No need to think of anything new to say by way of pre-amble, I can simply cut and paste from my last Jumbo blog, which said “Solved in just under 31 minutes, and usually I … Read more “Times Jumbo 1117”
Month: November 2014
Sunday Times 4615 by Tim Moorey
8:21. Another straightforward puzzle from Tim Moorey, but that didn’t prevent me from making a horlicks of it with a particularly stupid mistake. Drat. Not much else to say really so I’ll just get on … Read more “Sunday Times 4615 by Tim Moorey”
Mephisto 2828 by Paul McKenna – We Will Remember Them
This puzzle appeared on Rememberance Sunday 9th November and has an appropriate theme that I have endeavoured to reflect in the blog. This was not a difficult puzzle but I have two unparsed lights at … Read more “Mephisto 2828 by Paul McKenna – We Will Remember Them”
Saturday Times 25939 (8th Nov)
Solving time 12:05, so quite a gentle offering for a Saturday with a very helpful grid providing a lot of checked letters in some places. Not much else to say about this one, so straight … Read more “Saturday Times 25939 (8th Nov)”
Times 25,944 – Tygers of Pangram
Keeping the preamble short, as I’m late enough with this as it is: I found this by no means an easy puzzle, setting down my pen somewhere past the 40 minute mark, but I pretty … Read more “Times 25,944 – Tygers of Pangram”
Quick Cryptic No 180 by Hurley
A pleasant, well balanced puzzle, a little harder than Wednesday’s, mainly because of some long anagrams at 1a, 5d, and 23a; once these are done you have plenty of checkers. Nothing too tricky, if you … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 180 by Hurley”
Quick Cryptic 179 By Orpheus
After a long hiatus here comes the office temp. Forgive the rush job. I don’t know if others had similar access problems. I rarely use the Times main puzzle site (I go via the Club) … Read more “Quick Cryptic 179 By Orpheus”
Times 25943: The ideal gift or those who hanker after a true penn’orth.
I stopped the clock at 19.25 for this delightful concoction, all proper clues but with a great deal of wit, and at least one laugh out loud clue. No cricket, and plants that I either … Read more “Times 25943: The ideal gift or those who hanker after a true penn’orth.”
Quick Cryptic No 178 by Flamande
Mostly straightforward, with 1a and 21a perhaps requiring a little more thought. Some familiarity with London geography, rhyming slang and north of England endearments would make it easier, but the word play is clear enough. … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 178 by Flamande”
Times Crossword 25,942 – 2014 Championships, First Preliminary, Puzzle 2
Solving Time: About 20 mins. I did the Prelim. 1 puzzles on the day (as a guest, not a competitor) and managed to complete all three just about within the hour, give or take. All … Read more “Times Crossword 25,942 – 2014 Championships, First Preliminary, Puzzle 2”