Author: Verlaine

Somewhat easier puzzle this morning than some recent offerings, which was a relief; I didn’t quite slip under the 10 minute mark myself, but that was a good thing, because I was on the cusp … Read more “Times 26,165: Whose Minds Are Fixed On Pelf And Place”

A break from the norm this week – I did this one with pen and paper (though no Tippex – I’m nothing if not a cockeyed optimist). This does mean that none of my answers … Read more “Times 26,159: When Is A Bird Not-A-Bird?”

Bonjour, mes confrères, it is I, verlaine, turned up yet again like the proverbial mauvais centime. After a full week of very chewy puzzles I had some hopes that Friday’s might go easy on us, … Read more “Times 26,153: A Stern Talking-To”

I am a little bit worried that I’m becoming ubiquitous in this blog community so I WILL keep things brief today, in my covering-for-the-inimitable-pipkirby capacity… This eminently 29a puzzle did seem like a good match … Read more “Times 26,151: Gordius’s Revenge”

After powering through both Wednesday and Thursday’s puzzles yesterday in one quarter-hour sitting, I did have a foreboding that today’s might be a compensatory stinker, and it seems that I was right – I struggled … Read more “Times 26,147: The Fourth Estate’s Fourth Plinth”

Subbing for jackkt today – I’ll try to keep it short as no one needs me gabbing on grandiloquently all the time! Was very happy to return to my par 10-12 minute solving time bracket … Read more “Times 26,144: The Mediocrity Principle”

Ah, it’s good to be back in the world of hot mattresses, soft mattresses and daily crossword puzzles. Many thanks to pipkirby for covering for me last week, and clad in such fashion-forward apparel too! … Read more “Times 26,141: Infotainment Interrobang”

A very enjoyable puzzle, I thought, with some truly groanworthy puns coming thick and fast until I was sure the setter had been having a lot of fun compiling this. Nice mix of the highfalutin … Read more “Times 26,129: The Bad Revolting Stars”

Having a terrible crossword week this week – we’re trying to buy a house (well, this being London, we can only afford 25% of a house, but “we’re trying to buy about three-quarters of a … Read more “Times 26,123: And So’s My Wife!”

Tackled: 5th June 2015, 12.30am (?)Handicaps: 1 x dodgy fast food burrito from near Clapham Junction station, 1 x margarita, 3 x small tins Tiger beer, 1 x small tin Hobo beer, 3 x eardrum-throbbing … Read more “Times 26,117: Vicisti, Crucigramma”