Eileen

I’ve been doing cryptic crosswords since university days, learning how with a group of friends in coffee breaks. The Guardian crossword has been part of my life for most of the time since. Since retiring from teaching (originally Classics and, subsequently, when that was dropped from the curriculum, mostly English and History), having serendipitously stumbled on 15², I discovered that I could get the Indy and FT puzzles online and so I now add those, when they are set by my favourite compilers. Occasionally, I try the Genius and have even submitted a few. (Some years ago, I won a Collins dictionary in the Guardian Prize lottery, which established it as my referred reference.) I don’t take note of solving times: I enjoy taking time savouring the construction and particularly the surface of clues and always feel slightly disappointed when I finish too quickly. My one regret is my complete failure to enthuse any member of my family with cryptic crosswords.

Guardian 25,217 / Arachne

by

There’s something for everyone here: art, opera, literature, geology and science. I have niggles about one or two definitions but there are some clever clues, with some good anagrams and smooth surfaces, giving … Read more >>

Guardian 25,207 / Orlando

by

Orlando’s puzzles are always entertaining and I’m pleased to get one of his for my last blog of the year. There’s a good variety of cluing, with smooth, often witty, surfaces throughout, some … Read more >>

Guardian 25,194 / Paul

by

‘The best laid schemes … ‘ My plan was to stay up and solve this puzzle when it was published and provide an early blog, for once. Alas, I fell asleep at about … Read more >>

Guardian 25,184 / Brummie

by

I never quite know what to expect from Brummie, so was a bit 9ac when I started this puzzle. I needn’t have worried – it turned out to be quite straightforward and a … Read more >>

Guardian 25,177 / Paul

by

I’m a late substitute today, so apologies for any errors or omissions. I had plenty of smiles – and some outright laughs – with this entertaining Paul puzzle. There’s just one query – … Read more >>

Guardian 25,174 / Rufus

by

It’s Monday,  it’s Rufus, with the usual elegant mix of story-telling anagrams and cryptic and double definitions. I have one real quibble, which I think is a typographical error and / or editorial … Read more >>

Guardian 25,165 / Brendan

by

After three days of relatively undemanding puzzles,  I wasn’t sure what to expect today but was very pleased to see Brendan’s name on this one.  As usual, I had the momentary dread of … Read more >>

Guardian 25,150 / Brendan

by

I’m not sure whether the fact that we had a Brendan puzzle four weeks ago made me more or less surprised to see his appearance again on a Monday. I always enjoy his … Read more >>

Guardian 24,144 / Rufus

by

Another gentle start to the week from Rufus, with the customary combination of double and cryptic definitions and ingenious anagrams. [If anyone was, like me, shilly-shallying before booking for the ‘Meet the setters … Read more >>

Guardian 25,141 / Araucaria

by

After four days in the wilderness of no internet access -it’s very lonely out there – it’s great to be back in the nick of time to post my scheduled blog – especially … Read more >>