Author: piquet

Apologies for a slightly late posting. It would have been better if we had bedded down on a mattress in the cellar amid the racks of St. Emilion waiting patiently for me to live long … Read more “Times 26469 – wakey wakey!”

I found this a straightforward test with no ridiculously easy or obscure clues, plenty of fine wordplay and some humour. It took me 12 or 13 minutes and a few more to make sure I … Read more “Times 26463 – what’s not to like?”

Mostly straightforward today, a somewhat classical, Greek, light and dark blue flavour to it with one or two less well known words to slow you down or trust the wordplay; it took me a steady … Read more “Times 26457 – up my street”

13 minutes for this straightforward puzzle, much the same level as the first two qualifiers as one would expect. My LOI was 17a which took a minute or two, running through the possibilities to find … Read more “Times 26445 – 3rd Qualifier for 2016 Championships, published 22 June”

A fine Ximenean offering, after last week’s looser job from 1977. It took me 25 minutes of which 24d and 29a used up the last five or so. There’s much scope for biffing so no … Read more “Times 26451 – order amongst the chaos”

I can’t say I jumped for joy when I saw I was blogging another ‘oldie’ this morning (I’ll also blog the 3rd TC Qualifier and post it when the closing date has passed). 35 minutes … Read more “Times 220677 – 1977, a year best forgotten?”

I enjoyed this one, although I suspect Jimbo would call it ‘vanilla’; certainly it’s MOR for difficulty but I did learn a new French word (for 12a) and was prompted to look up a couple … Read more “Times 26439 – no, The Donald isn’t there yet!”

Today’s offering began with writing in 1a and 1d, wondering if this was setting some kind of theme for the day (and the crossword). Well, almost, it was; with more slightly distasteful words or negative … Read more “Times 26433 – almost tasteless?”

A few years ago, when I was less practised in these cruciverbal arts, I’d have managed a few clues in this puzzle before putting it aside and getting on with my life. It must say … Read more “Times 26427 – something of a milestone”

The solution to this one should be published in the paper today. I completed it in 15 minutes having just done the 1970 puzzle (220170) and had two coffees so was warmed up. Like the … Read more “Times 26145 – 2nd TCC qualifier published on Wednesday 18 May 2016”