Lots of familiar words as answers, with challenging wordplay to untangle. I enjoyed it! Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you all get on? Notes for newcomers: The Times offers … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28242 – Saturday, 19 March 2022. Wordplay’s the game.”
Author: branch
Times Cryptic No 28236 – Saturday, 12 March 2022. No lack of spirit here.
I thought I detected more humour than usual in this offering. 17ac made me smile, and 15dn had a light touch. New setter, or just a sunny day? We’ve finally had some sunshine in these … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28236 – Saturday, 12 March 2022. No lack of spirit here.”
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.”
Times Cryptic No 28224 – Saturday, 26 February 2022. Painless puzzle pleases.
After a busy week that left me with a backlog of daily puzzles, I was pleased to get through this one without problems. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28224 – Saturday, 26 February 2022. Painless puzzle pleases.”
Times Cryptic No 28218 – Saturday, 19 February 2022. Eclectic but not eccentric.
The answers here seem to come from a vast array of subject matter areas, but none of them beyond the solver’s ken, I hope. I found the north-west corner much the hardest. Thanks to the … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28218 – Saturday, 19 February 2022. Eclectic but not eccentric.”
Times Cryptic No 28212 – Saturday, 12 February 2022. Bottoms up.
Quite a lot of drinking references today, but luckily you should be able to solve it despite any 24ac. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you all get on? Notes … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28212 – Saturday, 12 February 2022. Bottoms up.”
Times Cryptic No 28206 – Saturday, 5 February 2022. Pass that red this way.
An epicurean crossword today, with bread, asparagus, salads, fruit, soft drinks and red wine. Difficulty was Goldilocks – not too hard, not too easy, and with no exotic knowledge required. Thanks to the setter for … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28206 – Saturday, 5 February 2022. Pass that red this way.”
Times Cryptic No 28200 – Saturday, 29 January 2022. Smooth sailing for a Saturday.
Someone asked last week how Saturday puzzles compare with weekdays. I think in general they occupy middle ground between Mellow Mondays and Fierce Fridays. What do you all think? This puzzle though might be an … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28200 – Saturday, 29 January 2022. Smooth sailing for a Saturday.”
Times Cryptic No 28194 – Saturday, 22 January 2022. Call that funny?
The names of the comedian at 3dn and the manager at 6dn may be unfamiliar to solvers outside the sceptered isle, likewise the answer at 25ac. Otherwise this was a normal Saturday assignment, I thought. … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28194 – Saturday, 22 January 2022. Call that funny?”
Times Cryptic No 28188 – Saturday, 15 January 2022. Not all Greek to me.
The double Homeric reference was a delight. Obviously it wasn’t all Greek, though both answers were among my last few in. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you all get … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28188 – Saturday, 15 January 2022. Not all Greek to me.”