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 24,737 / Araucaria

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Something of a treat for me today, to blog an Araucaria prize puzzle [entertaining, as ever] in Rightback’s absence. I can’t even dream of approaching his prodigious solving time – but then I … Read more >>

Guardian 24,738 / Rover

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A surprise not to have Rufus this morning but I remember that, a while ago, Andrew came up with the lovely description of Rover as ‘Rufus-lite’. Some very easy anagrams and several cryptic … Read more >>

Guardian 24,732 / Rufus

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  A particularly gentle, I thought, start to the week from Rufus, with the typical sprinkling of cryptic and double definitions, but more than the usual number of simple charades. Across 1   PARAMOUNT: … Read more >>

Guardian 24,703 / Araucaria

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There were several laugh out loud moments in this entertaining puzzle from Araucaria, with a number of cleverly inter-connected  clues. Across 7   PRESS ON: PRESS ON[e]: a witty reference to the irritating options  offered … Read more >>

Guardian 24,697 / Brummie

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A welcome return from Brummie, who always entertains. After solving the puzzle, I spent a while staring at the answers, since Brummie often gives us a theme. I thought there might be one … Read more >>

Guardian 24,679 / Araucaria

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Apologies for the delay: I’m a late substitute, so apologies, too,  for any typos, etc.I thought this was a delight, though I’m quite prepared for some to say it was more appropriate for … Read more >>

Guardian 24,676 / Gordius

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I’ve nothing much to say about this puzzle. I quite liked 9ac but there are several clues I’m not happy with, particularly some ‘cryptic’ definitions. [ ]* anagram [ ] < reversal cd … Read more >>

Guardian 24,654 / Rufus

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Another gentle start to the week from Rufus, with, typically, perhaps more cryptic [some rather more so than others!] and double definitions than some would like but some clever anagrams and nice surfaces. … Read more >>

Guardian 24,628 / Pasquale

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What a delight to see Pasquale back – fully recovered, I hope. There are several slightly unusual words but they are scrupulously well-clued and there are some lovely surface readings. A highly enjoyable … Read more >>

Guardian 24,617 / Araucaria

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In the absence of the scheduled blogger, I’m offering this as a late substitute, so apologies for any typos, etc.  I didn’t expect to be blogging this puzzle, so made no notes as … Read more >>

Guardian 24,621 / Araucaria

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Another treat of a puzzle from Araucaria, ingeniously celebrating the 200th ‘birthday’ of both Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. There are a couple of answers where I look forward to clarification, which I’m … Read more >>