Times Quick Cryptic 2590 by Izetti – fancy that!

Hi everyone. How did you find this on the Izetti Scoville scale? For me it was mild, but then I’ve been doing these a while and may be held up by different things to you. My COD is 4d, with a mention too for 7d. Those are also the two clues featuring exclamation marks. Fancy that! Thanks Izetti!

Times Cryptic Jumbo 1650 – 26 December 2023

Hello all, and Happy New Year. I like to blog when the puzzle is fresh in my mind (which should mean doing the write up early but in practice means leaving the solve until the last minute too).  Not something I managed with this one – and with all the fun and games on Boxing Day, I don’t think the puzzle was fresh in my mind even at the time!  All I remember is that I found it rather tricky and did look up one or two things.  Had to work quite hard to parse some of it a second time around as well.  My COD is 46d, which really tickled me.  Thanks setter.

Times Cryptic Jumbo 1645 – 25 November 2023. Fear of Santa

Hi all.  I can’t give any real assessment of this as crosswording has had to fit around life.  Solving was done in pre-bed sleepy snatches, and blogging done later in a bit of a rush.  I have a dim memory of using aids anyway, I think for 34d and maybe another.  Thanks to the setter – I hope to be more awake for your next one!