Independent 6373 / Dac
I think I must be getting more used to the Independent and to Dac because this was very quick to solve, especially since the long clues were very clearly signposted and went in … Read more >>
Guardian 24030/Araucaria
A relatively easy Araucaria today. There were few uncommon words, resolved by their word play, that I had to check just to make sure. As is the case with Araucaria there were one … Read more >>
Guardian 24,029, Puck: Wolfie and the gang
Quite a hard one to get going with, though fell into place reasonably once I had the theme (with one exception, see below). But there are several whose wordplay I’m unable to explain. ACROSS: … Read more >>
Independent 6372 by Virgilius – another excellent themed puzzle
As usual, Virgilius gives us an excellent themed puzzle. This one is based on days of the week appearing appropriately midway through Lent taking seven days (all fairly well-known, I’d say). Very impressed … Read more >>
Independent 6364 / Scorpion
Solving time: 15-20 minutes These comments are written after a look back at the puzzle with answers – I discarded my original copy as I forgot I was supposed to be writing this. … Read more >>
Guardian 24028/Rufus
Solving time approx 15 mins. Second blog of the day for me, luckily it’s quiet at work today as I’ve still got to do last Saturday’s Times yet on the other blog! Still, … Read more >>
Independent 6371/Mass
A compiler I usually struggle with but not on this occasion. There are some very nice clues in this but a couple that I don’t fully understand and a couple of (I think) … Read more >>
Guardian 24026/Gordius – a bit late
Apologies to my fellow bloggers for letting the side down, but better late than never I suppose… I had hoped to get this posted before lunchtime on Friday, but work was far too … Read more >>
Everyman 3154/Mar 11
Solved last week before I left for Sicily. Solved again today as I write this up upon return from Italy – where my only exposure to crosswords, let alone cryptics, was Un Mot … Read more >>
A New Look
I thought the blog could do with a lick of paint – hope you like the new look. Neil
Azed 1815 – online glitches?
The four longest entries in the puzzle were fairly straightforward, so I got off to a flier. I then attacked the rest of the puzzle, and quickly worked out or guessed most of … Read more >>
Guardian 24,021/Shed (Sat 10 Mar) – Waggish
Solving time: 11:46 Amusing theme this week centred on 15ac involving several across answers (and 22dn), giving me an ideal excuse for a football rant. Steve McClaren wouldn’t even have been on my … Read more >>
Independent 6369/Phi
Apologies for the brief write-up today – am a bit pressed for time. A fine puzzle from Phi, with a few excellent clues. Across 11 AG,EG in GRATE – nice deceptive use of … Read more >>
Inquisitor #10/Green Cross Code by Schadenfreude
This was the easiest Inquisitor of the year so far in my opinion. Once I had worked out that the entries at 13ac and 43ac led to the Seven Sages, and that 42ac … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 891 by Quixote – the usual excellent fare
Solved this during a flight, confident that Quixote’s clues would be accessible and fully understood. Solving time: 25 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 DI RECTOR’S HIP You expect a church reference from … Read more >>