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 27,207 / Paul

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An enjoyable Paul puzzle to end the week. On ‘ordinary’ [non-blogging] days, I go through the clues in order, parsing as I go. This morning, I was slightly worried to realise that I … Read more >>

Guardian 27,200 / Pasquale

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A fairly typical Pasquale puzzle, perhaps less tough than he can be, meticulously clued, as always, which helped with the customary couple of unfamiliar words – and fine surfaces throughout. Thank you, Pasquale. … Read more >>

Guardian 27,193 / Nutmeg

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A characteristically elegant and witty puzzle from Nutmeg. Getting the four long answers early on certainly helped towards a straightforward but entertaining solve. Thank you, Nutmeg – I really enjoyed it. Definitions are … Read more >>

Guardian 27,186 / Paul

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I was surprised to see Paul’s name again this morning, so early in the week, after two Saturday Prize puzzles in a row. However, after 1,26 fell out early on, it became obvious … Read more >>

Guardian 27,179 / Rufus

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Back to normal after the holiday – a Rufus puzzle t0 start the week. The usual medley of anagrams, double definitions and cryptic definitions – perhaps even more of the last than usual. … Read more >>

Guardian 27,177 / Shed

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It’s only three weeks since I wrote, “It’s well over a year since I blogged a Shed puzzle – but there have only been seven since then. Several of us often say we don’t … Read more >>

Guardian 27,170 / Paul

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Amazingly – for me, anyway – my 500th blog – and a squeaky-clean [as far as I can see] puzzle from Paul. A mixture of some easy clues to keep the ball rolling, … Read more >>

Guardian 27,163 / Pasquale

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A fairly typical Pasquale puzzle, meticulously clued, with some nice surfaces and  one or two less familiar words, one of which took longer than it should have to parse. Thank you, Pasquale. Across … Read more >>

Guardian 27,156 / Imogen

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Something of a challenge from Imogen this morning. I entered only a few answers on the first run through and I thought I might be in for a rough time. However, I was never completely … Read more >>

Guardian 27,149 / Rufus

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The year’s at the spring, And day’s at the morn; Rufus on Monday – All’s right with the world! The familiar medley of anagrams and double and cryptic definitions but there’s some clever … Read more >>

Guardian 27,140 / Puck

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Puck doesn’t get much more Puckish than this – a fun puzzle from start to finish. Apart from saying that this was what you might call a 23dn puzzle, I’ll resist the temptation … Read more >>