This was not your usual generous pachydermic fare, but contained some rather chewy bits. Curious vocabulary, such as BOLOMETER, DENARII, ETYMON, TEMPE, ORESTES and DESIDERATUM and some tricky wordplay/alternate definitions, such as PATERNOSTER, AGNES without … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1327”
Month: June 2018
Quick Cryptic 1114 by Izetti
Right. Somewhat more challenging than usual I’d say – 12 Minutes for me. Having said that the wordplay is never that sneaky, although 11dn might trip up some. I think it is down to some … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1114 by Izetti”
Times Cryptic No 27,065: Beware the Ides of Off
A very good workout for a Friday with a lot of non-obvious definitions to compliment some cunning wordplay. I did this while on the move, and don’t have a time, but I’m confident I soared … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27,065: Beware the Ides of Off”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1113 by Marty
Sorry, I don’t have a time for this as I was disturbed mid-solve, but it felt relatively normal, possibly even quick for me looking back. I had one clue where the answer appeared obvious, but … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1113 by Marty”
Times Cryptic No 27064 Thursday, 14 June 2018 La Viande Rose
I don’t think I really want to admit how long this took*, but it was simply ages. A partial excuse is that the execrable Love Island was playing in the background (don’t ask). But I … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27064 Thursday, 14 June 2018 La Viande Rose”
Times 27063 – cunninger than a Baldric Cunning Plan
Looking at the SNITCH of recent months, I see that Wednesdays vie with Fridays for offering the sternest tests; apart from the ‘yesteryear’ challenges which crop up occasionally (another one next week I expect), there … Read more “Times 27063 – cunninger than a Baldric Cunning Plan”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1112 by Orpheus
I zipped through most of this puzzle in about 10 minutes, but then, by gum, the trouble begun! The lower-right corner got me. I used my phone to look up synonyms for ‘tramp’, then looked … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1112 by Orpheus”
Times Cryptic 27062
After a run of difficult puzzles on my watch this one was quite easy and I completed it in 30 minutes, bang on my target. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions are … Read more “Times Cryptic 27062”
Times Quick Cryptic 1111 by Grumpy
Given this is the 1,111th QC, I looked hard for hidden messages but apart from a vaguely costume drama feel (1dn 4dn 7dn 11ac leaving 12ac 14ac to 15dns 24ac) could not find anything conclusive. … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1111 by Grumpy”
Times 27061 – Eternal summer gilds them yet
By the time you read this (or not), I will be on the first leg of my Greek tour, which starts in the Ionian island of Lefkada before moving to the Aegean island of Chios, … Read more “Times 27061 – Eternal summer gilds them yet”