Hello all. I liked this puzzle, which took me about average time (20s over). Obviously I appreciated the clues featuring cats, but really there are so many good ones here that I can’t pick out a small number for special mention. Just have a scan again through the clues to see how smoothly they read and you should see what I mean. Thanks Teazel!
Author: Kitty
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1620 – 10 June 2023. Routinely picking initials
Hi all. No time for this as I was on holiday, panting in the shade. It didn’t strike me as too difficult, just a few things to verify when writing up the blog. I’m in need of convincing that 23d works but found lots to enjoy including 24a, 35d and 44d. Thanks setter!
Times Quick Cryptic 2415 by Izetti – stop wasting time!
Hi everybody. Despite a good start this took me two minutes over average time, so I clearly had to think a bit.
Times Quick Cryptic 2405 by Orpheus – plenty more fish
Hello everyone. At first this Quick Cryptic seemed like it would live up to its name and I zoomed along … until I didn’t.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1615 – 13 May 2023. That Don’t Impresario Me Much
Hello everyone. After a good start I tired a little and had to take a break. A bit more than an hour in total, but probably technically a DNF anyway: I had a typo, but while I was searching for the mistake I tested alternate spellings for the unknown impresario at 7d, and didn’t recall whether my original arrangement of vowels had been right. There were a few NHOs in the mix, so I was happy enough with that.
I didn’t have any standout favourite clues but noted some clever anagrams and various other nice touches. Thanks setter!
Times Quick Cryptic 2395 by Jalna – a cool cat, with a terrible snack, running in socks
Hi all. Unusually for a Monday this took me a smidge longer than average, although no particular problems to report. I liked several images conjured up by the surfaces.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1610 – 22 April 2023. Not 17 or 51
Hello all. This felt a bit different to the average beast, with a few unusual devices in the mix. When writing it up I did also notice lots of cryptic definitions and double definitions (five of each at a quick count but I haven’t double-checked). I finished in under an hour but was concentrating pretty well throughout. Good fun – thanks setter!
Times Quick Cryptic 2385 by Alex
Hi everybody. Ooh, it looks like we have a new setter! A new name, at least, so a warm welcome to Alex.
Times Quick Cryptic 2375 by Trelawney – no Norwegian Blue here
Hello everybody. I’ve had a long and tiring weekend so haven’t expanded much below, but as ever if you have any questions please ask.
I liked 10a, and thought 19a a particularly deft example of its clue type. Surfaces don’t get much more natural than that. Actually, there are lots of lovely smooth surfaces here. All much appreciated – thanks Trelawney!
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1605 – 25 March 2023. The royal icing on the cake
Hi all. No strict time for this due to (first session) falling asleep (no reflection on the puzzle – it was bed time!) and (second session) a cute cat needing attention. Roughly speaking, the difference between it taking a little less than an hour and rather over was a handful of clues which I found rather a handful, containing between them as they did quite a few NHOs. I was pleased indeed to get them.
After all that I had of course made a silly error …
I liked lots of clues, particularly 43d (as alluded to in the blog heading). Thanks setter!