24:43. Apologies for the delay this week. I could make up an elaborate excuse involving the clocks going back or something but the reality is that I was very busy and just forgot. I found … Read more “Sunday Times 4978 by David McLean – better late than never”
Month: October 2021
Mephisto 3191 – Tim Moorey
Greetings and happy Hallowe’en barred-grid fans. I know it is silly, but I rather like the US obsession with this time of year featuring costumed kids collecting treats and adults getting drunk while playing dress-up. … Read more “Mephisto 3191 – Tim Moorey”
Times Cryptic No 28116 – Saturday, 23 October 2021. Who’s who?
There were people here who were clear enough from the wordplay, but I looked them up aftrwards out of curiosity. Overall, a pleasant solve. I liked 12ac. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28116 – Saturday, 23 October 2021. Who’s who?”
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1522 – 16th October
I found this an entertaining Jumbo of about average diffculty; (almost) nothing to frighten the horses and a number of clues that had me smiling. I was finished all bar 1 in about 37 minutes, … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1522 – 16th October”
Quick Cryptic 1994 by Felix
I enjoyed this. I wondered if we were in for a Nina with all the mercy and charity going on. Largely straighforward, but I couldn’t see 1dn for some reason. I suppose ‘scum’ for ‘film’ … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1994 by Felix”
Times 28,121: When Will You Pay Me? Say The Setters Of 14ac
So I’m not going to say this is too easy for a Friday, I know some of you will have found it more than enough of a challenge, but this took me 5 minutes while … Read more “Times 28,121: When Will You Pay Me? Say The Setters Of 14ac”
Times 28120 – when is a crane like a French girl?
Time taken: 11:01. I thought this was difficult, though some of the other early solvers breezed through it. I spent a fair bit of time cribbing together the long answers while most of the short … Read more “Times 28120 – when is a crane like a French girl?”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1993 by Joker
An excellent QC as usual from Joker, I think one of our fairest setters. I took just 11 minutes to complete, all parsed, which is at the faster end of the Rotterometer scale, but not … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1993 by Joker”
Times Quick Cryptic 1992 by Tracy
6:35 w/ 1 err. A.1 MANIFEST + O6 B + AG8 DEBACLE = L + CAB rev. in DEE9 D(R)ONE10 TIGHT{s}12 P(LANE)T14 TOOK ONE’S LEAVE = dd16 S + TITCH17 {f}RIGHT19 AROMA = hid’n20 SAN … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1992 by Tracy”
Times 28119 – No terrorists are holding hostages in lunatic asylums.
Noah’s family and his rescue boat feature strongly today in this nicely constructed puzzle, as does yet another antelope to make me happy; thank you, Mr A Setter. I knew all the words, although had … Read more “Times 28119 – No terrorists are holding hostages in lunatic asylums.”