Just got round to setting up an initial version of a “Memories” page – linked at the top of this page. This lists “memorable” postings on this blog (including my original single-handed version). They’re grouped … Read more “Yesterday once more …”
Author: petebiddlecombe
Times 24194 – 1A, 3
Solving time: 13:36 Quite tricky this one, though for no very obvious reason – must just be well-hidden wordplay. Last in were 27 and then 13. Just noticed that the top row makes a good … Read more “Times 24194 – 1A, 3”
Times 24188 – if in doubt, think cricket!
Solving time: 10:38 Held up for a while at the end by 29, where was looking for ‘construction kit’ wordplay rather than a second def., and 5A which I’ve only just understood after much fruitless … Read more “Times 24188 – if in doubt, think cricket!”
We’re official now…
Today’s paper contains a grand total of three four cryptic crosswords (if we count the umpteenth reprint of No. 1), and other cryptic xwd material. The most significant is a two-page “how to solve it” … Read more “We’re official now…”
Times 24182
Solving time: 14:10 The SW corner was the hardest part of this for me – pretty blank when the rest was filled in. 14 and 13 were both new words for me. 4, 19, 7 … Read more “Times 24182”
Jumbo 803
Jumbo 803 Solving time: 25:37 A quite easy jumbo for me, but with some interesting answers and quite a few clues to talk about, in a set with consistently good surface readings. Across 7 SUB=bus … Read more “Jumbo 803”
Times 24176
Solving time: 9:00 If this time turns out to be a good one, it’s down to an old speed-solver’s trick – gambling on answers from wordplay the def. and checking letters, without full understanding of … Read more “Times 24176”
Times 24171
I put up a placeholder when it was clear that someone had forgotten about a swapped blogging slot today. The rest of this is from richardvg – glheard is absolved of any blame that might … Read more “Times 24171”
24170 – The right stuff …
… for me in terms of ‘general knowledge’, for a start. Started with 9 and the intersecting 6 and 7, and never looked back except for some daftness at 11 and minor puzzlement at 14, … Read more “24170 – The right stuff …”
Mephisto 2531 – Tim Moorey
This comes from me, as I’d mistakenly thought it was my turn and wrote up a report yesterday. When I saw George mention in a comment his need to finish this puzzle to blog it, … Read more “Mephisto 2531 – Tim Moorey”