Author: Chris

Long anagrams aren’t my go-to clues so it was no surprise that 9dn was my LOI. Only very late on did I see the real anagram and therefore the full definition. A satisfying way to … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1911 by Mara”

A game of two hallves with the left hand side flying in but much slower progress toward the right. Which reminds me of a faintly remembered report of a goalless draw  – the football reporter … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1906 by Joker”

I found this tricky, and, as opposed to yesterday’s found the edges hard to complete – so I bounced around in the middle for some time. I noticed some great clueing on the way through … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1901 by Tracy”

Short of time again today. Sorry for the minimal blog – and I’ve probably made tols of misteaks! Went just over 10 minutes – unnecessarily held up by 1d but then struggled to finish in … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1896 by Jalna”

I saw the setter’s name and settled down for a patient solve rather than my normal QC romp attempt. This was rewarded by the enjoyment of some mental gymnastics and deceptions. I took over 12 … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1891 by Izetti”

Ah, Orpheus again but without such a sting. 8 minutes for an interesting solve. Started slowly but then the biffometer started ratcheting up – a word to the wise here for other potential biffers  – … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1886 by Orpheus”

If Orpheus was on AM then I was on DAB. A rare dnf for me as I couldn’t solve the long 4dn without all the checkers and I felt I had no chance of 9ac … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1881 by Orpheus”

Well, I was one who didn’t find yesterday’s easy and I struggled even more on this – so maybe I’m just having a bad week. I’ll take some slow solves in exchange for our new … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1876 by Tracy”

I didn’t get 1ac at first pass so had to dip into the grid. I ended up chasing all around it until finally finishing in the SE with 22ac. There doesn’t seem to be anything … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1871 by Trelawney”

Something of a biff-fest today, many answers seemed so straightforward that only a very causal glance at the cryptic was required. This was a good thing as there’s quite a lot of moving and placing and … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1866 by Orpheus”