Never knowingly undersolved
Almost an unaided finish, but unfortunately I made one slip at 18 down. I couldn’t quite believe the wordplay and felt WADMEAL, wihch doesn’t exist, was the likely entry, even though the clue … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3509.
People are going to be talking about me and Poins soon. Seems like every time he has a slot in the IoS, it’s my turn to blog. But there’s nothing going on between … Read more >>
Sounds like there may be a seasonal theme here – Brussels Sprouts – tasty. Across clues are normal, whilst the downs have misprinted definitions – sounds fun. Then there is some modification required … Read more >>
[Two blogs of Paul puzzles from me in as many days – but the following was actually written first, being last Saturday’s Prize crossword. It has none of the Pauline schoolboy humour that … Read more >>
After the veritable smorgasbord of fancy themed and Nina’d centenary/Christmassy puzzles across all sources over the past few weeks, Nimrod brings us back down to basics with a good, honest hard-working cryptic prize puzzle…a … Read more >>
Groundhog Year Many thanks to everyone who voted. The fact that around half of the 52 puzzles received at least one vote reflects the diversity and general enjoyment of the puzzles, and the … Read more >>
As always, Phi has given us a pleasant and sound crossword. He usually has a Nina of some sort, but his Ninas are nearly always too obscure for me and they make no difference … Read more >>
I had fun solving this grid from Orense – a couple of gems that I quite liked solving were 13ac and 2d. However, the parsing for a couple of clues still eludes me … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26153. Arachne in fine form, including one clue (18D) that beats me. Across 1. Advancing or retreating, it is in bad odour (8) POSITING An envelope (‘in’) … Read more >>
I’m bound to say, I’m afraid, that I didn’t enjoy this puzzle all that much: the complicated constructions, unhelpful grid and occasional questionable definition made it a bit of a slog. I’m ready … Read more >>
A fairly typical Paul puzzle, with some of his trademark schoolboy humour and a mixture of quite straightforward charades and double definitions, together with some more complicated and misleading constructions. An enjoyable solve … Read more >>
Wow! It took a second or two for us to realise that the repletion of the pairs of across clues was not a ghastly printing error, but an amazing feat of setting – … Read more >>
Monday Prize Crossword/Dec 30 After two Dantes we were likely to get a Crux and yes indeed! Did I like this puzzle? Not sure. My solving partner didn’t like the puzzle as a … Read more >>
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 28, 2013 I found this puzzle more challenging than most but also highly satisfying. While 17D (TANGERINE) stands out as a particular gem, I think … Read more >>