Not too tricky by Dean’s exacting standards, and with some lovely stuff. Several generously clued cryptics (9a, 11a, 20a and 12d) enabled me to fill in quite a few squares on a first quick skim … Read more “Sunday Times 4785 by Dean Mayer – ‘armless fun”
Month: February 2018
Times Cryptic No 26958 – Saturday, 10 February 2018. Once begun, half done.
For me this puzzle was hard to start, but once I had a foothold it flowed fairly smoothly. Once I saw 1dn, the NW corner gave up its secrets easily. Hardest was probably the long … Read more “Times Cryptic No 26958 – Saturday, 10 February 2018. Once begun, half done.”
Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1307 – 3 Feb 18
Following my previous New Year’s Day Jumbo to blog, which was an absolute cracker, I find I once again have a great crossword to decipher and comment on. It took me about an hour, which … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1307 – 3 Feb 18”
Times 26,963: Instant Classic(s)
With hindsight this crossword looks tailor-made for quiz-going Oxbridge classicists and other such insufferably smart-alecky types, and so it more or less proved in the event, taking me 7 and a half minutes on paper. … Read more “Times 26,963: Instant Classic(s)”
Times Quick Crossword No 1029 by Hawthorn
I think this is my first opportunity to do the blog for a Hawthorn crossword. And it is a very nicely crafted puzzle too. It took me just about an average time, so, by my … Read more “Times Quick Crossword No 1029 by Hawthorn”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1028 by Joker
Very nice puzzle from Joker. I came in a notch under my target ten but it felt harder than that when solving and a few were bunged in unparsed. Lots of good clues – I … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1028 by Joker”
Times Cryptic No 26962, 15 February 2018 I know my transgressions.
There’s a fair bit of religion is this one, which made it easier for me if annoyinger to others. Perhaps the most likely bone of contention is the Bible story at 14d, beloved of both … Read more “Times Cryptic No 26962, 15 February 2018 I know my transgressions.”
Times 26961 – flummoxed again by Poets and Polynesian Powers
Another challenging Wednesday, with some fine clueing and smart wordplay, enhanced, or spoilt (depending on your knowledge, or lack of it) by a couple of “general knowledge required” answers which were otherwise hard to guess … Read more “Times 26961 – flummoxed again by Poets and Polynesian Powers”
Quick Cryptic 1027 by Rongo
A puzzle of average difficulty (I predict). What it lacks in cunning, it makes up for in wit – several surfaces raised a smile (14ac, 4dn and 22dn get a mention, but especially 23ac). My … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1027 by Rongo”
Times Cryptic 26960
I needed 27 minutes for this, so for once on my blogging day I am within my target half-hour. I have perhaps a little more than usual to say about some of the clues, so … Read more “Times Cryptic 26960”