Solving time: 15:30 Fairly slow with this one – 30A was my last answer and should probably not have been such a struggle. Others I found hard were 21D, 27, 20, 18. Only 6D went … Read more “Times 24224”
Month: May 2009
Times 24,223 – Dammit, Jim, I’m a doctor, not a lexicographer
An interesting 30 minutes. Lots of space filled in very quickly, but a dreadfully drawn-out death thanks in large part to a couple of words with checking letters that weren’t giving too much away. One … Read more “Times 24,223 – Dammit, Jim, I’m a doctor, not a lexicographer”
Times 24222 – I am but mad NNW: when the wind is southerly I can tell a hawk from a handgun
Solving time: Beyond recordable Actually, solving time was about 30 minutes and then another similar length of time to get 23 & 13, which were readily obtained once I undid the damage at 21. There’s … Read more “Times 24222 – I am but mad NNW: when the wind is southerly I can tell a hawk from a handgun”
ST 4327 (Sun 3 May) – More haste
Solving time: 2:56, one mistake A very careless error at 26ac notwithstanding, this was mostly very straightforward although several clues were dubious. * = anagram, “X” = sounds like ‘X’. Across 1 DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW; (SUTHERLAND + … Read more “ST 4327 (Sun 3 May) – More haste”
Mephisto 2540 Tim Moorey
This is a very easy puzzle that can be 90% solved without recourse to Chambers (C). Across 1 OFFS – OFF-S; OFF=officer; S=special; ices; 4 DITTY,BAG – DITTY-B-AG; B=book; AG=silver; salt=sailor; a sailor’s kit bag; … Read more “Mephisto 2540 Tim Moorey”
Saturday Times 24215 (2nd May)
Solving time 19:30. I don’t think it was really any harder than the previous week’s, so the extra five minutes or so on the time will have to go down to sluggish thinking on my … Read more “Saturday Times 24215 (2nd May)”
Times 24220
This took me about 45 minutes in two sessions because having completed the LHÂ and most of the SE my mind went blank and I couldn’t get started in the NE so I took a break. … Read more “Times 24220”
Times Jumbo 811 (Sat 25 Apr 2009)
A very good puzzle, indeed. Tough, but very fair, with rigorous clueing. Solving time, 98 mins. * = anagram < = reversedACROSS1 G(RASP)ABLE Clark Gable of Gone With the Wind and much else6 DEAD MEN’S … Read more “Times Jumbo 811 (Sat 25 Apr 2009)”
Times 24219: stage or screen?
Solving time : 12 minutes, so I expect there’ll be a few blinders. There seemed to be a lot of answers in this one to do with the performing arts, as there are in the … Read more “Times 24219: stage or screen?”
Times 24218
Solving time: 8:35 Easyish but well-made puzzle – I can’t see anything for anyone to argue about today. Clues completed without full wordplay understanding were 14, 22, 6, 9. The Times Crossword Club website was … Read more “Times 24218”