Introduction 22:09. Took longer than many 15×15 puzzles take me. I was mainly done in by the long anagrams. Not being British, I had to take bits and pieces of names of UK locales and … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1702 by Tracy”
Month: September 2020
Times Cryptic 27770
I felt I did quite well to finish this in 31 minutes as there were several unknown words or meanings along the way, but somehow it all came together reasonably easily. As usual definitions are … Read more “Times Cryptic 27770”
Times Quick Cryptic 1701 by Wurm
My goodness, I found this 19dn. It is true that the building work next door has been somewhat vexing and that I haven’t had time since last Tuesday to enjoy any cryptic work-outs, but 18 … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1701 by Wurm”
Times 27769 – Mad as a Hatter in Wensleydale
I am now three-quarters of the way through my peregrination around Dublin with Mr Joyce. I must say I am enjoying the bits I don’t understand almost as much as the bits I do – … Read more “Times 27769 – Mad as a Hatter in Wensleydale”
Times Quick Cryptic 1700 by Hurley
Solving time: 10 minutes. Mostly straightforward although I was missing the GK required for arriving at 16ac other than via wordplay. 18dn is probably unknown to some, but I had met it in a previous … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1700 by Hurley”
Mephisto 3132 – The crystal ball is dark
I thought parts of this were pretty chewy, with some rather fancy cryptics. One or two still elude me, but I’m sure my fellow Mephisto solvers will have the explanation. It is very helpful it … Read more “Mephisto 3132 – The crystal ball is dark”
Sunday Times Cryptic No 4919 by Dean Mayer — Chef’s surprise
My LOI was 13 down, as I needed all the checkers… and then some. I hope and trust others will find the definition less elusive. It had to be some kind of -ISM, so what … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4919 by Dean Mayer — Chef’s surprise”
Times Bank Holiday Cryptic Jumbo 1457 – 31st August
I found this Bank Holiday entertainment a little on the easy side finishing in under 38 minutes despite being held up for quite a while by my last 4, but it is enlivened by some … Read more “Times Bank Holiday Cryptic Jumbo 1457 – 31st August”
Times Cryptic No 27762 – Saturday, 5 September 2020. Put a sock in it!
This was a smooth solve, with quite a few cluing devices that will be familiar to experienced solvers but may challenge newer hands. I am always amused by the use of “Oxford” in the style … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27762 – Saturday, 5 September 2020. Put a sock in it!”
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1456 – Charles Dickens, Joseph Heller and Bill Bryson walk into a bar
45 minutes. Maybe slightly over my par time but not too tricky. I had to check a few facts when writing up the explanations. First in was GAGSTER and last was MASS MEDIA. If any … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1456 – Charles Dickens, Joseph Heller and Bill Bryson walk into a bar”