A parson’s egg from PSSTHPOK
Guardian 26,784 / Arachne
Well, this was a very agreeable start to the day. One of my favourite setters in top form and, I think, my first opportunity to blog one of her puzzles. What can one … Read more >>
Independent 9130 / Hannah
Well, a Bowie theme yesterday and a Star Wars theme (at least in the clues) today. We love themed puzzles so this was right up our alley, even though some of the clues … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 844/Nutmeg
I never thought that I’d be writing this sentence, but this Quiptic from Nutmeg didn’t really do the business for me this morning. Some words that perhaps shouldn’t get … Read more >>
Sloggers and Betters Event – Derby – May 21st 2016.
A message from Eileen and Peter (Kathryn’s Dad).
Eileen and I have arranged a 2016 Derby Sloggers and Betters event in Derby for Saturday May 21st.
Independent 9,129 by Knut
A 24 today, very much a Marmite puzzle I suspect which will be loved or hated.
Guardian Cryptic 26,783 by Rufus
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26783.
Cyclops 564: House of fools?
Happy New Year! A relatively gentle start to 2016, with no major hold-ups, though there are a couple I might have struggled with a bit if I hadn’t had the checking letters.
Apologies for the fact that, in my last-minute rush, I forgot to fill in the entries at 23d and 27d in the grid. I only got round to completing it in Crossword Compiler and generating the exported graphic after I had done the rest of the blog, and Crossword Compiler defaults to putting Ds in the cells. I haven’t time to amend it this evening, but will try to do so tomorrow m0rning.
Everyman 3,614
Not the hardest Everyman I’ve encountered but one or two a little tricky to fully parse out
Independent on Sunday 1,351 by Alchemi
As far as I can tell, we haven’t seen Alchemi on a Sunday since July 2014. In any case, welcome back Alchemi! This started off quite slowly for me. It didn’t help that … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1349
I felt there were more ‘entry’ clues than usual in this one and I might have completed it in record time had I not been interrupted by a phone call. Plenty to enjoy … Read more >>
AZED No. 2,275 Plain
When I first solved The Listener crossword I was pleased with myself, then went to a website that discussed it and everyone said how easy this particular puzzle was. This was rather dispiriting … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 26,776 by Paul
Thank you Paul, always a pleasure to solve and blog.
Independent 9122 by Bend (Saturday Prize Puzzle 9 January 2016)
A new (to me, at least) setter this week – were you driven ’round the bend’ by Bend?… I have to admit I am a prize-puzzle-tart, and don’t solve during the week, but … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1207 – Mix by Samuel
This EV uses alphabetically listed clued that have to be slotted in to the grid. That normally means quite a bit of cold solving. The danger is that one can feel one isn’t getting anywhere. That said, I do have a soft spot for Samuel’s EVs, so I have confidence that this will be enjoyable.