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° 25,842 by Araucaria

Fri January 11, 2013 at 4:50 am by PeterO

Araucaria has used this crossword to impart some very sad news.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,836 by Picaroon

Fri January 4, 2013 at 7:33 amFri January 4, 2013 at 2:49 am by PeterO

To solve this, I had to negotiate my way past an impressive array of diversionary tactics. Across 9. Opponent finished Old Course (9) ANTIPASTO An charade of ANTI (‘opponent’) plus PAST (‘finished’) plus … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic N° 685 by Arachne

Mon December 31, 2012 at 12:01 pmMon December 31, 2012 at 2:57 am by PeterO

It is always a pleasure to see Arachne’s name on a crossword that I have to blog.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,828 by Orlando

Thu December 27, 2012 at 1:20 amWed December 26, 2012 at 2:43 am by PeterO

Nothing too taxing to solve after a sumptuous Christmas dinner, but a fine set of witty clues.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,823 by Arachne

Wed December 19, 2012 at 3:18 am by PeterO

Given the ingenuity of the constructions, I think a lot of work must have gone into this puzzle. Thank you, Arachne.

Everyman N° 3,453 (9 December 2012)

Sun December 16, 2012 at 1:44 am by PeterO

A couple of things that might be unfamiliar, but mostly the usual precise clues.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,819 by Audreus

Fri December 14, 2012 at 12:45 pm by PeterO

Apologies for the late posting, and the brevity – I am about to have minor surgery. Across 1. Very cold parrot starting a course of action (6) POLICY A charade of POL[ly] (‘parrot … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,813 by Araucaria

Fri December 7, 2012 at 2:44 am by PeterO

As long as you know the references, I think this is at the easier end of Araucaria’s output.

Financial Times N° 14,178 by Peto

Tue December 4, 2012 at 11:20 amTue December 4, 2012 at 2:11 am by PeterO

I found this mostly straightforward.

Guardian Quiptic N° 681 by Nutmeg

Mon December 3, 2012 at 2:28 am by PeterO

An excellent crossword from Nutmeg, with a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (all of the Disney dwarfs are there) theme in full view in the clues.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,805 by Araucaria

Wed November 28, 2012 at 1:50 pmWed November 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

Tue 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

Wed 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)

Sun 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

Fri 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.