A Jumbo that was straight as a die but at least the STAB in 13dn was nothing to do with pinks or punts this time. I seem to remember being held up at the end … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1364: Hiroshima A Rebours”
Month: February 2019
Quick Cryptic 1284 by Mara
Morning all. I’m a bit up against it today, so have to be brief. Luckily Mara has given me an easy one. 6 Minutes, Across 7 Dog tooth (6) CANINE – doouble definition 8 Fabulous … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1284 by Mara”
Times 27,269: The Punt Is To Change It
There are a lot of witty things in this puzzle, a *lot*, but the whole experience was sadly soured for me, and to judge by the state of the leaderboard at least a few others, … Read more “Times 27,269: The Punt Is To Change It”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1283 by Orpheus
Another Orpheus puzzle for me to mull over – I seem to get a lot of Orpheus (not that I am complaining!). This one took me 12 minutes and 34 seconds, so almost exactly in … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1283 by Orpheus”
Times 27268 – at least it wasn’t get knotted!
Solving time 9:50, which about an hour in, puts me in first place on the leaderboard (that will probably change before I have finished this write-up). It is very rare that my last clue in … Read more “Times 27268 – at least it wasn’t get knotted!”
Times 27267 – nothing to complain about or shout about.
A pleasant if somewhat vanilla puzzle today, mostly straightforward wordplay and only one word and parsing at 19a which caused me any delay in my 20 minute solve. Hard to pick a special clue out … Read more “Times 27267 – nothing to complain about or shout about.”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1282 by Joker
A word to solvers looking to improve Two weeks ago, I augmented the usual blog with a “deep dive” on several clues which had been suggested in the comments. I’d like to try that again, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1282 by Joker”
Times Cryptic 27266
Solving time: 30 minutes. A curious mix of clues that would not be out of place in a Quick Cryptic and moderately tricky ones, but nothing that should disturb the most sensitive of equines. As usual definitions … Read more “Times Cryptic 27266”
Times Quick Cryptic 1281 by Hurley
I feel happy to have finished a whisker inside 10 minutes for this, as it seemed sticky going in parts. My advice is, more than usual, to trust in the word play. There were a … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1281 by Hurley”
Times 27265 – A little bit of whatever tickles your fancy
I really enjoyed this, a slightly above averagely difficult Monday offering, if my performance was anything like par for the course. There was quite a lot of man and woman stuff kicking around, as well … Read more “Times 27265 – A little bit of whatever tickles your fancy”