Another slow solve punctuated by semi-conscious episodes before the caffeine kicked in. I should explain that George has kindly agreed to take next week’s crossword when I shall be loose in France with uncertain communications … Read more “Times Cryptic 26512 – September 8, 2016 Both grandmothers, twice”
Month: September 2016
Times 26511 – it depends who you know
No problems with this one today, although I needed all the checkers and the wordplay to get my LOI 25a. Do I hear Jimbo saying ‘vanilla’? A few people of note feature in the answers, … Read more “Times 26511 – it depends who you know”
Quick Cryptic 652 by Hawthorn
Some lovely stuff from Hawthorn (again), with smooth surfaces in abundance and some very neat clues. 9dn is an absolute gem. Personally I found it a mix of some straightforward fare (e.g. 7ac, 15ac, 1dn … Read more “Quick Cryptic 652 by Hawthorn”
Quick Cryptic 651 by Izetti
Izetti dishes up a clever puzzle today with a couple of twists on ‘usual’ devices which I suspect may be throughly enjoyed by the more seasoned hands but may prove problematic to the less experienced. … Read more “Quick Cryptic 651 by Izetti”
Times Cryptic 26510
I completed all but 4dn, 18ac and 21dn in 28 minutes but then had a mental block and needed that time again to come up with the remaining answers, finally resorting to aids for 21dn. … Read more “Times Cryptic 26510”
Times 26509 – Beware of the Biff!
I thought this was a slightly trickier than usual Monday offering, but that may have been because of my masochistic streak, which saw me up till all hours watching England’s hapless football team play like … Read more “Times 26509 – Beware of the Biff!”
Times Quick Cryptic 650 by Tracy
I completed this puzzle in 7 minutes. There are three or four clues that I’d guess may present some difficulties but the majority lead to everyday words and are straightforward in their construction. With those … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 650 by Tracy”
Mephisto 2922 by Don Manley – Body Parts from Grantsdale
With 1D an easy anagram and both 2A and 7A write-ins this was a relatively quick solve. About 25% of the clues are full or partial anagrams. Only one query – the definition at 34A … Read more “Mephisto 2922 by Don Manley – Body Parts from Grantsdale”
Sunday Times 4709 by Jeff Pearce
An enjoyable puzzle at the gentler end of the spectrum this week – and none the worse for that! Some very nice wit and whimsy on display at 16d and 17d, and several neat and … Read more “Sunday Times 4709 by Jeff Pearce”
Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1221 – 13 August 2016
I’d say this was the best Jumbo I’ve blogged so far, full of wit, imagination, originality and really good cluing so thanks to the setter for a first class example of the compiler’s art.