Author: Guy du Sable

As I’m sure was had by all 23ing the codes here! Some of you 23 solvers may have even made 23ing good time. Mine was more of a 6’s pace, but I was savoring the … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4939, by David McLean — A 23ing good time!”

This time I’m writing this up almost a week after the working. The character of my marks indicates that I filled it in pretty quickly—when there’s a tough one, I like, for some reason, to … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4937, by Dean Mayer — Crumbs of comfort”

This wonderful puzzle seemed like the largest helping of seasonal cheer I had anywhere at one time this year (besides when I gave another spin to Bob Dylan’s Christmas in the Heart). If an answer … Read more “Sunday Times Christmas Cryptic 4935, by Robert Price — What, no figgy pudding?”

What    a      tonic        for          my            nerves… I indicate (man as rag)* like this, and italicize anagrinds in the clues. ACROSS  1 Country girl on booze university … (8) PORTUGAL — PORT, “booze” with GAL, “girl” + U(niversity) attached  5 … lectured for … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4933 by David McLean — Take it easy on the curves…”

…comme on dit. At 12 we have a bittersweet reminder of when we used to go out and get together; at this state of the siege, there may be more than one 17 (virtually) among … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4931 by Dean Mayer — The 5 across the merrier!”

I’m still 8 by the state of my nation,But there’s one cause for wild celebration!Dial the amps to “11,”Have some 12 or some 7Or whatever’s your favorite libation.Bottoms up! There are some 20 in this … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4929 by Robert Price — Santé !”

This one was worked the night of Halloween,Quite the most eerie I have ever seen.For months we’d gone about our daily tasksWith tout le monde already wearing masks.There was no jubilant parade this year,As make-believe … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4927 by David McLean — Trick or tweet”

I hardly ever start with the first clue on these but rather approach them strategically. My virtual FOI (though I happened to see ANI first) was the one long one right down the middle. After … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4925 by Dean Mayer — Boffo socko performance!”

I worked this while watching the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, and as my eye casually swept over the new clues, I first saw LENTO, which I should have taken as a watchword. Right … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4923 by Robert Price — Not so fast!”

There was nothing 11 (down) about any of the clues here—indeed, this may be the easiest offering from Harry that I’ve blogged. However, I was spooked by seeing the first word in the first clue: … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No 4921 by David McLean — Oh honest brain disorder it’s not”