Guardian

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 >>

An unusual grid and an unusual theme, today.  I don’t think the answers ere particularly linked to the theme, mind you. Across 7. DEPOSED. SEEDPOD* 8. NOWHERE. WON<< + HERE. 9. REND. (cove)R … Read more >>

Nothing too difficult in this one. As always with Araucaria, some lovely clues and also some that make you go “hmm..”. Key: * = anagram dd = double definition < = reverse   … Read more >>

A welcome return for Orlando, with a generally straightforward puzzle, and at least one laugh out loud clue! Across 9   AGAIN: A + GAIN 10  GLADSTONE: GLAD [pleased] + STONE [14lbs]: William Gladstone: … 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 this has been … Read more >>

A nice puzzle from Rufus, as usual on a Monday – there are a few clues which I’m not sure if I’ve parsed right, but I’m sure everyone will be able to clear … Read more >>

Solving time: 17:30 The preamble said that this was a ‘Fourth of July’ offering, the manifestation of which was the appearance of the word ‘state’ in many of the clues, sometimes referring to … Read more >>

Nothing too troublesome in this one, with quite a few easy anagrams to get me started. One or two quibbles about meanings noted below. Key: dd = double definition * = anagram   … Read more >>

A gentle but fun return to solving after a few weeks’ holiday. Edits thanks to Lanson and Eileen. Across 8 DECANTER DETER=”put off” around CAN=”tin” 9 LEECH rev(HEEL) around C for cold. 10 … Read more >>

Quite fun today, and not too hard… Across 1. BRONCO BRO[w]N + CO = “firm” 4. ASPIRE A + SPIRE = “sprout” (as an intransitive verb) 9. DALI Hidden answer 10. STOKE POGES … Read more >>