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 >>
Independent 6,829
I solved this online last night and haven’t seen the paper today, so not sure of the setter I’m afraid. There’s an interesting, entertaining mix of clues – some easy, some harder and … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,864 by SATORI
I wasn’t scheduled to blog today and so didn’t make any notes whilst solving. I am therefore relying on my somewhat deficient memory for the following. I found this harder than usual to … Read more >>
Guardian 24,485 – Chifonie
Easier than usual from Chifonie. Across 8 ORNAMENT OR NAME NT (New Testament) 9 EBONY E BONY 11 LIBERATION LIBATION around ER 12 ASHRAM A SH RAM – a Hindu hermitage 14 LORRAINE … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 968 by Quixote (31 Aug 2008)
Solving time, 17 mins * = anagram ACROSS 6 ENGLISH DISEASE (See his dealings)* 9 CHAR (LAD) Y 10 R (right) O (old) PIER 11 ORA C(L) E Last letter of oral in … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,854 by Mudd
A typically clever and enjoyable puzzle from Mudd. I particularly like 13A, 20A and 10D. Across 1. FRAPPE – F (loud) + RAPPE[r] (musician not entirely). I wondered about the appropriateness of the … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,855 – Crux
From FT Monday Prize Crossword on 25 August 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) … Read more >>
Telegraph Toughie
Just in case you’ve not read it anywhere else, the Daily Telegraph has a new cryptic puzzle as from yesterday. In addition to their relatively easy daily anonymous cryptic they now have the … Read more >>