Solving time: a very tired 13 mins, one mistake (8dn) There were some excruciating clues in this puzzle, as well as several difficult answers such as BARATHEA and CHOLO (which I managed to work out) … Read more “ST 4376 (Sun 11 Apr) – Cholo victory”
Month: April 2010
Saturday Times 24508 (April 10th)
Solving time 8:20, which came as a bit of a surprise after a week of times over 15 minutes for the daily puzzle. But this was incredibly straightforward, with no tricky vocabulary, hardly any general … Read more “Saturday Times 24508 (April 10th)”
TLS Puzzle No. 826
Solving time: 30:00 (5 unsolved) I plodded my way through this one until (after about 20 minutes) I was left with five clues unsolved in the SE corner, and (not for the first time) made … Read more “TLS Puzzle No. 826”
Times Crossword 24513
I had all of this except 28A done in about 9 minutes, and proceeded to spend a further 6 minutes gazing at that one remaining unsolved clue, becoming more and more convinced it must be … Read more “Times Crossword 24513”
Times Crossword Championship – first qualifiying puzzle
This appeared today and can be printed in a clear PDF from this page. My guess is that links to the later qualifiers – on (Thursdays) May 13, June 10, and July 15 – will … Read more “Times Crossword Championship – first qualifiying puzzle”
Times 24512 – Potpourri of Delights
A delightful mixture of multi-various cryptic devices, making for a good morning’s challenge and entertainment. Indeed a good way to start the day. ACROSS1 BOOKMAKER A very craftily worded dd for someone who takes in … Read more “Times 24512 – Potpourri of Delights”
24511
Solving time: 9:59 A mixture of easy clues and some old-fashioned touches which I suspect I’d have seen through faster a couple of decades ago when they were more common. The SW corner was tricky … Read more “24511”
24510 – Very straightforward (thank goodness!)
Solving time: About 25 minutes. Apologies for the late blog. Pete sent an email to my work email address at midnight last night telling me I had the job, so of course I only picked … Read more “24510 – Very straightforward (thank goodness!)”
Times 24509 – Peas and Corn
Solving Time: 32 minutes With a run of bad solving experiences last week, I was quite pleased to draw this relatively gentle one from the hat. The two straightforward long anagrams were particularly welcome. I … Read more “Times 24509 – Peas and Corn”
ST 4375 (Sun 3 Apr) – Antre matter
Solving time: 3:01 A fastish time usually means a decent crossword, and by and large this was. The clues were straightforward but mostly read fairly smoothly with concise and accurate cryptic indications. A couple of … Read more “ST 4375 (Sun 3 Apr) – Antre matter”