This one seemed only moderately difficult, but there was a bit of a sting in in tail. The cryptics were pretty clear, but some of the literals made no sense – until I looked in … Read more “Mephisto 3152 – A George Martin Production!”
Month: January 2021
Sunday Times Cryptic 4939, by David McLean — A 23ing good time!
As I’m sure was had by all 23ing the codes here! Some of you 23 solvers may have even made 23ing good time. Mine was more of a 6’s pace, but I was savoring the … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4939, by David McLean — A 23ing good time!”
Times Cryptic No 27882 – Saturday, 23 January 2021. Crosswords in the mist?
There were at least five clues here where I thought, well that must be the answer, although I can’t explain it! I’ll put it in and look up how, who or why before I write … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27882 – Saturday, 23 January 2021. Crosswords in the mist?”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1799 by Joker
Joker is our Friday setter this week and he has given us a typically neat quick cryptic with plenty of concise clues, which I enjoy. I liked the beer that gives you wind and the … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1799 by Joker”
Times 27,887: Bunfight at the O.K. Tea Rooms
This didn’t take long to polish off with a lot of answers being what I expected from a first glance at the clues, although honourable mention to the SW corner for being today’s trickiest, with … Read more “Times 27,887: Bunfight at the O.K. Tea Rooms”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1798 by Izetti
Another difficult QC: I was nearly four minutes over target, which was nearly four minutes quicker than yesterday’s, done just beforehand. So perhaps a bit easier today (although I am more used to Izetti’s style, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1798 by Izetti”
27886 Thursday, 28 January 2021 In which resistance isn’t futile
I worked steadily through this in very nearly 18 minutes, some of the time thinking there’d be struggles in some quarters, what with TLS qualified authors and non-Python philosophers, a bizarre plant or two, and … Read more “27886 Thursday, 28 January 2021 In which resistance isn’t futile”
Difficult Quick Cryptics
Yesterday’s discussion of QC 1797 by Felix ran to some 84 items on 3 pages (very rare!) many of which were concerned with the level of difficulty with some saying they feel the puzzles are … Read more “Difficult Quick Cryptics”
Times 27885 – add time to reminisce.
An enjoyable puzzle, free from obscure plants, antelopes and poets; it took me about the usual 20 minutes. That was excluding my time to wander off piste and remember Galsworthy’s epic televised, and do some … Read more “Times 27885 – add time to reminisce.”
Times Quick Cryptic 1797 by Felix
I hope I’m not alone in finding this one a bit of a struggle. The problem with blogging after solving is that in trying to break clues down and make the parsing clear, it all … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1797 by Felix”