This was a really classic Don Manley puzzle, with the wordplay from words you know yielding answers that you probably don’t know. This, for me, is the chief pleasure in solving these things, although as … Read more “Mephisto 3154 – I would have said Jeff…”
Month: February 2021
Sunday Times Cryptic 4941, by Robert Price — circling the square
Nothing much very convoluted here, but all quite engaging for the smoothness of the surfaces and the uncontrived craftiness of the wordplay. Not saying I ripped thru this in 5, but I got the first … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4941, by Robert Price — circling the square”
Times Cryptic No 27894 – Saturday, 6 February 2021. Slip, slap, slop.
This was a delight. Clever definitions, challenging wordplay, and some amusing surfaces. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. My definition of the day was 12ac closely followed by 27ac, and wordplay of … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27894 – Saturday, 6 February 2021. Slip, slap, slop.”
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1481 – send in the clouds
I thought this was a moderately tricky puzzle with some smart misdirection and a few peculiarly British elements that might have overseas solvers chewing their pens. Probably an hour’s worth of solving and parsing including … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1481 – send in the clouds”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1809 by Oink
A fairly gentle Quick Crossword, I think, from Oink to end the week today. I always enjoy an Oink puzzle, and this one was as fun as ever. It also includes a trademark porcine clue … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1809 by Oink”
Times 27,899: Robots Need Love Too
A quality Friday puzzle, this, that kept me busy for the full 10 minutes ending in the 1dn/10ac double bill in the NE corner. Some exciting North American, capital city and Cockney solecism content: I … Read more “Times 27,899: Robots Need Love Too”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1808 by Alfie
A lovely puzzle today from Alfie with lots of inventive clues, pitched a bit towards the harder end: I was 9 minutes yesterday and 11 today, done straight after. So this is Alfie’s 11th puzzle … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1808 by Alfie”
27898 Thursday, 11 February 2021 The Rivals
I wonder if the setter knew it was my turn, and deliberately included Arsenal and Chelsea, Spurs’ London rivals, and Everton who beat us by the odd goal in nine last night to dump us … Read more “27898 Thursday, 11 February 2021 The Rivals”
Times 27897 – 162 filled in squares of satisfaction
I loved this puzzle; it had, for me, the perfect mixture of interesting words, clever wordplay, only one anagram, and nothing too obscure; a couple of plants, an animal, a Greek chap, a bit of … Read more “Times 27897 – 162 filled in squares of satisfaction”
Times Quick Cryptic 1807 by Orpheus
Due to considerable difficulty breaking into the NW corner, and a couple of other spiky clues, I finished in a respectable but above average time. I thought some of the anagrams (and indicators) were lovely. … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1807 by Orpheus”