Hi everyone. While Chris is busy grandson sitting, I am the first of those sitting in for him here.
A puzzle to phone a friend about? I ask because a cockney reference and no less than three dogs (two of them eating) made me think of dog and bone. I was almost tempted to take inspiration from Astro_Nowt and pen some suitable lines, but you are spared my doggerel!
Hello everybody. I think it’s safe to say this is a puzzle for those who appreciate one particular clue type …
Hi all. My second Joker to blog comes directly after my first. Is there a special name for a pair of Jokers? Two weeks ago many of you found the puzzle very tricky and I will be interested to hear how you fared this time around. In my case, today’s took 30 fewer seconds (or about 7% less time) and I was slower in the south than the north, ending up in the SE. Even as I stare down into the pit, my favourite is 6d. Thanks Joker!
Hello all. I doubt I’ll be alone in nominating 14a as Clue of the Day – its subject is hardly going to be outside the solver’s sphere of interest, after all! 18a was also neat, and I liked the long answers too. A happy cat (as seen today grinning in 32a) will always produce a happy Kitty, as will generally a reverse clue – and 35a was a little more interesting than standard.
Hi everyone. I enjoyed this puzzle from Joker; for me it was mid-range difficulty, but I’m used to being out of step with the majority of you on that front so will await your input with interest. I particularly liked 1d. Thanks Joker!
Hello everyone. Thanks to Jalna for a puzzle which I found lots of fun and thought perfectly pitched for the slot.
Time after time, I don’t have a clear favourite to mention here, but this time I do: 17d. I also liked the gift of frilly clothing in 14a. Neither of these clues have misleading definitions, but both have delightful wordplay.
Hi everybody. This didn’t seem hard at first, but proved to have some hidden teeth.
Hi all. Many thanks to Jackkt for covering for me while I was away.
Hello all. When possible I like to keep the setter’s identity a mystery until after solving, so I come to the puzzle without preconceptions and can guess and then check who was responsible. Today’s setter not only gave himself away courtesy of a couple of religious references, but also signed the puzzle at 11a. All good fun, for which thanks to Izetti.
Hello everyone. I hope that you have been managing to stay cool. I’ve just noticed that my last Jumbo blog was written in the last heatwave, which wasn’t as bad as this one has been. I fervently hope that in five weeks’ time I won’t be saying the same thing!
Again, no time for this as I solved when it was still far too hot and took my time over a few sessions. I didn’t have too many difficulties, but did have to trust to the wordplay in places. It’s satisfying when you can do that but still have reasonable confidence in your answers. Thanks setter!
