68 minutes but with one error that I would probably have avoided if I’d remembered to return to it as planned before stopping the clock. A little easier than yesterday’s puzzle for me but that was … Read more “Times Cryptic 27170”
Month: October 2018
Times Quick Cryptic 1201 by Izetti
An excellent QC, in my opinion, as it was quick (8:28) but definitely put up a struggle. Unusually, I had several half answers around the grid at one time waiting for a crossing letter (e.g. … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1201 by Izetti”
Times 27169 – Monster Monday
Well, I struggled mightily with this, getting one wrong and needing to cheat on two, while managing to nod off as well. There were certainly some difficult words, including a medical term I’d never heard … Read more “Times 27169 – Monster Monday”
Times Quick Cryptic 1200 by Mara
My solving time for this was 8 minutes so I’d say it’s on the easier side of the balance. Very enjoyable, but unless I’ve missed it there’s nothing special here to mark the publication of … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1200 by Mara”
Mephisto 3032 Tim Moorey starring Jack Palance and Lee Marvin
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. 5A … Read more “Mephisto 3032 Tim Moorey starring Jack Palance and Lee Marvin”
Sunday Times Cryptic 4819, by David McLean — Comma chameleon
It was pleasant looking back over this puzzle, which I recall as a(n) 13ing outing, after a week. In the first edition of this blog, I thought that the one clue where I detected a … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4819, by David McLean — Comma chameleon”
Times Cryptic No 27162 – Saturday, 06 October 2018. Parish pumps primed?
This was a struggle. Particularly horrible were the clues with obscure answers which one couldn’t construct with certainty from the wordplay. Yes, I’m looking at you, Carne Ebbas Giant (sic) and Fianne Fáil (sic). Those … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27162 – Saturday, 06 October 2018. Parish pumps primed?”
Jumbo 1345
A puzzle that seemed easier than average with just the one troublesome clue (21A), which fortunately fell on the right side of a coin toss an educated guess. The standouts, at least for this solver, … Read more “Jumbo 1345”
Times 27,167: Joculus Riffed
Something of a disaster last night as I clicked submit to post this blog and LiveJournal instantly ate it, beyond any of my attempts at recovery. I have to dash out to catch a train … Read more “Times 27,167: Joculus Riffed”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1199 by Tracy
Apologies in advance for any delay in replying to comments and queries – I bring you this blog from Marbella in Spain, where I am taking part in the Marbella Walking Festival, and have a … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1199 by Tracy”