Independent

Across 1 PAL,(NIMROD)*,E – “sees” is an example of a PALINDROME. 9 ANT,AR(C)TIC,A – “artic” is short for articulated lorry. 12 CONSTITUTION – I know this is right because I checked it using … Read more >>

Enjoyable puzzle, that I found easier than usual, solving time 15 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 RUM PUS sup< 5 SABO TAG E (ASBO)* 9 FORTUNE COOKIE (I reckon … Read more >>

Across 11 TESTAMENTS – the definition is “more than one will” and I think the wordplay is suggesting moving the TE from STATEMENTS to the front. 12 TARS,US 14 GIN< in THE,NO (also … Read more >>

A fairly straightforward puzzle by Phi, I found – solving time, 16 mins * = anagram < = reversed 1 SHOPPING LIST A second meaning for each of the words. 9 O SA … Read more >>

Solving time: 28 mins A jolly little puzzle from Tees with lots of contemporary references. I suppose I still think in old-fashioned crosswordese, but the Indy has certainly brought puzzles into the 21st … Read more >>

I found this much tougher than usual from Quixote. Solving time, 43 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 ME A LIE Very inventive. 5 CRACK UP Double definition 9 STEW … Read more >>

I solved most of this online early this morning without knowing who the setter was. I thought it seemed a little easier than recent offerings from Dac – with quite a few double … Read more >>

The usual wonderful Virgilius themed around one of our favourite activities. Every one (although perhaps 30 is stretching it a bit) of the across answers is in some way connected with crosswords. I … Read more >>

I found this quite hard as birds, along with trees, are not a strong point with me. I’d never heard of a 13, a 14 or a 16 but eventually got them from … Read more >>

All but three or four seemed to be the usual pleasant accessible Phi crossword, but then I became totally stuck on 11dn, 21dn perhaps, 22dn perhaps and 25ac, and eventually I had to use various … Read more >>

Great puzzle from this highly consistent setter with a mini-theme I would never have spotted if fellow blogger nmsindy hadn’t sent me the following: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/7380607.stm 6 and 12 aren’t blogged but are part … Read more >>

I found this very tough, despite a quick start. Still not sure about 8 and 11 though. Across 1 MUGGLE in S,D – in the Harry Potter books, a MUGGLE is someone who … Read more >>

Solving time, 17 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 8 CHAT EAU (water in French) 9 A (GAIN) ST ST = saint = good person 10 O N ICE 11 DISFAVOUR … Read more >>

Solving time:  15 mins A nice enjoyable puzzle from one of the Indy’s stable of fine setters.  Several really excellent clues including 14 across, 17 down (hope he doesn’t sue!) and 23 across. … Read more >>

This was the first time I’ve encountered Merlin, and I found it a stiff (but satisfying) challenge. There were some easy ones which got me started, but I then needed to make a … Read more >>