Guardian – 24303(Araucaria) By George!
My first blog and — as luck would have it — it’s the monkey-puzzle man himself. At first, I was regretting that third tequila last night but once the triple espresso kicked in, things started … Read more >>
Independent 6647/Punk
I had been expecting a comparatively easy ride today; evidently we have a treat in store on Saturday. Although this took a long time, as Punk’s crosswords always do, it was very good: … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,683 (Armonie)
Across 5 BASSOON: BAS(s) and SOON 9 EXTRA: EX and ART reversed 10 GOLDCREST: G and OLD and C and REST 11 ARISTOTLE: anagram of TRIES A LOT 13 EXTOL: in sussEX TOLkien … Read more >>
Independent 6646 (Merlin)
Quite a tough puzzle from Merlin and I didn’t manage to finish it, getting stuck on 25 across, 5 across and 8 down. Across 1 Bludgeon: B(l)udge on. 5 Ageism ? Clue was … Read more >>
Guardian 24,302 Rufus : “Baggsies !”
Another Monday, another Rufus – it’ s starting to become rather a comforting sight. Although I did stare at this puzzle to no good effect for a worrying length of time wondering if I’d … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 357 – … and the band played on
I found this more of a struggle than usual, particularly with some of the definitions. Is it just me? The massive “Titanic” answer once spotted thankfully gave many checking letters throughout the grid … Read more >>
Azed 1861 — mind your language
I don’t know my solving time so I’ll break with the tradition of the last few blogs. I often solve puzzles piecemeal, here and there, and interspersed with bits of Listener solving, daily … Read more >>
Inquisitor 56 THREESOMES by Lato
It’s always difficult starting a puzzle with several different clues types. Here we had extra words in eight clues, misprints in six and no definition in two. That still leaves plenty of normal … Read more >>
Guardian 24,295 (Sat 26 Jan)/Araucaria – Whodunnit?
Solving time: Lost, but about 11 mins I think. One wrong (2dn). A mini-theme in this crossword of detectives and their authors, with three pairs plus ‘Sherlock’ at 4dn. I didn’t think this … Read more >>
Independent 6644 by Phi
Theme – explicitly stated – 8 down – for those of us not too familiar with them, friendly clues made them deducible or guessable. Solving time, 31 mins. < = reversed * = … Read more >>
Guardian 24,300 – Enigmatist : Xenon the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
I always find Enigmatist crosswords difficult, and I’m prepared to accept that may be because of a shortage of horsepower between my ears. But this time I did get there. Lots of great clues … Read more >>
Independent 6639/Bannsider
In a comment a few weeks back, Eimi mentioned that his favourite clue of the year so far was in a forthcoming puzzle by Bannsider. Assuming this is that puzzle, then I’m none … Read more >>
Guardian 24299/Orlando – calling for a fatwa?
Well-phrased wordplay and clues on the whole. I struggled with several, to my mind, esoteric refs (SQUEERS, OSBERT, TREVELYAN) but I’m sure someone better educated (in Britain!) than myself would not have been … Read more >>
Independent 6643 by Tees
I found this a very tough puzzle, esp the lower half but also the long 20-letter phrase in the top half which was new to me. But I got there in the end … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 937 by Quixote (27/01/2008)
A little harder than usual from Quixote, I found. Solving time, 31 mins. Notes on some clues below – happy to explain others if asked. ACROSS 6 S (last letter of chips) CUP … Read more >>