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In the final throes of this jigsaw. 1000 pieces, double-sided (which turned out to be a blessing in disguise), then just to complete the crossword itself! Unfortunately most of the clues are not Xim-friendly, and otherwise full of superfluous words.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Thanks! Partly inspired by Eck's contribution to Unch No 4 🤣

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

My latest grid is now available at mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3989. Clue difficulty is somewhat varied, as such I hesitate to apply the "tricky" label. Sample clues: 28a. Fool and money ultimately get parted in turn of phrase (5) 17d. Done up, however shirt's done up (8)

mycrossword.co.uk

Cryptic crossword No 3,989 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,989 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 32 clues by Ouroboros. Published Mon 5 Oct 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Now live at twitch.tv/ouroborosop!

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Estimated stream start time: 19:00 BST. I'm taking the opportunity to start earlier, as I usually clock off stream in the wee hours. I'll be tackling grids by Longyfan, NoBadWeather, and others. I often end streams on the always-challenging Sisyphus, and there is a new grid by them...

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Of course! I always enjoy your grids.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Excellent! Will you be joining the stream? If so, I'll make sure to save it until you're there.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Streaming night tonight! If you have a puzzle you'd like me to stream, or know someone who does, let me know! I have a couple of MyCrossword grids lined up for solving, but there's plenty of space on the roster for suggested puzzles.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Fun fact: A "dash" in Morse Code should be thrice the length of a "dot". Therefore, Rush's song YYZ should've used dotted quarter notes for the dashes, not regular quarter notes. YYZ should've been in a 7/4 time signature, not 5/4. I don't know why this irks me so much.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Thankyou! I'd certainly need a wealth of good grids to get through it. If this ever becomes more than just a fun idea, I'll be sure to give you a message!

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

That sounds like fun! I'd like to do something for charity, but (if I ever find the uninterrupted free time to do it) it'd be just me solving for as long as possible - at least 24h. Just a full-on endurance challenge! Even if not an official GWR submission, it'd be fun as a charity drive.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

My last two streams clocked in at over four hours each. In both instances, my first thought after finishing was "Look at the time! The next Guardian cryptic should be online!" GWR doesn't have a category for "Longest Continuous Crossword Solving Marathon", and I'm tempted to try and make one.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Stream starting now! Come join me at twitch.tv/ouroborosop for crosswords, music, and maybe even a Sporcle quiz or two?

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ouroborosop - Twitch

ouroborosop streams live on Twitch! Check out their videos, sign up to chat, and join their community.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I'll be doing another stream tonight, the second one of the week! It feels good to make up for lost time, and I enjoy the feeling of having company while Mrs Ouroboros is away for the week. I'm hoping to tackle grids by johninterred, Pentman, BenDR, Drumcraft and Sextant, time permitting.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Live now! If you're into jump blues, come enjoy some Amos Milburn before the crosswords start!

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Anyone who watched my latest stream may remember a barking dog in the background - that was Dexter, a temporary foster. We've decided to keep him. Today is also his birthday, so I made him a dog-safe cake. It smells yummy, but I still remember being misled by the smell of his bacon treats.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Shall I do a stream tonight? Yes I shall. Do I know which setters I'll be tackling tonight? Not a clue. I'll start with Fez's Featured (as I like to save the Featured for a stream), then who knows? I've noticed a Sisyphus grid from Friday receiving some attention, so maybe...

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

While most on my side of the pond are now expecting Reform to evaporate, I'm less convinced. Reform is solely a vehicle for Farage - it doesn't matter to him how many aides resign, nor to his supporters. He's like a Hydra, where any non-fatal blow only strengthens him and galvanises his base.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Still partway through solving it, but Podger's is 👌

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

My latest quick is now available - that's one more deadline out of the way! Sample clues: 1a. Part of paper cap I tailored for a head (3,6) 1d. Vocal son climaxing (8) 18d. Rise of decentralised assets and currency (6) www.mycrossword.co.uk/quick/434

mycrossword.co.uk

Quick crossword No 434 · MyCrossword

Solve Quick crossword No 434 on MyCrossword. 13x13 grid with 26 clues by Ouroboros. Published Thu 3 Sep 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

"Have you been up all night Ouroborosing your .ccw files again?"

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

"Okay Dad - I'm going to go watch some TV, you can keep looking at the pigeons" I love when my kid lets me do the things I want to do. Damn straight I'm gonna keep looking at the pigeons. It's impossible to be unhappy while thinking about pigeons.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Anyone out there (preferably one not attending the York event in October) fancy road-testing a grid for me? I have one tester already, but I like having two for more important grids. I'm always happy to return the favour, if you want a puzzle tested.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I'm sure it is! Been saving it for a stream 😀

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I haven't done a stream in a while - I think I may do one tonight! I have no idea what grids to tackle, so will be asking viewers for suggestions as I go.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Sorry, I forgot to come back to this! The intended-yet-terrible answer was VICTOR. "Winner" being the straight def. 5 is a factor of 10, so in Roman numerals V is a factor of X (an X Factor?). "Over the radio" was intended to indicate the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, which lists V as...

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

It is sad having to bin a clue with a great foundation! Usually the issue for me is abandonment of convention for the sake of a good surface. I remember a clue of mine that falls right into that category for being unfairly indirect (and grammatically incorrect): Winner of X Factor on the radio? (6)

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I wish I'd listened to you in that respect with 22a - it may not be a rule-breaking clue, but all comments are pointing to the same issue you suggested! 😆

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

You're too kind! Thankyou for the testing, and for pushing me to rewrite 28a - I was rather attached to the original but now prefer the rewrite.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Thanks! I now have four grids all on different editors' desks!

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

After sending off two grids to editors yesterday, I decided it was time to pull this one off the back burner. Sample clues below... 28a. Guardian setter briefly held behind in plane (7) 29a. Live together (2,7) 19d. Criminal stole one (8) www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3818

mycrossword.co.uk

Cryptic crossword No 3,818 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,818 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 32 clues by Ouroboros. Published Thu 20 Aug 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.

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Reposted by Ouroboros

David JeremysIron @davidjsiron.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Those who enjoy grid-related feats may be interested in my latest #cryptic #crossword! Thanks again to @ouroborosop.bsky.social for testing. Sample clues: Boozer flushing lavatory after unloading vomit (4) Star of Casablanca? Where? (6) Starts to suspect perhaps Home and Away's derivative (4-3)

mycrossword.co.uk

Cryptic crossword No 3,802 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,802 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 29 clues by JeremysIron. Published Sat 15 Aug 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

It was a joy to test! I hope the solvers enjoy it as much as I did 😀

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

8a. Fishing... focus of catch? Uncooked fish (8) 2d. I trace fishmonger's last supply - it's inconsistent (7) 7d. Lace starter of salad with fish (5) My latest quick is now available - no prizes for guessing the theme! www.mycrossword.co.uk/quick/423

mycrossword.co.uk

Quick crossword No 423 · MyCrossword

Solve Quick crossword No 423 on MyCrossword. 13x13 grid with 26 clues by Ouroboros. Published Wed 5 Aug 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

I haven't done a mini in a while - gotta keep up appearances while I work on a couple of grids for elsewhere! 2a. Calm those distressed about closure of Apollo (6) 1d. Make tears around the lady's hymen (6) www.mycrossword.co.uk/mini/307

mycrossword.co.uk

Mini crossword No 307 · MyCrossword

Solve Mini crossword No 307 on MyCrossword. 7x7 grid with 6 clues by Ouroboros. Published Wed 5 Aug 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

I'm back again, with a rather special quick this time! Three sample clues here to spell out the theme: Satisfied with grass keeping very quiet (5) Anniversary of one's social debut? (8) Book detailing toy men (4) www.mycrossword.co.uk/quick/417

mycrossword.co.uk

Quick crossword No 417 · MyCrossword

Solve Quick crossword No 417 on MyCrossword. 13x13 grid with 27 clues by Ouroboros. Published Thu 23 Jul 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Absolutely delighted to see that I'm now a "Star Setter" on MyCrossword! Huge thanks to all who helped me get there! Sample clues: Person in boat race struggling to hold on, falling back (6) Sailor standing next to impressive musical instrument (4,5) www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3718

mycrossword.co.uk

Cryptic crossword No 3,718 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,718 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 26 clues by Ouroboros. Published Wed 22 Jul 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Now LIVE at twitch.tv/ouroborosop! Well, the stream starts in five. Join now to enjoy a brief bit of Brubeck before we start.

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ouroborosop - Twitch

ouroborosop streams live on Twitch! Check out their videos, sign up to chat, and join their community.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

A genuine conversation between me and my son while walking a couple of weeks ago: "Dad, what's that on the ground?" "Oh, that's just some dried-up dog poo. Careful not to step in it" "Oh... So it's not juicy any more?" Some days, no amount of preparation is enough to field your kids' questions.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Last-minute streaming announcement! I have little else to do this evening, so (starting at 10pm BST) we'll tackle some crosswords at twitch.tv/ouroborosop I missed out on Gennaro last time, so we'll start there. Then on to MagpieLinguist and emaherself, possibly with a mini or two in there as well.

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ouroborosop - Twitch

ouroborosop streams live on Twitch! Check out their videos, sign up to chat, and join their community.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Waiter, can you exchange my noodle soup for a smaller portion?

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

It's a streaming day! Catch me live at twitch.tv/ouroborosop tonight at 10:15pm BST for some live-solving. Tonight's setters are Platypus, Gennaro and Osmanthus. I'll likely buffer each grid with a mini or two, given the number of recent uploads in that format.

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ouroborosop - Twitch

ouroborosop streams live on Twitch! Check out their videos, sign up to chat, and join their community.

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Ooh, that's tempting! I think I'll give it a few more days before my next stream, to make sure the word set has totally left my head. Otherwise it's just unfair on the other setters 🤣

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Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

It's a good thing my memory is so poor - now I get the chance to solve clues for a word list I was already privy to! It's a pleasure to be given the chance to join in with a collaborative grid.

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