Independent 6,834/Dac
Busy busy today, so apologies for the late (and quick) blog. I found this fairly tough in places but, as ever, some lovely clues from Dac, with some nicely misleading surfaces. Across 1 … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,869 by GOZO
This one doesn’t need my usual detailed analysis and so there are few comments (it’s not just laziness on my part 🙂 A good starter for those new to cryptic crosswords but hardly satisfying … Read more >>
Independent 6833 by Virgilius
Another excellent themed puzzle by Virgilius with almost every answer or clue having some reference to birds. Solving time, 21 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 BEEFEATER Refers to the … Read more >>
Financial Times 12868 / Jason
I have been blogging here on FT crossword every Tuesday for the past six months. Usually, as my readers will know, I have been completing or very nearly completing the day’s grid. But … Read more >>
Guardian 24,489 – Orlando
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram A very entertaining puzzle with some challenging … Read more >>
Independent No 6832 by Mordred
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed An excellent puzzle with very smooth surface readings and not too much trickery, although the precise meaning of one or two did escape me. Across 1 Sleep out: Spout about … Read more >>
Guardian, 24488/Rufus
A fun puzzle from Rufus to start the week; there were lots of good “a-ha!” moments for me in this one and excellent surface readings throughout, my favourites being 8d and 28a, I … Read more >>
Azed 1892 – plainly
Having confined myself to a strict diet of The Listener over the last few months (and at the other end of the spectrum, the Times2 crossword), it was refreshing to solve a puzzle … Read more >>
Guardian 24,481 (Sat 30 Aug)/Paul – How very dare you
Solving time: 8:30 The usual excellent stuff from Paul. There was some discussion in last week’s blog about rule-bending and so forth, with Paul being mentioned, but the difference between Paul and Araucaria … Read more >>
Independent 6830 by Phi
An elegant puzzle by Phi – solving time 17 mins. A theme/Nina to it, which I refer to after the clue explanations. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 P (L) ACES … Read more >>
Inquisitor 87 – SQUADS by Hypnos
Solving time: maybe 10 hours Many readers of crossword blogs will know by now that I had surgery on a brain tumour near the end of July. After taking a while to rebuild … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,865 by SLEUTH
After yesterday’s slog, a more enjoyable offering from Sleuth for my scheduled blog this week. One or two words or usages I had not come across before (boss, Jewry) but otherwise fairly straightforward. . … Read more >>
Guardian, 24486/Paul
As ever, a very enjoyable crossword from Paul, with lots of animals (mostly pigs and cows), a few communists and a couple of computer references. Across 8 LANDRACE: LAND (as in fishing) + … Read more >>
Independent 6825/Nestor (Prize Puzzle 30-08-08)
Another very tough but very satisfying Saturday puzzle, this time from Nestor. Lots of great stuff here but I can’t work out the wordplay in 3, 15 and 17. I filled in 11 … Read more >>
Chambers Dictionary 11th Edition
If you have bought, or are about to buy, the 11th Edition please check it carefully. Today I have found that my copy has pages 1168 to 1216 missing and pages 1217 to … Read more >>