Lots of fun, but not Paul at his most difficult even with the longer clues only falling into place late on. I particularly liked 9, 12, and 19/4. 26 was completely new to me.
manehi
Guardian 26,188 by Crucible
A fun puzzle with a few thematically linked clues and solutions – I struggled with the top half of the grid until I caught on to the theme. I particularly liked 12ac, 26ac, 7dn and 23dn.
Guardian 26,181 by Tramp
This was tough – I needed two sittings to finish it, and another to nail the parsing. Some lovely cluing – I especially liked 12ac, 2dn and 23dn.
Guardian 26,167 by Rufus
The usual gentle start to the week from Rufus, with some fun clues especially at 25ac, 3dn and 7dn. Across 1 On the rocks, in the sun and air (9) INSOLVENT =”On the … Read more >>
Guardian 26,165 by Chifonie
Not difficult, but a pleasant solve – all very neatly and fairly done. Favourites were 24ac, 1dn and 5dn. Across 1 Woman gets marble put back in wrapping (6) SWATHE =”wrapping”. SHE=”Woman”, around … Read more >>
Guardian 26,158 by Paul
Got through about half of this quickly, then struggled to the end – just wasn’t on the right wavelength for 9ac and 5dn, had never heard of 22,20 and still can’t properly parse … Read more >>
Guardian 26,151 by Chifonie
Lots of fun clues and neat surfaces from Chifonie. Favourites were 10ac, 11ac, 23ac and 18dn. Across 7 Outfitter is more flexible when holding interest (8) SUPPLIER =”Outfitter”. SUPPLER=”more flexible” around I[nterest] 9 … Read more >>
Guardian 26,144 by Shed
A lovely puzzle to end the year on. Lots of great clues, particular favourites were 1d, 22a and 23a. Across 4 Move aimlessly and pick up something useful (6) GADGET =”something useful”. GAD=”Move … Read more >>
Guardian 26,138 by Rufus
A gentle festive offering from Rufus. Lots of smiles, especially at 12ac, 5dn and 6dn. Across 1 Stocking up time (9) CHRISTMAS Cryptic definition – a time for hanging up stockings 6 Wise … Read more >>
Guardian 26,136 by Orlando
Not as tricky as Orlando can be, but some lovely cluing – I particularly liked 24ac, 3dn, 16dn and 18dn. Across 1 Everyone in drag is fat (6) TALLOW =”fat”. ALL=”Everyone” in TOW=”drag” … Read more >>
Guardian 26,129 by Boatman
Found this very tricky, but lots of fun with a spooky theme. Favourites were 23a, 26a and 16d. Still not sure how to parse 3d. Across 1,15 Long odds of tango and cha-cha … Read more >>
Guardian 26,122 by Brendan
Enjoyable without being too tricky, with a nice mini-theme. Favourite clues were 11ac, 18ac and 9dn. Across 1 A sailor lacking refinement said to get some military training (7,6) ASSAULT COURSE =”some military … Read more >>
Guardian 26,115 by Philistine
Found this fun, but struggled towards the end – I had to guess and look up 1ac and 10ac, and am pretty sure that I’m missing something about 19ac. Favourites were 12ac, 7dn … Read more >>
Guardian 26,108 by Rufus
Rufus with a typical mix of double and cryptic definitions. I liked 10ac and 6dn in particular. Across 7 Army command to be rigidly obeyed (9) ATTENTION Cryptic def – a command to … Read more >>
Guardian 26,106 by Paul
Enjoyable but not too difficult from Paul today. I liked the two long across clues, as well as 1dn and 6dn. Across 1 In a word, very long joke is in a sense … Read more >>