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.
manehi
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
Guardian Cryptic 27,864 by Picaroon
What a lovely puzzle – I particularly enjoyed 12ac, 23ac, 24ac, 2dn, and 7dn. Thanks to Picaroon
Guardian Cryptic 27,857 by Crucible
Tough and slow going, and an enjoyable solve. I liked the interconnections around 7dn and 8dn, but haven’t spotted a wider theme than that. Other favourite clues were 14ac, 24ac, and 5dn. Thanks to Crucible
Guardian Cryptic 27,850 by Vlad
A fairly quick solve, with the longer clues filled in early, but quite a few trickier clues to work out and parse at the end. Favourites 1/6/12, 11ac, 15ac, 27ac, and 4dn. Thanks to Vlad
Guardian Cryptic 27,843 by Chifonie
Fun and neatly clued – I particularly liked 20ac, 5dn, 6dn, 7dn, and 22dn. Thanks Chifonie for an enjoyable start to the week.
Guardian Cryptic 27,841 by Brendan
Slow going at times…
Guardian Cryptic 27,834 by Boatman
A nice mix of clues from Boatman today…
Guardian Cryptic 27,827 by Crucible
A fun solve – I got into it quickly and then got a bit stuck on the left side. Favourites were 4ac, 25ac, 3dn and 6dn. Thanks to Crucible.