Private Eye (Cyclops/735) Insincere Resignation
When I get the first clue attempted as quickly as I did 1D here I always wonder if this is the time for the fabled “done in one pass” solve – Alas, no. … Read more >>
beermagnet
Independent 11,199 by Wiglaf
First look at this grid I thought – Hello, perimeter unches, there’s going to be a theme around there. But there are so few of them they can’t spell out much more than … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 733) Emergency Turnip
We need an Emergency Turnip to enter the race to be new PM – bound to do a better job than whoever we’re going to get. I made the silly mistake of trying … Read more >>
Independent 11,169 by Tees
You learn something new every day and you certainly do if you tackle Tees’s puzzles. Solving started at pace: 8A SEA WALL seemed very obvious, then 1D ASTEROID looked like a well known … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops/731) Special Fascist Operation
It must be very annoying for a politically involved crossword setter when politics has times like this. Setting the puzzle must happen at least of a couple of weeks before it is published, … Read more >>
Independent 11,139 by Rodriguez
An excellent crossword. I’m wondering if I am ever again going to be scheduled a puzzle I can pick a few issues with. This one has unquestionable clueing, and a super reveal, and … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops 729) Throaty Contest
We had a super Platinum Special Bumper issue this time – which gave the denizens of Carlisle Street an excuse for a week off – so we had to make this crossy last … Read more >>
Independent 11,109 Serpent
The blogging calendar works its wonders. The stars are aligned! The gods have given me a Serpent to blog same as last time I was on Saturday Indy duty. This is great because … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 727 ) Sex Starved Primate
I found this a bit more tricky than usual. This grid design does not lend itself to solving, with hardly any opportunity to get first letters for unsolved lights. (Or maybe I should … Read more >>
Independent No. 11,079 by Serpent
Serpent has been providing puzzles for the Indy for many years and they appear on a Saturday about half the time. I am on a blogging schedule to cover the Saturday puzzle every … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops /725) Shameless Lifestyle
And so to my second favourite feature of Private Eye (I will declare the Eye’s cartoons are always the first thing I consume). Solving was yet another round of making life difficult for … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 723) Amoral Standards
Cyclops in typical mode with a bunch of profane and politically cynical clues and answers, though perhaps not as downright rude as has been known. Yet again there is no quibble with any … Read more >>
Independent No. 11,049 by Rodriguez
The days turn and I find myself looking at a puzzle by Rodriguez – and I must blog it. I know I generally have more than a tussle with this setter, or his … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 721) Conscious Scrounger
A typical Eye puzzle. Nothing too hard, nothing too easy, and some lovely smutty surface readings. Just what we want and expect. Solving followed a familiar pattern. Failure to solve the first clue … Read more >>
Independent 11,019 by Italicus
First time in a Saturday slot for Italicus who is more usually, though rarely, seen on a Monday. So I was expecting something a little less tricky than what I found. I can’t … Read more >>