Guardian

Rufus gets a Monday off to make way for a reasonably easy offering from Arachne. There are a couple of clues where I’m not sure I’ve got the explanation right, and one (27ac) … Read more >>

Solving time: 7:44 An amusing offering from Paul, with a theme: the key clue is the one to 13dn/20ac, which yields “ASK A STUPID QUESTION”. The definitions to 10 other clues are given … Read more >>

After a rather contentious week, I was a bit apprehensive about what to expect for my blogging slot today, so it was quite a relief to get this fairly straightforward but enjoyable puzzle … Read more >>

A fairly topical theme, with the Turner Prize nominees being exhibited at the moment.  Like a lot of people I find this sort of puzzle, with a large set of related answers, fairly … Read more >>

A fun puzzle, which wasn’t too difficult because of all but three of the across clues having anagrams. 10 down was much the hardest, I thought, since there was weak checking in the … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram This delightful puzzle reminds me of Alfred … Read more >>

Blogging in a hurry – luckily nothing too difficult today. Across 7 CATARACT As in waterfall, and as in the eye disease. 9 EQUALS (squeal)* 10 TIER TIE R[iver] 11 COMPANY CAR an … Read more >>

Solving time: Gave up on 14dn after 20 mins, and wished I’d done so earlier! Most of this I managed to rattle through, but then I got stuck for ages on the final … Read more >>

I’m sure there’s a witty title that could be given to this very ingenious and entertaining puzzle, with its themes of days and British pop but I found the puzzle itself challenging enough!  … Read more >>

A relatively straightforward Araucaria, thought including a couple of words that were new to me, with a theme based on various kinds of beating, Key: dd = double definition * = anagram < … Read more >>

I rattled through this fairly quickly and have filled the grid with convincing-looking answers, but a few of the exact reasons escape me.  I decided to blog it anyway rather than wait and … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram A challenging puzzle which nearly got me … Read more >>

A very good start to the week, with lots of clues that made me smile. I think my particular favourites here were two of the three musical ones: 16 across and 25 down. … Read more >>

Solving time: 9:51 A rare Saturday outing for Brummie. Nothing too difficult, although NO STRINGS, DROSOPHILA and LUTYENS probably accounted for a third of my time. I enjoyed the puzzle but thought a … Read more >>