Author: ulaca

Well, I found this difficult, taking over an hour. No idea how others have done, as I have been out enjoying the beautiful weather in Hong Kong’s hidden gem, its north-east corner. I wasn’t so … Read more “Times 27001 – Mini-monster”

Well, talk about instant retribution from the crossword gods! On Friday I dared to wonder if I would ever on my Monday watch get a puzzle as difficult as the one dished up that day, … Read more “Times 26995 – Monday Monster”

Not much to say about this puzzle, with its multiple use of charades (A + B type clues). It was so straightforward that my time of 18:41 may not see me safely Snitchified. Nonetheless, I … Read more “Times 26977 – Over the Tree-tops I Float Thee a Song”

A very Mondayesque puzzle indeed, which I romped through in 21 minutes, so we may expect the speedsters to be comfortably sub-5. Sometimes a puzzle is like a London bus – you know what I … Read more “Times 26965 – Swimming the Lucinda River with Joie de Vivre”

Being a bear of average brain, I rather like puzzles that are on the easier end of the scale. They make me feel a little brighter, and they reduce my SNITCH, while also reducing the … Read more “Times 26953 – Great is Truth, and mighty above all things”

I thought this was a fine specimen of the Monday puzzle, with a particular resonance for me, as 23 across are the very words used to describe my sporting endeavours as a callow six-year-old by … Read more “Times 26941 – Bolt in the Tail?”

A fine specimen of the Monday puzzle, I thought, fitting to celebrate my 150th blog, with not one but two 8-letter stings in the tail. Now, I must contend that while 20 across was eminently … Read more “Times 26929 – If the animal doesn’t get you, the author will”

Mate, what a time to be an Aussie! The Kangaroos whitewashed the Poms 6-0 to win their 32nd consecutive world rugby league title, Scotty James is World Champion Snowboarder,and the Matildas won the Women’s Football … Read more “Times 26917 – Prepare for More Pain, Poms!”

I love my variety, I do, so this week we have another format for the blog, courtesy of John Interred, building on the pioneering work of John “The New Jason” McCabe (AKA mohn). I’ve lost … Read more “Times 26905 – Dreaming of a blue Christmas”

A pleasant Mondayesque journey through Crosswordland, with a bit of Classics in the SE for me, and a garment on the distaff side, which immediately had me in mind of horryd and his goat. I’ve … Read more “Times 26893 – One for horryd”