Slightly more challenging than usual, I’d say. I came in at just under 10min. There are a couple of good examples of the compound anagram, which is important training for the 15 x 15. Some … Read more “Quick Cryptic 984 by Felix”
Month: December 2017
TImes 26,909: Blue Bayeux
I took 10 minutes on the dot for this cryptically rather straightforward puzzle. I didn’t find its style to be on my own slightly baroque wavelength – although some of the slightly more ornate vocabulary … Read more “TImes 26,909: Blue Bayeux”
Quick Cryptic No 983 by Izetti
This is a great QC in my opinion, with all sorts of richness and interest, some beautifully crafted surfaces, depth and nothing too obscure. To add to the pleasure, it is a pangram, containing all … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 983 by Izetti”
Times 26908. In which George stares at his phone in a dressing room and a bar
Solving time : 1:59:42. Yay – I came in under two hours. OK – this was the first time I did the crossword on my cellulite phone, in breaks during a show I was performing … Read more “Times 26908. In which George stares at his phone in a dressing room and a bar”
Times 26907 – TCC heat 2 puzzle 3 – no slowing down please.
Some time ago I suggested, when the answers to a particular puzzle prompted the idea, that we had a little competition to see who could create a short but readable story using all the words … Read more “Times 26907 – TCC heat 2 puzzle 3 – no slowing down please.”
Quick Cryptic 982 by Hurley
In terms of degree of difficulty, I thought this was a hard QC. Personally I enjoyed it a lot – plenty of neat wordplay, some very nice surfaces (particularly liked 7dn) and a lovely hidden … Read more “Quick Cryptic 982 by Hurley”
Christmas Turkey 2017 – volunteers needed
ENTRY NOW CLOSED As snow was general over England just the other day, I was reminded that it’s time to put the Turkey in and see what comes out. For anyone new to Times for … Read more “Christmas Turkey 2017 – volunteers needed”
Times Cryptic 26906
My solving time for this one was off the scale. After an extremely slow start which resulted in my falling asleep with only one word in the grid, things gradually came together for a while … Read more “Times Cryptic 26906”
Times Quick Cryptic 981 by Flamande
A real treat served up by Flamande today for those who like to look deeper into the meaning of clues rather than the biff brigade (4dn, 19dn). All this would have been ample entertainment but … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 981 by Flamande”
Times 26905 – Dreaming of a blue Christmas
I love my variety, I do, so this week we have another format for the blog, courtesy of John Interred, building on the pioneering work of John “The New Jason” McCabe (AKA mohn). I’ve lost … Read more “Times 26905 – Dreaming of a blue Christmas”