Solving time: 4:26, one mistake (‘lannata’ for LANTANA at 20dn) A typical Sunday Times puzzle: mostly straightforward, a couple of difficult words, some very good clues and a couple of pretty bad ones. * = … Read more “ST 4304 (Sun 23 Nov) – Ooh, ah, lantana”
Month: November 2008
Mephisto 2517 Paul McKenna
All Greek to Me A puzzle of average difficulty with a leaning towards Greek fairy stories. Years of doing crosswords meant that luckily I knew all the references. A smattering of nice clues and one, … Read more “Mephisto 2517 Paul McKenna”
Saturday Times 24078 (Nov 22) – another belter
Solving time 20:10. This was another in an increasingly long stretch of brilliant Saturday crosswords, probably the most enjoyable to solve yet for me. There was a lot of Brit slang in it though, so … Read more “Saturday Times 24078 (Nov 22) – another belter”
Imperator
I feel very guilty about using the blog in this way – would have preferred to send individual emails to those who I know enjoy barred puzzles but a) I’m not aware of everyone who … Read more “Imperator”
Times Crossword 24083
Solving time: 15.24, with one mistake. I wrote in TAXES at the very end at 9ac, and stopped the clock – I didn’t really understand how it worked, but then I rarely do understand anything … Read more “Times Crossword 24083”
Times 24,082
Solving time: 10:13 As often happens, I was mainly held up by trying to break down clues that turned out to be cryptic definitions. At 12A, I ended up putting in BABY BOOM without realising … Read more “Times 24,082”
Times xwd club log-in trouble?
Quote from their bulletin board: November 26 We are currently experiencing problems with the login process for Internet Explorer users, which means that some members may be unable to get in to the Crossword Club. … Read more “Times xwd club log-in trouble?”
Times 24,081 – Mindb
25:50 for me. A week of challenging puzzles goes on as mischief and cunning abound in another really inventive crossword. I found it very hard to get started on this, finally making inroads with MONOTONIC, … Read more “Times 24,081 – Mindb”
Times 24,080 – Pulp Fiction
A straightforward puzzle, albeit one that gave me a perfect demonstration of how putting in just one wrong solution without thinking can bring an entire corner (in this case the Geordie one) to a complete … Read more “Times 24,080 – Pulp Fiction”
Jumbo 784 (08/11/08)
It took exactly 26 minutes to solve this one and I thought it was a cracker. This was a Jumbo of 60 great clues where the setter seemed to use every device available with lots … Read more “Jumbo 784 (08/11/08)”