Independent

I found this one very tough and there are some where I do not fully understand – some confirmed by a theme spotted late on – I refer to this after the clue … Read more >>

After yesterday’s super-difficult Bannsider, this was easier from Phi, with some pleasing clues and all is clear. Solving time:  22 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1  BIRDSEED       Excellent cryptic definition punning … Read more >>

A disadvantage of having Sloggers and Betters 2 on a Thursday was that we lost John Henderson (Nimrod and Enigmatist for those who don’t know) to a quiz night – depite being in … Read more >>

No particular problem with this one, with the two longest words in the centre coming straightaway from the definitions. Solving time: 12 mins ACROSS 1 P SHAW The playwright George Bernard Shaw 2 … Read more >>

Solving time: 59′ (missing two answers) This felt like a fairly hard Times — and I’m going to hazard a guess that Bannsider slums there as well. I spent too much time on … Read more >>

Solving time 8:40 About 50% slower than usual for Dac, with most trouble in the NE corner where I couldn’t get ‘Bye Bye’ out of my head for 6A, or quite understand 8D. … Read more >>

After 7 days of the Lenten season last week, this time Virgilius gives us the 7 deadly sins, familiar (in theory, of course) to most, I’m sure.     This made it an easy puzzle, … Read more >>

I was sure it wasn’t me today. I was absolutely sure. I just checked to see if whoever it was had posted yet and thought I’d just see who it was when they … Read more >>

As if to prove that Sudoku really does appear everywhere these day, it’s even made its way into cryptic crosswords. If you don’t know what I’m on about, have a look at the … Read more >>

This was very tough for me today. I could only find a few windows of opportunity to look at the puzzle so I never really got into it. Three answers have left me … Read more >>

Difficulty with 16 across, but got it in the end – always a bit weak on plants – one of the crossing clues took me a while to understand also, covered below. Solving … Read more >>

More wizardry from Merlin. A couple of “adult” clues and some up-to-the-minute pop culture references, along with some excellent clues. There were a few I wasn’t sure about though (1A, 16A, 10D), and one … Read more >>

I think I must be getting more used to the Independent and to Dac because this was very quick to solve, especially since the long clues were very clearly signposted and went in … Read more >>

As usual, Virgilius gives us an excellent themed puzzle.    This one is based on days of the week appearing appropriately midway through Lent taking seven days (all fairly well-known, I’d say).     Very impressed … Read more >>

Solving time: 15-20 minutes These comments are written after a look back at the puzzle with answers – I discarded my original copy as I forgot I was supposed to be writing this. … Read more >>