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 25,620 / Araucaria

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A reasonably straightforward puzzle from Araucaria, with a trademark long answer to help things along and some nice constructions to boot. Very enjoyable, I thought. Across 1,5   ROBINSON CRUSOE: ROBINS [birds] + ON … Read more >>

Guardian 25,615 / Puck

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I thought this puzzle was great fun – lots of smiles and ‘aha’ moments along the way. Many thanks, Puck, for a very enjoyable and entertaining end to a wet week.     … Read more >>

Guardian 25,605 / Rufus

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A fairly typical Rufus mix of anagrams, double definitions and cryptic definitions – except that several of the cryptic definitions are rather less cryptic than usual. Across 1   WELL OFF: WELL [oil producer] … Read more >>

Guardian 25,601 / Brummie

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Many thanks to Andrew for standing in for me last week. A reasonably straightforward puzzle from Brummie, which I found quite enjoyable but the very clear definitions and / or enumeration in the … Read more >>

Guardian 25,591 / Tramp

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After my comments on themed crosswords on Wednesday, the gods continue to smile on me and I get to blog another of Tramp’s puzzles and, once again, it’s one right up my street. … Read more >>

Guardian 25,585 / Picaroon

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It’s always a little disconcerting to come across an unfamiliar setter’s name – particularly on a Friday, when we expect something more challenging, and even more so if you’re the one due to … Read more >>

Guardian 25,581 / Rufus

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The usual Monday mix of double and cryptic definitions and a couple of really nice anagrams. Thank you, Rufus! Across 5   STAYED: double definition 6   KOPECK: KO [knock out] + PECK [large quantity]: … Read more >>

Guardian 25,577 / Arachne

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What a lovely surprise on a wet morning to find an Arachne puzzle to blog! It’s all here – the characteristic wit and tricksiness, with some real laugh-out-loud clues [12ac, 25ac, 22dn]. When … Read more >>

Guardian 25,572 / Paul

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This is Paul on the very top of his form, I think. Many thanks, Paul, for all the fun! Across 1   WINDBAG: WIND [gas] BAG [reversal – ‘back’] of  GAB – talk] 5   … Read more >>

Guardian 25,567 / Shed

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A welcome appearance by Shed, to ensure that an eventful week in Crosswordland didn’t end in anti-climax. Shed’s characteristically intricate and inventive cluing provides a puzzle which I found entertaining and amusing. My … Read more >>

Guardian 25,557 / Rufus

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Not quite so many cryptic definitions this morning, which will please those who don’t like them, but plenty of the characteristic double definitions and some excellent anagrams in this fun puzzle to start … Read more >>

Guardian 25,553 / Gordius

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After my blog of the last Gordius puzzle [unbelievably, only twelve days ago – I could think, like Kenneth Williams, that ‘They’ have it in for me 😉 ] I will forgo a … Read more >>