I solved this rather old-fashioned puzzle in about 50 minutes over three sessions. There was a distinct lack of the up-to-date stuff The Times is thinking of introducing to attract younger solvers.
Author: Penfold
Times Bank Holiday Cryptic Jumbo 1676 – a will-o’-the-wisp, a clown
I haven’t got a solving time for this as I did it in fits and starts but I didn’t find anything difficult.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1671 – crispy barbecued squirrel
Solving all the clues and parsing everything pushed me over the hour for this one putting it in the harder category on my personal scale. There were a number of very pleasing clues.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1666 – London’s Burning
My overall time of 50 minutes suggests that this was a little harder than average, if there is such a thing.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1661 – Subpoenaed in Texas
This was tricky in parts with a few unfamiliar words and some challenging wordplay. I spent around 50 minutes in all, putting it on the harder side of average
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1656 – I won’t be there when you cross the road
I thought this was an excellent puzzle, full of invention and wit and plenty of the sort of clever definitions that set Times cryptics apart from other puzzles…
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1651 – beautiful plumage
I found this fairly easy, solving Jimbo-style top to bottom, left to right…
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1646 – Hip-to-lazed crazed abstractionists
A perfectly acceptable puzzle of mid-level difficulty, IMHO. A couple of chestnuts balanced with a lot of neat touches, but a bit of controversy arpund 28a.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1641 – viniculture on Yasgur’s Farm
This was a toughie but goodie. I was diverted for well over an hour solving and parsing everything.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1636 – one song to the tune of another
I’d put this on the harder side of average, taking 50 minutes to sort everything out. There were a few quiblettes / minor eyebrow raisers but nothing too heinous.