A reunion with the Don this Friday. A very pleasant challenge with some clues that were just out of reach (annoyingly so) as a direct solve. I had to resort to looking up Google for confirming the parsing for a couple of clues.
Turbolegs
Financial Times 14,860 by MUDD
An excellent challenge from MUDD today! Several fantastic clues peppered all over the grid and a real treat for someone wanting to bite into tantalizing cryptic crosswords.
Financial Times 14,854 by CHALMIE
A very enjoyable puzzle from CHALMIE this Friday. There were some devious twists and turns that extended the solving time by atleast 25% for me. A couple of clues also had me googling feverishly for checking the parsing but otherwise relatively unambiguous.
Financial Times 14,851 by PHSSTHPOK
First time I am standing in, so feels strange to be out on a Tuesday. Thanks to Phsssthpok for a grid that really had me at my wits’ end!! Had to get some help for the parsing of some clues but at the end of it, felt like a really good challenge.
Financial Times 14,848 by BRADMAN
Bradman’s puzzle today was teasingly difficult. I solved it in 2 sittings amidst a very hectic day at work so probably didnt stand to appreciate it as much others might have. Thanks to the Don for a mostly straightforward solve.
Financial Times 14,842 by MUDD
Unusual to see Mudd on Friday but a very welcome (if somewhat scary) setter nevertheless. I found his challenge today to be more approachable than some of his earlier ones. Clean cluing and neat surfaces meant a pleasurable solve this morning.
Financial Times 14,836 by WANDERER
A brilliant stunner of an FT challenge!! Wanderer – If you are reading this, take a bow! I dont think I can adequately extol the attributes of this puzzle but suffices to say that I shall eagerly await more grids from this setter.
Financial Times 14,830 by MAGWITCH
Magwitch, this Friday at long last ! She brings this work week to a close with a gentle and relatively straightforward challenge, which in keeping with her inimitable style, has several smooth and clean surfaces with a whiff of inventive constructions.
Financial Times 14,824 by BRADMAN
This serving from the Don can be aptly likened to being a Jekyll-and-Hyde type of grid – polarized between some very easy clues and some true brain-busters.
Financial Times 14,818 by GAFF
My pleasure to blog a Gaffle as the first FT grid of the New Year 2015 – and like all others before it from the globetrotter, an absolute delight to tackle.
Financial Times 14,809 by WANDERER
A mindbender from WANDERER which turned out to be a complete delight at the end of it all. First pass resulted in barely 3-4 clues being solved and I was getting mentally ready for a long arduous affair.
Financial Times 14,803 by BRADMAN
It is Friday, and it is Bradman at the FT so no surprises there. The Don serves up another delectable offering with an excellent mix of smooth surfaces and ingenious constructions. Quite an enjoyable solve with the SE quadrant nearly being a showstopper for me. There are a couple of clues though which I have a minor quibble about but nothing significant.
Financial Times 14,797 by GAFF
A very entertaining puzzle from Gaff. I had written a much longer preamble than this one, but somehow lost it due to a technical glitch. As with most if not all Gaffles (Gaff-puzzles), there is a central theme. 1ac continues to elude me so any help here would be much appreciated.
Financial Times 14,791 by BRADMAN
A fun-filled offering from my dear friend on Fridays, Bradman. Smooth surfaces in several clues alongside some ingenious word play.
Financial Times 14,785 by HAMILTON
I found today’s offering from Hamilton tough going. Slow progress for most part, having to slowly chip away at clues sprinkled across the grid. Still have a couple of clues / parsing that require improvement (apologies for this!). Seemed to have a more-than-average number of island references in both answers and clues – anybody have any idea why?