Cryptic Clues You Can't Let Go

[barry1010]

Morning, crossword fans. What is the longest time you have spent trying to crack a cyrptic clue?
I think the record for me was just over a week before I caved in and looked at the answer - and then I could have kicked myself because it was so obvious.
These crosswords can keep me awake at night, mulling over a difficult clue. My dad used to buy me the Times Cryptic Crossword books and staple the solutions pages together, and he always checked I hadn't cheated when he visited.

[emmie]

not too long, if i can't get it, i tend to ask for help, as i did in the old days when a work mate and i used to challenge ourselves over the Daily Telegraph cryptic crossword

[barry1010]

I don't like asking for help, I enjoy the lightbulb moment whent the answer drops in to my head when I least expect it.

[emmie]

i had that earlier, with satprofs post, its an early brain teaser, and i got it right i think.

[emmie]

i like this site for its crossword puzzles, amongst other things. they can keep your brain awake, i try to do them on my own, but don;t always get there first.

[barry1010]

I think that is the joy of cryptic crosswords, the clues that seem impossible. After all these years there are still clues that I don't understand even when I've been told the answer. Real headscratchers.

[emmie]

i agree, some are just bonkers, though i had the pleasure one day of going into my local pub where the usual gang were, scratching their heads over an anagram of a brewery i think - i had a look and told them what it was, huge groans, slapping of foreheads. I had a deep sense of pleasure at that small victory.

[davebro]

Two days - it seems my (your?) brain works differently after a night's sleep.

[emmie]

fresh eyes, that's what one called my small victory...

[barry1010]

I agree, dave, a night's sleep often helps :)

emmie, there is nothing quite like having the answer leap out at you when nobody else can see it

[emmie]

these were very clever guys Barry, one used to do the Times every day, one other was a setter for a number of newspapers, so my small victory was all the more pleasant.