John's avatarJohn

Born 1946. Since retiring (maths teacher) have spent an increasing amount of time on crosswords, something that was impossible before – am not in the sub-ten minutes league and surely never will be. Do The Times every day (more often than not in over half an hour), also an assortment of other puzzles. Did Azed monthly for some years and entered his clue-setting competitions, occasionally with some success (I even won once, had 38 VHCs and 140 HCs — yes, I kept a record, sad isn't it) but not enough for my liking. I've set a few crosswords: five in Oxford Today, a few on Derek Harrison's website, and five in The Independent, under the name Vernon. Also play a lot of chess and golf, although as I age I'm getting weaker at both.

Independent 8,452 by Phi

by

As we always get on Fridays, a nicely done crossword from Phi that is of the usual level of difficulty, contains some good clues, and doesn’t so far as I can see have any … Read more >>

AZED 2,161

by

The usual very pleasant workout from Azed. I always find that I make steady progress and then reach an impasse, when I simply can’t parse one or two of the clues. But they … Read more >>

Independent 8,443 by Rorschach

by

There are several clues here that proved rather difficult. Rorschach has produced a crossword that is certainly good in parts, I remain to be convinced about some of it, but that is likely … Read more >>

Independent 8,438 by Crosophile

by

On the last Wednesday of every month Crosophile gives Dac a rest, and although it would be practically impossible to emulate the master he usually makes a pretty good job of coming near, as … Read more >>

Independent 8,433 by Monk

by

Monk has as always given us a very enjoyable crossword. There is one about which I’m not all that sure, so if you’re one of those people who came to the blog in … Read more >>

Independent 8,428 by Phi

by

Sorry this is on the late side. I always do the puzzle in the morning by downloading it from the site, but today for some reason my computer decided that its version of Java … Read more >>

Independent 8,414 by Dac

by

The usual perfect offering from Dac. His anagram indicators are often very cleverly disguised, and in this crossword a certain amount of general knowledge is necessary. Definitions in italics. Across 1 Measure piece of … Read more >>

AZED 2,155

by

As always.  It speaks for itself. I know it isn’t Sunday yet, but there is only just over an hour to go, so there shouldn’t be a problem. There won’t be any mail … Read more >>

Independent 8,404 by Phi

by

The usual nice crossword from Phi, with plenty of the good clues you expect from him. Sorry this is a bit late, which it is for two reasons: although yesterday all was in … Read more >>

Independent 8,395 by Radian

by

Puzzles with a lot of cross-referencing are not my favourite, but in this case the gateway clue was very easily solved. Then it was simply a matter of Googling this person and getting … Read more >>

Independent 8390 by Dac

by

What can one say? As we get on most Wednesdays, a perfectly-formed creation. The structure of the clues is always deceptively simple, which leaves little room for argument. There are one or two here … Read more >>

Independent 8385/Donk

by

Yesterday someone commented on the new kids on the block and said how well they are all doing, something with which I agree, and Donk is at the forefront of this group. Today’s … Read more >>

Independent 8380/Phi

by

An extraordinarily small crossword from Phi today — just 22 clues — no easier than usual, but just as good. There were some hardly-known words and plenty of recourse to the dictionary, but even this … Read more >>