My last blog for 2016 and a pleasurable solve at that, with Bradman serving up a delectable challenge. Thanks Bradman for an apt finish to the 2016 work week.
Independent 9427 / Phi
Well, it’s Phiday again, will there be a theme? If there is, will we be able to spot it? We have missed some of Phi’s recent themes but we are very pleased that … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,081 by Paul
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27081.
Financial Times 15,434 by JULIUS
My heart sank when I first saw this, not least because I immediately realised that, due to the nature of the puzzle, I wouldn’t be able to use PeeDee’s excellent blogging software, and that I would have to do this blog the long-winded way, so please excuse any formatting issues, as I am not used to blogging this way.
Guardian 27,080 / Brummie
An interesting and enjoyable puzzle from Brummie this morning, with several less familiar words, which were all gettable, together with a friendly grid to help things along. Brummie’s puzzles often have a theme … Read more >>
Independent 9,426 / Hob
Hob has provided the last Thursday puzzle of 2016 and thus occupies my last blogging slot of the year. I think that this was a worthy puzzle to bring my blogging year to … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,433 by DANTE
I find some of Dante’s clues quite brilliant, but then some of them I just don’t get at all. Happily the balance always falls down on the positive side for me, so I’m still a happy bunny. Thanks Dante.
Independent 9425 / Gila
I’ve blogged one Gila puzzle before – in the Inquisitor series, so this is my first blog of a Gila daily broadsheet puzzle. There were 18 across clues and 13 … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,079 by Picaroon
Very nice…
Financial Times 15,427 – Falcon
Monday Prize Crossword / Dec 19, 2016
Started at midnight in bed, finished at breakfast the next day – but did a lot of sleeping in between!
Very easy but enjoyable.
Financial Times 15,426 by Redshank
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 17, 2016
Inquisitor 1469: Stop Second Calls by Schadenfreude
Schadenfreude is a prolific compiler in the Inquisitor series and you always know you are going to get a challenge when you see his name. The preamble was fairly short … Read more >>
Guardian 27,078 – Vlad
Phew! A tough challenge from Vlad this morning, despite a few easy clues to get me started (including a couple of old chestnuts at 5a and 8d). I had quite a lot of … Read more >>
Independent 9424 / Radian
We found this Radian a bit of a challenge for a Tuesday, but one we really enjoyed tackling. The level of difficulty of the clues varied widely, which at least enabled a quick … Read more >>
Boatman & Friends in Conversation – Waterstones Brighton 19 January 2017
Ashley Knowles (Boatman) will be at Waterstones in Brighton from 7 pm on Thursday 19 January to host a rare joint appearance of Guardian Crossword Editor, Hugh Stephenson and John Halpern (Paul in … Read more >>