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Guardian Cryptic 25458 Araucaria

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Having done so many Araucarian puzzles (I’ve mentioned before that I cut my crytic crossword teeth on his Monkey Puzzles), this is the first time, I’m blogging one.  And it’s typically Araucarian, a … Read more >>

Financial Times 13827 Gurney

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This continues the series of Gurney puzzles that I have found enjoyable, not too tough.  All nicely clued, with some clever surfaces.  Thanks Gurney.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  Hidden connection in … Read more >>

Financial Times 13821 Neo

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Neo’s puzzles can sometimes be quite fiendish, and the first runthrough of the across clues yielded nothing.  Panic was about to set in, unitl I got a foothold after a couple of down … Read more >>

Financial Times 13815 Phssthpok

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Not so smooth today and hence the later posting.  First the FT online crossword posting was delayed for a couple of hours.  Then I found this the hardest Phssthpok I’ve encountered, especially in the … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25443 Rufus

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Another Monday crossword in Rufus’s recognisable style.  Quite a few cryptic and double definitions with an economy of words.  And a couple of nautical references.  Thanks Rufus, I enjoyed this.  For some reason, … Read more >>

Financial Times 13809 Armonie

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Thanks Armonie, for an enjoyable puzzle.  Started easily in the NW, and last in were a couple in the SE.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  There is a hidden connection in one of … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 619 Pan

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This is a typical Quiptic, thanks to Pan.  All quite straightforward.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  There are hidden connections in the 3 picture sets. Across 7 Place to sleep has floor covering … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25434 Chifonie

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Thanks Chifonie for a not too difficult, but nevertheless enjoyable, puzzle.  I liked 14A, 2D and 20D for their surfaces.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  Hidden connections are in 2 of the … Read more >>

Financial Times 13803 Gurney

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An elegant and enjoyable puzzle, with clean-cut clues, gentler than what the setter’s alter ego would have in the Indy.  Thanks Gurney.  Quite a few anagrams, but not complaining, as I like anagrams … Read more >>

Financial Times 13797 Jason

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The last Jason I blogged, I commented that I had enjoyed all his puzzles to date.  Today’s carries on the trend.  I did find it a bit harder at first, as I could … Read more >>

Financial Times 13791 Armonie

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This was a straightforward puzzle with many surfaces to enjoy.  Thanks Armonie.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  There are hidden connections in one of the picture sets. Across   1 Someone expecting the mob, … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25419 Rufus

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An apt and enjoyable start to the week, thanks to Rufus.  Nice surfaces.  As usual, definitions are underlined in the clues.  Hidden connections are in 3 of the picture sets. Across 1 Writer … Read more >>

Financial Times 13785 Neo

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A bit of apprehension when I saw Neo as the setter (having had diffulties with Tees before).  But I think Neo is pitched a little easier, and this didn’t cause too many problems.  … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 615 Orlando

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Orlando has got both Quiptic and Cryptic spots today, including one word common to both solutions.  This is definitely, and rightly so, the easier one.  All nicely clued.  Thanks Orlando.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  … Read more >>