Author: Guy du Sable

…last of all, as it happened. Must have heard of this fellow before, though. He was quite an achiever. There is a charming note ending the online Britannica entry that I just had to include … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4979, by Dean Mayer — THE DOCTOR IS IN”

A painless and entirely successful operation! Inspired by 14—or just for the hell of it—I’m listening (via YouTube Music) to Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s fourth studio album, whose title I’ve copped for my headline. I … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4977, by Robert Price — Brain Salad Surgery”

I hope someone out there enjoyed this more than I did. Aside from a few clues—notably 7, with its smooth and very apt surface, and 19, which pointedly alludes to and whose entire surface could … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4975, by David McLean — just business”

You’d be well advised to bewareAnd cross this terrain with due care.The surface is calm,But maybe a bombIs lurking not far under there… This entry is dedicated to the American pullout from Afghanistan. I indicate … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4973, by Dean Mayer — Try to see… watch your step!”

This was a three-ring circus of delights, even including elephants. But seriously, folks, elephants are gradually achieving liberation from their long servitude to the spectacle. Perhaps we can still manage to save these magnificent creatures, … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4971, by Robert Price — cheeky as ever”

I didn’t work this in one go. Finished sometime Sunday (yesterday [last week]). It was striking that “man” or “men” was used in a few (clues or answers) and every time in a different sense … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4969 by David McLean — A man’s a man for a’ that”

Some tricky feints and lunges here to keep you on your toes. The two longest clues are CDs, and as usual they kept me guessing longer than most, especially 9. But my most protracted engagement … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4967 by Dean Mayer — En garde !”

…in geologic time! Well, not quite. But I started on Saturday evening, here, and didn’t finish until Sunday afternoon. I really don’t know why it took me longer than usual… The CD at 1 across … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4965 by Robert Price — a slow, steady accretion”

…with maestro McLean displaying his usual level of 7 (and I’m glad there are no Spoonerisms), presenting us with two deftly executed &lits amid a plethora of other excellent clues, which all seem fairly 2 … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4963 by David McLean — Not amateur hour”

Wonderful puzzle! When I finally arrived at the “part of Botswana” at the end, I felt that I could have, should have, gotten it first, if I’d only taken the time; after all, it’s mainly … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4961, by Dean Mayer — 4-CD Set! All Hits!”