Independent 6485/Mass
Probably the easiest Mass puzzle I’ve solved (and definitely the easiest I’ve blogged). There were some really good clues in this but, again, I don’t think much of the cryptic definitions and I … Read more >>
Guardian 24,142/Rufus – It’s Monday, so it must be…
A Rufus puzzle with a few less of his trademark cryptic definitions than usual. A quick blog today because it’s Monday morning, the puzzle wasn’t overly difficult, except for one clue I don’t … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 344 – Pepti-what?
Gordon Brown gets more of a work-out this time in the early clues, as “leader” and is often useful to suggest one of the short “brown” colours, tan, dun, etc. I might not … Read more >>
Observer Azed 1834: Overlaps
This was lots of fun — high-quality clues, as ever, from Azed, with a nice twist to make it even more interesting. Each across clue was for two overlapping words — one was … Read more >>
Everyman 3173 – (22 Jul)/JJ
My Scots theory I think has more evidence in the form of Everyman also being Ascot in the Spectator. This week, JJ is Jeremiah Johnson and admirably the two J’s are checked. Some … Read more >>
Independent 6483/Phi
Good quality puzzle from Phi with a handful of great anagrams. One clue has left me foxed. I think the grid was pangrammatic too. Across 8 DIPSOMANIA — (I SIP ON MAD)* + … Read more >>
Inquisitor 29 – Occupation by Phi
Solving time 18:13 A very easy puzzle for me, partly because the theme tied into one of my interests. In eight theme answers, a letter had to be removed before jumbling, and the … Read more >>
Independent 6478 (21-07-07)/Nimrod – Ant-sy.
Something of a novelty for me, this – a Nimrod puzzle where I understood everything (almost). Original choice of theme too; it’s not National Anteater Day or something is it? Across 9 EMANATE … Read more >>
Financial Times 12521/Falcon – Good for the ego…
The easiest crossword I’ve done in quite some time leading to my first ever “clean-sweep” (I think this is a technical term meaning that you solve every clue in a puzzle in order, … Read more >>
Guardian 24,140 – Auster/Mixed bag
This is the first time I have blogged an Auster puzzle. This one has a real mix of very clever and very easy clues, as well as one or two that don’t pass … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Crossword 24135 / Pasquale – Phew!!
Solving Time: 68 minutes Probably the toughest Guardian crossword I have encountered in a very long time. I made a good start with the big anagram but it just went backwards with unfamiliar … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 910 by Quixote – straightforward
Solving time: 14 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 DOGS BODY 5 AV Authorised Version (of the Bible) EST (“is” in French) A. Texts from Zoroastrianism (or had you moved on to the … Read more >>
FT12520 / Bradman The link between Bradman and Ena Sharples
Solving Time: 26 minutes The answer to my question is contained in today’s 1 across. Another nice puzzle and, I’m pleased to say, a great deal easier than his appearance as Pasquale in … Read more >>
Guardian 24139/Gordius – no letup for George…
The last time I blogged a Gordius puzzle was just a couple of weeks ago (10th July anyway), and it was memorable for a few things. I had to rush my cat to … Read more >>
Independent 6478/Math – (affects Monty Burns-style voice) Excellent!
An excellent and thoroughly enjoyable puzzle from Math. There’s a theme too, but you don’t need to know anything about The Simpsons in order to complete the grid as all of the thematic … Read more >>