Time taken: 13:22. That is a little over my average, and there was some head scratching and letter trawling for the last two in but I think I understand everything. There’s a few bits of … Read more “Times 27496 – double maths!”
Month: October 2019
Times Quick Cryptic No 1473 by Izetti
An example of ‘the Don’ (Izetti) being up to his usual high standard, and taking me above 20m (just!) due mostly to some thorny parsing (which is invariably included in my quoted times). Maybe I … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1473 by Izetti”
Times 27495 – when the railways were fast (they still are in France).
Once again, after a reasonably challenging Monday this week, I find Wednesday is more in a Monday vein. I worked steadily through the clues with no hold-ups and not even a mild ER. 20 minutes … Read more “Times 27495 – when the railways were fast (they still are in France).”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1472 by Orpheus
Introduction 10 minutes to get all but the second letter of the Welshman’s name, but in the end a DNF as I had to look up the barn cart. A very enjoyable puzzle! There isn’t … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1472 by Orpheus”
Times Cryptic 27494
I found some of this quite tricky as there were a few words and bits of GK that I didn’t know. But it was every enjoyable and held my interest so that I never felt … Read more “Times Cryptic 27494”
Times Quick Cryptic 1471 by Teazel
Another over-target 12 minutes today caused by longish holdups on clues around the grid where the definition wasn’t obvious to me – the best example being LOI 10ac. I’m not sure that this puzzle is … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1471 by Teazel”
Times 27493 – Epic Fail
A bit short of time again this week – and I will be in meetings most of the day – so something of a skeletal blog. If you require extra elucidation please ask the extremely … Read more “Times 27493 – Epic Fail”
Times Quick Cryptic 1470 by Tracy
My run of disastrous solves continues with this one that took me 18 minutes which is well into ‘red’ territory (15+ minutes) yet again. I haven’t achieved my 10 minute target since Tracy’s last appearance on 18th … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1470 by Tracy”
Mephisto 3086 – Tim Moorey
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. 5D … Read more “Mephisto 3086 – Tim Moorey”
Sunday Times Cryptic No 4873, 20 X 2019, by Dean Mayer — Make mine a double
As my FOI was IN ONE’S RIGHT MIND, and my third, after AIDA, was the other 15-letter answer, DELIRIUM TREMENS, I was off to a flying start. Now, I really like long answers, but especially … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4873, 20 X 2019, by Dean Mayer — Make mine a double”