Solving time : 16:52 – there’s some very very well hidden definitions in here (and one where I can’t get the wordplay just yet) so I think there might be some who struggle with this. … Read more “Times 25530 – a different kind of setter”
Month: July 2013
Times 25529: Voici l’Anglais avec son sang-froid habituel*
Solving time: 27:44 Third puzzle this week I’ve found quite difficult; particularly, in this case, on the left-hand side — though with a few simpler clues on the right to compensate. Wonder if it’s the … Read more “Times 25529: Voici l’Anglais avec son sang-froid habituel*”
Times 25,528 – not necessarily in the right order?
Just under 10 minutes, for a puzzle which I thought had a pleasantly old-fashioned feel to it. In line with that, I could be wrong, but my instinct suggests this will be a puzzle where … Read more “Times 25,528 – not necessarily in the right order?”
Times 25527 – Maybe you do need a weatherman….
Solving time: 65 minutes elapsed, about 30 solving Golf: 5-hole playoff in Iowa I’m making a bonus appearance tonight as a substitute for Ulaca, who is traveling this week. Usually, when I get a puzzle … Read more “Times 25527 – Maybe you do need a weatherman….”
Sunday Times 4545 (7 Jul 2013) by Dean Mayer
Solving time: About 45 minutes. It took me an age to see the long anagram at 10/12, plus I put COALSACK at 4a (although I was never entirely happy with it) which stopped me getting … Read more “Sunday Times 4545 (7 Jul 2013) by Dean Mayer”
Mephisto 2758 by Tim Moorey
Standard, middle of the road, Mephisto. I have one query at one across, where I’m not happy with the definition. Across 1 RAMILLIES – ARMIES switching right to left=RAMIES; insert heart from (bri)LLI(ant)=RAMI(LLI)ES; that leaves … Read more “Mephisto 2758 by Tim Moorey”
Saturday Times 25520 (7th July)
22:46 for this one, another tired solve on the Monday morning train (when will I learn that I’m no good on Mondays). Anyway, once again I’m working today and have been trying to put this … Read more “Saturday Times 25520 (7th July)”
Times Jumbo 1042
41:49 on the Club timer, which rightly suggests something a bit trickier than usual. This was a tremendously good puzzle, I thought, with very smooth surfaces, some tricky definitions, a wide range of required general … Read more “Times Jumbo 1042”
Times – 25525 – Back to Basics
A very pleasant, mostly straightforward puzzle that came as something of a relief after my last blog and several subsequent offerings. It still delayed me longer than it should have, taking me 47 minutes to … Read more “Times – 25525 – Back to Basics”
Times 25524 – Game, Set & Championship
First, a follow-up on my last blog headline … Congratulaions, Andy Murray.Today, there’s yet another good Times puzzle, complete with all manner of devices. Sorry, I am a bit tardy with this blog as I … Read more “Times 25524 – Game, Set & Championship”