Author: dorsetjimbo

The last Mephisto that I blogged involved a considerable time spent trying to discover why a clue was half in French, half in English. I learned from the Editor that this was because the setter … Read more “Mephisto 2872 by Tim Moorey – Airlines and Alphabets”

With the exception of 1 Down a straightforward solve of average difficulty. I can make little sense of our French foray – je perplexe – all help gratefully received. Across 3 AFFRAPPING – A-FF-(w)RAPPING; folios=FF; … Read more “Mephisto 2870 by Paul McKenna – je ne comprends pas”

A pleasant middle of the road puzzle with one trip down memory lane involving Regan, Carter and an old Jaguar car Across 1 SLOP – two meanings 1=old word (discarded) for policeman=Bobby 2=loose garment; 4 … Read more “Mephisto 2868 by Don Manley – Jack Regan Meets Ms Dworkin”

What one might term an eclectic puzzle. It makes reference to: a UK High Street retailer; L Ron Hubbard; a retired tennis ace; Hollywood film star; an old US President; a disgraced ex-MP; a well … Read more “Mephisto 2866 by Tim Moorey – An Amusing Amalgam”

Reasonably entertaining puzzle of average difficulty with SNP and Salmond both used to indicate words from the land of the haggis with a wee dram or three. I can’t parse 3D so all suggestions welcome … Read more “Mephisto 2864 by Paul McKenna”

A slightly strange grid that created in effect two almost separate crosswords, one on top of the other Some minor quibbles at 11A, 2D and 21D but overall a straightforward medium strength puzzle Across 4 … Read more “Mephisto 2862 by Don Manley”

Straightforward puzzle for solstice day so even if you were up to see the sun rise you shouldn’t have had too much trouble. Across 1 PSIS – P(S)I’S; singular=S; Greek number 700,000 (number of new … Read more “Mephisto 2860 by Tim Moorey”

My first crossword after a Spanish holiday during which I was too busy catching up with old friends to do any solving – so not as quick as I might otherwise have been. There should … Read more “Mephisto 2858 by Paul McKenna”

Straightforward puzzle to the easier end of the spectrum Across 1 SATYRISK – SAT-Y-RISK; 6 ABBAS – SABBA(th) reversed; 11 PORTULAN,CHART – (patrolcar hunt)*; old maps – see Portolano in C; 14 DE,NOVO – DEN-O-V-O; … Read more “Mephisto 2856 by Don Manley”

No problems with this puzzle of medium level difficulty Across 1 LASCAR – fellow plafully = rascal then swap “r” and “l” to give LASCAR = camp-follower; 5 POMATO – PO-M(AT)O; PO-MO=post modern; AT=alternative technology; … Read more “Mephisto 2852 by Paul McKenna”