A rather basic blog this week I’m afraid because of a bit of idiocy on my part meaning I don’t have access to anything other than an Ipad for a few days. Apologies for any typos that remain.
Blogs will be back to normal next week.
Guardian Cryptic 27,539 by Pasquale
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27539.
Financial Times 15,887 by MUDD
A few tough parsings today, but a highly enjoyable Monday offering from MUDD!
Guardian 27,538 / Pan
Pan has turned the heat up a notch or two this morning, to provide a not-quite-so ‘gentle start to the week’. There are one or two unusual or unknown words here … Read more >>
Independent 9,884 by Tees
Once again I get a Teaser to solve for you. Apologies for missing a few blogs recently to Gaufrid.
Guardian Quiptic 970/Matilda
A fun Quiptic from Matilda this morning, with a number of Easy Annies to get you going and clear cluing thereafter. One or two niggles, but as we keep discussing, one person’s niggle … Read more >>
Everyman 3,739
The Observer crossword from June 10, 2018
Another flawlessly clued puzzle from many solvers’ Sunday favourite.
Independent on Sunday 1477/Peter
For the second month in a row, it’s the Peter and Pierre show. To repeat: we are not related; we are not the same person; only one of us has a Y chromosome … Read more >>
AZED 2,400
As it was the 2,400th Azed, I was expecting a thematic or more challenging crossword, but instead we were offered a fairly gentle Azed.
Independent 9883 by Serpent (Sat 16-Jun 2018)
I don’t think I’ve ever attempted a Serpent puzzle that disappointed. This one certainly didn’t. Sometimes I look at a blog I’ve done after it’s published and think: Cor blimey. That doesn’t give … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1333 I Had a Job by Samuel
A puzzle based on the “I had a job …” joke. “It was ….” being the punchline. Also extra letters in the down clues spell out a further job, with its punchline to … Read more >>
Guardian 27,531 / Paul
We got a bit stuck on this right at the end, partly because of having a wrong but plausible answer for 18a – I suspect a few other people will have had the … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,885 by BRADMAN
A difficult challenge from BRADMAN today made more so due to an error in grid numbering. A few new words in the puzzle to boot, made for a different solving experience than the last offering from this setter.
Guardian 27,536 / Arachne
A treat from Arachne to end the week. Perhaps a less tough challenge than some of Arachne’s puzzles but with beautifully-crafted and witty clues aplenty, as ever, and much to enjoy. Many thanks … Read more >>
Independent 9882 / Phi
Phi-day again and another well-crafted puzzle from our regular setter. We have failed to spot Phi’s themes over the past few weeks (well, they have been a trifle obscure), but we were … Read more >>