This was one of those puzzles which involved a little head-scratching at times followed by penny-dropping moments when an answer, or the reason why, suddenly became apparent and the beauty of the setter’s art was … Read more “Times 26739 – Pennies dropping”
Month: May 2017
Quick Cryptic 842 by Howzat
An enjoyable puzzle from Howzat (with, ironically, not a cricket reference in sight) featuring a nice variety of clue types. Not too tricky, but not a pushover either – “just about right”, I suspect. Thanks … Read more “Quick Cryptic 842 by Howzat”
Quick Cryptic 841 by Rongo
I’m going through a disappointing run of falling at final hurdles – today’s were 3dn (and therefore 8ac), 4dn and 19ac. This is reflected in my time of 14 minutes. I may try to slow … Read more “Quick Cryptic 841 by Rongo”
Times 26738
If I said this took me an hour because I am still not back on my best solving form it would be making excuses because on reflection I have always had ups and downs with … Read more “Times 26738”
Times 26737 – “A hundred miles from nowhere…
Solving time: 33 minutes Music: Thelonius Monk Quartet – Thelonius in Action Hello, I am back, and I’m at the beginning a four-week run as the Monday blogger. Due to a complicated series of swaps … Read more “Times 26737 – “A hundred miles from nowhere…”
Times Quick Cryptic 840 by Flamande
I needed 11 minutes for this one, missing my target time by 1. If I’m looking for an excuse when so much of it is really straightforward I would put it down to a raised … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 840 by Flamande”
Mephisto 2960 – Tim Moorey – no great sheeks
Three clues only partially parsed at 12A, 11D and 23D and a homophone at 26A that has two common rather different pronunciations. An old film star and two long gone Prime Ministers feature. About average … Read more “Mephisto 2960 – Tim Moorey – no great sheeks”
Sunday Times 4747 by David McLean
By Harry’s exacting standards, I found this one to be at the (relatively) less demanding end of the spectrum, albeit some of the detailed parsing proved quite tricky. 2d requires some lateral thinking, and I … Read more “Sunday Times 4747 by David McLean”
Times Saturday 26730 – May 20, 2017. And it’s goodbye from me for the while
No exotica here, but everything was challenging. Several clues where I made a note to myself to check later that some word really can mean what the clue suggests! My COD was 4dn. I also … Read more “Times Saturday 26730 – May 20, 2017. And it’s goodbye from me for the while”
Jumbo 1265
A puzzle that I thought was easier than average, with only one unknown (albeit clearly clued) word. Definitions are underlined, * = anagram, {} = omission, dd = double definition, cd = cryptic definition Across … Read more “Jumbo 1265”