674 / Crucible

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I’m really sticking my neck out here but there seems to be some problem about today’s blog. The normal practice would be for Gaufrid to ask for a replacement, or to await offers, … Read more >>