I found this a very enjoyable QC taking 8:10. All very gettable, I thought, but interesting enough to have me referencing the dictionary for some fine definitions and the unknown instrument at 3dn. It’s worth taking a post-solve read through the surfaces – excellent stuff – thanks Breadman.
Month: June 2022
Times Quick Cryptic 2160 by Mara
Solving time: 11 minutes. Much of this was straightforward but I still managed to miss my target time by a minute.
Times Cryptic No 28321 – Did he blinch? No, no
Good morning! I’m subbing for Ulaca today. This will be my first time blogging a 15×15 puzzle after a handful of years blogging every other Wednesday Quick Cryptic. Of course, I felt the pressure to finish in a good time, and accordingly “struggled inch by inch”, finishing in 24:27.
Mephisto 3224 – Wood nymphs? Baboons? Nope!
I found it a little difficult to get started in this one, and was thinking of stopping for the night with only a few solved. But then I started to break through, and got a bit of traction.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5011 by Robert Price — Stellar performance
Another fine Bob creation that garners nothing but praise from me. For a time, the surface of 1A seemed rather opaque, which isn’t his style, but that was my own fault.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1560 – 4 June 2022. I predict a … melting igloo
Hi everyone. I didn’t record a time for this as it was a very leisurely solve on holiday, but it felt gentle. Lots to like though and, going through it again for the blog, I was impressed by the high quality. Thanks setter!
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1559: Setting The Fox Among The Layers
Live solve video available here. This was on the breezy end but there were a few standout clues – I liked “queen perhaps” at 24ac and “high earning African” next door to it was pretty … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1559: Setting The Fox Among The Layers”
Times Cryptic No 28314 – Saturday, 11 June 2022. Flow from the go.
An easy Saturday for me. Luckily the unfamiliar native American had come up earlier this month, generously spelled out on that occasion.
Times 28,319: How Much Is That Blogger In The Window?
Moderately straightforward for a Friday, but with some excellent surfaces. 10ac took me way too long at the end, as I was looking for a word for drab-coloured, not for a doxy or floozy. My … Read more “Times 28,319: How Much Is That Blogger In The Window?”
Times Quick Cryptic No 2159 by Rongo
This was my first Rongo Quick Cryptic to blog since December 2019. Nothing too difficult, I think, although one definition is a bit tricky, and I finished in a below average time of just under 5 minutes. I liked the underground prison best. Thank-you Rongo! How did you all get on?
Fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic. This time it is my turn to provide the extra weekend entertainment. You can find the latest crossword, which is, in celebration of the 30th East Anglian Beer Festival this week, entitled “More beer, please” here. Enjoy!