@alanconnor.bsky.social
www.alanconnor.com/log/ Author: 188 Words For Rain etc Screenwriter: Borat 2, The Rack Pack etc Compiler: Everyman, House of Games etc Jokes: HIGNFY, Brooker etc Editor: Guardian crossword
31.07.2025 18:59 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
I wrote the Jumbo cryptic crossword in today’s Guardian Puzzles Summer Special. It’s a bit of a brute in places:
Whopper made of unknown meat? (5)
Family tent is a big mistake (7)
Rogue wife gatecrashes function (5)
Minimalist style of Soprano family boss (8)
Another roll of the 🎲 for anyone? Bonus Summer Puzzle Pullout in the Guardian today!
The tails of common hipppotami hypntic and inimitable - lovely! (4)
Item used to dry bedraggled owlet (5)
When agitated, God sure complained (7)
…and a lot more summer fun!
Bravo, bring it home!
16.07.2025 19:53 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Exciting times!
observer.co.uk/puzzles/geme...
Exciting times!
observer.co.uk/puzzles/geme...
Anyone would be forgiven for thinking ‘is there a point to this story?’
12.07.2025 16:47 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0My preferred kind of cheeky greengrocer.
09.07.2025 11:08 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Crosswords as a spectator sport: my Times report on the first World Cryptic Crossword Championship (in the paper tomorrow) www.thetimes.com/article/c2f7...
29.06.2025 20:35 — 👍 26 🔁 7 💬 1 📌 2Had anyone seen a schedule involving talks?
26.06.2025 11:01 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 3 📌 0Wordle 1,463 4/6
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20.06.2025 07:49 — 👍 7 🔁 9 💬 4 📌 1#crosswords LOOK! 👀 ⬇️
20.06.2025 11:52 — 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0Thank you all, even those referencing 🧺
20.06.2025 06:46 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0#crossword people: is the setter name Ariel untaken?
19.06.2025 11:37 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 9 📌 0
I'm back with some more nonsense in today's Independent crossword - hope you enjoy it!
puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
1 month till I am back in Leeds for @leedslitfest.bsky.social 2025 (Sunday 15th - tickets below). There will be questions about books & books only! Fun to be had & prizes to be won. New venue! - the frankly legendary Hyde Park Book Club. Can’t wait.
www.leedslitfest.co.uk/events/2025-...
So, crossworders: can anyone add a letter count?
23.05.2025 07:09 — 👍 10 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
Melodie Is A Wound is, in its longer version, a highlight of the wonderful new Stereolab album. You take your pleasures where you can these days, and this is a consoling delight. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nndp...
30.04.2025 16:53 — 👍 35 🔁 6 💬 1 📌 1A @stereolabgroop.bsky.social cryptic crossword by @alanconnor.bsky.social? Yes please.
29.04.2025 11:21 — 👍 12 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0Gently pull it out — it’s probably a GU10 or MR16 spotlight bulb.
Replace it with a matching bulb, push/twist it into place, and reassemble.
Would you like me to help you identify exactly which type of bulb too? (A close-up photo through the frosted glass would help if you want!)
Sometimes they can be a little stiff if they’ve been out in the weather a while. Once the cap is off, you’ll see the bulb inside the glass cylinder.
27.04.2025 19:45 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Sometimes there’s a small screw on the side — loosen it (usually with a small Philips or flathead screwdriver).
If no screws are visible, the cap (top or bottom) usually twists off — try gripping the bottom cap and twisting it anticlockwise.
Interested if ChatGPT’s answer is any use —
Got it — that's a classic outdoor up-and-down wall light.
To change the bulb on this type of fitting:
Turn off the power at the switch and ideally at the fuse box to be safe.
Look for screws near the top or bottom caps (those thicker parts at each end).
A cryptic clue a day, AI style… Day 13
This one came a close second in how long it took me to read as I was laughing so much. Dedicated to @alanconnor.bsky.social today… enjoy!
#cryptic #crossword #ai #aicrypticwisdom
Elon’s getting grief seemingly, principally issues from Tweeters (4)
Looks like the Guardian Quick Cryptic has a new setter, who is apparently a little bit tricky (maybe they will take that feedback on board…) but teaches some key cryptic words & indicators … ;-)
Enjoy! ❤️🎲
A bright yellow hardback book sits on some golden sand. The book says ‘Bird Therapy’ in bold black type with ‘foreword by Chris Packham’ in a smaller black font. The book cover is split diagonally in half by a line of black bird silhouettes in flight across it. There are 5 birds and in the middle of them is the silhouette of a person, arms outstretched as if in flight. The authors name is in large black text in the bottom-right corner - Joe Harkness.
The original publisher of #birdtherapy is now defunct, so I'm now really keen to get it out to people who may benefit from reading it. If you like birdwatching and struggle with poor mental health, message me and I’ll send you a free PDF copy. Please also consider sharing this post. 💛
#booksky
Genuinely historically accurate version:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Day_D...
I set today’s cryptic crossword in the Guardian. Hopefully, it won’t leave you feeling drained.
Last lines of sonnet recalled trapping end of penis in flies (7)
Writer of Lady In Red ultimately inspired by pop duo (7)
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
