I found this a medium level puzzle and a bit of a plod; it took 35 minutes of unscrambling wordplay but nothing particularly made me nod in appreciation or chuckle. When I read it now … Read more “Times 26223”
Month: October 2015
Quick Cryptic No 412 by Teazel
Very enjoyable puzzle, with an emphasis on slightly jokey / quirky cryptic definitions rather than complex constructions and word sums (with the exception of 1ac) – a style I personally enjoy, although it does require … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 412 by Teazel”
Quick Cryptic No 411 by Izetti
A 20 minute head scratcher for me yet very enjoyable with plenty of ‘doh’ moments. How our more recent solvers will get on I’m not sure – but do post in and let me know. … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 411 by Izetti”
Times 26,222
Clock stopped at just under 20 minutes, so I’m going to go out on a limb and pronounce this a tricky little blighter and no mistake. Several clues which needed wrestling into submission but we … Read more “Times 26,222”
Times 26221 – Don’t mention the rugby…
Thank you for your patience. I know some people will be champing at the bit to give their comments – and perhaps a word or two about the puzzle as well. 24 minutes for this … Read more “Times 26221 – Don’t mention the rugby…”
Quick Cryptic 410 by Tracy
I got off to a quick start but the answers didn’t flow too well around the grid and I ground to halt after about 10 minutes with most completed but very little written in the … Read more “Quick Cryptic 410 by Tracy”
Sunday Times 4661 by Jeff Pearce
A bit of a transatlantic feel to this one, with North American flora and fauna, some cowboy gear, a nod to Mark Twain and an iconic cartoon character all in play. At the same time, … Read more “Sunday Times 4661 by Jeff Pearce”
Mephisto 2874 by Don Manley – Benjamin Franklin and Charles Lindbergh meet Patrick Meehan
A pleasant middle of the road puzzle in which the setter eschewed the practice of showing off his French but the blogger succumbed when reminded of a bistro in Angers, Maine et Loire where pike … Read more “Mephisto 2874 by Don Manley – Benjamin Franklin and Charles Lindbergh meet Patrick Meehan”
Saturday Times 26214 (26th Sept)
Solving time 17:05, so I found it a bit tricky last week. LOI was 6ac STEP, as I wasn’t happy with my parsing of it and spent ages looking for alternatives. In the end there … Read more “Saturday Times 26214 (26th Sept)”
Times Jumbo 1169
I found this Jumbo unusually easy, but enjoyable – I liked the ‘mini-theme’ at 16ac and 50ac. As always, * indicates an anagram. Across 1 MAHARAJAH – jar, reversed, + A + H, after oMAHA … Read more “Times Jumbo 1169”