Uncle Yap

What a delightful solve. Qaos has taken great pain to make each clue so smooth and fluid on the surface, just like Rufus. I like the way the definition is disguised in each … Read more >>

After an A1 superb start, the puzzle sort of fizzled out, with starts and splutters, apparently with a mini-theme of the author moving home soon. Cannot say this is Boatman’s best; but we … Read more >>

Quite a fair to middling kind of puzzle with the expected Gordian obscurities thrown in here and there. Across 1 SKINFLINT Mean injunction after non-U plenitude of drink (9) SKINFUL (plenitude of drink) … Read more >>

I do hope new solvers will not get discouraged when a puzzle is described as “easy” which is a relative term. When I first started out doing cryptic crosswords as a student in … Read more >>

The puzzle today is rather straightforward except for the two clues which formed the centre-piece on the 60th anniversary of a great scientific discovery. This is Brummie’s tribute to Crick and Watson, two great … Read more >>

Fortunately a relatively easy puzzle without too many obscurities. Shouldn’t trouble any of the regulars. Across 9 BATTY Get increase extremely tidily, which is crackers (5) BAT (get in crease, go in to … Read more >>

A most delightful puzzle based on a familiar theme. Most of us have been brought up with the fantastic stories of Gulliver’s Travels, an internationally well-known satire by Jonathan Swift, an Irish writer … Read more >>

Blogging Paul is always a special treat and today with very many different kinds of goodies. Alas, I never had a sweet tooth and would always dole out the chestnut “No thank you, … Read more >>

A most pleasant romp this morning through some fairly challenging clues; some of which with definitions that are as mysterious as the cryptic part of the clues. Tramp has obviously taken great pain … Read more >>

Quite a smooth stroll across the park and just as well, too, seeing that I am in the middle of the festivities of the Lunar New Year. To those celebrating GONG XI FA … Read more >>

This is a very foxy puzzle with a mini-theme that I almost missed. The clues are varied and employ many devices to bemuse and amuse. Very entertaining. Across 1 DECOCT It takes months … Read more >>

A brisk morning canter … nothing too esoteric or obscure although I was disconcerted by a few unusual abbreviations not found in Chambers. I have donated all my dead-tree copies of dictionaries to … Read more >>

It is always a pleasure to solve and blog Puck, my magic dragon from the Land of Guinness. I am always reminded about a lazy afternoon spent in a Dublin pub, drinking pints … Read more >>

Quite a smart work-out this morning but having some problems parsing a couple of clues. Across 1 APPEAL Shock inclusion of exiled premier brings call for dismissal (6) Ins of E (first letter … Read more >>