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 Quiptic N° 661 by Orlando

July 16, 2012 at 3:52 am by PeterO

I was just about to pick up this puzzle when there was a loud clap of thunder, and my cable went down hard – no internet, phone or TV; and it stayed that way for three hours. Fortunately, Orlando came up with crossword that I could sail through (I do not think I will catch so much flak for saying that this time!), and I hope the blog is up too scratch, if a little rushed. And the internet stayed up, even though thunder continues to rumble around.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,685 by Pasquale

July 11, 2012 at 2:22 am by PeterO

I would put this at the easier end of the Guardian spectrum; the clue constructions are generally straightforward, with finely crafted surfaces. All in all, just the kind of puzzle that I an happy to see when it is my turn to blog. Thank you, Pasquale.

Financial Times N° 14,047 by Cinephile

September 7, 2012 at 1:00 pmJuly 4, 2012 at 3:30 am by PeterO

When I volunteered to fill in for PeeDee, I did not realize that I was down for the Guardian as well – nor, of course, that I would be served up with Cinephile and Arachne. I have managed to digest this embarras des richesses. I hope it sits well with me in the morning.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,679 by Arachne

July 4, 2012 at 3:35 amJuly 4, 2012 at 2:27 am by PeterO

A masterly (mistressly?) offering from the Spider Lady.

Everyman N° 3,429 (24 June 2012)

July 1, 2012 at 3:51 amJuly 1, 2012 at 12:01 am by PeterO

This time Everyman’s vocabulary has returned to normal.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,675 by Araucaria

June 29, 2012 at 5:21 am by PeterO

Here we have the wide range of references and creative clueing typical of Araucaria. Like yesterday’s Crucible. the puzzle is liberally sprinkled with envelopes. And it surely can be described as colourful. Across … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,669 by Tramp

June 22, 2012 at 12:52 pmJune 22, 2012 at 4:22 am by PeterO

I found this quite difficult.

Guardian Quiptic N° 657, by Moley

June 18, 2012 at 2:00 pmJune 18, 2012 at 2:51 am by PeterO

Moley gives us a pleasant variety of devices clueing mostly familiar word – which fills the Quiptic description very adequately. Across 7. Tribunal to convey suit (9) COURTSHIP A charace of COURT (‘tribunal’) … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,661 by Arachne

June 13, 2012 at 3:25 am by PeterO

This has given me some difficulties.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,655 by Brendan

June 6, 2012 at 9:31 pmJune 6, 2012 at 2:59 am by PeterO

I found that this one went in very smoothly.

Everyman N° 3,425 (27 May 2012)

June 3, 2012 at 12:01 am by PeterO

I seem to detect a range of clue devices a little more limited than usual for Everyman, but the smooth surfaces are par for the course.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,651 by Orlando

June 1, 2012 at 11:20 amJune 1, 2012 at 3:11 am by PeterO

I found this a bit of a struggle, but it yielded in the end, with the bottom half going in first. Across 1. Engineer in a car plant (6) ARNICA An anagram (‘engineer’) … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,645 by Araucaria

May 25, 2012 at 1:53 pmMay 25, 2012 at 4:38 am by PeterO

A typically delightful offering from Araucaria.

Guardian Quiptic N° 653, by Arachne

May 21, 2012 at 3:44 pmMay 21, 2012 at 2:45 pm by PeterO

Apologies for the late blog; I failed to note it was my turn until the last minute.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,637 by Paul

May 16, 2012 at 1:02 pmMay 16, 2012 at 2:15 am by PeterO

This shows Paul’s characteristic inventiveness in wordplay; fortunately I seem to be close to his wavelength. Across 1. See 15 – See 15 4. Fiddle with good seafood (6) SCAMPI A charade of … Read more >>