Everyman 4,153/24 May

I got back into cryptics twenty years ago by trying the Everyman every Sunday, but didn’t always complete it for quite a time. I do remember the first time I did finish one, and got so excited that I posted it off to try to win the dictionary I already had. Failed on that account, but I’ll always be thankful to the setters of this puzzle, because here I am now blogging it once a month. And still enjoying the solving process.

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Guardian Quiptic 1,381/Anto

Apologies for the slightly later than usual blog, down mainly to the fact that it took me a longer than usual time to solve this Quiptic from Anto. Which might be an indication that its difficulty level is not quite appropriate for the slot. Those on the early steps of their cryptic crossword journey will no doubt be best placed to tell us below.

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Independent on Sunday 1,889/Filbert

Being a regular blogger for the Independent on Sunday puzzle means I get to tussle with Filbert often. And it is a tussle: as usual, this took me two goes. But it’s always satisfying to complete because this compiler’s work is invariably marked by impeccable setting and fine surfaces.

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