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° 25,741 by Gordius

September 14, 2012 at 12:13 pmSeptember 14, 2012 at 3:48 am by PeterO

The crossword was quickly solved; the blog took quite considerably longer.

Guardian Quiptic N° 669 by Hectence

September 10, 2012 at 3:20 am by PeterO

I made heavy weather of this one, and there are a couple of clues where I am not sure if the wordplay.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,733 by Chifonie

September 5, 2012 at 2:01 am by PeterO

A collection of finely turned clues, with nothing too difficult.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,727 by Gordius

August 29, 2012 at 11:25 amAugust 29, 2012 at 3:18 am by PeterO

My ISP has been bouncing up and down all evening, so I have published a preliminary version and will polish it up as and when I can do so.

Everyman N° 3,437 (19 August 2012)

August 26, 2012 at 12:01 am by PeterO

The puzzle includes one or two things which might be less well known to some, but I do not see any great difficulties. Across 1. One unable to cope with everyday life in … Read more >>

Financial Times N° 14,091 by Falcon

August 24, 2012 at 3:48 amAugust 24, 2012 at 2:48 am by PeterO

After a rocky start with 1A, this was plain sailing.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,717 by Araucaria

August 17, 2012 at 6:22 pmAugust 17, 2012 at 3:46 am by PeterO

As always, Araucaria provides much to chew over and digest.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,713 by Rufus

August 13, 2012 at 11:03 pm by PeterO

A brief blog to fill in.

Guardian Quiptic N° 665, by Nutmeg

August 13, 2012 at 2:35 pm by PeterO

I was wondering why there was no Quiptic blog yet; then I discovered that I was due to write it. I think this hits just the right note for a Quiptic.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,709 by Paul

August 8, 2012 at 1:59 am by PeterO

A sparkling offering from Paul.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,703 by Boatman

August 1, 2012 at 3:44 am by PeterO

Boatman can come up with some tough puzzles; I found this one easier than some of his, but by no means a pushover.

Everyman N° 3,433 (22 July 2012)

July 29, 2012 at 12:01 am by PeterO

Thank you, Everyman.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,699 by Gordius

July 27, 2012 at 10:36 amJuly 27, 2012 at 2:26 am by PeterO

I found this a pleasing puzzle from Gordius, with some fine surfaces and a generous sprinkling of wit.

Financial Times N° 14,065 by Cinephile

July 25, 2012 at 5:22 amJuly 25, 2012 at 4:42 am by PeterO

Two fill-ins in a row give me Cinephiles. This one came with special instructions, that

A at the beginning of a clue always has the same meaning.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,693 by Tramp

July 20, 2012 at 4:15 pmJuly 20, 2012 at 4:04 am by PeterO

I found this fairly tough, and there are still three places where the answer is clear, but I cannot fully explain the clue. Doubtless help will be coming shortly.