[This was an advance post just to say I am on an aeroplane at 6.30 a.m. Wednesday, then two more FlyBe planes before in theory arriving home in early afternoon. I’ll attempt to solve the … Read more “Times Cryptic 26079 – we’ve arrived at last”
Month: April 2015
Quick Cryptic No 291 by Mara
At first sight there seem to be a lot of clues at the easier end of the spectrum. I ended up in my medium bracket (12 minutes) – longer than yesterday’s which seemed harder. If … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 291 by Mara”
Times 26,078
Clock stopped at 12:20 for a puzzle where the wordplay was very accurate, and the required knowledge fell comfortably within my compass – some religious studies, a bit of classics, the usual sport, and no … Read more “Times 26,078”
Times 26077 – A Shrub Too Far
Some very nice stuff here, despite one bit of parsing that eludes me, not to mention one shrub that made me feel a right Albert. 46 minutes notwithstanding all that. ACROSS 1. MANDRAGORA – DRAG … Read more “Times 26077 – A Shrub Too Far”
Times Quick Cryptic 290 by Tracy
I wonder how this one will go down. I found some of it quite tough and in several cases needed more than a couple of checkers to come up with the right answer – 1dn … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 290 by Tracy”
Jumbo 1141 – The one before the bank holiday Monday one !
Not sure if it was the surroundings of a bank holiday weekend, the weather, or the puzzle, but this was lightning quick. Probably my quickest ever, possibly sub 20 mins. A lot of the harder … Read more “Jumbo 1141 – The one before the bank holiday Monday one !”
Sunday Times 4637 by Jeff Pearce
A most enjoyable puzzle featuring a “horn but not”, a North American herring, a French philosophical concept, a comedian and a celebrated charioteer – now that’s what I call eclectic! Elegant clues, some very nice … Read more “Sunday Times 4637 by Jeff Pearce”
Mephisto 2850 by Don Manley
Another unusual grid with only 15 across clues but 21 downs – it’s almost four little puzzles bolted together. Not an indirect anagram in sight in a pleasant middle of the road offering. Across 1 … Read more “Mephisto 2850 by Don Manley”
Saturday Times 26070 (11th April)
Well, my “holiday” is over. Sue’s back at work now (although still a bit sore) and Olivia’s out in the wilds opening up “The Rhinebeck Place”. In my mind’s eye I’m imagining something like the … Read more “Saturday Times 26070 (11th April)”
Times Jumbo 1142 (Bank Holiday)
Solving time of 28:52, so we’re back to something like my average solving time. This was a welcome holiday puzzle, very elegantly clued and enjoyable to solve. With Jumbos, which attract a far smaller audience … Read more “Times Jumbo 1142 (Bank Holiday)”