Independent

Having solved half of this fairly easily I became stuck for a longer period than usual. And this is not surprising in view of the fact that 10 of the 30 answers have … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed A moderately difficult puzzle with solid clues, but just a couple (8 down and 14 down) that seemed to rely on some knowledge that I don’t have. I haven’t been … Read more >>

When people say things like “You’ve got to get on to the wavelength of the setter”, my inclination is to say “Rubbish. A cryptic is a cryptic and they all more or less … Read more >>

Some of the slightly odd words and phrases in the grid are explained the Nina: look at the letters around the perimeter of the grid, starting from the top-left hand corner and going … Read more >>

Across 1 ASS,ASS,IN – I liked “rears” to indicate the two ASSes. 9 B(I,OP)IC – writers aren’t always people. 10 BAN< in WANE – I’m pretty sure I haven’t come across WANNABE in … Read more >>

Solving time, 12 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 S WITCH 4 D (RAG ST) ER 9 D (ISM) AY 10 UP STREAM (master)* 12 ARETHA FRANKLIN (Enthral/irk a fan)* … Read more >>

Busy busy today, so apologies for the late (and quick) blog. I found this fairly tough in places but, as ever, some lovely clues from Dac, with some nicely misleading surfaces. Across 1 … Read more >>

Another excellent themed puzzle by Virgilius with almost every answer or clue having some reference to birds.   Solving time, 21 mins. * = anagram  < = reversed ACROSS 1 BEEFEATER    Refers to the … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed An excellent puzzle with very smooth surface readings and not too much trickery, although the precise meaning of one or two did escape me. Across 1 Sleep out: Spout about … Read more >>

An elegant puzzle by Phi – solving time 17 mins.    A theme/Nina to it, which I refer to after the clue explanations. * = anagram  < = reversed ACROSS 1 P (L) ACES … Read more >>

Another very tough but very satisfying Saturday puzzle, this time from Nestor. Lots of great stuff here but I can’t work out the wordplay in 3, 15 and 17. I filled in 11 … Read more >>

I solved this online last night and haven’t seen the paper today, so not sure of the setter I’m afraid. There’s an interesting, entertaining mix of clues – some easy, some harder and … Read more >>

Solving time, 17 mins * = anagram ACROSS 6 ENGLISH DISEASE (See his dealings)* 9 CHAR (LAD) Y 10 R (right) O (old) PIER 11 ORA C(L) E Last letter of oral in … Read more >>

As usual an apparently perfect crossword from Dac — nothing remotely controversial, strong anagrams, sound clues with good surfaces. How he does it week after week I just don’t know. Across 1 RUMP … Read more >>

I found this mostly reasonably easy but with a few tough spots here and there. I only spotted the Nina (in the perimeter running clockwise from the bottom left-hand corner) once I’d finished … Read more >>