Author: Chris

Plain sailing today (but not the blue riband of yesterday) – taking just on 8 minutes. COD to 12dn for the surface. Not a great deal more to say from me – over to you. … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1456 by Tracy”

Just under ten minutes today which seems to be my new normal. A few clues were potential slip ups – particularly 14ac and 18dn and others had some interest – see below. ACROSS 1. High-ranking … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1451 by Mara”

Tipped just over 10 minutes with the crossing of 4dn and 12ac so, to me, this was a satisfying puzzle. Some struggles on the way included trying to parse 3dn and getting tied up at … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1446 by Orpheus”

Most of this flew in very quickly with a biff here and there but I had trouble with 3 intersections which pushed me over my 10 minute target. 2dn and 10ac, 5dn and 9ac, 15ac … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1441 by Pedro”

Excellent QC fare here – many write-ins, a few to think about and an excellent COD and LOI at 13dn. I thoroughly enjoyed the (just under 10 minute) solve and writing up the blog. Thanks … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1436 by Joker”

Not much to report back in here as it all seems fairly straightforward (sorry to anyone who found it otherwise) – although it had something which pushed me just over the ten minute mark, so … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1431 by Hurley”

I was pleased to come home a few seconds under 10 minutes. Nothing very contentious here – I’ve explained a few definitions which may not be immediately obvious to everyone. I rather enjoyed it – … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1426 by Teazel”

You wait ages for a new setter to arrive then two come along at once. Welcome Jalna. A quick search reveals that Jalna is a 16 book series of novels by the Canadian writer Mazo … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1421 by Jalna”

I wasn’t at the races with this one or if I was, backed all the wrong horses. When I eventually finished (rejoining the SCC with 19 minutes), I still struggled with some parsings. 14dn was … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1416 by Mara”

The top half went in on first glance but things changed the lower down the grid I got. This culminated with 14dn. In retrospect I’m not sure why it caused such a problem but I … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1411 by Hurley”