My only problem with this came from writing “toke” in at 12A which made the NW corner harder than it should have been! Annoying because the correct answer is well known to me. Other than … Read more “Mephisto 2946 – Paul McKenna”
Month: February 2017
Sunday Times 4733 by Jeff Pearce
An enjoyable puzzle characterised by very economical cluing from Jeff – elegant, pithy surfaces abound. Nothing too taxing, although 1ac was unknown to me and went in from wordplay on a wing and a prayer, … Read more “Sunday Times 4733 by Jeff Pearce”
Saturday Times 26646 – 11th Feb. Crosswords in the Menagerie
Another good workout. The top half of the grid went in reasonably smoothly but then it was a slow struggle through the bottom half. I got several answers from the definition and helpers and then … Read more “Saturday Times 26646 – 11th Feb. Crosswords in the Menagerie”
Times Jumbo 1249
I can’t think of a lot to say about this one, which I found straightforward. Favourite clue: 23dn – I always enjoy the misdirection of clues like this. As always, * indicates an anagram. Across … Read more “Times Jumbo 1249”
Quick Cryptic 769 by Marty
Morning all. A brief and possibly mistake-ridden blog today. I’m travelling with my family in Japan (wonderful place, by the way), and it’s hard to find some quiet time to put the blog together. Was … Read more “Quick Cryptic 769 by Marty”
TLS Crossword 1160 by Talos – January 27, 2017
An enjoyably eclectic mix of ancient and modern, domestic and foreign. Bit of a crime thing gong on, with not one but two New York crime series and an archvillain trying to get rid of … Read more “TLS Crossword 1160 by Talos – January 27, 2017”
Times 26,651: Dive Bombers and Empire Down
I’m at the third day of PHP UK Conference 2017 tomorrow morning, hanging with my fellow nerds, so I won’t have time to wax lyrical about the puzzle tomorrow morning, boo! But as luck would … Read more “Times 26,651: Dive Bombers and Empire Down”
Times Cryptic 26650 – February 16, 2017: A Lot of Lit
With a little tinkering, this could turn up in a couple of weeks as a TLS. Lots of Lit and Arts references, and decent, economical clues including an original-looking idea at 15 which works perfectly … Read more “Times Cryptic 26650 – February 16, 2017: A Lot of Lit”
Times Quick Cryptic No 768 by Izetti
Very enjoyable, as always, from Izetti. There was a bit of an animal theme. The grid presented a couple of other nice ideas as well – for those adorned with excessive levels of outsize jewellery, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 768 by Izetti”
Times 26649 – “… these are a few of my favourite things”
25 minutes of pleasure; the answers seemed to include a plethora of assorted things I particularly liked or with which had some personal connection; not that that makes it any easier or means much to … Read more “Times 26649 – “… these are a few of my favourite things””