Author: richardvg

Solving time:13:49 This was good but seemed quite tough, with lots of answers that are on the borders of the level of obscurity one would expect in a daily puzzle. Fortunately, I have recently re-read … Read more “Times 23,896”

Solving time: 10:48 Was heading for a fast time then came to a dead halt on 22 and 27. Tempted by LOTI for 27 (can’t now see why), but eventually “physician” sparked the thought of … Read more “Times 23,890”

Solving time: 11:17 Good puzzle. Again I found it a struggle to choose a couple of token clues not to include in the analysis. I am sure no-one needs to be told there is a … Read more “Times 23,866”

Solving time: 24:08 I steamed through the top half of this (except for 5, which took me ages to justify) and thought I might be heading for a record time for me. Then the bottom … Read more “Times 23,854”

Solving time: 17:44 Found this rather tricky. Some odd words cropping up. I don’t know if I have come across ETCHANT before, so having such interesting wordplay was a challenge. And LOGE (box) and PETER … Read more “Times 23,842”

Solving time: 9:44 Good fun. I filled in about three quarters of it pretty quickly but slowed for the north-east corner. If only I had been able to solve the anagram at 6 (ORCHESTRATE) on … Read more “Times 23,836”

Solving time: 13:30 Solved the bottom half first and worked up, partly through getting the wrong answer into my head for 1A. The short cryptic definitions at 1D and 5 also held me up. There … Read more “Times 23,818”

Solving time: 25 minutes – with two errors Lots of tough clues, interestingly constructed clues, and simply brilliant clues. My favourites included 10 (AIR KISSES), 13 (KING JAMES BIBLE), 4 (ANAGRAM), 14 (NILE GREEN) and … Read more “Times 23,806 – too good for me”

Solving time: 20:02 I found this tough, though all entirely fair. Lots of interestingly constructed clues and witty surfaces. For COD, I’d probably go for the long hidden at 17A. I finished the right hand … Read more “Times 23,794”