Hi all. This was all going wonderfully smoothly … until I slowed to a crawl. I then hit a brick wall which seemed so unyielding I resorted to word searches with a handful to go. Thanks to the setter for the brain exercise. Although I confess I got a teeny bit grumpy at the end, I enjoyed it until then!
Author: Kitty
Times Quick Cryptic 3070 by Trelawney – when life gives you lemons, juggle them
Hi everyone. I don’t have anything new or unexpected to say about this puzzle, for the good reason that Trelawney is very consistent. Nothing really held me up, so I put in one of my faster times. My standout favourite clue is 19a. Thanks Trelawney!
Times Quick Cryptic 3058 by Pipsqueak – time to wake up
Hi everybody. I was on course for a very good time, but that became just a normal Monday time as I stared for ages at my last in before thinking of the right answer. I liked the puzzle and the delay at the end didn’t dent my enjoyment. Thanks Pipsqueak!
Times Quick Cryptic 3046 by Trelawney
Hello all. I was a bit surprised to find this was a Trelawney because it took me a bit longer than usual for a Monday. But not that surprised because I enjoyed it. It didn’t seem so hard when writing it up, so maybe I was just having a slow day. Thanks Trelawney!
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1740 – 5 July 2025. Once more, with feeling
Hi everyone. I don’t have a time for this one, but it certainly wasn’t fast. My favourite clue is 17a. Thanks setter!
Times Quick Cryptic 3034 by Pipsqueak – the early worm gets eaten
Hi all. I thought this puzzle from Pipsqueak was pitched well: it took me a little under my average time, which is normal for a Monday. Thanks Pipsqueak!
Times Quick Cryptic 3022 by Oink – roasting!
Hi everyone. Another enjoyable Oinker with lots of beautiful surfaces and some nicely disguised definitions – but nothing too devious for a QC, I would say. Thanks Oink!
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1735 – 31 May 2025. Watch the trailer
Hi all. I found this to be that satisfying kind of solve which never feels too easy but yields steadily to thought and emerging checking letters. I completed in a pretty fast time for me, just over 42 minutes. Thanks setter!
Times Quick Cryptic 3010 by Trelawney – drinking problems
Hi everybody. I really enjoyed this, and I suspect I won’t be alone. Trelawney keeps the difficulty down and the enjoyment up. It was close to personal-best-except-for-that-one-time-I-smashed-it territory for me, but I still found time to smile and appreciate the excellent surfaces. All good fun – cheers Trelawney!
Times Quick Cryptic 2998 by Oink – you’ll never guess what Sue did on holiday …
Hello, and, if it is one for you, happy bank holiday! I managed to squeak in just a second under my inner target time of 5 minutes – so not a piglet from Oink. Thank you to Oink for the smiles!