Never knowingly undersolved
After last week’s stinker of a double puzzle from Araucaria, this was much easier, all the more so once the theme had been guessed (which didn’t take long). All the “John’s” references were … Read more >>
A fairly typical Gordian mixed bag, I think – some clever clues, together with some very loose definitions and one glaring inaccuracy. Older solvers may have found this puzzle rather easier. 😉 Across … Read more >>
The instruction “FH has the same meaning throughout” is the sort of thing that is common in Araucaria’s puzzles in the Financial Times ( as Cinephile), but less often seen in the Guardian. … Read more >>
Again my lot comes up with Arachne, which is fine by me. There were several clues where I was reasonably sure of the answers, but the exact wordplay came to me afterwards, and one, 15D, for which I still await enlightenment.
Thank you Gaufrid for standing in for me so admirably. I am glad that I made the prior arrangement even though I had internet access in my hotel room in Tianjin and Beijing. … Read more >>
Apologies, a bit late on parade today. I don’t recall having had a Moley to blog for a while, but I always enjoy her Quiptics, and this was no exception. I’ve got a … Read more >>
An apt and enjoyable start to the week, thanks to Rufus. Nice surfaces. As usual, definitions are underlined in the clues. Hidden connections are in 3 of the picture sets. Across 1 Writer … Read more >>
Well, I must say these Genius puzzles vary a lot in difficulty. After two hard ones from Araucaria and Tramp, I found this one from Crucible hardly more difficult than a standard daily … Read more >>
Apparently there is a Bank Holiday in the south of the country this weekend so that explains the double-size puzzle, it was a bit unexpected. I just made myself a cup of tea and finished it … Read more >>
Our favourite nonagenarian is in literary mode here, with an author and the title of several of his novels. I got the name early on, and that led to several long answers as … Read more >>
Tramp is a recent and welcome addition to the Guardian crossword stable. His puzzles make you think. His cluing tends to the complex construction that I prefer, but I also think there are … Read more >>
Fortunately for me on the morning after a twelve-hour journey back from Dublin, there was nothing too taxing in this puzzle. There were, though, some very smooth surfaces, many of them almost &lit. … Read more >>
Uncle Yap is away on one of his hash runs today so I’m afraid you will have to put up with me instead. An interesting puzzle from Brendan today with an instruction in … Read more >>
Orlando has got both Quiptic and Cryptic spots today, including one word common to both solutions. This is definitely, and rightly so, the easier one. All nicely clued. Thanks Orlando. Definitions are underlined in the clues. … Read more >>
After Araucaria’s Bank Holiday double challenge, a very pleasant diversion from Orlando for the holiday itself. I didn’t find this too taxing but there’s much to admire here: the usual wit, elegance and … Read more >>