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?

Cocktail.

It is indeed.

I thought mountain was better.

How would mountain fit the clue though?

It's not a great clue, I agree. Just stuck in my mind because it looked so strange.

Sitting down with a new, blank crossword and a cup of tea is pretty close to heaven for me.

My favourite setter is Araucaria in the Guardian - he's so damn clever. He uses every weapon in the cryptic arsenal, does brilliant themed and alphabetical crosswords and his bank holiday specials are anticipated with hushed reverence in our family. We exchange ideas and frustrations over the phone with my parents, who are inevitably doing it too.

His best-ever and legendary anagram, which appeared in a Christmas crossword:

"O hark the herald angels sing the boy's descent which lifted up the world";

which, unbelievably solves to:

"While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground."

Araucaria, aka John Graham, is now 90 - but is still setting regularly (and sharply) for the Guardian and often provides Saturday's prize offering.

Inertia - the mountain peaks, K1, K2 etc.

Talc - he is legend!

I got myself into the Telegraph one by buying the paper more consistently so that I could check the answers the next day and try to work them out. It didn't take that long. It was harder buying the paper, really, as a lifelong Guardian reader!

Maybe we could work on one day's Telegraph one on a thread on here, to help the OP out?

Sounds like a plan, Amaretti. Are you buying today's?

Yes. Well, I am now! I'll send one of the boys over to the shop.

OK see you later.

Ooh. I want to play too. Great idea!

My swotty mum + stepdad do the Guardian and Observer cryptics every day . They try to explain it to me but I just get frustrated and go .

I've just seen this rebumped - I'll have to buy the Telegraph on the way home now from work, but will play - sounds great

(Or steal it from the work canteen if I get the chance)

i've got my copy and am ploughing through now. will come back in a bit when i get stuck!!

I can never understand why anyone would try to get into something they weren't good at as a hobby! Hobbies are meant to be fun! Not hard work.

because they're satisfying when you get some clues and make progress!

"the crossword meanings of words such as 'butter' (goat), 'flower' (river)"

Oh wait. I literally just got it. Something that butts, something that flows.

I only buy the telegraph for the crossword.
My favourite clue:

(1,6,3,1,4)

I love cryptic crosswords, but I was brought up on them from an early age. It really is a knack. I like the Times best. Some people say the Telegraph is easier, but I find with the Times that I'm mores sure when I've got the right answer iyswim.

I did the free trial for the telegraph, printed it off, and managed to get two, I really have to work but will come back later

yay! i've only done a couple so far.

i always start with the anagrams, because they can't possibly be wrong.

Oh, I've done six so far, must work, must work

I love cryptic crosswords and can usually with time and patience complete them-the 'barred' ones, though, are beyond me!

Jugglingjemima, I haven't got a clue...(!)