A quick solve for me, nothing too hard to write up the parsings for here. I was grudgingly going to admit that the sports-related clues (eg 40ac) were among the most memorable of the across … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1499: The Man With The Midas Touch, A Spider’s Touch”
Month: June 2021
Sunday Times Cryptic 4957, by David McLean — strange games
Ah, I’ve missed traveling lately, as a second spring has passed without my leaving the country. A few months ago, I discovered YouTube videos shot from the engineer’s cab of trains passing through exotic climes—hours … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4957, by David McLean — strange games”
Times Cryptic No 27990 – Saturday, 29 May 2021. Roll up, roll up … fun for all!
Here we have TV shows, stage plays. Fun parks. Trashy paperbacks. Track and field sports, or a quiet ale. Something for everyone! Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you all … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27990 – Saturday, 29 May 2021. Roll up, roll up … fun for all!”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1889 by Tracy
I thought this a decent middle-of-the-road Quick Cryptic from the dependable Tracy to end the week, although I found a couple of the surfaces a little clunky. It helps if you know your flowers, European … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1889 by Tracy”
Times 27,995: John Arrests: 85% Less Funny In San Marino
Fairly tractable for a Friday, even though I started poorly by trying to bung in ELECTRONIC at 8ac. Lots of answers that were exactly what you’d expect them to be, having located the definition part; … Read more “Times 27,995: John Arrests: 85% Less Funny In San Marino”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1888 by Joker
I think around 7 minutes to get to the ‘Unlucky!’ sign, and then another perplexed minute or so staring at 9ac and 6d before clicking on the answer: at the time of solving the answers … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1888 by Joker”
27994 Thursday, 3 June 2021 Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places
I prepared for this by doing the Club Monthly Special, which took a while. Sometimes I find the complexities and obscurities of that one dull the apprehension of the rather more straightforward daily fare, but … Read more “27994 Thursday, 3 June 2021 Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places”
Times 27993 – did it bode well, or bore you?
Well, one thing this puzzle wasn’t, for me, was boring. it took me over half an hour, nearer to forty minutes, because I was led off in the wrong direction a couple of times and … Read more “Times 27993 – did it bode well, or bore you?”
Times Quick Cryptic 1887 by Mara
I seemed to be on the wavelength with this one. Not a total write-in, as several clues needed returning to for a second go, but on the gentle end of the spectrum. Definition underlined. Across … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1887 by Mara”
Times Cryptic 27992
Solving time: 30 minutes. I thought I was heading for a very rare sub-20 minute solve but my last two in, 8dn and 12ac, put paid to that. As usual definitions are underlined in bold … Read more “Times Cryptic 27992”