iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The Independent crossword. "Fun and engaging", as The Indie, itself, describes it. "The only reason I buy a paper" as I describe it. What on Earth are they thinking at @the-independent.com?

050

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Not all of us Brits are stupid (sorry, Nigel!) We now have an 11-year-old WGM - how cool is that? Why FIDE think it's okay to set different levels for men and women (2500 vs 2300) in 2026 is entirely beyond me, but it's one hell of an achievement. Go, Bodhana! www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Bodhana Sivanandan: British schoolgirl becomes youngest woman grandmaster

The 11-year-old has broken another chess record after a remarkable performance representing England.

020

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Let us hope and pray that somebody at the Indie is listening. @the-independent.com

092

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I watched @liari.bsky.social solve this one on Friday and it was interesting to see another solver tackle the same grid. I regret not having done it prior to either solving, and I strongly recommend it - it's a very nice grid from @skirwingle.bsky.social www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3952

Cryptic crossword No 3,952 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,952 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 32 clues by Skirwingle. Published Thu 24 Sep 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

040

Reposted by Burrows

Twm @twm-barlwm.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I set today’s Sunday Telegraph Prize Toughie www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/inde... Private Victor Watts has deserted (5) Weed this writer's spotted in middle of cowpat (4) Old people online civil in retirement? Not entirely (5)

2195

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I enjoyed this one. A great way to celebrate Warwickshire's incoming victory (I hope).

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I enjoyed this one and learnt a few words in the process. 1 hour 2 minutes and 29 seconds well spent.

151

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

@the-independent.com does not seem to appreciate how much a part of its identity its crossword is. As an act of cultural sabotage, this is right up there with pink-ball cricket. fifteensquared.net/2026/09/21/i...

fifteensquared.net

Independent Cryptic Crossword – the future – Fifteensquared

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Reposted by Burrows

Boatman Cryptics @boatmancryptics.co.uk · 23/09/2026

Very disappointing move by The Independent. Loss of its cryptic crossword will be felt both by readers and by the very many new setters (I’ve taught 33 of them!) for whom it’s been an essential route into professional puzzle setting. @the-independent.com please listen to your readers and reconsider!

0178

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I saw an old friend today. We used to be part of "Crossword Corner" in the pub. Dave was actually known as Crossword Dave. He'd politely stand back and smile as we'd struggle, and jump in and explain it all when the tears started to flow. We knew that he was a setter for the dailies ...

270

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This is utterly heart-breaking. My ambition has long been to set The Indie. Just as that was starting to feel possible, this happens. I think they will be shocked to discover how many people buy the i for a single reason.

Cogs @cogsturn.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Reposted by Burrows

New crossword just went up on MyC! I hope you enjoy it if you can find the time to solve. Thanks to @crypticmacaroni.bsky.social, @mesnilman.bsky.social & @happyspacebunny.bsky.social for their testing! Tear up page over involuntary response to this puzzle? (7) www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3927

Cryptic crossword No 3,927 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,927 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 36 clues by Cogs. Published Fri 18 Sep 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

063

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

This is what happens when people who write letters to the Daily Telegraph are allowed to go outdoors ...

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

This is the only ever record that I've ever liked that involves a Vocoder - it's actually quite beautiful ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNid...

youtube.com

Gyptian - Serious Times

YouTube video by dmatthe

000

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

This is my all-time favourite political poem. It should be read every time a politician dons their best solemn expression and pretends to care about the "collateral damage".

020

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Crosshare is a new site for me (my plans for a site called IrritableRabbit.com now seem a little plagiaristic, but never mind). Anyway, here's a nice thematic mini from Lowdown. It does contain a "naughty" word if anyone doesn't like that sort of thing, but hey, JUST STOP F****** OIL!

151

Reposted by Burrows

Wildvale Cryptic @wildvale.co.uk · 29/08/2026

It's also lovely (and a bit scary!) when Serious Crossword People enjoy your silly little website enough to want to put it in print. Thank you to everyone who is enjoying, has contributed to, or has advocated for, Cryptick. I've not run out of steam yet, watch this space for more daily clues!

An excerpt from Unch magazine mentioning Cryptick

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Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Sorry, this is a bit personal. My Mum is dying and she wants to get on with it. Why won't they let her? She's in agony. She's 84 and happy with the life she lived. It's her time to go. She wants to die now. Why won't they fucking let her? Why won't they fucking listen? I'm so tired and so angry

660

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

What are the most annoying things that can happen when you are writing a cryptic crossword clue? For me: 1) An across clue that would work beautifully as a down clue, or vice versa. 2) A word that turns out to be far more localised or niche than you ever imagined.

350

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Scary stuff. People cloning a website that is already renowned for compulsive lying to spread even more lies (easier than it sounds). Sure, there was a quick cease and desist from the original liars, but a lie is around the world ... Hang your gullible head in shame Mr Opik!

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

The final remix of Burrows IV is now on MyCrossword. At the very least, it's cheaper and easier than going outside to buy a newspaper and a biro, even if it doesn't come with yesterday's cricket scores. #cryptic www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3813

Cryptic crossword No 3,813 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,813 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 29 clues by Burrows. Published Wed 19 Aug 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.

082

Reposted by Burrows

RR @rlrossi64.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Struggling with today’s Minute Cryptic

Headline : German man causes severe damage to man’s car with his sausage

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Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Burrows IV has just dropped on Big Dave. Be there or be fifteen squared! Cosmetic product derived from skin of Steve Strange (5) Showcases what it is Dawn's job to do (4,4) crypticcrosswords.net/puzzles/rook...

A pastiche of the cover of Led Zeppelin's fourth album. The man in the picture has been replaced by a rabbit.

171

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Why is the text editor on @bsky.app chat so abysmal? There are clear and obvious bugs in its position tracking that reveal something approaching zero testing. It's utterly ghastly - and I am very much erring on the side of politeness.

000

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

My week has been heavier than a very large pile of Uranium, and, quite frankly, it's a wonder that I even survived it, but I feel thoroughly boosted by Matthew Hudson-Smith (I'm a couple of days behind with this stuff). A local person doing amazing things is always such a boost! #WestMidlands

Matthew Hudson-Smith wearing a paper crown and proudly displaying his European gold medal. East, west, Brum's best!

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Thank God for the NHS! My Mum had a fall and everyone was utterly excellent. Can't believe how many people there are in A&E at 4AM on a Monday - there simply isn't any such thing as a quiet time. Absolute legends, all of them, - don't bang a pan, give them a hefty pay-rise!

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

This is probably better than the Burrows technique: 1) Throw a grid together. 2) Think "Syzygy? Yes, that will be easy." 3) Swear a lot. 4) Cry. 5) Stay awake for a week. 6) Invent new swear words. 7) Go to pub. 8) Go home. 9) Cry. 10) Loudly declare "I'm not nutty, I'm Napoleon!" 11) GOTO 3

040

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I am very glad, as somebody who wears specs for legitimate reasons, that I have always always gone for "John Lennons" rather than "Joe 90s". What a world we live in where glasses are the new balaclavas! These things are despicable.

Matt // metagloria @metagloria.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Reposted by Burrows

Welcome to the most bonkers grid I've ever set. Big thanks to @bendawes.bsky.social for testing and improving! Consumed by anxiety, compose endlessly from organ (10) "This stinks" - beginning of review on The Fifth Element (5) Ladies perhaps with quiet kink? (4) www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3777

Cryptic crossword No 3,777 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,777 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 32 clues by metagloria. Published Fri 7 Aug 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.

262

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

This one's quite chewy, but I learnt something about Cambodia today.

000

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

It was pretty wild to watch Matt @metagloria.bsky.social solving (and at least seeming to enjoy) one of my puzzles earlier. It's the first time I've ever seen anyone have a go at one of mine - a slightly strange experience, to say the least. I thoroughly recommend Matt's streams, by the way.

Cryptic crossword No 3,751 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,751 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 34 clues by Burrows. Published Fri 31 Jul 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.

3111

Reposted by Burrows

Liari @liari.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Just put up something on MyCrossword. This puzzle was originally published in the Browser last year. So it should be relatively straightforward, but I also hope enjoyable. www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3765

Cryptic crossword No 3,765 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,765 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 32 clues by Liari. Published Wed 5 Aug 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.

1205

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

This is wrecking my head. What, exactly, was the 27th customer expecting?

A JustEat review card showing 27 one-star reviews out of a total of 27 reviews.

000

Reposted by Burrows

Unch Crosswords @unchcrosswords.com · 31/07/2026

Cryptic crossword lovers when they receive their copy of Unch issue 4

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Reposted by Burrows

Liari @liari.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Will be streaming today around 2:30pm MyCrossword puzzles by @magpielinguist.bsky.social, @catnipxword.bsky.social, Baldur and any others that get recommended in chat. twitch.tv/liari77

0115

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

I have always been rather fond of this one ...

020

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Mine are mostly put together without any form of sleep, artificial or otherwise!

000

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

My ISP just sent me an email about how good my broadband is (which is fair enough, as it is rather good) but in what universe would I ever want to do this ... ?

An excerpt from an email telling me that I can watch 9 UHD movies - AT THE SAME TIME!

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Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Given that I post about very little other than crosswords these days, I am changing my account name to my setter name of Burrows. This does not, in any sense, mean that I am no longer a happy little space bunny, or that I am, in any way, abandoning the space bunny creed:

happy little space bunny - the beatnik kawaii rabbit from a distant galaxy - says "make tea, not war"

080

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

I have bought the next edition of Unch, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't. (I really should work in advertising)

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Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Here's my debut on BIg Dave which seems to be getting a positive reaction so far(!!!) Many thanks, again, to @liari.bsky.social and @amoebacrosswords.bsky.social for their editorial input. Utterly fashionable friend of Dorothy (2,4) Broadcast rules for laying out duties on beer and 'baccy (3.5)

bigdave44.com

Rookie Corner 637 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

A Puzzle by Burrows + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + The puzzle is available by clicking on the above grid. As usual, the setter will be delighted to receive feedback from you, the solvers. We do...

060

Burrows @happyspacebunny.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Here's my new "quick crossword" on MyC. It's probably fairer to describe it as a 13x13 cryptic. Finished round of golf with pronounced control (5) Couple bagging a pair (5) Hogwarts? (5, 6) www.mycrossword.co.uk/quick/419