Hi everybody. Despite a good start this took me two minutes over average time, so I clearly had to think a bit.
Author: Kitty
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!
Times Quick Cryptic 2365 by Joker – Yanker, didel, doodle down
Hi everyone. I’m relaxed about it, but where possible try to avoid seeing the name of the setter while solving. I was surprised when I had finished to find that this puzzle was by Joker. The last Joker was the infamous 2353 where, like many others, I had an OWL (one wrong letter). I also took a long time to get there. By contrast the time on the clock today was 2:28 faster than my average.*
What I really want to do is focus on enjoyment and of the quality of the clues, rather than the time taken. Yet, yet again, I have little to say other than I enjoyed it and have no complaints. The comments I do have are by the clues below. Thanks Joker!
Times Quick Cryptic 2355 by Teazel – in which 12a describes your blogger …
Hello everyone. This puzzle took me nearly 10 minutes, the time at which I start to feel that either the puzzle is a little hard for a QC or I’m having an off day. Happy to stay the right side of the boundary, but still, you can tell me which! In any case, thanks Teazel.