Eileen's avatarEileen

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 28,210 / Pasquale

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Pasquale provides today’s midweek challenge.     As usual, we have a wide range of subject-matter – geography, politics, philosophy, theology, history, science, with a couple of popular musicians for good measure. Again, … Read more >>

Guardian 28,203 / Picaroon

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I was surprised to see Picaroon’s name on this puzzle, less than two weeks since I blogged his last one. Needless to say, I am not complaining – but it’s too soon to … Read more >>

Guardian 28,196 / Vulcan

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Vulcan fills his / her regular fortnightly slot with a typical Monday medley of anagrams, charades and double and cryptic definitions. Thanks for the puzzle, Vulcan. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across … Read more >>

Guardian 28,194 / Picaroon

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It’s Picaroon rounding off the weekday puzzles, following Nutmeg with another lovely offering. (I shan’t be surprised if crypticsue calls me ‘Lucky Eileen’ again.) The answers went in steadily, with half a dozen … Read more >>

Guardian 28,187 / Paul

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It’s Paul setting the challenge this morning, after nearly two weeks’ absence. Here we have an entertaining puzzle, with a variety of clues, some a bit 27ac – but it’s Paul – and … Read more >>

Guardian 28,180 / Brendan

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Brendan provides the midweek challenge in a clever puzzle with a theme that, especially with time on one’s hands, is not hard to spot. Too much cross-referencing in clues can be irritating but … Read more >>

Guardian 28,166 / Pan

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It’s me again: it’s been one of those weekends when the daily-advancing weekday schedule coincides with my monthly Saturday blog slot. Pan sets a bit more of a challenge to start the week, … Read more >>

Guardian 28,164 / Pasquale

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Pasquale rounds off the weekday crosswords in characteristic style, with a meticulously clued puzzle, with one or two less familiar words or expressions for good measure. I did ‘know’ all the answers today … Read more >>

Guardian 28,157 / Tramp

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Tramp sets the challenge today, with some straightforward charades and anagrams in the long answers to get things going. There’s characteristic ingenuity in other clues and wit in the misleading surfaces, making for … Read more >>

Guardian 28,150 / Puck

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I’m lucky enough to draw a Puck puzzle again today – and I think it might prove to be a marmite one. The theme is overtly musicals, which I know are not everyone’s … Read more >>

Guardian 28,143 / Brummie

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Brummie provides an enjoyable challenge today, all fairly clued, with just a couple of less familiar words. Brummie’s puzzles often have a theme. All I can see here is a mini-thread at 1ac, … Read more >>