Financial Times 13,146 / Satori
A fine challenge from Sartori today with some good surfaces and some clues that I found nicely misleading on the first pass through. I have a minor quibble with 7d, and a couple … Read more >>
Guardian 24770 / Araucaria
For an Araucaria puzzle, I thought this wasn’t too difficult. Figuring out his wordplay is always excellent fun, and I always learn a few new things. There’s a mini theme of “refusals” in … Read more >>
Independent 7,714/Punk
Lovely stuff once again from Mr. Halpern. I would imagine that anyone not familiar with Indie music may have struggled with some of the band-related clues, but this one fortunately played right into … Read more >>
Guardian 24,769 – Gordius
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite a benign day really with all … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,146 / Jason
I’m afraid some unsatisfying surfaces and some other nits detracted from the enjoyment of this puzzle for me. Across 1 JACKET POTATO JACKET (cover) POT (pan) TO[p] (a lid, almost). 8 ENVELOP *(EVEN) … Read more >>
Mention in Grauniad monthly newsletter
This month’s version of the monthly e-mail from Guardian xwd ed Hugh Stephenson (presumably sent to me as I was a member when it was a paysite) mentions the blog. I can’t remember … Read more >>
Guardian 24,768 – Rufus
A lot of cryptic definitions today, but nothing too fiendish. Across 1. ADMINISTRATES. DISTANTARMIES* 10. CRIME WAVE. cryptic def. 11. MOVER. MOVE + (ap)R(il). 12. OUTRÉ. Centre spread could be (sp)RE(ad) + OUT, … Read more >>
Independent 7113 by Glow-worm
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def A challenging puzzle with some good clues and surface readings. I was mainly held up by the unusual spelling of 5 down and being convinced … Read more >>
Independent 7106 (Sat 25 July) – Dac
I found this quite a tough puzzle for Dac, needing two solving sessions, though the first was late at night. Apologies for posting a few days late. I liked the range of cultural … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 396 – Second Homes Kid
A couple of topical answers to show the setting is reasonably up-to-date. From the moment it was announced I thought Antony Gormley’s 4th plinth effort was a nice idea, and he is one … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 73: Pasquale — Off with her head
A Genius of average difficulty from Pasquale. Once I had spotted how it worked, I solved it without problems. Having mislaid my solved copy, I had to do it again, and got through … Read more >>
Azed 1939: a bonzer offering!
A distinctly Antipodean flavour to this week’s offering, with a couple of pieces of Aussie (or Kiwi) slang, and a Maori word as well. Lots of other unfamiliar words, or unfamiliar meanings of … Read more >>
Everyman 3278
Pretty standard with a couple of neat tricks here and there, but nothing to tax Everyman regulars. Across 1 CICELY – (ICYCLE)* 4 SPROUTED – R in SPOUTED = sounded off 9 MUSCLE … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,014 (26/07/09)
The usual flawless clueing and a good handful of new words for me. Clarification would be appreciated at 24dn – I assume it’s a combination of two of the many soldier-related acronyms, but … Read more >>
Guardian 24,761 (Sat 25 Jul)/Araucaria – Darn good
Solving time: 15:50 Perhaps one of Araucaria’s easier puzzles, although the last couple of clues, HATCHERIES and DARNLEY, stumped me for a good while. I thought 9ac (SOPRANO) was the best clue. Music … Read more >>