Author: branch

I was struck by the number of terse definitions in this puzzle – often one word, sometimes just two letters. I didn’t know the old county – and probably don’t know many current ones! – … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28182 – Saturday, 8 January 2022. Short and sweet.”

This was a pleasant way to start 2022. It took a while to get a toehold – thank you, 26ac and 7dn – but then the bottom half flowed smoothly, and the top half followed. … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28176 – Saturday, 1 January 2022. Happy New Year, one week in.”

Just to remind those who were busy on the day – last Saturday’s puzzle was blogged on Christmas Day. You’ll find the blog here: https://times-xwd-times.livejournal.com/2660654.html As always, please don’t comment here on the current Saturday … Read more “Times Cryptic – Saturday, 1 January 2022. Happy New Year!”

This is not a prize crossword, so the blog can go up on the same day. My biggest hiccup was my ignorance of styptics. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28170 – Saturday, 25 December 2021. Merry Christmas, and a relaxing crossword!”

Times Cryptic No 28164 – Saturday, 18 December 2021. Happy Christmas! This blog appears on Christmas Day, so solvers’ attention may be elsewhere! This puzzle should have been a good way to ease into the … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28164 – Saturday, 18 December 2021. Happy Christmas!”

Barring rain, day three of the second Ashes test will be underway in Adelaide soon after this blog appears. Never mind last week’s result in the first test, we all enjoyed the Saturday puzzle, I’m … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28158 – Saturday, 11 December 2021. Wot, no cricket clue? 18ac!”

This flowed easily enough, except for the lingering doubt over 23dn, my LOI. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you all get on? Note for newcomers: The Times offers prizes … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28152 – Saturday, 4 December 2021. Let us pray, like 23dn.”

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.”

A comment on a recent Saturday blog suggested some solvers like to do the Saturday puzzle as a good practice ground for their cryptic skills. This definitely should have fit the bill. Not easy, not … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28140 – Saturday, 20 November 2021. Saturday satisfaction.”

I found this very enjoyable. No “impossible” clues – either the wordplay gave the answer, or the answer was part of known space. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28134 – Saturday, 13 November 2021. Steady as you go.”