To say I struggled with this would be an understatement. As usual, ninety per cent of it went in pleasantly in fifteen minutes or so. I was left with a few blanks scattered around the … Read more “Times 26949 – oh God it’s Scottish but not a God”
Month: January 2018
Quick Cryptic 1017 by Corelli
This puzzle was as much fun in the unpicking as it was in the solving! It took me a bit longer than average, owing mainly to the handful of clues where my general knowledge was … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1017 by Corelli”
Times Cryptic 26948
33 minutes for this one with no major problems along the way. Having three cryptic definitions in the Down clues is a little unusual. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions are in … Read more “Times Cryptic 26948”
Time Quick Cryptic 1016 by Breadman
A thoroughly enjoyable slice of crossword fare here in this far from bread and butter puzzle. Our setter obviously used their loaf to cook up 4dn, 5dn and possibly 1ac – I hope you rise … Read more “Time Quick Cryptic 1016 by Breadman”
Quick Cryptic 1015 by Orpheus
I do normally like to ramble on a bit in the preamble, talking of this and that, of shoes and ships and sealing-wax and cabbages and kings…, but this week I find I have rather … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1015 by Orpheus”
Times 26947 – They want to lose?
Time: 43 minutesMusic: Beethoven, Symphony #6, Reiner/Chicago Symphony Well, my time was not that good, and I fumbled over simple clues. There were some difficult ones, but those were handled with aplomb. I think I … Read more “Times 26947 – They want to lose?”
Mephisto 2995 – Don Manley
Apologies for going back to the old-school blog format, but the script doesn’t seem to be working for me right now – the puzzle just keeps reloading and I get errors in the console panel. … Read more “Mephisto 2995 – Don Manley”
Sunday Times 4782 by Dean Mayer
25:30. I will be brief today because I have been struck down very suddenly by some sort of lurgi. I’m just glad I did most of this blog earlier in the week. I don’t really … Read more “Sunday Times 4782 by Dean Mayer”
Times Cryptic No 26940 – Saturday, 20 January 2018. The anniversary waltz.
This puzzle appeared on the first anniversary of the inauguration of the current US president, and not a single reference! Such restraint. I finished this in a bit over 20 minutes on the timer, so … Read more “Times Cryptic No 26940 – Saturday, 20 January 2018. The anniversary waltz.”
Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1304 (13/1/2018): Straight Sets
I don’t think Times puzzles get more straight-down the line than this one. Technically very good and with some fine surface readings, but without an awful lot to talk about really. My experience has also … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1304 (13/1/2018): Straight Sets”