Apologies for the delay, not sure what I did with the earlier write up.
Observer
AZED 2,315
Blogging these puzzles, having to explain every little detail, makes me appreciate AZED more and more. I even look forward to the sometimes dry as dust surfaces as a break from the never-ending quest for inventiveness one gets in modern cryptic puzzles. Plus I never get tired of looking stuff up in Chambers, which must make me look more than a little sad I know. Thank you AZED.
AZED 2,314
A 13 x 11 grid this week and a harder than usual puzzle, I thought.
Everyman 3,653
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3653.
Everyman 3,652
This seems to be becoming a regular occurrence, my blogging the Everyman. As usual, most of the puzzle was impeccable but this week I do have one quibble. I assume that 19ac is … Read more >>
Azed 2313
An Azed plain competition puzzle is this week’s offering This puzzle was the usual mix of everyday words and obscure words with some Scottish words thrown in for good measure. … Read more >>
Azed 2312/Out of order
I found this Azed carte-blanche variant (a “jigsaw”) in which clues are given in alphabetical order of answers rather difficult — mainly, because I pecked at it sporadically throughout the week without a concerted burst … Read more >>
Everyman 3651
Charades and insertions mostly this morning from Everyman. Which for an entry-level puzzle is fair enough. But only one full anagram, cluing a word I could only vaguely remember. Abbreviations … Read more >>
AZED 2,311
The usual from Azed: a combination of sometimes less than sparkling surfaces with utterly sound clueing. And of course the words that one never knew.
Definitions underlined and in maroon.
Everyman 3,650
I heard a short while ago that the scheduled blogger had gone away for the weekend before realising that he hadn’t yet blogged this puzzle so I am stepping into the breach. I … Read more >>
Azed 2310
I mostly made quick progress with this, but for some reason ended up havng a lot of trouble with the NE corner. Some of the parsing took a bit of work, but all … Read more >>
Everyman 3,649
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3649.
Everyman 3,648
The scheduled blogger hasn’t turned up so here is a quick analysis of the clues. A typical Everyman cryptic with clear, concise cluing and nothing particularly obscure. I rather liked 12ac, amongst others. … Read more >>
AZED 2,309
I thought this had more of a daily puzzle feel about it then a typical AZED. Some of the anagram clues might have been lifted straight out of the Quiptic puzzle they were so straightforward. I spent less time inside Chambers than usual too. Plenty to enjoy here regardless. Thank you Azed.
I will be away walking in the Cairngorms when this is published. I will try and answer any queries as best I can.
AZED 2,308
A 13 x 11 grid for this week’s plain from Azed.