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 27,858 / Paul

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Paul makes his customary weekly appearance on Thursday, since he filled the Prize slot last Saturday. It’s a fairly typical mixed bag, with some straightforward clues to help get us started, together with … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 27,848 / Picaroon

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It’s a real treat to find a Picaroon puzzle to solve on a Saturday and especially when I’m down to blog it. The solving was mostly straightforward, with characteristically meticulous and witty cluing … Read more >>

Guardian 27,844 / Imogen

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It’s Imogen who sets the challenge on this miserably wet morning. As usual with this setter, we have a handful of straightforward clues to get us started and keep us going, with others … Read more >>

Guardian 27,835 / Paul

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It’s Paul rounding off the week, with just the right amount of challenge and some witty surfaces, providing several smiles along the way. I enjoyed this – many thanks, Paul. Definitions are underlined in … Read more >>

Guardian 27,828 / Picaroon

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Hurrah! – it’s Picaroon and on top form. We know what to expect from Picaroon and it’s all here. I’ve really run out of things to say about this setter. I just hope … Read more >>

S and B Leicester May 4th

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It’s just a couple of weeks now to the Leicester Sloggers and Betters get-together in Leicester on May 4 [original announcement here],so it’s time to encourage waverers and to give some more details … Read more >>

Guardian 27,798 / Paul

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An entertaining and enjoyable puzzle from Paul, with a few smiles along the way. With my Grammar Police [see yesterday’s Vlad] helmet on, I winced immediately at 1ac but was completely won over … Read more >>