Solving time : 11:53, but the club timer told me I had an incorrect entry. I went back through the grid and didn’t see any typos, so I looked up the one answer I guessed … Read more “Times 26344 – one for the birds”
Month: February 2016
Quick Cryptic 513 by Hurley
After last week’s ups and downs we seem to be on a more even keel. Today we have two examples of regular crossword usage it helps to know and remember, one quibble, and one I … Read more “Quick Cryptic 513 by Hurley”
Times 26343 – cricket, golf and sex… what’s not to like?
Faced with this, bleary-eyed after a sleepless night coping with an ill and distressed Ted (our elderly wire-haired fox terrier), I was relieved to find I had finished this off in 20 minutes or so, … Read more “Times 26343 – cricket, golf and sex… what’s not to like?”
Quick Cryptic 512 by Mara
An interesting mix from Mara with a few very easy clues (such as 11a, 19a, 21a) and some which were quite tricky I thought (most notably 7d, but 1a and 8d might also present a … Read more “Quick Cryptic 512 by Mara”
Quick Cryptic 511 by Teazel
Today is my first experience of the timer and I can accurately report that I took 14 mins 31 seconds on today’s puzzle. A little slow, perhaps, for what felt like a not too difficult, … Read more “Quick Cryptic 511 by Teazel”
Times Cryptic 26342
I found this one quite tricky and needed a little over an hour to complete it. As usual deletions are in curly brackets and indicators in square ones. Across 1 PROOF – PRO (master), OF … Read more “Times Cryptic 26342”
Times 26341 – The Meaning of Death?
An odd beast this one – loads of straightforward clues and one which defied all my best attempts to solve it, even though I’d sussed out the second bit. So, a victory to the setter, … Read more “Times 26341 – The Meaning of Death?”
Quick Cryptic 510 by Joker
I just scraped in under the wire with this one solved in 10 minutes, my target time which I have not achieved since last Monday. I think most of the clue construction is straightforward and … Read more “Quick Cryptic 510 by Joker”
Mephisto 2894 by Paul McKenna – Where Were The Choclates and Roses
Thank goodness I found this a bit tougher than the last three puzzles – actually had to work at some of the clues. I don’t recall seeing the software device in a puzzle before but … Read more “Mephisto 2894 by Paul McKenna – Where Were The Choclates and Roses”
Sunday Times 4681 by David McLean
I found this one highly enjoyable but quite tough. A pleasingly eclectic cast of characters are on display – Bowie, Dryden and a zombie with nasty habits are all presented for our delectation and delight … Read more “Sunday Times 4681 by David McLean”