Mephisto 2980 – by Don Manley – He made the night a little brighter

Reasonably easy Mephisto. Just the one query at 7D where I don’t understand the cryptic. I remember real lamplighters and have read Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, where they appear. Also know of the song by … Read more “Mephisto 2980 – by Don Manley – He made the night a little brighter”

Times Cryptic No 26850 – Saturday, 07 October 2017. Devilish stuff.

Lots of obscure references in this one, at 13ac, 3dn and 14dn particularly, but everything was gettable from wordplay or definition so a fair challenge. I am writing this blog belatedly so I don’t have … Read more “Times Cryptic No 26850 – Saturday, 07 October 2017. Devilish stuff.”

Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1287 – Why do elephants paint their toenails red?

This Jumbo was on the easy side – indeed a lot of the clues would not have been out of place in the Quick Crossword. My time of a bit over 3/4 hour was only … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1287 – Why do elephants paint their toenails red?”

Times 26,855: And If One Beer Bottle, Should Accidentally Fall…

I thought this was proper hard, a *real* Friday puzzle, comfortably the hardest of the week: the Snitch is broadly agreeing at this stage, though it’s still claiming that it’s close between today’s and Tuesday’s, … Read more “Times 26,855: And If One Beer Bottle, Should Accidentally Fall…”