It took me a long time to click into this one and then I mistyped a letter so didn’t get a time – but I’d guess about 15 minutes. I expect some fast times from … Read more “Quick Cryptic 586 by Alconiere”
Month: June 2016
Times Cryptic 26432
I missed my half-hour target by two minutes but this was mostly quite straightforward. There were a few definitions or bits of wordplay that raised an eyebrow whilst solving but when I came to write … Read more “Times Cryptic 26432”
Information about the new TLS crossword setters
In alphabetical order: Broteas is Peter Biddlecombe, Sunday Times (and TLS) crossword editorMyrtilus is Bob Price, a former successful contestant in the Sunday Times clue writing contestPraxiteles is D G Tallis, who has set puzzles … Read more “Information about the new TLS crossword setters”
Times 26431 – A sermon from a sailor
Solving time: 27 minutes Music: Falla, Three-Cornered Hat, Argenta/Orchestra Nacional de Espana This offering was a little on the meaty side for a Monday, with some tricky wordplay and some obscure words. Fortunately, these never … Read more “Times 26431 – A sermon from a sailor”
Quick Cryptic 585 by Mara
A gentle start to the week, I think, with no recondite vocabulary or complex constructions. No doubt solvers will be grateful to have an all-correct under their belts as a confidence booster for the stiffer … Read more “Quick Cryptic 585 by Mara”
TLS 1125 by Praxiteles, May 13th 2016 — Woolf, or Stuck in the Kitchen with Saxon
My turn to arrive with the sad bunch of corner shop flowers and the sheepish grin. Sorry, darling, I’ll make it up to you, I swear. But a late blog is better than no blog. … Read more “TLS 1125 by Praxiteles, May 13th 2016 — Woolf, or Stuck in the Kitchen with Saxon”
Sunday Times 4696 by David McLean – the Private Eye drawing room?
18:12. Well well, what a naughty puzzle! Male strippers, randy lords, hen parties, drugs, booze, S&M, swearing… I was in need of smelling salts by the end of it. Polite drawing room conversation this ain’t! … Read more “Sunday Times 4696 by David McLean – the Private Eye drawing room?”
Mephisto 2909 – Paul McKenna
I found the top half far more difficult than the bottom half, which was of course frustrating as I was looking forward to seeing if there was a pun in the top row, and Paul … Read more “Mephisto 2909 – Paul McKenna”
Saturday Times 26424 (28th May)
Still very fresh in my mind as I only got around to solving it on the train home on Thursday evening. 12:55, although it felt quicker at the time for some reason. Across 1 Some … Read more “Saturday Times 26424 (28th May)”
Junbo 1208
I completed this on a business trip to the US, but don’t have a record of the time, and in any case I think jetlag would probably have had an influence. I don’t think this … Read more “Junbo 1208”