(Not too) stormy weather
Guardian 26,737 / Nutmeg
Another fine puzzle from Nutmeg, with characteristically elegant cluing and some ingenious / well-hidden definitions and great surfaces throughout. Many thanks, Nutmeg – I enjoyed it a lot. Across 1 Pays attention to compliments … Read more >>
Independent 9083 / Quaiteaux
The 225 archive shows that this is only the sixth Quaiteaux Indy puzzle, and that is more than four years since this setter last appeared in the Indy – so long ago, in fact, that … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 836/Anto
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? This is Anto’s fifth Quiptic. The blogging score so far is Pierre 4-1 newmarketsausage. Personally I could call a halt to the game right now. I think it’s fair … Read more >>
Independent 9082/Kairos
I’m more used to solving and blogging Kairos in the Independent on Sunday, where he is usually gentle with us. Monday comes round … I found this hard, but that … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26736 by Rufus
Quick and fun, with the usual Rufus mix of clues. Favourites were 10ac and 20dn – thanks, Rufus.
Cyclops 560: Looks bad for some
Alas, the dental abscess that is currently tormenting me was compounded by the fact that I woke with a migraine (and that is not a reference to my husband!) this morning. And I … Read more >>
Everyman 3606
A quick Everyman for me, a couple of smiles but hopefully more like the everyman of old.
Beelzebub 1341
A good mixture for me; some new words, some that had to be dragged out of the deeper recesses of my mind and a few easy entries to keep the grid fill ticking … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,343 by Raich
Another enjoyable Sunday puzzle from Raich, and I’m not just saying that because I know he’ll be reading. Everything seemed to fall in very smoothly, with very few hold ups. I particularly appreciated … Read more >>
AZED No 2,267 Misprints
The instructions for this excellent puzzle state:
Each of the across clues contains a misprint of one letter, always occurring in the definition part. Answers should be entered correctly spelt. Down clues are normal but their answers are to be entered with a misprint of one letter only in each, always in a checked position. These misprints correspond to the misprints in the across clues, in clue order, i.e. 1 Across/1 Down, 6 Across/2 Down … 33 Across/28 Down. No more than one letter in any across answer forms the misprint in a down entry.
Guardian Prize 26729 by Paul
I always find Paul puzzles a pleasure to solve and blog. Thanks Paul
Independent 9075 Nestor (Sat 14-Nov 2015)
I was thankful when I saw a Nestor arrive for my turn blogging. Always a pleasure and there were some very nice surface readings in these clues I had 13 in after the “first … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1199 – Belief by Stick Insect
I do believe I’ve done it again! I’m sorry this is late. I had ‘EVs’ written on my hand all day Friday to remind me to finish this off.
The preamble informs us of two characters – A and B – each with a belief. Seven answers are modified in line with A’s belief, but B seems to have the upper hand, as A’s name is ultimately replaced by B’s. Extra letters spelling out B’s belief should help us on our way.
Financial Times 15093 by WANDERER
A superb brain twister from WANDERER – thanks to whom for a magnificent crossword that I initially felt I had no hope of solving fully. Very inventive cluing and cross references between clues. Too many good clues to pick a favorite from.