Solving time: 55 minutes Music: Dvorak, Cello Concerto, Starker/Susskind/Philharmonia Orchestra Most of this puzzle was easy. I had gotten all but five answers after 20 minutes, but the remaining five proved very elusive indeed. I … Read more “Times 24396”
Month: November 2009
Mephisto 2569 by Mike Laws
Like today’s 2570 I felt this was a better puzzle than some of late with a normal sprinkling of starter clues and a number of reasonably difficult ones. Interesting to see PALFRENIER appear so soon … Read more “Mephisto 2569 by Mike Laws”
ST 4356 (Sun 22 Nov) – Chapel of discord
Solving time: about 10-15 mins with distractions. A strange puzzle with some terrible clues (e.g. CHAPEL at 5ac) and some excellent ones, of which my favourite was (appropriately) the one to ROLE MODEL at 15dn. … Read more “ST 4356 (Sun 22 Nov) – Chapel of discord”
Saturday Times 24389 (Nov 21)
Solving time 16:05, although I thought I was on for a really quick time when the top half went in with almost no hesitation. HAMPSTEAD HEATH jumped out at me at first glance, followed by … Read more “Saturday Times 24389 (Nov 21)”
Jumbo 843
Not too much to blog about on this one. A couple of additions to the unusual words list, and a couple of clever clues, but not the most inspiring solve. I hope it was just … Read more “Jumbo 843”
Times Crossword 24394
Solving time: 12.32. I found this a middling-difficulty puzzle, but on reflection I could have saved myself a few minutes right away by spotting the hidden word at 6D, which would have immediately given me … Read more “Times Crossword 24394”
23943
Solving time: 9:03 As I’m filling in for a blogger who forgot it was their turn, I’ll take the chance to mark expected meanings again and compare the count with yesterday’s much easier puzzle. Written … Read more “23943”
Times 24392
Solving time 5:23 An easy solve for me – partly from one of the long answers being a name familiar to me. But I should have been quicker, as I missed a pretty easy 1A … Read more “Times 24392”
Times 24,391 –
Time somewhere in the region of 25-30 minutes (forgot to stop timer), which makes it on the hard side for me, though one of those where, on analysis, I can’t really see why: I got … Read more “Times 24,391 –”
Times 24390 – What do you call a man …?
Solving time: 50mins It’s been a long time since I put so many answers in on trust; this crossword exposing numerous gaps in my knowledge. When solving there seemed to be a preponderance of anagrams … Read more “Times 24390 – What do you call a man …?”