Standing in for william_j_s who has gone on a spur of the moment holiday – lucky man! He has, on the other hand, missed a tasty treat as Noel has dished us up a near-double … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 357 by Noel”
Month: July 2015
Times Cryptic – 26156
Firstly, thanks to Verlaine for covering for me a couple of weeks ago when I was indisposed. After a rather slow start I made very good progress on this one and thought I might get … Read more “Times Cryptic – 26156”
Quick Cryptic No 356 by Mara
Not sure I was operating on all cylinders and struggled somewhat – even so I would class this as hard. Most anagrams have additional parts inserted, some vocabulary is unusual and on top of all … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 356 by Mara”
Times 26155 – They were giving out brains, and he thought they said ‘trains’….
Solving time: 27 minutes Music: June Tabor and the Oyster Band, Fire and Rain I thought this was going to be more difficult than it turned out to be. I could make nothing of the … Read more “Times 26155 – They were giving out brains, and he thought they said ‘trains’….”
Quick Cryptic 355 by Dazzler
A slightly harder than average offering from Dazzler today, I would say, with the slang at 7D having the potential to trip people up – at least if it wasn’t remembered from Quicky 61 in … Read more “Quick Cryptic 355 by Dazzler”
Sunday Times 4650 by Dean Mayer
21.05. I found this relatively tough, but not excessively so, which is exactly what I want on a Sunday morning. Judging by comments on the club site and a time that is well within two … Read more “Sunday Times 4650 by Dean Mayer”
Mephisto 2863 – Tim Moorey
Welcome to the blog that may go up at a random time, but is being written during a break between performances in a thunderstorm. Wheeee! I can seem to get internet on my phone here … Read more “Mephisto 2863 – Tim Moorey”
Times Jumbo 1157
Solving time of 21:50, so this was definitely on the straightforward side for a Jumbo. The odd word which isn’t quite everyday vocabulary, but I think all were clued pretty fairly. Other than that, not … Read more “Times Jumbo 1157”
Saturday Times 26148 (11th July)
Solving time 14:05 so about average, although while solving it felt quicker and I was surprised I’d taken over 10 minutes when I stopped the clock! One clue I can’t satisfactorily parse (23ac), although I … Read more “Saturday Times 26148 (11th July)”
Times 26,153: A Stern Talking-To
Bonjour, mes confrères, it is I, verlaine, turned up yet again like the proverbial mauvais centime. After a full week of very chewy puzzles I had some hopes that Friday’s might go easy on us, … Read more “Times 26,153: A Stern Talking-To”