A pleasing puzzle that required a concentrated effort without ever being really tough Across 1 PADANG – GAP reversed surrounds DAN; a Malayan field; 6 SODAIC – SO-(acid)*; 10 RUINER – RU-INER(t); 11 KREWE – … Read more “Mephisto 2820 by Don Manley”
Month: September 2014
Times Jumbo 1109
Apologies for posting this so late today! Overall I though this was medium-difficulty, but for some reason it took me ages to get 32dn (BARNARDO). As usual, * indicates an anagram. Across 1 RIDING HABIT … Read more “Times Jumbo 1109”
Saturday Times 25891 (13th Sep)
Very easy puzzle for a Saturday, solved on Monday between Waterloo and Clapham Junction with a massive hangover (it took me half an hour to do Rufus in the Guardian that day). So, practically every … Read more “Saturday Times 25891 (13th Sep)”
Times 25,896: You Can’t Derive An “Ough” From An “Is”
A bit of a toughie this week I thought – I forgot it was my morning to blog, in the excitement of checking the Scottish referendum outcome, so started a bit later than usual, and … Read more “Times 25,896: You Can’t Derive An “Ough” From An “Is””
Quick Cryptic No 140 by Joker
Another entertaining, very fair offering from Mr Joker. Two clues – 6d and 13a – I thought were candidates for my ‘Smart Clue of the Month’ award. No obscure words or horrible homophones, nothing controversial … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 140 by Joker”
Times 25895 – mind your D’s and K’s
Solving time : 22:05 on the club timer but I cannot tell a lie – after about 5 minutes considering SKIPDAW, SLIPDAW and SKIDDAW for 8 down I ended up looking up the three words … Read more “Times 25895 – mind your D’s and K’s”
Quick Cryptic 139 by Pedro
As at this moment (00:12 BST) the Times Quickie button is not working, so here’s a link to the puzzle:http://feeds.thetimes.co.uk/timescrossword/20140918/271/ I solved most of this in 10 minutes but then took as long again to … Read more “Quick Cryptic 139 by Pedro”
Times 25894
I’m on double duty today, subbing again for Jerrywh, who is still on some extreme walking adventure I believe. Unlike last Wednesday, I found this a straightforward test, could have been a PB except I … Read more “Times 25894”
Quick Cryptic No 138 by Mara
A pleasant entry level puzzle with plenty of anagram practice, no obscurities and no over-complicated wordplay. It took me 10 minutes or so with the long central clues going in last. Across 1 BABOON – … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 138 by Mara”
Quick Cryptic No 137 by Flamande
I found this a very pleasant, accessible puzzle when I wandered through it in 9 minutes. As usual when I blog the word play I find bits and bobs which may cause problems to newcomers … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 137 by Flamande”