to be annoyed that I struggle with cryptic crosswords...

[NessCathy]

I've been trying to get into cryptic crosswords, and I'm really annoyed that I struggle with them, and some find them so easy. I can usually get a few and when I cheat, find myself thinking either
a) Oh, that's so bloody obvious, or
b) How could anyone have put all that together?

Anyone else like them? Maybe we could have a MN group to improve? Or a grandmaster to help us?

Normastanleyfletcher Any letters? Have only just come in from outside in garden.

A&E? hope he's ok?

Just having a look at it now, not used it before but having the same trouble as i've always had with online crosswords, can't see clues & grid at the same time, how do you all do them online?

Norma - hope the DH is ok?

27 across - are you familiar with cricket at all? If not - this would be an unfamiliar word!

JKSLtd when you highlight the clue by clicking on the grid, the relevant clue should appear to the right of the grid. Don't know if that applies to phones, though.

Thanks Talc, that helps :)

27a - yes you need to know cricket or at least what happens when rain stops play and they have to work out who's won

Nope - can't think of a cricketing term

THe letters I have are

U K O T / L W _ S

DH is OK - no break, but a quite impressive stud hole and extensive bruising, which makes him barely able to walk.

I have actually been very sympathetic

JKS - I never do it online. I print it off and do it on the train usually

cricket spoiler

Ahhh - never heard of it. I had worked out the lewis bit from the cryptic part. The rest makes complete sense now.

Popped out for a Chinese for tea as I can't face cooking.
Impressed by your knowledge of cricket!

Not sure why now but I used to watch lots of cricket when I was at my g-parents as a teen - not the rebellious type obv

Not doing terribly well with the Guardian one, but it is my first time with it.

Anyone help with 1 Across:
1 SHIFT jams ? almost hit OK + CANCEL for dead icon ? (7,7)

Only have --A/---

OK - Shift (anagram indicator) Jams almost = JAM + almost hit ok cancel

so anagram of jamalmosthitokcancel

OOps

Almost not in anagram

jamhitokcancel

or something like that

JKSltd This is a dead popstar:
M-- J--

THanks :)

This is such a great thread. I've been making some really good progress with the Telegraph crossword, and I've loved reading all of these. I hope this thread can continue for other afficianados. Thanks

Nesscathy Maybe we should have a crossword bit on the menu not just a single thread.

I agree, perhaps under fun and games, there's obviously at least a small group who are interested

I'm up for a regular crossword thread in fun & games.

Am delighted to have finished the Telegraph crossword. I live outside uk so can't always get hold of a British paper. Have started on Guardian online this morning but am not enjoying it as much as telegraph.

Allhail You are in good company with the Telegraph crossword - according to a book I just read the Queen does it every day.

Am just doing Guardian cryptic no 25417 Any help?

Hi CrosswordAddict - where are you up to? If you can solve 10, it will help you with a few others.

Talcandturnips Havbe just finished it and am feeling very proud of myself

Bloody brilliant!