I’m back in business – if only just; in the aftermath of Sandy, after getting power back on Monday, on Wednesday an early winter storm blew in, dumping four inches of wet snow, and I was without power for another nine hours.
Guardian 25,788 / Araucaria
I think there might be some cries of ‘obscurity’ this morning but the less familiar [or unknown] solutions were all very fairly and clearly clued, I think. For me, the difficulties lay more … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,156 / Hamilton
A change of blogger today due to work commitments. I can’t say I particularly enjoyed this puzzle, too many four letter words for my liking including one (12ac) that I cannot explain. Assuming … Read more >>
Independent 8,134 / Nestor
Today has seen the latest of my many tussles with Nestor’s puzzles on a blogging day. My apologies if the blog seems a little cursory today: I was away from home until late … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,147 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/ Oct 29 I have to confess that, despite some very easy clues, I found this the hardest Dante crossword I’ve ever solved, or better: tried to solve. Probably due to the … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,146 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 27, 2012 The last Mudd in this space was unusually, surprisingly difficult. This one was a breeze; I finished it in a single sitting. My … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,155 by Cinephile
Standard stuff from Cinephile. Of couse the standard set by Cinephile/Araucaria is very high, so it is unfair to expect something extraordinary all the time. It must be difficult trying to live up to one’s own … Read more >>
Independent 8133 / Dac
After a week off, Dac returns to the Wednesday Independent slot with another high quality set of clues which read very smoothly. It’s always difficult to pick out a favourite Dac … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1253: Missing by Schadenfreude
Schadenfreude is a prolific setter who produces interesting puzzles which almost always have real words in the solution even after letters have been added to or changed in the grid. This Inquisitor maintained … Read more >>
Guardian 25,787 – Philistine
A puzzle of varied styles from Philistine, with clues ranging from the conventional, almost banal (e.g. 9ac, 10ac, 19ac) to the devious 17dn and the bizarre 1dn. Fortunately the easy ones provided enough … Read more >>
Independent 8132/Alchemi
A new setter today, at least I’ve never heard the name before. Some of the clues would perhaps be more comfortable in one of the other newspapers blogged on this site, but many … Read more >>
Financial Times 14154 Neo
Another enjoyable puzzle from Tuesday regular, Neo. Quite straightforward, once one gets into it. The N.E. corner was slow, though having cracked it, I don’t know why – apart from trying to find … Read more >>
Guardian 25,786 – Gordius
Not quite a smooth solve today as there were a few hard-boiled eggs (obscurities). Just glad that I managed to unravel all for this blog. Phew! Hold cursor over any clue number to … Read more >>
Last call for flight SBM04 to Derby
Eileen has once again allowed me to hack into her Fifteensquared account to post final details of the Sloggers and Betters Midlands get-together this coming Saturday, November 10th. We are up to about … Read more >>
Guardian 25,785 – Rufus
Typically gentle and pleasant from Rufus. Favourite clues 16ac and 13dn. Across 1 IMPRECISE =”Approximate” (price semi)* 6 POOL double def. =”People available”; =”a game” 8 INSCRIBE =”Write letters” IN + CRIB=”bed” inside … Read more >>