Solving time: 49 minutes with one wrong answer caused by having transposed two unchecked letters in an anagram of an obscure word, the Latin name of a plant genus that hasn’t even made it into … Read more “Times Cryptic 28154”
Month: December 2021
Times Quick Cryptic No 2021 by Mara
It’s my turn to come off the blogging team substitutes’ bench again today for this crossword of the year – or is it just the year of the crossword? Yes, we’ve reached Quick Cryptic number … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2021 by Mara”
Times 28153 – Petite Messe Solennelle pour vous?
Writing the blog, it would appear that it was in the down clues that the setter really hit his/her stride. However, there was lots to enjoy too even as we were taken on a trip … Read more “Times 28153 – Petite Messe Solennelle pour vous?”
Times Quick Cryptic 2020 by Tracy
Solving time: 11 minutes, delayed 3 minutes at the end by my last one in at 22ac. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and [anagrinds, containment, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2020 by Tracy”
Clue Writers Found for the Times for the Times Holiday Puzzle – thanks to all who volunteered!
In the past, we have had fun with our own private holiday season puzzle, where volunteer bloggers and commenters are each given one answer to clue. I didn’t think we would have one this year, … Read more “Clue Writers Found for the Times for the Times Holiday Puzzle – thanks to all who volunteered!”
Mephisto 3196 – Some quality anfractuous rocks for you solvers!
It’s good to have a Don Manley puzzle, because his clues are always very logical and precise. That doesn’t mean, however, they’re particularly easy to solve if you don’t happen to have the necessary knowledge, … Read more “Mephisto 3196 – Some quality anfractuous rocks for you solvers!”
Sunday Times Cryptic 4983, by Robert Price — One more cup of coffee
…and I still didn’t finish this on Saturday night (it wasn’t a 3). As the remaining answers dawned the next day, I had to ask myself why this had seemed the most difficult of Bob’s … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4983, by Robert Price — One more cup of coffee”
Times Cryptic No 28146 – Saturday, 27 November 2021. Crossword obscura.
This was not my sort of crossword: it had references to things beyond my ken. The most mysterious was the Wystan at 15ac. I know Wyverns are dragons, but had never heard of this other. … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28146 – Saturday, 27 November 2021. Crossword obscura.”
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1527 – 20th November
I found this Jumbo very straightforward, taking only 24 1/2 minutes, which is possibly my fastest, maybe because, for once, there was nothing unknown. But it was no less fun for that. Clues that got … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1527 – 20th November”
Times Quick Cryptic No 2019 by Corelli – Yes I saw Lisa
A lovely middle-of-the-road quick cryptic to end the week from Corelli that took what is, for me, an average time of about 5 1/2 minutes. A few trickily disguised definitions caused me a bit of … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2019 by Corelli – Yes I saw Lisa”