Author: ulaca

Pretty standard Monday fare, with the odd unusual word (SAKI, the American with the bizarre name) being clued very accessibly. I am currently immersed in Gabriel Garcia Márquez’s work (when not dipping into Zola – … Read more “Times 27805 – Seeing Double”

Pretty run-of-the-mill Monday offering, with a couple of weirdish words and a flower that sounds as if it were named after a Victorian maiden aunt. 21 minutes. ACROSS 1 Male animal that may be made … Read more “Times 27793 – Not so complex”

A combination of some very easy literals and some very generous cluing (plus a smattering of chestnuts) means that this puzzle will fall into the very easy Monday category for many of us. 14 minutes … Read more “Times 27781 – St Aubrun, anyone?”

I am now three-quarters of the way through my peregrination around Dublin with Mr Joyce. I must say I am enjoying the bits I don’t understand almost as much as the bits I do – … Read more “Times 27769 – Mad as a Hatter in Wensleydale”

My current reading is Deus nobis haec otia fecit a book written many years. Online am I reading it that means bookmarkingitisvery difficult. So I am always reading the same bits twice the same bits … Read more “Times 27757 – Mother and Father of all. Biff. Fests.”

I reached new lows on this puzzle. After I’d finished it (12 minutes), I turned to myself and asked, ‘What do you call it when you have a magnificent chance to make a name for … Read more “Times 27745 – Feeling Selby’s Pain”

One of those puzzles with an unchecked vowel, which is likely to cause an error or two and a discussion or three. I’m not sure if I am prepared to criticise the setter or anyone … Read more “Times 27733 – Below the belt?”

A very pleasant start to the week of crosswords, with a little bit for everyone, especially, perhaps, the astronomer. A particularly good two-word clue, I thought. ‘Unprincipled men are useful, enabling those who have more … Read more “Times 27721 – Hello Honky Tonks!”

A lot of anagrams and subtraction clues balanced out by a left-field clue (11a) – if I have parsecked it right, which is no given. All in all, an entertaining start to the week, which … Read more “Times 27709 – Neque non solo nec sed etiam”

I made a right old horlicks of this, coming home in 62 minutes, that’s considerably slower than Friday’s puzzle, which is rated ‘Hard’ on Starstruck’s Baby (Monster?). Notwithstanding, my mishaps, I thought this was a … Read more “Times 27697 – Pyrrhic Victory”