For some reason I romped away with this one, finishing the SW and NE quarters in little time at all, with a few write-ins like 8d, 13d, 15a,20a, 16d. Then the SE fell into place, … Read more “Times 26187 – a game of two halves, or four quarters”
Month: August 2015
Quick Cryptic No 382 by Mara
I found this one a bit of a game of two halves. First quick run through the Across clues yielded a dispiriting three answers, but then a similar quick run through the Downs got almost … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 382 by Mara”
Quick Crytpic No 381 by Flamande
It seems a long time since I had one at the easier end of the spectrum to blog. Most of this went in on first pass and all was finished off just within 10 minutes. … Read more “Quick Crytpic No 381 by Flamande”
Times 26,186
13:11, so not outlandishly difficult based on that criterion (not to mention someone from these parts already solving considerably quicker); and a smooth solve with everything safely worked out before submitting. As always, your mileage … Read more “Times 26,186”
Times 26185 – Happy Biffday!
Typical Monday fare, with one clue where you need to get your vowels in the right place, else you may get yourself into a lather. 25 minutes. Oh, and congratulations to Australia on winning the … Read more “Times 26185 – Happy Biffday!”
Quick Cryptic 380 by Hurley
I solved all but two clues in 8 minutes but it occurred to me that some of the answers are not easy if one doesn’t have all the necessary general knowledge. Eventually I ground to … Read more “Quick Cryptic 380 by Hurley”
Times Jumbo 1162
Solving time of 35:36, which on the face of it puts this at the high end of “normal” without being outlandishly difficult. However, now I cast my mind back two weeks, I can’t remember how … Read more “Times Jumbo 1162”
Sunday Times 4655 by Jeff Pearce
Quite a tricky offering, I thought. 27a was unknown to me, although the wordplay and cross checkers made it accessible (unless, like me, you had mysteriously slammed in Post at 23d!) Plenty of fun and … Read more “Sunday Times 4655 by Jeff Pearce”
Mephisto 2868 by Don Manley – Jack Regan Meets Ms Dworkin
A pleasant middle of the road puzzle with one trip down memory lane involving Regan, Carter and an old Jaguar car Across 1 SLOP – two meanings 1=old word (discarded) for policeman=Bobby 2=loose garment; 4 … Read more “Mephisto 2868 by Don Manley – Jack Regan Meets Ms Dworkin”
Times for the Times 10th Anniversary!
Pete Biddlecombe (founder of this site and currently Sunday Times Crossword editor) reminded me this week that we have an important anniversary coming up. On 2nd December this year it will be the 10th Anniversary … Read more “Times for the Times 10th Anniversary!”