PeterO

The puzzle may be found at  http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26245. Those who follow this blog may know that Rufus is not my favourite setter, but I found this among his best.   Across 1. Type of … Read more >>

The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26243. I thought this a fairly gentle end to the week, with ingenious use of relatively simple constructions – indeed, it was a pleasure to blog.   … Read more >>

The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26236. It would hardly be a Gordius puzzle without some quibbles, but in my book they are minor this time out.   Across 7. Time a pint’s … Read more >>

The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26229. Lashings of envelopes, the odd oddity, but basically straightforward.   Across 1. Careless chums must turn to run (8) SLAPDASH A charade of SLAP, a reversal … Read more >>

The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26222. I had to cast about for an entry point to this puzzle, and eventually (with a little bit of luck) solved it from the bottom up, … Read more >>

The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26215. I found this harder than most Rufus puzzles, not helped by some definitions that I find doubtful. He seems to be on an envelope kick.   … Read more >>

The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26213. It’s been a very good week at the Guardian, culminating with this one, which I found rather difficult – and like last week, I had an hour … Read more >>

The crossword may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26206. Most of the left half fell in fairly readily; after that it was a struggle, culminating with the vicious 9D. The rain today has just got … Read more >>

The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26199. Apart from 3D, where I seem to be missing something, this is a typical Chifonie, straightforward and precise.   Across 1. Help to retain wide deviation … Read more >>

The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26192. I was happy to draw an Arachne puzzle to blog, and was not let down. Perhaps not her most intricate offering, but still prime value.   Across … Read more >>

The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26185. A fairly typical Rufus, but showing up some of what I would regard as his weaknesses – the ambiguous answer to 2D, two essentially straight definitions (unless … Read more >>

The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26183. I am coming off an unpleasant cold, and am not at my sharpest, which may explain my trouble with 11A.   Across 1. Do good with … Read more >>