A tricky, slow solve, with a lot of parsing done after the grid was filled – and some parsing only after the rest of the blog was finished. Favourites were 11ac for the surface, 23ac, 26/9, 5dn, and 18dn. Thanks to Paul for the challenge.
manehi
Guardian Cryptic 27,947 by Picaroon
A quick solve…
Guardian Cryptic 27,940 by Pasquale
Challenging and clever, with some tricky parsing and a couple of obscure words that slowed me down towards the end. Favourites were 10/11ac, 14ac, 1dn, and 4dn. Thanks to Pasquale.
Guardian Cryptic 27,933 by Chifonie
A little tougher than the usual Monday, and very neatly clued. Favourites 15ac, 7dn, 14dn, and 21dn. Thanks to Chifonie
Guardian Cryptic 27,931 by Paul
Found this tricky at the beginning, with plenty of smiles once I got going. Favourites were 6ac, 24ac, 2dn, 13dn and 23dn. Thanks to Paul
Guardian Cryptic 27,924 by Philistine
Fun and funny – lots of favourites including 9ac, 14ac, 1dn, 5dn, 15dn, 18dn, and 22dn. Thanks to Philistine
Oh, and…
Guardian Cryptic 27,917 by Nutmeg
An enjoyable puzzle with some very nice surfaces and cluing. Favourites were 14ac, 26ac, 3dn, 5dn, 16dn, and 20dn. Thanks to Nutmeg.
Guardian Cryptic 27,910 by Tramp
A quick solve, followed by some head-scratching over several bits of parsing. I liked 1ac, 18ac, 1dn, 6dn, and especially 17dn. Thanks to Tramp for the puzzle.
Guardian Cryptic 27,903 by Vulcan
An odd experience solving and blogging – I delayed writing this blog thinking there had been a mistake as I’d seen this puzzle before. Looking at last weeks’ blogs and the comments on the Guardian site it seems that this was originally published online for a time in place of last Thursday’s Paul.
A quick solve even the first time round, and with some nice clues: my favourites were 9ac, 6dn, and 13dn. Thanks to Vulcan.
Guardian Cryptic 27,901 by Arachne
As always, a pleasure to see Arachne. The special instructions “To mark a 200th anniversary: ’28, 26 down 9 17 15…” describe the theme…
Guardian Cryptic 27,894 by Picaroon
A very enjoyable puzzle with lots of smiles, especially at 17ac, 21ac, 23ac, 24ac, 5dn, 8dn, and 10dn. Thanks to Picaroon
Guardian Cryptic 27,887 by Paul
Tricky and fun from Paul, if not quite living up to the surface of 21dn today. Favourites were 8ac, 10ac, 22/26, 13dn, and 21dn
Guardian Cryptic 27,880 by Nutmeg
Some tricky cluing today leading to a slow start, but once I got going the grid was very helpful. Favourites were 9ac, 27ac, 6dn, 8dn, and 23dn. Thanks to Nutmeg for the fun puzzle.
Guardian Cryptic 27,873 by Arachne
Spicier than the usual Monday, and it’s always nice to see Arachne on any day of the week. Lovely surfaces and wordplay, with plenty of smiles and some outright laughs – favourites were 14ac, 25ac, 26ac, 1dn, 21dn, and 22dn. Thanks to Arachne.
Guardian Cryptic 27,871 by Tramp
A slow, tricky solve today, with the right side of the grid giving me most trouble. Haven’t been able to spot a theme. Favourites were 1ac, 18ac, 26ac, and 3dn. Thanks to Tramp