Guardian 25,919 – Paul

Paul at his cheekiest, if not his most difficult. Across 1 GOBBLER double def =”One eating”; =”turkey” 5 ADVANCE =”Go on” A + TRIP=”dance” around V[enezuelan] 10 SAGA =”story” SAG=”Drop” + A 11 … Read more >>

Guardian 25,895 – Paul

Fun from Paul, without being too tricky. Favourites were 22ac and 1dn. Across 10 SEA ANEMONE =”water-dweller” SEEM=”appear” around A+AN=”two articles”,+ ONE 11 REVERB =”Rock guitarist’s assistant” EVER=”always” inside R and B 12 … Read more >>

Guardian 25,871 – Boatman

A Valentine’s crossword with a few well-worked mini-themes and lots of clever cluing – I particularly liked 13ac, 20ac/16dn, 25ac and 5dn/22dn. Groaned aloud at 19dn. Across 7 SAMOVAR =”Urn” [wiki] I think … Read more >>

Guardian 25,847 – Gordius

Found this trickier than usual from Gordius, but very enjoyable. Favourite clues 12ac, 26ac and 1dn. Across 1 MONGREL =”unrefined types” hidden in “aMONG RELatively” 5 KAISER =”emperor” KA (Ford model) + IS … Read more >>

Guardian 25,824 – Chifonie

Very straightforward for a Thursday, without much misdirection in the definitions. Across 1 ON TIME =”punctual” ONE=”Somebody” around TIM=”boy” 4 PEA GREEN =”colour” PEN=”Writer” around AGREE=”match” 9 ON EDGE =”Nervous” ON=”working” + EDGE=”creep” … Read more >>

Guardian 25,809 – Rufus

Gentle start to the week from Rufus. 7 and 13 made me smile. Across 1 ORANGE-TIP =”Butterfly” [wiki] (operating)* 6 BAIT =”lure” IT=”sex appeal” after BA=”degree” 8 SCHOONER =”vessel” as in boat &lit … Read more >>

Guardian 25,800 – Puck

Found this very tricky, but really enjoyed the various uses [and non-use] of the interlinked clues. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to parse 1dn yet – would appreciate any help. Edit: thanks to … Read more >>

Guardian 25,785 – Rufus

Typically gentle and pleasant from Rufus. Favourite clues 16ac and 13dn. Across 1 IMPRECISE =”Approximate” (price semi)* 6 POOL double def. =”People available”; =”a game” 8 INSCRIBE =”Write letters” IN + CRIB=”bed” inside … Read more >>

Guardian 25,761 – Rufus

Typical pleasant but gentle puzzle from Rufus. 22dn and 27ac were my favourites. Across 1 VOLTE-FACE =”A change of view” in French 6 SACK double def “Bag” + “loot” (verb) 8 DECANTER =”wine … Read more >>

Guardian 25,752 – Boatman

Found this quite tricky to start with, but fairly enjoyable. Favourite clue 11ac. Across 7 NATALIE =”Girl” (Taline a)* 8 GALLEON =”ship” GAL=girl + LEON=boy 10 GLORIA =”girl” (original)*, minus IN=”home” 11 ALASTAIR … Read more >>

Guardian 25,704 – Puck

Was slightly underwhelmed by a straightforward start full of anagrams and hidden clues, then worked out the theme and smiled through the rest of the puzzle. Favourite clues 26ac and 20dn. Not too … Read more >>

Guardian 25,689 – Rufus

Fairly standard for a Monday Rufus, albeit with a few slightly disappointing cryptic defs today. Across 1 JACKASS =”Fool” JACK=”sailor” + A + SS [steamship] 5 KNUCKLE cryptic def referring to knuckledusters [wiki] … Read more >>