Guardian 24,046/Rufus – another CD collection
When you see that the compiler is Rufus, you know you are in for a glut of cryptic defintions, some more cryptic than others, and today’s puzzle had seven or eight of them, … Read more >>
Everyman 3157/playing favourites
Solving time: 25′ Good puzzle with strong clear wordplay leading unequivocally to the right answer: pleasant diversion over morning tea (even coffee) Across 4 WAG,E SLAVE – leaves* follows WAG for “jocular type”. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,039 (Sat 31 Mar)/Araucaria – And the band played on
Solving time: Resorted to references after 30 mins with five clues left (starred below), and a mistake. Following hot on the heels of Paul’s Beethoven-themed crossword last week comes a homage to Mozart … Read more >>
Guardian 24404/Rover
Not a great puzzle for me. A few good clues, a few obscure words and a few cryptic definitions—one’s my limit. Mind you I did this at the end of a long day … Read more >>
Independent 6387 by Phi: 6:5 Special
A theme to this – referred to after the clue explanations Solving time 6+5 mins i.e. 11 mins ACROSS 10 SCAN(t) 11 GENERATION (one creating)* less c = about “not about” 12 C … Read more >>
Inquisitor 13 / A to Z by Fawley – unlucky for some
Solving time: 10 hours plus, with assistance After bragging somewhere about finishing the first 12 Inquisitor puzzles, I guess it was inevitable that I’d come unstuck on no. 13. This time, it’s my … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 894 by Quixote – Easy
I found this one quite straightforward Solving time: 11 mins * = anagram ACROSS 5 PAL ELY Our old friend see = ely “Coming to the fore” means put “pal” before it. 6 … Read more >>
Guardian 24,043, Paul: Potter (about)
After Brendan and Virgilius a couple of weeks ago, is this another occasion of the Guardian and Indy setter coinciding? I’m probably wrong as usual, but I believe Paul and Punk are one and … Read more >>
Independent 6386 by Punk – Radio 4
Not that one would usually associate Punk and Radio 4 but that’s the theme for today’s crossword. Radio (21d) is used for several homophones and Radio 4, and I trust not many people … Read more >>
Independent 6385 by Dac Heath Ledger strikes again
After this actor was used by Mordred on Monday, I put him into my memory bank, but he’s there again on his 28th birthday as the Indy recorded today. He stars in Brokeback … Read more >>
Guardian 24042/Orlando
Solving time 15:01 – should’ve been much quicker but for a wrong answer and stupidity at 12ac. Sorry for the delay, couldn’t take my eyes off the cricket. No way we should have … Read more >>
Independent 6384/Virgilius — a light breeze.
It’s Virgilius so there must be a theme. Hmm, 6 long across entries; definitely a theme. The anagram at 11ac jumped straight out at me as did the one for 14ac, which is, … Read more >>
Guardian 24,041/Shed – Religion? Bah, humbug!
An enjoyable and challenging Tuesday puzzle from Shed. Once you get the two longer answers, the rest is just clever enough to keep you interested, which is a good trick to carry off. … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 45 by Araucaria – Italianate
The trouble with blogging a monthly crossword comes if you don’t write your blog after solving. It’s a month since I solved this, I’ve dug out the paper and it looks like random … Read more >>
Independent 6383 by Mordred – Very tough
I found this one very tough and there are some where I do not fully understand – some confirmed by a theme spotted late on – I refer to this after the clue … Read more >>