Never knowingly undersolved
This crossword was unusual in two respects. It had a large number of clues: This grid design gives 32 lights and only one clue involved two lights, whereas Cyclops often creates longer answers … Read more >>
A rare, completely unaided finish for me, though I did turn to Chambers a modest number of times while preparing the blog post. It’s impressive that Beelzebub manages to vary the level of … Read more >>
Lorraine: Good morning to you all. This weeks offering was rather difficult I felt, so once again I had to enlist Nick’s help. I hope you all faired better than me. Thank you to … Read more >>
It’s often said that you know you are right when you complete the last stage of a Listener puzzle properly. I think the same can be said of the parsing Azed’s clues. If … Read more >>
The third Sunday Raich I’ve drawn on the trot, I think, so it seems the 152 calendar is somewhat in sync with that of the IoS. No complaints at all from me, as … Read more >>
Someone once asked us if being a blogger took the pleasure out of completing the puzzles. Our answer was a resounding …. “No!” Today was definitely one of the occasions when our faces … Read more >>
A cryptic title, hinting maybe at Columbo, with his dour demeanour and down-at-heel dress sense? The preamble tells us to find a horizontally-symmetrical four word quotation, and twelve answers needing some sort of adjustment … Read more >>
Great stuff! After some easy puzzles during the week we have this really solid challenge for the Easter weekend. I thought this one was harder than the usual holiday specials from Araucaria. There were not … Read more >>
Most of the clueing in this was fairly straightforward (though there are a couple I can’t fully explain), but there were a few references that I needed to look up to confirm the … Read more >>
Sharp and intelligent offering from the Don today ACROSS 7 RAILLERY banter ILL ER in RAY light 8 INDIGO colour INDI[a] GO vitality 11 NANCY female FANCY imagine with … Read more >>
If it’s Friday it’s usually Phi and so it is today. I found this a bit tougher than some Phis that I have solved recently, but the parsing was very … Read more >>
Yet another excellent workout from Klingsor this morning. Many of the clues have quite tricky constructions, but it is all perfectly fair and often very nice. As always with Klingsor — what else, when … Read more >>
Enjoyed this a lot, especially the theme. Favourite clues 11a, 15d and 19d. Across 9 ACADEMISM =”adherence to formal rules”. An art movement influenced by the French Académie des Beaux-Arts (Madame is)* around … Read more >>
As usual from Redshank, a very enjoyable and inventive puzzle. A few new and half-forgotten words here for me. Plus, it’s a pangram (something I usually manage to overlook; I only spotted this … Read more >>
Monday Prize Crossword/Apr 2 A Dante puzzle that I completed in two sessions, which probably makes clear that I didn’t find this the easiest of Dantes. Some real gems in this puzzle (1ac, … Read more >>