Many thanks to Mr. Pearce for a most enjoyable puzzle that I found chewy in parts and fun throughout. A splendidly rich and diverse range of characters were on parade, including a goatish Tory (who … Read more “Sunday Times 4643 by Jeff Pearce”
Month: May 2015
Mephisto 2856 by Don Manley
Straightforward puzzle to the easier end of the spectrum Across 1 SATYRISK – SAT-Y-RISK; 6 ABBAS – SABBA(th) reversed; 11 PORTULAN,CHART – (patrolcar hunt)*; old maps – see Portolano in C; 14 DE,NOVO – DEN-O-V-O; … Read more “Mephisto 2856 by Don Manley”
Times Jumbo 1149
On the easy side, this one, I thought. 37ac, GLAIR, was probably the most obscure answer As usual, * indicates an anagram. Across 1 OAKUM – first letters of ‘old African king’s unusual moral’ 4 … Read more “Times Jumbo 1149”
Saturday Times 26106 (23rd May)
Struggled with this one, limping home in 26:16. I just couldn’t get on the setter’s wavelength for some reason, and I’m sure I’ve solved much trickier puzzles in half the time before. Coming back to … Read more “Saturday Times 26106 (23rd May)”
Quick Cryptic No 319 by Pedro
The Times IT chaps seem to be jumbling up the URL numbers for the quickies on their site, so this time I was unable to guess it and solve ahead and post ‘early doors.’ This … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 319 by Pedro”
Times 26,111: My Blog Has No Nose. How Does It Smell?
Somewhat exemplary fare this morning – neat and tidy construction, convincing surfaces, all fair to the solver without any vocab or general knowledge demands likely to prove controversial. I have to confess that when confronted … Read more “Times 26,111: My Blog Has No Nose. How Does It Smell?”
Club Monthly 20176 May 2015 – Mediterranean Edition
Solving Time: About 40 minutes, quicker than average for me, greatly helped by knowing more than the usual number of words this time. Once again a highly enjoyable solve – I hope the setter enjoys … Read more “Club Monthly 20176 May 2015 – Mediterranean Edition”
Times Quick Cryptic No 318 by Mara
Hi everyone Solving time: fairly straightforward. Apologies for the lateness, a messy trip to hospital. Can’t remember the last time I wrestled with Aram on a Thursday, early on I think. Very pleasant and full … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 318 by Mara”
26110 The tale of the fretful porpentine
I completed this in 21.37, stopping on the way to make sure everything was properly accounted for. My unimpeachable general knowledge, some of it remembered, will explain to those of you who know not Miss … Read more “26110 The tale of the fretful porpentine”
Times 26109 – make a short story out of this!
Fearing another vintage torture session alongside a Championship Qualifier, I was relieved – or even a little disappointed – to receive this relatively straightforward but enjoyable puzzle, solved in 20 minutes over the tea and … Read more “Times 26109 – make a short story out of this!”