An easy stroll this Tuesday from Gurney. Plenty of anagrams all over the place meant a quick solve despite which the experience was quite pleasant and appealing. Apologies for the late post as I had (and am having) a long day at work. I hope readers here have more discerning comments than I do, given my paucity of time.
Independent 8,897 by Phi
What has caused Phi to move from his customary Friday slot? No doubt on Friday it will be the anniversary of something. But what? the Iranian US Embassy Hostage crisis (1980)? Probably not. The launch of the Hubble Space telescope (1990)? More likely, but Phi himself would have been very suitable for that. Lots more possibilities, but no doubt it will be something that Google isn’t pointing us towards, like the anniversary of some pop singer doing something.
Whatever the reason, we have the usual Friday excellence here. Nothing dodgy (or even untrustworthy) here.
Guardian 26,551 by Brummie
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26551.
Guardian 26,550 / Rufus
I found this a bit tougher than the usual Rufus and enjoyed unravelling it. Nice clues at 13 and 18ac and 4, 15, 20 and 22dn. Thank you, Rufus. [Looking forward to seeing … Read more >>
Quiptic 805 by Moley
Moley returns to the Quiptic slot with a puzzle offering plenty of encouragement to beginning solvers, while not presenting too many difficulties for those looking for a quick cryptic fix. A puzzle perfectly pitched, in other words, for a Quiptic, and a nicely gentle start to the cryptic week.
Independent 8,896 by Bucko
Bucko’s third outing in the Indy and first time for my shift.
Beelzebub 1,310
Perhaps it was just circumstances, but I found this to be a very challenging puzzle. Of course, that isn’t a complaint, it just means you lot have had to wait a bit longer … Read more >>
AZED 2,236
A straightforward plain puzzle this week, but with one unusual feature.
Independent 1,312 by Hypnos
Super puzzle. Hypnos manages to produce a straightforward puzzle (which seems to be the remit for the Sunday slot) that is also interesting and fun to solve all the way through. Thanks Hypnos.
Everyman 3575/12 April
Everyman was my route into solving cryptics, so I always get pleasure from blogging his puzzles in an attempt to help new and improving solvers. I think I have pinned everything down here, … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 26,543 by Paul
A very straightforward prize puzzle from Paul this week, with two mini-themes.
Independent Crossword 8889 by Morph (11-04-2015)
Well exactly 50 years after I exitted the womb I have a little tussle with Morph to deal with. Hopefully a little easier than struggling into this world! A trio of new words … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1168: Call Sign by Shark
In CALL SIGN, Shark offers up: a ‘non-standard’, rectangular grid – 10 x 14; seven unclued entries, all of a kind; no misprints/corrections, just four significant extra words in clues; and finally, some colouring in … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,907 by MUDD
Traveling on work and a full day meant I got to this Mudd challenge a lot later than I would have liked to – so apologies for the late post. I found this to be a tough challenge to begin with but gradually picked up steam along the way. Outclassed on a few clues that required googling to confirm or supplement the parsings. Some deviousness exhibited by Mudd – enough to leave me seeking a helping hand on the deconstruction for a couple as well.
Guardian 26,548 / Qaos
I had decided to have a go at doing my own blog today [renewed thanks to Gaufrid for last week] – broken wrist notwithstanding [it was with falling over, actually 😉 ] knowing … Read more >>