PeterO

Born 1944. I was introduced to cryptics, mainly the Telegraph, in the sixth form, as a group effort. This continued through college (physics), and after, but more sporadically after I moved to the US forty years ago. Now I am semi-retired from programming - I drive school buses - I have time to troll the internet for crosswords to my heart's content. I regularly do the Guardian, Independent FT and Private Eye. Despite rather regular entries to Private Eye and the Guardian Genius, the nearest I have come to winning anything was on a book publishers' website, a crossword compiled by Eddie James, I think. As the prizes included a bottle of Champagne, to avoid customs problems, I entered in my brother-in-law's name. He was somewhat surprised to win.

Guardian Cryptic 28,144 by Philistine

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28144. A satisfyingly witty crossword from Philistine. Just from the way it seems as I solved it, I found 2D SARI a favorite. ACROSS 1 ASLEEP Please … Read more >>

Everyman 3,840

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3840. This week we have a vestige of paired long clues, in Bed and Breakfast, bottom and top, with perhaps EARLY DAY linking them (although the full … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,128 by Nutmeg

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28128. That slipped down a treat. What more is there to say? ACROSS 1 AFTERNOON TEA Meal for four? (9,3) Cryptic definition. 8 ORGANZA Widely differing characters … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,121 by Picaroon

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28121. An amusing diversion from Picaroon. Very nice. ACROSS 1 TOUPEE Why one visits bathroom without posh rug (6) An envelope (‘without’) of U (‘posh’) in TO … Read more >>

Everyman 3,836

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3836. That slipped down easily, with the pair of double T long lights, and a particularly good crop of &lits. ACROSS 1 TONGUE TWISTER Tricky phrase that … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,114 by Vlad

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THe puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28114. This started off easily enough – for any setter, yet alone Vlad – but the last few caused a fair amount of head scratching, ending up … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,107 by Imogen

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28107. A sparkling puzzle for these dark times from Imogen, with much humour, anchored by the pair of rather improbable quotes at 9A and 25A (which puts … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,100 by Vulcan

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28100. I try not to be negative, but the best I can say here is that it was over quickly. Three cryptic definitions about which Rufus might … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,098 by Tramp

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The puzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28098. A tough end to the week’s Guardians, with two &lits, both rather tortured (as &lits tend to be), and a couple of definitions which look doubtful … Read more >>

Everyman 3,832

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3832. Welcome to the forum where social distancing has always been acceptable. Here we have Everyman’s trademarks of paired answers – in this case just UP is … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,084 by Qaos

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28084. Forgive me if this sounds like damning with faint praise, but after yesterday’s Puck, what would not be anticlimactic? My real gripe is not with Qaos, … Read more >>