Guardian

Blimey, that was tough! It didn’t help that I’m nursing a hangover from last night (beer tasting event) but I think I’d have struggled anyway. Took about 45 minutes, but I had to … Read more >>

An absolutely superb Brendan. Many of the clues were outstanding, in fact the weaker ones were the thematic clues. The theme was a rambling one connecting John DONNE (10) and Ernest HEMINGWAY (14) … Read more >>

As Bob Marley used to sing, though I don’t think that’s what he put in his cylinders. That one at 8down’s my favourite cryptic definition in a mixed bag. Overall, though I think the best clues are … Read more >>

Solving time: Gave up on 10ac and 7dn after 18 mins, with 9dn also wrong. A horsey theme this week, with THE SPORT OF KINGS and HUNTING WITH DOGS forming the outer columns. … Read more >>

Easier than it looked at first glance. Some nice clues, with concise and convincing surfaces. One or two slightly loose definitions, but I guess you can put that down to 8down! ACROSS: 1. RE(COR)D. … Read more >>

As previous discussed, I’m not a nature-boy, but “False Acacia” seems a tad obscure – oh well, thanks for the Botany lesson, Brummie.  Otherwise quite a blood-thirsty set of clues todays with some great wordplay. … Read more >>

A classic Paulene challenge though no Araucarian cross-refs nor complex multi-word anagrams. But still some charming and clever clues… as per usual I always feel entertained and gratified having solved Paul. Lots of … Read more >>

Quite a lot of general knowledge required to complete this one, although the trickier answers all had friendly wordplay so it can’t be accused of unfairness. Across 1 NICODEMUS (I,consumed)* – Nicodemus was … Read more >>

Classic Rufus, lots of cryptic defnitions! There were a couple of tough ones in here for me, exposing my lack of knowledge of literature and opera. Across 9 ACTON BELL — ACT ON … Read more >>

Solving time: 11:57 Some tricky clues in this, and a bit of a theme based around references to 8ac (GOOD), the main twist of this being at 12ac and 24/13ac in which clues … Read more >>

The grid pattern and setter meant a theme was there somewhere. It took a while for it to work out but in the end it’s spelled out across the middle of the grid. … Read more >>

Sorry this is so late – I wrote it up at lunchtime but the site’s been down for most of the afternoon with an “Unable to connect to database” error. I seem to … Read more >>

A man notices a blonde sucking on the bottom of a Coke can. Curious, he asks her what she’s doing. “Duh! It says for best taste drink by date on the bottom.”   ACROSS … Read more >>

This was tough stuff indeed, but ultimately satisfying, with some fine clues. It took a good half hour all told, i.e. half of my tube journey (the needs of work oblige me to … Read more >>

Sorry this is late — I completely forgot. A pretty nice puzzle with a couple of clues that I wouldn’t have been surprised to have enountered in an Araucaria: e.g. 22D and 23D … Read more >>