Guardian

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram A very entertaining and at the same … Read more >>

Perhaps aided by a bit more sleep than normal, I found this fairly quick-going but with a few unsatisfying clues. Across 1. IRATE. 1 + R. + A ‘TE’. 4. INDICATE. 1ACTEDIN*. Odd … Read more >>

Solving time: 11½ mins, one mistake (15dn: ‘sagebrass’ for SAGEBRUSH) Paul had a puzzle on Wednesday (21st) which I found very difficult. This felt slightly easier, certainly to get going with, but was … Read more >>

Fairly straightforward for a Friday. Across clue no. here comment here 1 PAGEANT: AGE in PANT (huff and puff) 5 PLONKER: PLONK (wine) + ER (half of beER) 9 ROOST: ROO (Australian animal) … Read more >>

We got through this very fast indeed – I don’t think there’s much that should have caused problems. The surface readings are very nice throughout. Across 8. ACHILLES CHILL in SEA = “tide” … Read more >>

Across 8. MAKE LOVE. M(AKEL(a))OVE. 9. PRISE. “PRIZE”. 10. FISH. (thie)FISH(opeless). 11. BANANA SKIN. BA(NANA)SKIN. Baskin Robbins is a chain of ice cream sellers. 12. STABLE. double def. 14. CHIPMUNK. CHIP + “MONK”.  … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite a challenging set of clues with … Read more >>

A bit of a Grauniad glitch meant that the online version was late in appearing, but it all seems to be sorted out now. I found this a bit more difficult than some … Read more >>

Solving time: 19 mins I found this the hardest prize puzzle for some time (the recent Jumbo excepted) & really struggled to get started. The inclusion of three foreign language classical arias was … Read more >>

As usual, a really top quality puzzle from Brendan – great surface readings and some surprising wordplay. Thanks to IanN14 for pointing out the theme of U.S. presidents, Franklin PIERCE, Abraham LINCOLN, Andrew … Read more >>

An interesting theme today, I quite like having unclued elements when it’s clear which clues they apply to!  The old crossword staple of flower=river is used to good effect too. Across 1. SIDESHOW. … Read more >>

I had quite a struggle with the spider-woman this morning, with the result that I didn’t have much time for writing up the blog, so apologies if anything isn’t clear. Some nice clues … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite an interesting puzzle from a setter … Read more >>

As usual, some clever clues, plenty of cryptic definitions and nothing too difficult from Rufus. Across 1 PLATEAU =”highrise flat”. TEA in (Paul)* 5 BEARING double def 10 EGGS cryptic def with “clutch” … Read more >>

Solving time: 14 mins, 4 of which on 21dn (HALE-BOPP) and 31ca (PIPER). Brummie gave us another art-themed puzzle, following Araucaria’s epic jumbo last month. This time the artists were more traditional, but … Read more >>