I can safely say that this was one of the best Jumbos I’ve had the pleasure to blog.
Author: Penfold
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1706 – A Tale of Two Cities, a port, a valley, a county, an island and a country
A puzzle of around average difficulty (GK notwithstanding), lifted by some lovely anagrams.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1701 – insert letter here
This puzzle took me around 55 minutes. I’m not sure why it took quite so long as there’s nothing too tricky
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1696 – he stuck a feather in it
Nothing to panic the ponies here – another relatively straightforward solve with a few unfamiliar bits
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1691 – from Adam Ant to Steely Dan
This gentle puzzle detained me for no more than 40 minutes including nailing down all the wordplay.
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1686 – ton up
Unless I’m very much mistaken this is my 100th Jumbo blog. I knocked off this enjoyable puzzle comfortably within an hour and rather liked the preponderence of idiomatic phrases…
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1681 – the blogger doth protest too much, methinks
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.
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.