Guardian

A typical Araucaria puzzle — a mini-theme, classical references, multi-word answers and clues referring to other clues. Quite entertaining, provided you’re not too much of a purist. Across 1 BIGOTRIES — Omega = … Read more >>

This wasn’t too tricky but there were a few answers that I don’t fully understand – explanations/corrections welcome. Across 1 RAIN in B(offin)S 4 (SOME BEDS)* – deceptive surface reading. 9 OPT in … Read more >>

I was too busy at work yesterday to finish the puzzle, so I completed it when I got home, only to find that my ADSL connection was down. It didn’t come back up … Read more >>

Solving time: 10’ Heartening start to the week after the weekend puzzles: I do know how to parse a cryptic clue after all. Not too many cryptic defs either – but a couple … Read more >>

Solving time: 23:35 After five minutes I had solved four clues. Then 15ac helped me tumble to the theme: ‘S’ = ‘State capital’. Most of the puzzle then fell out quickly but I … Read more >>

This puzzle is dominated by four long down entries. Once you have solved them, the rest of the answers become much easier to fathom out. It was generally fair, and there are some … Read more >>

Solving time: 35’ Lots of wondrous wordplay to admire here – and some to wonder about. Sometimes numbers in clues really are numbers – and not other clues. The editing isn’t The Guardian’s … Read more >>

A particularly appropriate one for an inaugural blog by a female gardener, being themed around women and plant names. Quite a mix of clues — mostly pretty easy, but one or two more … Read more >>

As we approach the long-awaited publication of the latest instalment of the boy wizard’s adventures, it may be time for a moratorium on Potter-themed crosswords. I’d done quite a few clues before I turned to 5,25, … Read more >>

Solving time 11:05 Well, surprise surprise! A Rufus puzzle with only a couple of (good) cryptic definitions, and overall a great set of clues with excellent surface readings throughout. Rufus has complained in … Read more >>

Solving time: 20 mins, Chambers for 18ac and 19dn. Three monster clues (six or seven words each) in this puzzle, two of them linked, but easier than usual to get without lots of … Read more >>

Pretty simple fare for a Friday, took me just over 10 mins, with a high proportion of clues solving more or less at first look. Wordplay mostly straightforward, apart from 1ac (see below) and 20 … Read more >>

When I opened the Guardian website today to see whose puzzle I’d be blogging, I had that familair sense of unease that comes from seeing the name “Araucaria”. Don’t get me wrong – … Read more >>

Solving time: 25’ Some very slick wordplay here – in many cases I had to think hard and laterally to identify the setter’s devices. In others, I’m still wondering. A few middle-aged complaints … Read more >>