Codeword

Where is the fun and sense of achievement in asking someone else to solve a puzzle for you?

Just persevere until you solve it yourself. It does get a lot easier the more you do as you will discover what to look for to get you started.

I agree, absent. If you can't complete the puzzle yourself, that's it.

I have only ever done the one in the Times which is very easy and requires neither expensive phone calls or a crossword solver. However, I would have thought that resorting to either source of help rather detracted from the pleasure of solving the puzzle.

I too have what we refer as "the cheating machine" only use it to find the 9 letter anagram, have NEVER resorted to using using the phone to get extra letters!