Independent 6616 by Nimrod
Very tough puzzle to finish the year. There is a theme, which I’ll give after the clue explanations in case anyone wants to have another look at the grid. I found it after … Read more >>
Guardian 24,272 : Enigmatist – “In with the New”
Monday is usually the day the crossword editor sends down a “loosener”, such as the recent series of pleasing, humane Rufus puzzles. This isn’t a usual mundane Monday, so he’s let loose the mighty … Read more >>
Independent’s missing cryptic of Sat 29 12 2007
There are comments on this following the blog of Dac 6614 (Fri 28 12 2007)
Guardian 24,267 (Sat 22 Dec)/Araucaria – Hardy lines
Solving time: 35 mins, three missing (14ac, 44ac, 35dn) This Christmas special from Araucaria contained 6 works by Thomas Hardy. I started well enough, spotting the anagram at 18ac to crack the theme … Read more >>
Guardian 24,270: Puck – “Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes, it’s awful!”
linxit has reported in sick, so I’ve thrown the following last minute blog together. I’m something of a Beckett nut, so this puzzle was a joy. Quotation above from “Waiting from Godot”, but … Read more >>
Guardian 24270/Puck
This was an enjoyable thematic puzzle based on Samuel Beckett (1,4 ac). I’ll put some more up when I can, but I’ve been in bed with flu for the last 3 days, and … Read more >>
Independent 6614/Dac
Considering some of the tough and thematic puzzles this week this was a nice easy end to the week with no themes or hidden messages (famous last words!) It was the usual high … Read more >>
Independent 6610/Scorpion (22-12-07)
The easiest puzzle I’ve solved by this usually difficult setter. A few people here have mentioned that they’ve often found many of Scorpion’s clues to be a bit contrived but I don’t think … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,642 by Cincinnus
A fairly standard Cincinnus puzzle this week with at least one great clue (3D) and one that I do not understand the workings of (26D). Across 1. THE WASP FACTORY – anagram of … Read more >>
Inquisitor 51 – For the record … by Eddie
Solving time: a couple of hours, maybe a bit less. Experienced Inquisitor solvers will know already that Eddie (from Eddie the Eagle, referring to the Indie masthead as well as the ski-jumper) is … Read more >>
Independent 6613 by Tees
A very difficult puzzle, which I was not able to finish – clues I struggled with listed in full below – any help provided would be much appreciated. The theme is “The Scottish … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 932 by Quixote (23/12/2007)
A special Christmas offering from Quixote, the main theme being the use of a well-known Christmas item in its role as an anagram indicator. Once seen, solving was very fast. Solving time: 14 … Read more >>
Guardian 24269/Araucaria – count me out
Christmas songs not being a strong suit, I would never have worked out the song so thanks to Shirley for putting me out of my misery. It’s “Green Grow the Rushes, O” – … Read more >>
Independent 6612/Phi – not so easy as it first appeared
Across 7 I POD [with the I “put back”] UM 8 CHESTNUT. 8 Down is “Christmas tree”, but unless I don’t know about Christmas trees in various parts of the world, the connection … Read more >>
Guardian 24,268, Rufus: Yule guess the theme!
Just a quick blog between wrapping, baking, drinking etc. Almost all the clues have a festive reference, and most are pretty simple – this was a very quick solve bar 13 down, which maddeningly … Read more >>