PeterO

Born 1944. I was introduced to cryptics, mainly the Telegraph, in the sixth form, as a group effort. This continued through college (physics), and after, but more sporadically after I moved to the US forty years ago. Now I am semi-retired from programming - I drive school buses - I have time to troll the internet for crosswords to my heart's content. I regularly do the Guardian, Independent FT and Private Eye. Despite rather regular entries to Private Eye and the Guardian Genius, the nearest I have come to winning anything was on a book publishers' website, a crossword compiled by Eddie James, I think. As the prizes included a bottle of Champagne, to avoid customs problems, I entered in my brother-in-law's name. He was somewhat surprised to win.

Guardian 25205 by Araucaria How the Monkey Puzzle….

Wed December 29, 2010 at 12:01 am by PeterO

{This is just to hide the spoiler} … … … ….got his prickles. Vintage Araucaria – highly allusive, a wide range of references, numerous liberties, a delight as well as a struggle to … Read more >>

Everyman No 3,350

Sun December 19, 2010 at 10:50 pmSun December 19, 2010 at 12:01 am by PeterO

Apart from one (or perhaps two) less well-known personages, there seems to be little to complain about. ACROSS 1 CORDON BLEU Anagram (‘somehow’) of ‘old bouncer’. The definition refers to a graduate of … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic No 25,186 by Rufus

Mon December 6, 2010 at 3:31 am by PeterO

Rufus’ usual gentle start to the week, with a couple of quibbles. ACROSS 1 MISHAPS Anagram (‘anyway’) of ‘pass him’. 5 ACCEDES Charade of AC (‘bill’) + CEDES (gives way’). 10 CHIT Double … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic No 577 by Orlando

Mon December 6, 2010 at 2:51 pmMon December 6, 2010 at 2:29 am by PeterO

A grid with a fair number of unchecked first letters, but straightforward clue construction overcame that potential hazard. ACROSS 8 MEMSAHIB Charade of MEMSA – anagram (‘possibly’) of ‘Emmas’ – + HI (‘greeting’) … Read more >>

Guardian 25,172 by Araucaria – A Labour of Love

Fri November 19, 2010 at 10:04 amFri November 19, 2010 at 4:03 am by PeterO

The luck of the draw gives me an Araucaria for my first Cryptic blog. Not vintage Araucaria, perhaps, and nothing too difficult (thankfully). It is always satisfying when I can look at 1 … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic no. 573 by Nutmeg

Mon November 8, 2010 at 1:22 pmMon November 8, 2010 at 3:53 am by PeterO

I found this one more difficult than many a Guardian Cryptic. Several of the entries seemed at first to have far too much clue for the answer, which is generally a sign that … Read more >>

Everyman 3,344

Sun November 7, 2010 at 12:01 am by PeterO

Mostly straightforward; a couple of plant names which are reasonably common, but which might give trouble to those who are non compost mentis (apologies all round). Notably smooth surfaces. ACROSS 1 STRIFE Charade … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 569, by Arachne

Mon October 11, 2010 at 11:28 amMon October 11, 2010 at 5:53 am by PeterO

I found the bottom half of this puzzle went smoothly, but the top half was more challenging. Most of the clues are of exemplary Ximenean form, with clear dictionary definitions; the relatively few … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 565 by Nutmeg

Mon September 13, 2010 at 3:19 am by PeterO

Mostly straightforward, with a few less usual definitions, and a couple of more elaborate wordplays Across 1 BEEF UP Reversal (‘setback’) of FEE (“what’s earned’) in PUB (‘bar’). 5 AUBRETIA Charade of AUBRE[y] … Read more >>