Puzzle Notes

Hello again, fellow lovers of complicated things! You may have noticed that last week's cryptic got sent out a little early due to a slight technical mishap; as it happens, this week's puzzle is going out a few hours later than usual, so I reckon it all evens out. Speaking of this week's puzzle, it's a very elegant variety cryptic by Neville Fogarty, who reports that he is delighted to be making his AVCX Cryptic debut with it. Well, WE are delighted to be publishing a debut AVCX Cryptic by YOU, Neville! (Not that it's a competition for who is more delighted but maybe it is???)

There are two versions of the puzzle available: the standard one (in which enumerations are withheld), and one labeled "Easier" (which has slightly more information in the instructions and includes full enumerations). But, as is usual when we publish a barred cryptic rather than a black-square cryptic, there is no Inksaver PDF, nor is there a .puz file. I always recommend solving variety cryptics on paper for flexibility and ease of making notes, but .jpz files are available for those who prefer solving digitally (and if you don't have an app that can open .jpz files -- I use Crossword Solver, myself -- you can drag the file onto the interface at Crossword Nexus to solve online.)

Enjoy!

-- Francis (and the AVCX Cryptic crew)