NIce and fair, very straightforward. I biffed quite a few. Given the number of this puzzle I was on the lookout for a nina, but I can’t spot one. 5 and a half minutes. (BIFFED: … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1234 by Flamande”
Month: November 2018
Times 27,209: The Sporting Life
An excellent crossword with a real sense of cleverness about the cluing, and some excitingly unusual vocabulary to grapple with: a great combo. I was a little bit out of my depth (final time north … Read more “Times 27,209: The Sporting Life”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1233 by Felix
Only my second ever Felix puzzle to blog, and like the first, this one boasted a goodly number of anagrams (6) to help me on my way. I traditionally spot anagrams quickly, which is a … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1233 by Felix”
Times 27208 – take it away, setter…
Solving time: 10:36, which is about on my average, but there is only one faster time than me on the club board at the moment (great time, aphis99) and a few of the regulars seem … Read more “Times 27208 – take it away, setter…”
Times 27195 – TCC Heat 1 number three. Humbled again.
Oh dear. I began this with high hopes, not of finishing in the 3 minutes or so remaining within my theoretical hour, but at least getting it right in 20 minutes. It started well, I … Read more “Times 27195 – TCC Heat 1 number three. Humbled again.”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1232 by Tracy
This was a pretty straightforward puzzle, which I would have finished in under 10 minutes, if not for the GLOSSARY/YANK crossing. I didn’t know that a YAK was a domesticated ox, and somehow I couldn’t … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1232 by Tracy”
Times Cryptic 27206
Solving time: 55 minutes, very nearly beaten by 1ac and 2dn but just managed to hold on until the answers came. We have a couple of complicated ‘Russian doll’ or nested constructions today in the … Read more “Times Cryptic 27206”
Times Quick Cryptic 1231 by Rongo
Those breezing through 1ac and 5dn may zoom through this. Less fortunate mortals, like myself, have to piece the rest together bit by bit until every checker is in place for these clues before passing … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1231 by Rongo”
Times 27205 – Bunker meets Keats?
Looking at the early submissions, it would seem I was on the wavelength for this one, coming home in 16:24. It has a bit of an old-fashioned whiff about it, which certainly plays into my … Read more “Times 27205 – Bunker meets Keats?”
Times Quick Cryptic 1230 by Mara
Solving time: 9 minutes. Much of this is straightforward and hopefully the easier answers will provide enough checkers to help newercomers with the more difficult clues. There are 9 anagrams or partial anagrams. As usual … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1230 by Mara”