FT 12,875/Aardvark
A puzzle of two halves for me. Gliding through the early stages, before having to shift down a couple of gears to negotiate a few uphill stretches towards the end. Aardvark plays a … Read more >>
Guardian, 24496/Araucaria
An excellent crossword today with a Wagner theme and some great wordplay. (Apologies that this is later than usual; it was slightly more complicated than most to ‘blog about and I got up … Read more >>
Independent 6840/Dac
Across 1 L,O,ON – which is another name for a diving bird. 3 NIGH,(HORNET)* – NIGHT HERON. 9 initial letters of “With Unusual Relish, So Tasty”. 11 A in TINGLING – a good … Read more >>
Independent 6839/Eimi
Having solved half of this fairly easily I became stuck for a longer period than usual. And this is not surprising in view of the fact that 10 of the 30 answers have … Read more >>
Financial Times 12874 / Crux
Unlike last Tuesday I could do this puzzle – all but four – within 30 minutes. The others might come after I give the crossie a rest but my blog can’t wait indefinitely. Others … Read more >>
Guardian 24,495 – Puck
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram What a lovely puzzle that is both … Read more >>
Guardian 24,494 – Arachne
Nice and easy start to the week, with quite a few hidden or similar clues. Across 1 DUTCH COURAGE I didn’t know the various meanings of Dutch wife, but still got this easily … Read more >>
Independent No 6838 by Morph
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed A moderately difficult puzzle with solid clues, but just a couple (8 down and 14 down) that seemed to rely on some knowledge that I don’t have. I haven’t been … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops Crossword 373 – Tell Laura I Love Her
An enjoyable romp through this until the end when I was struggling over Laura for far too long (if you see what I mean). Across 1 LET GO (L[abourit]E GOT)* 4 CHELSEA (LECH)* … Read more >>
Azed 1893: Taking the piss
A pretty good Azed this week — it took a while to solve, because the surface reading in some clues was nicely deceptive. As for me, a seriously painful dental infection has hampered … Read more >>
Guardian 24,487 (Sat 13 Sept)/Araucaria – Haggard Asher
Solving time: 18:46, two mistakes (16ac and 6dn) Very good this week, I thought, and maybe a little harder than usual. Chambers defines ‘haggard’ as intractable and the title refers to the clue, … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,871 by BRADMAN
As indicated, Smiffy is tied up with work so I will offer my blog instead (I hope I haven’t trodden on his toes!) because some potential solvers may be wondering why the clues … Read more >>
Independent 6836/Punk
When people say things like “You’ve got to get on to the wavelength of the setter”, my inclination is to say “Rubbish. A cryptic is a cryptic and they all more or less … Read more >>
Independent 6831/Nimrod (06-09-08 Prize Puzzle)
Some of the slightly odd words and phrases in the grid are explained the Nina: look at the letters around the perimeter of the grid, starting from the top-left hand corner and going … Read more >>
Inquisitor 88 — OVER AND UNDER by Obtrox
Working away from home for the last couple of weeks meant doing most of this puzzle quickly last night. Some wordplay led to extra letters; some omitted letters (potentially more than one per … Read more >>