Author: branch

Well, the community clearly prefers Saturday blogs to appear the following Saturday, so here it is! Anyone who discovers that their fingers went into autopilot, and typed “that puzzle was easy … unlike this week”, … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28008 – Saturday, 19 June 2021. Saturday rules, OK?”

There was concern among comments on last week’s blog about a (to be fair, very mild) suggestion that this puzzle was harder than the week before. Maybe it was, but I found it a delight, … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28002 – Saturday, 12 June 2021. Don’t miss it!”

My major blockage with this one was the Brazilian jet. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you all get on? [Read more …]Notes for newcomers: The Times offers prizes for … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27996 – Saturday, 5 June 2021. Can Scrabble champions jet through crosswords?”

Here we have TV shows, stage plays. Fun parks. Trashy paperbacks. Track and field sports, or a quiet ale. Something for everyone! Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you all … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27990 – Saturday, 29 May 2021. Roll up, roll up … fun for all!”

I was stumped by 12ac. The rest was Saturday standard. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you all get on? [Read more …]Notes for newcomers: The Times offers prizes for … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27984 – Saturday, 22 May 2021. Geographically challenged.”

Surprised, that is, that I took so long with 20ac, where the answer wasn’t “omigod”. 19dn also took longer than it ought, but I smiled at the answer. A generous run of double definitions in … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27978 – Saturday, 15 May 2021. Omigod, I’m surprised.”

This went fairly quickly until I found myself staring at 19dn in frustration. It could only be what it was, but why!? Was it going to be another of those inexplicable clues, like the one … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27972 – Saturday, 8 May 2021. Another of life’s little mysteries?”

Last Saturday was busy for me, and I did this in snatches. So it was an extended solve, but I don’t think it was harder than usual. My ignorance of 1ac is all encompassing, so … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27966 – Saturday, 1 May 2021. Done by dinner.”

This was fun. About standard weight for a Saturday puzzle, with lots to enjoy. I confess that once I saw the helpers for 14dn, I decided I had no interest in trying to guess where … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27960 – Saturday, 24 April 2021. In dire straits?”

Well, that was easier than usual, I thought. I didn’t have the parochial knowledge to understand 13dn, but I got it from the helpers. For the rest, I can see the blog will be straightforward. … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27954 – Saturday, 17 April 2021. Not in this parish.”