Never knowingly undersolved
The special instructions for this puzzle read: Each of the four sides of the completed grid contains three proper nouns of a kind, not further defined … which turned out to be a … Read more >>
After yesterday’s excitement, with an outstanding Nimrod and two wonderful Arachnes (well, an Arachne and a “Rosa Klebb”), I was worried that today might be a let-down in comparison. Fortunately we have Paul … Read more >>
The last Arachne I blogged was her last Quiptic before she retired from that section. I’m pleased to make her re-acquaintance today. It was fun solving and blogging it – quite some inventive clueing. … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26169.
Regular readers will know that seeing Gordius’ name on a puzzle does not make my heart leap and this did little, for me, to lift the gloom of a wet morning. I thought … Read more >>
The usual gentle start to the week from Rufus, with some fun clues especially at 25ac, 3dn and 7dn. Across 1 On the rocks, in the sun and air (9) INSOLVENT =”On the … Read more >>
Perhaps the setters are cycling in sync with the bloggers, since I’ve got Moley again. This one seemed just right for a Quiptic, the clues straightforward as they should be and a good … Read more >>
Nice to see Picaroon, as a relatively new setter, given the prize slot. I made relatively rapid inroads into this (particularly the northwest corner) but then ground to a halt. My solving partner … Read more >>
Not difficult, but a pleasant solve – all very neatly and fairly done. Favourites were 24ac, 1dn and 5dn. Across 1 Woman gets marble put back in wrapping (6) SWATHE =”wrapping”. SHE=”Woman”, around … Read more >>
The last Shed I blogged, in September, was rather a gentle one, but this one was, at least for me, at the opposite end of the spectrum: it took me a while to … Read more >>
Many thanks to Pierre and Writinghawk for doing my blogs last week after my eye operation. I can’t get new glasses yet so this was a bit of a struggle to see and … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26162.
. Thank you, Rufus, for another typically genial introduction to the week Across 1 To fall back, a mistake made by soldiers (7) RELAPSE RE [soldiers] + LAPSE [mistake] 5 Sea mist represented … Read more >>
I never really time myself when I’m doing a puzzle, but this Quiptic seemed to take a long time to nail down, which might mean it was trickier than it should have been. … Read more >>
Sorry for the late and very rushed blog which meant I had little time to savour this puzzle, just a mad rush to get the puzzle solved and written-up, including much cheating. Thank … Read more >>