Author: branch

A middle of the road Saturday challenge, I thought. I did it in bits and pieces, and don’t have an aggregate time to report. My LOI was 19dn, where I had a blind spot thinking … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27240 – Saturday, 05 January 2019. The civility of servants.”

With New Year falling between the puzzle and this, its blog, I wish everyone all the best for 2019. One of my plans for the coming year is to do the Times Crossword on paper … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27234 – Saturday, 29 December 2018. Happy belated New Year.”

An easy run-up to Christmas, I think. I was done before lunch, rather than over the meal, for once. I hope you all had pleasant festivities. Strangely, by the time I was three-quarters of the … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27228 – Saturday, 22 December 2018. All tees dotted and eyes crossed.”

Those who like obscurities may have been disappointed – nothing here was new even to me (although the male ferret was lost in the distant reaches of memory). On the other hand, there were lots … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27222 – Saturday, 15 December 2018. A Dickens of a time.”

This had a nice spread of general knowledge, without ever getting totally over my head. Sports, poets, pharaohs, statistics – you pick it! I did it over lunch without timing it, but felt it was … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27216 – Saturday, 08 December 2018. Clues for all topics.”

There might have been a bit of a retro feel to this puzzle. Old scientists, old literature, old poets, old playwrights. I liked the fact that the several such that I didn’t know were gettable … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27210 – Saturday, 01 December 2018. Ah, the good old days!”

This was fun. I worked steadily up and across from the bottom right until I found myself gazing at 1ac, 1dn and 4dn. All done over lunch, as is normal now daylight saving has arrived … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27204 – Saturday, 24 November 2018. A good test here.”

I found lots to like in this rather challenging puzzle. 26ac caused me most grief, but my clue of the day was 16ac. I’ve always been a fan of Frank! Thanks to the setter for … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27198 – Saturday, 17 November 2018. He did it his way.”

On a hectic Saturday, I found this a struggle. I was slow to get the sailor, and slow to recognise the music. Pity, as there were many delightful definitions and wordplays. I hope others had … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27192 – Saturday, 10 November 2018. Off the wavelength.”

Well, that was a breeze. I was finished in about 30 minutes, which for me rates as a gentle canter. Perhaps they decided to give the rest of us a bit of a break, while … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27186 – Saturday, 03 November 2018. Better the devil you know.”