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 N° 25,805 by Araucaria

November 28, 2012 at 1:50 pmNovember 28, 2012 at 3:11 am by PeterO

I think this may produce some varied responses, depending on the appetite for Araucaria’s liberties.

Financial Times N° 14,172 by Crux

November 27, 2012 at 2:53 am by PeterO

If I had not been told otherwise, I might have taken this for a Rufus – or should I say Dante? – and none the worse for that.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,799 by Orlando

November 21, 2012 at 3:06 am by PeterO

A pleasing crossword; I had to hunt about for an entry point (or, rather, entry points; I solved three or four clues before getting any that intersected), but it all came out in the end, after several “How did I not see that in the first pass?”es.

Everyman Nº 3,449 (11 November)

November 18, 2012 at 12:01 am by PeterO

A typical Everyman, I think: a clear notch above beginner level. Across 1 Mug and flag held by jockey (6) VISAGE An envelope (‘held by’) of SAG (‘flag’) in VIE (‘jockey’). 4 Peering … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,795 by Brummie

November 16, 2012 at 2:49 am by PeterO

Having done the Private Eye crossword for many years, I am familiar with Brummie’s distinctive style, and attuned to some of his deviousness.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,789 by Bonxie

November 9, 2012 at 2:53 am by PeterO

I’m back in business – if only just; in the aftermath of Sandy, after getting power back on Monday, on Wednesday an early winter storm blew in, dumping four inches of wet snow, and I was without power for another nine hours.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,775 by Gordius

October 24, 2012 at 2:23 am by PeterO

This one gave me something to think over, and to amuse me in the process. Thanks Gordius.

Everyman N° 3,445 (14 October)

October 21, 2012 at 12:01 am by PeterO

The odd less common reference, the inevitable bit of geography, notably coherent surfaces – what more can one say? Everyman continues to produce crosswords which are not pitched too high for most beginners, but have enough spice to satisfy more experienced solvers.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,771 by Brummie

October 19, 2012 at 11:01 amOctober 19, 2012 at 2:32 am by PeterO

An éclair of a crossword.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,765 by Araucaria

October 12, 2012 at 2:26 am by PeterO

The theme centred on 24A made the puzzle seem daunting at first, but it yielded gracefully in the end.

Guardian Quiptic N° 673, by Arachne

October 8, 2012 at 1:28 pmOctober 8, 2012 at 2:02 am by PeterO

It is always a pleasure to see the name Arachne at the head of a crossword.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,757 by Philistine

October 3, 2012 at 2:07 am by PeterO

Philistine has been in the Guardian stable for a little over a year now, but I still made a slow start to this puzzle, trying to get on his wavelength. The effort was well worth it; I found it a fine crossword with plenty of well-camouflaged ingenuity.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,751 by Gordius

September 26, 2012 at 4:35 pmSeptember 26, 2012 at 2:27 am by PeterO

Gordius seems to be following me around, or I him.

Everyman N° 3,441 (16 September)

September 23, 2012 at 12:01 am by PeterO

It took me a little casting about to find an easy entry into this puzzle, but once started, it fell into place handily.