Cyclops 508: No so special now
For me, a very straightforward Cyclops, quickly solved (even if I have my doubts about some of the parsing). I’ll give my ‘fave clue’ vote to 13a. Across 7 PLUMPS Putting knob in … Read more >>
jetdoc
Sloggers, betters and other cruciverbalists’ centenary convention
To commemorate the centenary of the crossword, we really should have a proper get-together for all the regulars, be they high-profile or lurkers. Everyone, from novices to occasional solvers to the all-correct Listener … Read more >>
Cyclops 506: Some like [sh]it hot
A very hurried blog, started on Friday afternoon, on the train on the way up to Sheffield for Part 1 of the John Henderson Big Birthday Bash, and being finished in what will … Read more >>
The Sheffield Tap, Saturday 26th October
Two points for those of you who are coming to the John Henderson Big Birthday Bash Part 1: 1. There will be people there who know each other via websites etc, but have … Read more >>
Reminder: The All-England RNIB 3D Crosswords Cup 2013
Hoping to see you at this event on 12 October, at Penderel’s Oak in High Holborn, London: 3D Crosswords Cup Don’t worry if you aren’t yet an advanced solver — all ability levels … Read more >>
Cyclops 504: Ice dancing in limbo
A bit of holiday entertainment for me, with the blog to write on my return. Not a puzzle that detained me for long, but enjoyable and delightfully scurrilous nonetheless. Across 7 ESAU Rogue … Read more >>
Cyclops 502: Stating the bleedin’ obvious
After the last one I blogged, a straightforward Cyclops puzzle. Some clever clues, with special mention going to 2d and 9/7d. Across 1 TAHITI Country hat off before sex with one *(hat), with … Read more >>
Cyclops 500: Hall of infamy, infamy…
Congratulations to Cyclops on his 500th puzzle, and many thanks for all the fun and amusement so far. Here’s to number 1000! The preamble tells us to expect guest appearances from ‘names that … Read more >>
Cyclops 498: Feel-good factor
… not engendered by George Osborne, obviously, but by the lovely weather. The usual entertaining and not-too-taxing offer from Cyclops — a one-pinter for me (part from the clue I stupidly mis-solved). Across … Read more >>
Cyclops 496: Pseudonymous
Sorry about the late posting — I did the puzzle a while ago and had plans to complete the blog yesterday, but a migraine rather inconveniently intervened. Another fairly quick solve for me, … Read more >>
Cyclops 494: Vicars in uniform
With the usual apologies to anyone who struggled, I found this Cyclops puzzle remarkably easy. For some reason, the one that took me longest was 15d. I think I will nominate 21a/18d as … Read more >>
Cyclops 492: Larkin’ about
Pretty straightforward, I thought, unlike a few of the slightly more challenging recent ones; but none the worse for it. It’s 10 days or so since I solved it, but I don’t recall … Read more >>
Cyclops 490: They eat horses, don’t they?
Apologies for lateness. Cyclops on good form this week, with some amusing and at times deceptively salacious wordplay, and several references to the discovery of horsemeat in many ‘beef’ products. I think 23/9/1 … Read more >>
Cyclops 488: Beware supporter wilt! (see 3/22)
I think there was some fairly tricky wordplay in this Cyclops — it took me a bit longer than usual. Was that just me, or do others agree? Across 1 SCISSORS State is … Read more >>
Cyclops 486: Hacked off to the back teeth
This was numbered 469 in the magazine, but is correct on the website. Cyclops on pretty good form, I thought — some good clues, of which I particularly like 23a, for its sheer … Read more >>