Author: branch

This felt like one from the archives. Lots of references to things long since lost. I thought I caught a whiff of fustiness at 24dn, 5dn, and particularly the reference to the blonde bombshell at … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28128 – Saturday, 6 November 2021. Everything old is old again.”

This puzzle had an original feel about it! There were clues I admired, others not so much, and some I didn’t understand until I realised I’d got the wrong answer! (Saved by the blogging!) My … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28122 – Saturday, 30 October 2021. As easy as ABC(D)?”

There were people here who were clear enough from the wordplay, but I looked them up aftrwards out of curiosity. Overall, a pleasant solve. I liked 12ac. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28116 – Saturday, 23 October 2021. Who’s who?”

Financially orientated, this puzzle. Those who counts the money, those who bring it home, those who won’t spend it, those who want yours, a thing to put it in, and more. Mind you, the clues … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28110 – Saturday, 16 October 2021. Money, money, money …”

More mention of underwear than typical, I thought. Never mind, if we break out the rum, I’m sure the thought will go away! I liked the artful construction of 1ac, and the devious definition of … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28104 – Saturday, 9 October 2021. Is the sun over the yardarm?”

Unlike Yorick, I’d never heard of the character at 3dn. 12ac was a new idea that stretched my mind. I didn’t know 3dn. 16ac featured the best disguised anagram indicator. Thanks to the setter for … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28098 – Saturday, 2 October 2021. Alas poor Yorick – I knew him, Horatio.”

My LOI was 3dn, and I had a vivid flashback to Biggles and crew when I saw what the definition referred to! In fact, the upper left of the puzzle was all troublesome. I finally … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28092 – Saturday, 25 September 2021. Wizard prang, wot?”

Dear me! I’ve seen the joke at 1ac before, in another context, but it still raised a smile. Everything else was gettable with due effort. I biffed 10ac, and put off parsing it for the … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28086 – Saturday, 18 September 2021. What a shame!”

What a change from the previous week! The consensus on that puzzle was, too many obscurities, too little fun. I was very in tune with Phil J’s view of what makes a good puzzle: Why … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28080 – Saturday, 11 September 2021. The fun of the familiar!”

This puzzle was rich in general knowledge unknowns, at least for me, including: an order of monks, a flowering plant, an obscure foreign language, both the handle and the peak at 6dn, and more. I … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28074 – Saturday, 4 September 2021. Mini Mysteries.”