Enjoyed this, but just wasn’t on the right wavelength for Rufus’s cryptic defs this week, so my last couple in took considerably longer after the rest was done. 27ac was my favourite.
manehi
Guardian 26,225 by Paul
Very entertaining from Paul today, with lots of clever cluing – 9/18ac, 21ac, 26ac, 1dn, 5/7dn and 23/20dn were particular favourites. Not too difficult though, despite some unfamiliar words at 5ac, 14ac and 27ac.
Guardian 26,218 by Shed
A nice puzzle from Shed – I found this on the easier side at first but tough to finish. Favourite clues were 5ac, 24ac and 4dn. 29ac was new to me.
Guardian 26,211 by Arachne
Tricky and fun from Arachne today. I groaned at 3dn, especially liked 18ac, 25ac and 23dn, and loved the definition for 2dn.
Guardian 26,204 by Orlando
I really enjoyed this, as is usual with Orlando. Lots of clever clues and surfaces – 9ac, 23ac, 4dn, 16dn and 21dn were my favourites.
Guardian 26,197 by Rufus
As expected, plenty of double/cryptic defs and neat surfaces from Rufus, with a few other nice clues thrown in. My favourites were 11ac, 13ac, 8dn and 9dn.
Guardian 26,195 by Paul
Lots of fun, but not Paul at his most difficult even with the longer clues only falling into place late on. I particularly liked 9, 12, and 19/4. 26 was completely new to me.
Guardian 26,188 by Crucible
A fun puzzle with a few thematically linked clues and solutions – I struggled with the top half of the grid until I caught on to the theme. I particularly liked 12ac, 26ac, 7dn and 23dn.
Guardian 26,181 by Tramp
This was tough – I needed two sittings to finish it, and another to nail the parsing. Some lovely cluing – I especially liked 12ac, 2dn and 23dn.
Guardian 26,167 by Rufus
The usual gentle start to the week from Rufus, with some fun clues especially at 25ac, 3dn and 7dn. Across 1 On the rocks, in the sun and air (9) INSOLVENT =”On the … Read more >>
Guardian 26,165 by Chifonie
Not difficult, but a pleasant solve – all very neatly and fairly done. Favourites were 24ac, 1dn and 5dn. Across 1 Woman gets marble put back in wrapping (6) SWATHE =”wrapping”. SHE=”Woman”, around … Read more >>
Guardian 26,158 by Paul
Got through about half of this quickly, then struggled to the end – just wasn’t on the right wavelength for 9ac and 5dn, had never heard of 22,20 and still can’t properly parse … Read more >>
Guardian 26,151 by Chifonie
Lots of fun clues and neat surfaces from Chifonie. Favourites were 10ac, 11ac, 23ac and 18dn. Across 7 Outfitter is more flexible when holding interest (8) SUPPLIER =”Outfitter”. SUPPLER=”more flexible” around I[nterest] 9 … Read more >>
Guardian 26,144 by Shed
A lovely puzzle to end the year on. Lots of great clues, particular favourites were 1d, 22a and 23a. Across 4 Move aimlessly and pick up something useful (6) GADGET =”something useful”. GAD=”Move … Read more >>
Guardian 26,138 by Rufus
A gentle festive offering from Rufus. Lots of smiles, especially at 12ac, 5dn and 6dn. Across 1 Stocking up time (9) CHRISTMAS Cryptic definition – a time for hanging up stockings 6 Wise … Read more >>