This was a pretty tough jumbo, taking just under an hour in two sessions, though the first of these was late at night. When choosing clues to explain, I marked all but about 10 as … Read more “Jumbo 850”
Month: January 2010
Xmas Eve Jumbo – 24th December 2009
A very enjoyable crossword with a good mix of easy and tricky clues and a fair few jokes. It took 36 minutes before I gave up and looked up the answer to 25a – don’t … Read more “Xmas Eve Jumbo – 24th December 2009”
24427 – a blogger’s nightmare
Solving time: 37:01 A real battle this one – after 10 minutes I had 15 answers left, and panic was setting in (knowing you have to write a report doesn’t help, and neither does seeing … Read more “24427 – a blogger’s nightmare”
Times 24,426 – Romanes Eunt Domus
17 minutes, during which I felt a little out of practice, after a Christmas holiday without access to papers or internets. One answer correctly guessed at rather than known, though it was scarcely a leap … Read more “Times 24,426 – Romanes Eunt Domus”
Blog theme
Just learned the hard way that we can’t go back to the “Cityscape London” view without coughing up cash. Let me know what you think of this choice – the typeface seems as clear as … Read more “Blog theme”
Times 24425 – Virgin territory, STDs and fat owls…
Solving time: 75mins Mushy brain syndrome persists in Australia, in my mind and in those of its cricketers (what was Ricky thinking?). At almost every step of the solving process I thought I’d never get … Read more “Times 24425 – Virgin territory, STDs and fat owls…”
ST 4361 (Sun 27 Dec) – Sofa so bad
Solving time: 4:59 Reasonably straightforward this week with accurate clues, although I think there is a mistake at 1dn. The four long (13-letter) answers are all decent anagrams. * = anagram, “X” = sounds like … Read more “ST 4361 (Sun 27 Dec) – Sofa so bad”
ST (Jumbo) 4360 (Sun 20 Dec) – Referees assistance
Solving time: 30 mins As well as some Christmassy clues there were a few thematic answers in this (e.g. THREE KINGS, HOLLY TREE, FRANKINCENSE) but not enough to justify the traditionally awful grid with grossly … Read more “ST (Jumbo) 4360 (Sun 20 Dec) – Referees assistance”
Saturday Times 24418 (26th Dec)
Quite tricky I thought – solving time 28:15, although I think the main reason for slowness was the fact that I didn’t get the 14-letter answers very quickly. Anyway, I can’t do the blog today … Read more “Saturday Times 24418 (26th Dec)”
Jumbo 848
Firstly, a Happy New Year to everyone. This was a steady solve, although I did need to resort to aids to confirm 55A, but I don’t think I was alone. I have left out a … Read more “Jumbo 848”