Author: Verlaine

A medium-strength crossword that nevertheless proved tough enough to merit its Friday slot, at least for me: after reasonably fast progress in three quadrants, I ran aground in the SW corner, unable to pull my … Read more “Times 26,969: Northern Powerhouse”

With hindsight this crossword looks tailor-made for quiz-going Oxbridge classicists and other such insufferably smart-alecky types, and so it more or less proved in the event, taking me 7 and a half minutes on paper. … Read more “Times 26,963: Instant Classic(s)”

I did this likeable puzzle on paper while feeling woozy from eating one too many Oreos, alright, alright, quite a few too many Oreos, and in such a sugar-discombobulated state my time on the timer … Read more “Times 26,957: Inna Gadda Da Vida”

Another really straightforwardly clued puzzle (for a Friday); you may begin to understand why my tastes have started to branch out to more exotic meats like Club Monthlies and Magpie subscriptions. This took me 7-8 … Read more “Times 26,951: Reverend Spooner’s Free Hosiery”

I think you’ll have to forgive me for an abbreviated blog today – I succumbed and subscribed to the Magpie puzzle magazine after its annual bash last week, little realising that this would leave me … Read more “Times 26,945: Folly To Be Wise”

Last night I dropped in at the Malbec meetup where I participated in a few glasses of Magpie in the company of many, many brilliant setters and not a few notable solvers (Magoo himself and … Read more “Times 26,939: A Hot Crumpet Burning My Cheeks With Shame”

Having managed to render my sleep schedule completely topsy-turvy this week I found myself doing this puzzle not long after 4am, which might in other circumstances occasion a rather grouchy blog, but fortunately today’s is … Read more “Times 26,933: A Stern Talking To”