simonbyc

After an initial and generally unsuccessful dalliance with Guardian cryptics nearer the start of the millennium, I somehow forgot about them until the latter half of 2025. When I discovered the Graun has its archive online, and with a handy 'check' feature, I threw myself back in, determined to master the art of solving. Ably assisted by the 225 bloggers, and with (gradually decreasing) use of the check button and other aids, I've been keeping up with the new puzzles and working my way backwards through the archive. It's going... OK. Aside from crosswords I do 'computer stuff' for a living and enjoy good whisky, long distance running, and herding (fostering) cats.

MyCrossword Featured crossword No 13 by Prak

Mon June 15, 2026 at 3:15 pmMon June 15, 2026 at 10:02 am by simonbyc

This was quite the challenge from Prak, and a pangram (and nina – thanks to commenters for spotting).

Private Eye (Cyclops / 830) Dreadful Injustice

Sat May 23, 2026 at 12:01 am by simonbyc

This puzzle seemed less tough than my last go around, with only one slight obscurity for me, and thankfully minimal reminders of the general state of the world. Still a fun challenge, as it should be.

Private Eye (Cyclops / 828) Harsh Hyena

Sat April 25, 2026 at 8:07 amSat April 25, 2026 at 12:01 am by simonbyc

I found this a bit tougher to get into than previous outings, but once I got going the answers and parsings materialised fairly quickly – sometimes even in the opposite order. I second-guessed myself a bit with 26d especially the parsing but now I’ve written it out I think it’s a nice clue/device.

MyCrossword Featured crossword No 9 by Henri

Mon April 20, 2026 at 10:00 am by simonbyc

A fun puzzle with a fun nina!

Private Eye (Cyclops / 826) Union Flag Lover

Sat March 28, 2026 at 10:13 amSat March 28, 2026 at 12:01 am by simonbyc

In my last turn blogging the Private Eye crossword I was lamenting the omission of a certain Man Formerly Titled As Prince. While the news cycle is currently focussed elsewhere, Mr M-W did make an appearance this time which certainly gave me a chuckle.

Private Eye (Cyclops / 824) Topless Harem

Sat February 28, 2026 at 12:01 am by simonbyc

When I solved this I expected to be complaining here about the lack of references to a certain recently-arrested “man in his sixties from Norfolk”, but indeed a week is a long time in politics – in that time Peter Mandelson, the Prince of Darkness himself has also been assisting the police with their enquiries.

MyCrossword Featured crossword No 5 by Fez

Mon February 23, 2026 at 11:28 amMon February 23, 2026 at 10:00 am by simonbyc

It’s my second time to be blogging a MyCrossword Featured puzzle, and this time we have an apt theme, although I only spotted it restropectively.

Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,931 by Vulcan

Wed February 18, 2026 at 9:30 amMon February 16, 2026 at 2:32 am by simonbyc

It’s my turn to cover for Eileen today, and my first time blogging a Guardian puzzle.

Private Eye (Cyclops / 822) Ocelot Orgasms

Sat January 31, 2026 at 12:01 am by simonbyc

As mc_rapper67 noted in his Xmas Special post, I have agreed to take over his slot blogging alternate Private Eye Cyclops puzzles. I’m a relative novice at solving crosswords and even more so blogging them, so please have empathy and use polite forms of address.

MyCrossword Featured crossword No 1 by PostMark

Mon December 29, 2025 at 10:24 am by simonbyc

As a debutant blogger I’m honoured to be writing up the first MyCrossword Featured puzzle, which can be found here: https://mycrossword.co.uk/featured/1