Author: Chris

A pleasant offering which took 9 minutes – so, on the easy side but not without interest including the odd bird, a romancer, people from Media (not journalists this time) and some nautical ruminations. Definitions … Read more “Quick Crtyptic No 281 by Izetti”

I didn’t record a time for this one but it must have been on the long side. A tricky offering by Tracy today but a very enjoyable one. Some excellent clues which required a deal … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 276 by Tracy”

Sadly unable to prepare this yesterday due to numbering changes, no time today. Clues broken up briefly below. Definitions underlined, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Across 1 Snooty-sounding lifestyle familiar to gardeners? (12) &nbsp &nbspHORTICULTURE – … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 271 by Orpheus”

Even if I hadn’t been doing this one in the same room as a physio session for a freestyle skier and loud rock music, it would not have been easy – although maybe not as … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 266 by Corelli”

Late in the day I noticed the blog wasn’t up – so, hoping I’m not getting in anyone’s way, here’s a last minute substitute effort – necessarily brief. Fortunately this was not too taxing (8 … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 263 by Rongo”

If it’s possible to be on a setter’s wavelength then it’s also possible to be off it. I thought I was in the latter category today but on reflection, having now completed the blog, I … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 261 by Dazzler”

An extremely quick solve – until the NE where progress was made only by a great deal of effort. This averaged out to a medium (15 minutes). I, unsually, had no problems at all with … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 258 by Pedro”

An interesting puzzle – especially for the astronomers amongst us – with a couple of unusual letter combinations to keep us on our toes. 12 minutes which is in my ‘medium’ yardstick. COD to 17ac … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 256 by Teazel”

The well oiled machinery of the TfTT has clicked smoothly into gear and I am, as seamlessly as possible, standing in for macavity123 this Thursday and next. A medium difficulty (15 minutes) crossword today – … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 253 by Joker”

I was not able to complete the crossword on iPad using Safari (as I usually do) as the keyboard entry has stopped working. In a second blow of fate, when my ancient laptop eventually started, … Read more “Quick Cryptic No 251 by Felix”