Solving time: 6:50, one mistake (7dn) I didn’t know the Ibsen play Hedda Gabler, and guessed wrongly from the anagram at 7dn. One-all, then, with the setter’s / editor’s / printer’s gaffe at 6ac. Elsewhere, … Read more “ST 4305 (Sun 30 Nov) – Hedda ache”
Month: December 2008
Mephisto 2518 Mike Laws
I’m standing in for Peter This is an easy puzzle, ideal for new solvers. Unusually for a Mephisto I solved it top to bottom, left to right, with no gaps left for subsequent investigation. I … Read more “Mephisto 2518 Mike Laws”
Saturday Times 24084 (29th Nov)
Solving time 12:39, which felt really quick for quite a tricky puzzle. For once I seemed to be on the setter’s wavelength from the beginning, although there were more than the usual number of easy … Read more “Saturday Times 24084 (29th Nov)”
24089 – Nice end to a tricky week
This was mostly straightforward and took me 40 minutes with no major hold-ups. For a while I had answers dotted around all four quarters and it took a little time for them to start coming … Read more “24089 – Nice end to a tricky week”
Times 24088 – ooerr – a puzzle from the backdoor!
Solving time : 17 minutes, with a few brief distractions. Though I didn’t think I was going to do this at all tonight, I was greeted with the little yellow birdy picture. I managed to … Read more “Times 24088 – ooerr – a puzzle from the backdoor!”
Times 24087 – 3rd Dec 08. Hellish route indeed – my worst nightmare
Well thank you very much Mr (or Mrs) Setter! What an absolute stinker this was. After 20 minutes I was considering coming on here and apologising for lack of blog because I only had three … Read more “Times 24087 – 3rd Dec 08. Hellish route indeed – my worst nightmare”
Times 24,086 Euclid Stars
Solving time : 20 minutes A very straightforward pleasant enough puzzle with no outstanding features or queries but two mathematical references – things are looking up! Across 1 KINGS,CROSS – honours=KINGS (playing cards); decoration=CROSS; infamous … Read more “Times 24,086 Euclid Stars”
Clue Topics Analysis
This is a repeat of the exercise carried out last May. It is based upon 24 consecutive Monday to Saturday puzzles from 1st to 28th November inclusive. No sampling techniques have been used. Subject to … Read more “Clue Topics Analysis”
The Times Cryptic Crossword Number: 24085
Solving time: 39 minutes Mostly straightforward, although I got held up for quite a while in the NE corner. After write-up, I don’t think I get 18. Across 5 B,OTTOM – MOTTO,B reversed 9 PUN,IT,I’VE … Read more “The Times Cryptic Crossword Number: 24085”