Financial Times 13,696 by Aardvark
An enjoyable crossword from Aardvark today, just a nice level of difficulty for a midweek solve and blog. I can’t get a cast iron explanation for 20dn, can anyone do better? Hold mouse … Read more >>
Independent 7671/Dac
On the radio this morning was the information that Mahler died 100 years ago today, so I expected to find some recognition of this in the Indy crossword, and one of the rare occasions … Read more >>
Guardian 25,325 – Puck
A tough but very entertaining puzzle from Puck with a couple of cleverly intertwined themes and some very involved wordplay (one of those where you think “this could have been a prize puzzle”). … Read more >>
Sloggers and Betters (London) 8 — update on plans
I have started a new thread for this because people may not notice just another comment appended to the existing one. Directions for getting to The Ship & Shovell: from Charing Cross tube … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1176: Unheeded Warning by Samuel
I must admit to having a soft spot for Samuel’s puzzles, so I was quite looking forward to this. Seventeen clues have a misprint in the definition, correct letters spelling an instruction about … Read more >>
Financial Times 13695 PHSSTHPOK
My first FT blog was a PHSSTHPOK, so I’ve come full circle. But this was slightly more difficult than the first. But got there in the end, after correcting a spelling error in … Read more >>
Independent 7670 by Scorpion
Help! Well Quixote did say yesterday to expect a harder thematic soon. As per usual there’s 1 I can’t really parse so help would be appreciated. So here we are with Scorpion and … Read more >>
Guardian 25324 – Paul
It is always a pleasure solving a puzzle by Paul; and blogging one is even more so. I had quite a few laughs weaving through the clues, challenging but very fair and sometimes … Read more >>
Guardian 25,323 / Orlando
No Rufus today, but to replace him we have an (as ever) excellent puzzle from Orlando. There are some lovely clues here. Across 1. EXHIBIT EX = “Former” + H = “husband” + … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 600/Orlando
I see Orlando’s on double duty today, having also set the Guardian Cryptic. This was a sound puzzle, but there were a number of pieces of quite tricky wordplay which I’m guessing would … Read more >>
Independent 7669 by Quixote
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism According the online message, this was a puzzle from a UK v USA cryptic competition. There may have a nod to this in the … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,107 (15/05/11)
A relatively swift, but not unenjoyable, solve this week. Not an unaided finish though, as I did have to check a few unfamiliar terms and senses in the book before entry, for example … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,108 by Crosophile
My first ever attempt at blogging a Crosophile, as far as I can see, though I’ve definitely tackled a few puzzles by this setter recently. This was fair and entertaining, without being too … Read more >>
Azed 2032
With apologies for the late posting. I found this one to be at the easy end of the Azed spectrum, though I needed Chambers to confirm a few answers. I do, however, have … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3371 (8th May)
Lorraine: Good morning all, some nice clues here this week. I thoroughly enjoyed this weeks offering. Big thank you Everyman. There are two hyperlinks in this weeks blog, namely 2dn and 16dn. Across … Read more >>