FT

This is my debut FT blog.  Thought I was going to be in trouble after getting only 1 in the initial run-through.  And the clue for 5D seemed to tell me something!  But … Read more >>

A crossword with the upper half considerably easier than the lower, with 14, 21d and 22d taking time/research to fill in. Three easy hidden words gave a good start and many fine clues … Read more >>

As good an Aardvark as I can recall.  Plenty of imaginative and diligent clueing ideas, including a salutary reminder to us all (at 6D) that a clue doesn’t have to be fiendishly technical … Read more >>

Prize Puzzle from the Monday March 14 FT This was a treat.  If you missed this last week, go back and give it a go (without peeking below, of course).  There’s plenty of … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 12 I polished off most of this puzzle fairly quickly but for 23A (TELEVISE) I had to resort to a pattern-look-up utility! It’s a fine … Read more >>

This is my first blog of GAFF, and I’m afraid it has defeated me, there are two answers I can’t really explain at all.  So, any help from the wise would be appreciated.  Nevertheless … Read more >>

A fairly easy puzzle today frrom Gurney.  No special comments; the clues I liked best were the simplest ones, e.g. 31 across, perhaps because the surfaces of some of the others felt a … Read more >>

This was a gentle ride with a few pleasant pauses to smile, my picks of the day being 12a, 25a. Across 1 CABOTAGE CAGE (confined space) around (BOAT)*. A new word for me. … Read more >>

A few nice touches but, to be blunt, I couldn’t find an abundance of things to enthuse over today.  I shall be an absentee host today, as I’m travelling for much of the … Read more >>

FT Prize Puzzle of Monday March 7 A very enjoyable puzzle, with a number of simple but elegant — or should I say simple therefore elegant? — clues.  I have in mind, among others, … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 5 Cincinnus has some unusual clues for us this week, 1A (TABLOIDS), 7D (GEMMA) and 20D (DORY), plus a typical gem of an anagram in … Read more >>

A straightforward crossword today from Dogberry, though 1dn was a new word for me.   I liked 29 across best, which had me puzzling for a while.  Across 1 CAPOTE Old Testament (books of The … Read more >>

Not a lot of time to blog today, so I don’t have many comments to make.  As always, Armonie’s impeccable clues are incredibly concise, averaging just under five words apiece.  Armonie, thanks for … Read more >>

Pretty neat clues from Flimsy, as if in defiance to the dominant “ruinous” imagery of their surfaces – several clues talk of rot and decay, spoiling and perishing. A niggle or two over … Read more >>