Monthly Archives: February 2012

Quite quick (1/2 commute) today. GODOWN = storeroom; East Asian warehouse BARK = SCRAPE esp knees/shin

A few new ones but all gettable in the end from the wordplay: mint (type of mint plant) = PENNYROYAL charge = IMPOST = tax esp. on imports measure = ROOD = 1/4 of an acre RETAIL(S) = tell(s); recounts … Continue reading →

Eyeglasses suitable for Van Gogh ultimately = PINCE NEZ PINCE NEZ = glasses without ear stems resort (re-sort)= anag. feet = IAMBI BUCKLER = small round shield COUR = risk? cover? ALMONER = former social worker; official distributor of alms

religious = PI (OUS)

Favourite clue has to be: Last item removed in strip? (5) = THONG could also be a double def. as: LAST = cobblers model of a foot on which a shoe is made or repaired BABEL = pandemonium run = … Continue reading →

Slightly easier than usual for a Sunday but very enjoyable. Lots of clever clues but no new words. Part of political policy tried after ten failed schemes (5) = PLANK plan A, B, C e.t.c.

More difficult than usual for a Saturday? redhead = RUFUS Favourite clue: Eulogist for Caesar J? The Opposite (7) = ANTONYM

crushed ice = GRANITA (I’m sure I’e seen this before but maybe it was a dessert or dish) accessory = APPURTENANCE (definately new – last to go in but guessed from the checking letters and wordplay) front = VAN(GUARD) noisy … Continue reading →

After a slow start finnished off ok. Noted potter in House (5) = VIRGO potter = snooker player house = astrology

To celebrate the 80th birthday of the setter the DT have reprinted his first for the paper from 1986. The Monday cryptic is my favourite weekday puzzle because of his (more cryptic!) style. This was no exception and only overarm … Continue reading →