Guardian 25,422 – Araucaria

The instruction “FH has the same meaning throughout” is the sort of thing that is common in Araucaria’s puzzles in the Financial Times ( as Cinephile), but less often seen in the Guardian. … Read more >>

Financial Times 13,784 – Dante

Monday Prize Crossword/Aug 29 I am pretty sure that Bryan will qualify this crossword as ‘very enjoyable’. And if so, I fully agree with him. Not as many cryptic definitions as on some other … Read more >>

Financial Times 13,792 by Styx

My apologies for a very late and rushed blog today, I hope this hasn’t inconvenienced anyone. ACROSS 1 STIPENDS: S (small) TIP (gratuity) and ENDS (completes) 5 PANDAS: PAN (criticise) and SAD (moving) reversed 9 … Read more >>

Guardian N° 25,421 by Arachne

Again my lot comes up with Arachne, which is fine by me. There were several clues where I was reasonably sure of the answers, but the exact wordplay came to me afterwards, and one, 15D, for which I still await enlightenment.

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Independent 7767/Dac

The usual outstanding crossword from Dac. Lovely smooth surfaces and so far as I can see nothing remotely controversial. Across 1 EMI(GRAN)T 6 FOSTER — 2 defs, one of which refers to Lord … Read more >>

Shirley O’Brien (Auster)

I was sorry to learn from Hugh Stephenson’s latest newsletter that Shirley O’Brien, aka Auster of the Guardian, died on 12 July at the age of 79. There’s an obituary from the Brisbane … Read more >>

Financial Times 13791 Armonie

This was a straightforward puzzle with many surfaces to enjoy.  Thanks Armonie.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  There are hidden connections in one of the picture sets. Across   1 Someone expecting the mob, … Read more >>

Guardian 25,420 – Puck

Thank you Gaufrid for standing in for me so admirably. I am glad that I made the prior arrangement even though I had internet access in my hotel room in Tianjin and Beijing. … Read more >>

Independent 7765 by Quixote

Fairly typical puzzle from Quixote.      Not too difficult – solving time, 20 mins.     Enjoyed it. * = anagram ACROSS 1 PEDALO       ED (editor = journalist) in PAL (friend) O (round).       A boat … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25419 Rufus

An apt and enjoyable start to the week, thanks to Rufus.  Nice surfaces.  As usual, definitions are underlined in the clues.  Hidden connections are in 3 of the picture sets. Across 1 Writer … Read more >>