Regarding the difficulty of past and present Demons. I agree with Eileen Tonkin (July BIG), the past Demons seem more devious than the present ones. Although it could just be that, with the chance of a prize, there is more motive to finish the current Demon.

Also, the difficulty of the current Demons varies from month to month. This is definitely is a good thing. I am in awe of anyone who can regularly complete them without resorting to the internet. In five years I have only been able to do this about six or seven times. That is not to say that the internet is necessarily an easy option. It does require skills, both and learned, to conduct successful searches.

Now for the suggestion if a DIY Cryptic Crossword. I think it is a great idea. Since winning the DIY at the end of last year, I have become more adventurous and most months putting a few cryptic clues in my entries. I have really become smitten with cryptics since getting back copies of Cryptic Crossword Collection and am seeing possibilities of cryptic clues everywhere. I am now looking forward to my first Handy Cryptic this month.