Guardian

A lot of cryptic definitions today, but nothing too fiendish. Across 1. ADMINISTRATES. DISTANTARMIES* 10. CRIME WAVE. cryptic def. 11. MOVER. MOVE + (ap)R(il). 12. OUTRÉ. Centre spread could be (sp)RE(ad) + OUT, … Read more >>

Solving time: 15:50 Perhaps one of Araucaria’s easier puzzles, although the last couple of clues, HATCHERIES and DARNLEY, stumped me for a good while. I thought 9ac (SOPRANO) was the best clue. Music … Read more >>

As often with Araucaria, I’m still a little puzzled but thoroughly entertained. Across 9 ALBATROSS There’s a lake ALO in Nigeria, and SS presumably comes from “southern sea”, but I can’t get the … Read more >>

I made very heavy weather of this, although I’m not sure why, apart from picking the wrong letters as anagram fodder over and over again 🙂 Across 1. SCHOOLMASTER Cryptic definition 8. NEWPORT NEW … Read more >>

I found it quite challenging today, but that may be a reflection on my own circumstances having started a new job! Managed it all in the end, although 22dn and 5ac felt a … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Another delightful day when Dr G and … Read more >>

It’s Monday, it’s Rufus, you know what to expect. Perhaps even more of his characteristic cryptic definitions than usual, but most of them are good fun. In any case, if I did have … Read more >>

Solving time: 8:54 A very enjoyable puzzle from Paul with no theme that I could see but a marvellous new word for me at 12dn. Music of the day: the magnificent 5dn, Dies … Read more >>

It only seems fair to give our Australian commenters first say about this fun puzzle from Auster. Across 1. PARTY HAT PARTY = “Do” + [t]HAT 5. OFFSET OFF = “inoperative” + SET … Read more >>

Maybe not as fiendish as some Thursday puzzles, but still tricky – I’m still in the dark about 10ac.  Some lovely clues today, especially 13dn and 11ac. Across 1. BUMPER. Double definition. 4. … Read more >>

A very enjoyable romp round theatre-land from Brendan, but also quite an easy one, for me anyway: it must have been one of my quickest solves for a while. The strange grid, with … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram What a delightful day. Dr G and … Read more >>

It’s Monday and Rufus is up to his usual tricks Across 1 PACIFISTS: and they don’t like to strike! 6 AGED: anagram of AGED 10 EVERY: E (cigarettE end) + VERY (a signalling … Read more >>

Solving time: Gave up on 3dn and 6dn after 15 mins. Maybe I should have spent longer on the two I couldn’t solve before turning to references, but the problem was that there … Read more >>