I took 40 minutes to complete this very lively puzzle. I think 17ac may cause some trouble in some quarters but I got the reference straight away and I’m a fan of the act in … Read more “Times 25893 – Memories of Stackton Tressel”
Month: September 2014
Times 25892 – OK, your majesty, now where’s my cheque?
Solving time: 58 minutes Music: Prokofiev, Sonata No. 6, Pogorelich This was a rather strange solving experience. I put in a few long ones in the first few minutes, thinking it was going to be … Read more “Times 25892 – OK, your majesty, now where’s my cheque?”
Quick Cryptic 136 by Tracy
A straightforward puzzle from Tracy that doesn’t contain any particularly complicated constructions or difficult words. I thought that the surface readings were generally good, which might not help with solving but indicates that care has … Read more “Quick Cryptic 136 by Tracy”
Sunday Times 4606 (7 Sep 2014) by Tim Moorey
Solving Time: About 35 minutes I rattled through most of this quite quickly, although the last few were a little more troublesome. 10a was definitely my COD, although 20a, 2d & 6d were all good … Read more “Sunday Times 4606 (7 Sep 2014) by Tim Moorey”
Mephisto 2819 – Paul McKenna
I wonder if I may be missing something hidden here (and very occasionally Paul McKenna sneaks something extra into his puzzles) because I was struggling most of the way with this one and now it … Read more “Mephisto 2819 – Paul McKenna”
Jumbo 1108
Apologies for the delay on this. Internet connection at our first Turkish hotel was not up to much. This Jumbo was published on August Bank Holiday Monday. Nothing contentious – unless anyone can read more … Read more “Jumbo 1108”
Saturday Times 25885 (6th September)
Solved in 24:05, in the paper for a change, while sitting outside Wilde’s Wine Bar in Leamington Spa over a pint of Palm (a Belgian pale ale, very nice). I found this quite tricky in … Read more “Saturday Times 25885 (6th September)”
Times 25,890: Revenge of the Monkey Hangers
I don’t mind admitting that I found this a bit of a tricky one, even though I’d possibly seen some of it months before – the perils of being occasionally called upon to test puzzles … Read more “Times 25,890: Revenge of the Monkey Hangers”
Quick Cryptic Number 135 by Teazel
Not quite a stroll for me, with plenty of clues I struggled with. 16ac was my first one in and even once I got going I was held up by one or two unusual or … Read more “Quick Cryptic Number 135 by Teazel”
Times Quick Cryptic No 134 by Orpheus
Hi everyone Sorry for lateness. Rushing round getting things ready for a last minute holiday. This includes copious amounts of poking and prodding and testing by clinicians to make sure I am fit to fly … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 134 by Orpheus”