No time to stop and say anything today. I’m afraid I totally forgot I was on duty and am doing this in a complete rush before having to deal with the rest of life. Many … Read more “QC 1415 by Teazel”
Month: August 2019
Mephisto 3075 – Paul McKenna
Apologies for this appearing late – I wrote it early and scheduled it for the 11th, but forgot to change the time, so it was set to appear at 6:30pm my time (which would be … Read more “Mephisto 3075 – Paul McKenna”
Sunday Times 4862 by David McLean
5:48. The easiest Sunday puzzle I can remember. I didn’t really mind: I’ve been on holiday and have been far too busy doing nothing to find time for crosswords. In fact as I finally sit … Read more “Sunday Times 4862 by David McLean”
Times Cryptic No 27420 – Saturday 3 August 2019. Where there’s a will there’s a cryptic pilot.
Lots of lovely clues here. Well done, setter. My favourite was the unusual wordplay in 28ac. I also liked the disguise in 3dn, which was my LOI although it’s not that hard in hindsight. For … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27420 – Saturday 3 August 2019. Where there’s a will there’s a cryptic pilot.”
Jumbo 1393
Pretty standard Jumbo with no problematic or contentious clues in my opinion. Probably 2 Down would be my favourite for the long anagram. Across 1 CONSPIRES – CON = against, SPIRES = high church features … Read more “Jumbo 1393”
Quick Cryptic 1414 by Wurm
So, not straightforward I would posit; took me well over 10 minutes. Rather rewarding in the end though. There’s a great example of an important device that beginners should all learn from: the familiar two-word phrase which needs … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1414 by Wurm”
Red Scare, Blue State
I little bit late with the blog tonight as I solved the crossword in a departure lounge in Oakland Airport, and am posting this from the other end of my flight, in lovely damp Seattle. … Read more “Red Scare, Blue State”
Times 27424: I’d rather have a 21 than a 10
Time taken: 18:56. I struggled mightily with this one, and I think my difficulty was in second-guessing a few of the defintions, which in my mind did not perfectly fit the answers. I should have … Read more “Times 27424: I’d rather have a 21 than a 10”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1413 by Tracy
No time for me today as I was distracted and interrupted several times, but it felt quite quick, with no major difficulties. I’ll be interested to see others’ times. Thanks Tracy. Across 1 Register … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1413 by Tracy”
Times 27423 – all kinds of everything remind me of something
I enjoyed this one, it has a few chestnuts like 16d and 24a (apart from 10d) and is pleasantly witty in places. The chap at 27a did ring a faint bell, once I had the … Read more “Times 27423 – all kinds of everything remind me of something”