Some setters are better than others, and some crossword gatherings are better than others.
Today’s S & B was simply fantastic for which huge thanks to, who else, John Henderson and Sue Taylor (aka dirkybee)!
As there was no announcement at Fifteensquared, I didn’t know what to expect but the journey to Kings Cross (great venue!) was worth every penny.
For those who didn’t know this event was on the agenda anyway: see beery hiker’s explanation in comment @5.
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Independent Saturday Prize Puzzle 9116 / Nestor (2nd Jan 2016)
As expected, we found this an enjoyable Saturday prize puzzle from Nestor, but we still can’t figure out part of the clue for 11across. We’re not sure about the relevance of the … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1206 A fantasy in Two Movements by Ploy
Well what a preamble. Nine words and a letter from the clues need returning to the preamble for it to make sense. Also letters need to be moved in an indeterminate number of … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 26,770 / Shed
A witty and topical Prize puzzle from Shed, whose name I was pleased to see for my first Prize blog of the new year. [The puzzle was published on the day that the … Read more >>
Financial Times 15132 by ALBERICH
Happy New Year everybody!! Its good to be back after a three week hiatus since both Christmas and New Year’s fell on Fridays. We have Alberich in the house, for the first FT Friday crossword in 2016 and true to his style, he gives us a smooth, intriguing challenge that was just within reach in terms of solving, and a touch out of reach (annoyingly so) in terms of parsing! 🙂 Several clues were refreshingly new (atleast to me) and as I solved them, made me upbeat about the rest of the year to follow. And of course, thanks to Neil !!
Independent 9121 by Phi
Everything was going fine: the usual experience with Phi, rather slow to get started then, when once afloat, making steady progress so that it all seemed easy enough. And then I came up against 5dn. Having thought for a good while I abandoned myself to every variety of aids, still without success. After about half an hour I left it and returned about three hours later, when the answer was obvious. How often this happens. Of course ‘forbidding’ wasn’t a rather dodgy indicator of the omission of something; all perfectly sound.
Guardian Cryptic 26775 Otterden
(Please click here for this same blog but with a picture quiz added. Please do NOT post hereinbelow any comment relating to the picture quiz. Thank you.) Found this easy enough to start … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26775 with Picture Quiz
(Please post comments on ONLY the picture quiz hereinbelow. To post comments on the crossword puzzle, please click here.) Found this easy enough to start with, but got held up at the end … Read more >>
Financial Times 15131 by BRADMAN
Standard Bradman fare.
Independent 9120 / Nimrod
As expected, a challenging Nimrod this Thursday with, in our humble opinion, a number of rather over-long, convoluted clues. However, when the true ingenuity of the puzzle was finally revealed, we forgave him. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26774 by Pasquale
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26774.
Financial Times 15,123 – Cincinnus
Monday Prize Crossword / Dec 28, 2015
Wow, if I’m right, this was my first Cincinnus (elsewhere known as Orlando) and how delightful it was!
Financial Times 2015 Christmas Puzzle by Gozo
Financial Times Christmas Crossword Set by Gozo from the Weekend FT of December 19, 2015 In the past I have often skipped unconventional puzzles like this one and, when such puzzles showed up … Read more >>
Guardian 26,773 / Chifonie
I’m in rather grumpy mode this morning: I’m in the minority here, I think, in that I actually pay for the paper – and hence the crossword – and so it was annoying, … Read more >>