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.
Author: plusjeremy
Times Cryptic No 29213 — Off the cultural wavelength
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!
Times Cryptic No 29201 — A most peculiar puzzle
34:10. After a not-particularly-strenuous week, I wondered if we might be in for a very difficult puzzle.
Times Cryptic No 29189 — Sorry, William
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.
Times Cryptic No 29177 — I met him once
In which I pay the price for not being more well-read.
Times Cryptic No 29165 — Infuriating
In which I try to restrain my anger.
Times Cryptic No 29153 — A fine romance
17:18, indicating a gentler puzzle, at least by my standards. One answer seemed to speak to me directly.
Times Cryptic No 29141 — A disappointing DNF
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!
Times Cryptic No 29123 — Yankees prevail
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.)
Times Cryptic No 29117 — Toughest Friday of the year so far
52:13. I’m writing from the beaches of Southern California. Perhaps the distance from the motherland has dulled my solving abilities, but I think this was actually a tough one.