Solving time: 44 minutes with one error at 5dn. Not easy with some slightly unusual words. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and [anagrinds, containment, reversal … Read more “Times Cryptic 27122”
Month: August 2018
Times Quick Cryptic 1161 by Orpheus
Having got no joy in several clues in the top half, I ducked down to the SW and built the grid up from there. Last two standing when everything else was complete were 17ac and … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1161 by Orpheus”
Times 27121 – Shakira and Me Ain’t Finished Yet Amigos
36’50” for this, which is bang on my own personal NITCH. However, if you were to think that this was my average solving time, you would, I’m afraid, be gravely mistaken, as the SNITCH counts … Read more “Times 27121 – Shakira and Me Ain’t Finished Yet Amigos”
Times Quick Cryptic 1160 by Juno
Solving time: 9 minutes Juno is a rare visitor to QC-land, this being only the 6th puzzle he/she has posted for our delight. The first was QC65 which appeared on 6 June 2014 and was … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1160 by Juno”
Mephisto 3024 – by Paul McKenna. Criticize Overall.
Unless you’re very experienced you are unlikely to solve a Mephisto without using Chambers. The idea is that you use the precise wordplay to derive an answer that you then verify in the dictionary. 4D … Read more “Mephisto 3024 – by Paul McKenna. Criticize Overall.”
Sunday Times Cryptic No. 4811, by Jeff Pearce — talking Turkey
I put in about half of the answers, starting with the extremely easy FLEET, in a desultory manner while watching the last half-hour of a too-long and somewhat preposterous movie (which had a nice twist … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No. 4811, by Jeff Pearce — talking Turkey”
Times Cryptic No 27114 – Saturday, 11 August 2018. Please take a ticket and wait.
Many will have encountered difficulties with the club site this weekend, so online times may be uncertain. I solved on paper in 33 minutes, so comparable to last week’s, although it felt if anything a … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27114 – Saturday, 11 August 2018. Please take a ticket and wait.”
Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1336 – 4th August
When this was published, I was in the middle of a trienniel reunion with friends who started singing together over 40 years ago, meeting for a few days to sing at the services in Southwell … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo No 1336 – 4th August”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1159 by Tracy
A typically neat and entertaining puzzle from Tracy today. Not too hard – it took me just under my average solving time, but with plenty to think about and some educating byways of vocabulary and … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1159 by Tracy”
Times 27,119: Like Taking Scandi From A Baby
Obviously things can go either way on a Friday, but this was a relatively straightforward puzzle and so I was able to finish it and bash out a quick blog in time to leave on … Read more “Times 27,119: Like Taking Scandi From A Baby”