neildubya

Bannsider’s puzzles are consistently excellent and this was no exception. Funny grid though, with that blob of white squares in the middle. I’ve never read anything by Arnold Bennett so I have to … Read more >>

Anyone would think there was some sort of election happening today… Across 6 U in (WHINED BLATHERED)* – RED WHITE AND BLUE. 9 PALIN[-g] – got this from “candidate” (and the appearance of … Read more >>

Apologies for the comparative lack of commentary – I’m a bit pushed for time today.  Great puzzle, as always from Nestor. Across 1 CH(I,N)ASE,A 6 alternate letters of sPaRsElY 11 A(DO)PTER 12 NAME,NIL … Read more >>

Explanations and clarifications needed for 1a, 8, 12, 13, 19 and 26. Across 1 GOLF WIDOWS – can’t make head or tail of this, beyond some sort of pun on “putting”: “In small … Read more >>

Across One of the easiest Saturday puzzles we’ve had in a long time but no less enjoyable for that. This would be a great puzzle for beginners to try as the cluing is … Read more >>

Good puzzle, easy in places, tougher in others. I still don’t understand 3, 6 and 22d though. Across 8 TEST TUBE – liked the definition here: “Birthplace of Science”. 9/15 (NINEVEH ABOUT)*,N – … Read more >>

I thought this was a fantastic puzzle: fair and clever (though sometimes complex) wordplay, amusing definitions and some very nice surfaces. Can’t ask for more than that really. Across 1 ECOL(O,G)I,CAL 7 S,KIT … Read more >>

I’m supposed to be blogging tomorrow but I’m not going to be able to find the time as I have to look after my little boy for the day (he’s the happy chap … Read more >>

I found this much tougher than most Phi puzzles and two clues (18 and 22) had me completely stumped as the wordplay in each of them led to an answer that didn’t really … Read more >>

I enjoyed this one a great deal. I had the grid filled in reasonably quickly but then had to go over half a dozen or so clues where I’d filled in the answer … Read more >>

Entertaining and very-tough-in-places puzzle from Nimrod. There’s a nicely-worked theme and Nina too. In the middle of the grid is SEPARATES and SORTS and elsewhere we have THE MEN and THE BOYS. Also, … Read more >>

I’m supposed to be blogging today but it doesn’t look like I’m going to get the opportunity. If one of the other bloggers can step in for me I would be very grateful. … Read more >>

I wonder if Phi was deliberately targeting the Saturday puzzle by including words and phrases like 11,12,17a and 6d? Across 6 STO(I)C[-k] 9 SLOP,E – I did wonder at first whether “movement of … Read more >>

Across 1 L,O,ON – which is another name for a diving bird. 3 NIGH,(HORNET)* – NIGHT HERON. 9 initial letters of “With Unusual Relish, So Tasty”. 11 A in TINGLING – a good … Read more >>