Author: plusjeremy

DNF, because I needed to look up one clue to finish things off. I found this challenging, and was stuck about halfway through, when thankfully Mr Biff came to my rescue. I’ll need to parse some of these as I write the blog.

DNF. I wish I had been a little more up for a challenge as stiff as this — I’ve been waiting for a puzzle like this for weeks.

45:01. I found this hard, and if my suspicions are correct, most UK solvers will not agree with me: I had the distinct feeling that this puzzle required more UK-specific knowledge than most. (Which is quite all right, of course!) I enjoyed many of these clues — even more after I’d taken the time to parse them!

34:10. After a not-particularly-strenuous week, I wondered if we might be in for a very difficult puzzle.

20:21. I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve getting the easier Fridays. I was kind of hoping to get smashed by a real toughie, but it doesn’t seem like this is the one.

In which I pay the price for not being more well-read.

In which I try to restrain my anger.

17:18, indicating a gentler puzzle, at least by my standards. One answer seemed to speak to me directly.

DNF. Got almost all of these in a very reasonable 25 minutes or so, but got stuck on the last three for an eternity. Eventually made a guess on one, which was wrong (I hadn’t heard of the actual answer), and had to look up the other in the dictionary. Ah well!

39:50, though the time is irrelevant as the puzzle was solved by myself and three other (in?)famous NYC solvers, who will make themselves known if they wish. (Perhaps even photograph evidence will be supplied.)