Author: dorsetjimbo

Thank goodness I found this a bit tougher than the last three puzzles – actually had to work at some of the clues. I don’t recall seeing the software device in a puzzle before but … Read more “Mephisto 2894 by Paul McKenna – Where Were The Choclates and Roses”

Second simple puzzle on the trot Across 4 INSECTARY – IN-SEC(re)TARY; worker=bee or ant; 10 ORANT – O-RANT; worshipping figure; 11 OUTPRAY – (rapt you)*; 12 NASTIC – (antics)*; 13 REMISE – REM(IS)E; surrender; 14 … Read more “Mephisto 2892 by Don Manley”

An eclectic mix of references here including three French names, a Swedish Company, a Dutch city and Dutch booze, an Irish poet, an old English comedian and a Sheila from Spitalfields. In addition we have … Read more “Mephisto 2890 by Tim Moorey – A Smorgasbord”

The first puzzle of 2016 and a standard offering that shouldn’t unduly trouble seasoned solvers Across 1 BILLED – B(ILL)ED; “divan for one”=”divan is DBE”; caressed=BILLED (and cooed); 5 INCITE – INC-IT-E; 10 LAND-PIRATE – … Read more “Mephisto 2888 by Paul McKenna – King Charles Meets Arthur English”

An interesting puzzle with poor old Michael Fish making a guest appearance whilst the wind howls across the UK. A good mix of anagrinds here and some Aussie slang. Nothing to frighten experienced solvers and … Read more “Mephisto 2884 by Tim Moorey”

This puzzle appeared on the anniversary of King Juan Carlos taking over from Franco in 1975 and “Queen” Angela Merkel taking power in 2005. Sadly neither event is remembered in this middle of the road … Read more “Mephisto 2882 by Paul McKenna – We Want Chopper”

Nothing to frighten regular solvers here and I would have thought a fair test for the less experienced Across 1 MAIDEN,BATTLE – (timetabled + a)* surrounds N=knight (chess); 9 ALMERIES – ALM(ERIE)S; 11 DWAMS – … Read more “Mephisto 2880 by Don Manley”

This is the third very easy Mephisto on the trot, with this one the easiest by far. As a solver I look to Mephisto to provide a challenge and this one failed in that respect … Read more “Mephisto 2878 by Tim Moorey – absurd week on a rabbit (4,3)”

The easiest set of down clues in a long time with 1D to 17D inclusive simple write-ins. Had the top finished in next to no time and no more than 30 minutes for the whole … Read more “Mephisto 2876 by Paul McKenna – Je comprends très bien”

A pleasant middle of the road puzzle in which the setter eschewed the practice of showing off his French but the blogger succumbed when reminded of a bistro in Angers, Maine et Loire where pike … Read more “Mephisto 2874 by Don Manley – Benjamin Franklin and Charles Lindbergh meet Patrick Meehan”