A 13 minute solve for me, which equates to middling difficulty on the Rotterometer. I had to write out the anagrist for 10a as the cryptic definition wasn’t particularly helpful. We have ‘snake’ as both … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2093 by Izetti”
Month: March 2022
Times Quick Cryptic 2092 by Wurm
Introduction 6:17, for a puzzle that was quite easy-going at first, but held me up at the end. Solutions Across 1 Gardener mad about one pineapple specialist? (9)GRENADIER = anagram of GARDENER around IPopped … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2092 by Wurm”
Times 28239 – marmalade compiler (6)
A biffer’s paradise, this one, I thought, with some convoluted and at times ponderous wordplay to be unravelled for full satisfaction with the answers. I liked the brevity and misdirection at 18a, the thing in … Read more “Times 28239 – marmalade compiler (6)”
Times Cryptic 28238
Solving time: 36 minutes. There were some original ideas here and I enjoyed both solving and blogging this puzzle. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and … Read more “Times Cryptic 28238”
Times Quick Cryptic 2091 by Pedro
Despite getting snarled up in the NW, where I finished on 11ac, my time was 9 minutes. The rest must have all slotted in pretty quickly. Definitions are underlined. Across 1 Pub’s first of eight … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2091 by Pedro”
Times 28237 – Sin No More
I had intimations of Sever-like grandeur for a while on this one before all hopes of a first-ever clean sweep disappeared like common sense fleeing the Hong Kong Government. Still, it was pretty easy, requiring … Read more “Times 28237 – Sin No More”
Times Quick Cryptic 2090 by Hurley
Solving time: 9 minutes. I found this mostly straightforward but one or two clues slowed my progress around the grid. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2090 by Hurley”
Mephisto 3210 – Would you buy a used car from this man?
This Mephisto was a little more difficult, pushing my solve into the next morning. Paul can sometimes be a little difficult, but if you take the cryptics and think about them you can usually make … Read more “Mephisto 3210 – Would you buy a used car from this man?”
Sunday Times Cryptic 4997, by Dean Mayer — all in the family
Anything here to effrayer les équidés? Worked this at a leisurely pace, as usual, taking plenty of time to think, and I found it rather educational. I learned, or at least solidified my knowledge of, … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4997, by Dean Mayer — all in the family”
Times Cryptic No 28230 – Saturday, 5 March 2022. A horse, my blogdom for a horse.
Far and away my favourite clue here was 1ac. The answer took me totally by surprise, obvious though it may have been to some. Overall, a fun outing. Thanks to the setter for a very … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28230 – Saturday, 5 March 2022. A horse, my blogdom for a horse.”