A medium-strength crossword that nevertheless proved tough enough to merit its Friday slot, at least for me: after reasonably fast progress in three quadrants, I ran aground in the SW corner, unable to pull my … Read more “Times 26,969: Northern Powerhouse”
Month: February 2018
Quick Cryptic 1034 by Wurm
So, a rare outing from Wurm on the QC so I am told. I was half expecting something befitting a special occasion like a Nina, but I can’t see one. Fairly straightforward, probably the easiest … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1034 by Wurm”
Quick Cryptic No 1033 by Izetti
This was my fastest time for a while at just over 5 minutes, so definitely on the easier side for an Izetti puzzle. Entertaining nonetheless! In my last blog I talked about HOLAs! (Harrumph – … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 1033 by Izetti”
Times 26968 – 25 up your ears?
Solving time: 12:35. Pretty steady solve, I found this overall a bigger challenge than yesterday but there were no unknown answers that held me up at the end. A few tricky wordplay elements, I suspect … Read more “Times 26968 – 25 up your ears?”
Times 26967 – nearly as fast as Elise Christie yesterday
Sad to see our world champion Elise crashing out of the speed skating yet again. There again, £32 million of taxpayers money in four years to chase a few medals in elite winter sports does … Read more “Times 26967 – nearly as fast as Elise Christie yesterday”
Quick Cryptic 1032 by Felix
I enjoyed this offering from Felix – nothing obscure, but some teasers that required a bit of thinking about (9d being an example). 12a proved yet again the wisdom of the old crossword adage “if … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1032 by Felix”
Times Cryptic 26966
I needed 31 minutes for this one, so another puzzle at the easier end of the spectrum methinks. And only one unknown word or meaning which presented no problem at all. As usual definitions are … Read more “Times Cryptic 26966”
Times Quick Cryptic 1031 by Flamande
A brief blog today due to travel. I found this medium difficulty which seems about right for a QC – enough to think about but all gettable. Good surfaces and a couple of &lits (clues … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1031 by Flamande”
Times 26965 – Swimming the Lucinda River with Joie de Vivre
A very Mondayesque puzzle indeed, which I romped through in 21 minutes, so we may expect the speedsters to be comfortably sub-5. Sometimes a puzzle is like a London bus – you know what I … Read more “Times 26965 – Swimming the Lucinda River with Joie de Vivre”
Times Quick Cryptic 1030 by Mara
This one took me 6 minutes so I would rate it on the easy side. I have one or two minor quibbles which I shall mention along the way but generally this was an excellent … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1030 by Mara”