Skip to content
  • Home
  • About
    • About this site
    • Current Bloggers
    • Past Bloggers
    • Privacy Policy
  • Register
  • Help
    • User/Commenter Tips
    • Glossary
    • Contact Us
  • Log In
Times for The Times: Times and comments on The Times crossword from a team of solvers

Author: vinyl1

Times 28471 – Why the setter can’t find me!

Author   vinyl1Posted on 12th December 2022 at 1:14 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

I have to admit I did not find this very easy.    I only got three of the across clues and three of the downs on my first run-through, which is not exactly encouraging.  

View59 Comments on Times 28471 – Why the setter can’t find me!

Mephisto 3248 – “The staminate and pistillate….

Author   vinyl1Posted on 4th December 2022 at 2:00 AM10 September 2025Categories Mephisto

Tim Moorey puzzles are typically more difficult – he likes to work the unlikely definitions of common words found in Chambers.     This puzzle was no exception.  

View12 Comments on Mephisto 3248 – “The staminate and pistillate….

Times 28459 – One I didn’t get to!

Author   vinyl1Posted on 28th November 2022 at 2:21 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

We have here another easy Monday for experienced solvers.  My time was certainly fast enough, and I’m sure the speedsters will be off to the races.  

View84 Comments on Times 28459 – One I didn’t get to!

Mephisto 3246 – Prince turns over in his grave!

Author   vinyl1Posted on 20th November 2022 at 2:25 AM10 September 2025Categories Mephisto

I didn’t find this too bad, and finished fairly quickly.    I did biff quite a few, and researched them either while solving or when I came to write the blog.  

View6 Comments on Mephisto 3246 – Prince turns over in his grave!

Times 28447 – Down in the kitchen

Author   vinyl1Posted on 14th November 2022 at 2:26 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

I found this harder than usual for a Monday, and only got five across answers on the first read-through.   Fortunately, the down clues were easier, and I gradually made progress.

View80 Comments on Times 28447 – Down in the kitchen

Times Quick Cryptic 2261 by Jalna

Author   vinyl1Posted on 8th November 2022 at 2:25 AM10 September 2025Categories Quick Cryptic

Hello, everyone.  I am here today as a substitute for a substitute.   Olivia Rhinebeck was originally scheduled to stand in for Chris, but she had to ask me to step in at the last minute.  

View57 Comments on Times Quick Cryptic 2261 by Jalna

Mephisto 3244 – The last days of The Don

Author   vinyl1Posted on 6th November 2022 at 12:45 AM10 September 2025Categories Mephisto

Yes, this puzzle will be among the last by this setter, and George and I will have to cope with two new setters in the coming year.   I greatly enjoy the clarity and simplicity of Don Manley’s Mephistos, and this one was no exception. 

View2 Comments on Mephisto 3244 – The last days of The Don

Update: Two Quick Cryptic Bloggers Have Been Chosen

Author   vinyl1Posted on 4th November 2022 at 2:00 AM10 September 2025Categories Announcement

Thanks to all who applied.

View9 Comments on Update: Two Quick Cryptic Bloggers Have Been Chosen

Times 28439 – Some blog announcements, followed by a blog

Author   vinyl1Posted on 4th November 2022 at 2:00 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

As is typical for a Friday, this was a bit devious, but my real problem was that I just didn’t know the Italian football team and the UK-centric expression, but I still managed to finish using the skills I have honed in solving Mephistos. 

View71 Comments on Times 28439 – Some blog announcements, followed by a blog

Times 28435 – I did the wrong puzzle!

Author   vinyl1Posted on 31st October 2022 at 2:08 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

Well, started to do the wrong puzzle, anyway.   I printed off the correct puzzle, but failed to clip it to my clipboard, and sat down for a Sunday evening solving session.  

View45 Comments on Times 28435 – I did the wrong puzzle!

Posts pagination

Previous page Page 1 … Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 … Page 64 Next page

Posts By Month

February 2026
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
232425262728  
« Jan    

Archives

Post Categories

  • Announcement
  • Daily Cryptic
  • Jumbo Cryptic
  • Meetups and Events
  • Mephisto
  • Monthly Club Special
  • Other Crosswords
  • Quick Cryptic
  • Site Updates
  • Weekend Cryptic

Useful Links

  • Blogging Calendar
  • 15x15 Crossword SNITCH
  • Quick Cryptic Crossword SNITCH
  • Glossary
  • Quick Cryptic Guide
  • BBC4 Documentary How to Solve A Cryptic Crossword

Times Crossword Championship 2025

  • Qualifier Results
  • Semi-Final Results
  • Final Results

Other solving Blogs

  • Fifteensquared - Independent, Guardian, FT & more
  • Big Dave's Telegraph Crossword Blog
  • Crosaire - Irish Times cryptic puzzle
  • Listen with others - Listener blogs
  • George vs the Listener Crossword
  • Rex Parker does the New York Times xwd
  • Ottawa Citizen (syndicated Sunday Times)

Syndicated Times puzzles

The Australian - links to our reports

Free online editions of UK dictionaries

  • Oxford English Dictionary
  • Chambers 21st Century
  • Collins

Other crossword sites

  • Times Crossword Club (subscription needed)
  • Weekend Quick Cryptics
  • Magpie magazine
  • Crossword Unclued
  • Crosswords by Anax
  • The Listener Crossword - official site
  • Best for Puzzles - Michael Curl's site with puzzles and Who's Who
  • Henri Picciotto & Joshua Kosman's Word Salad

Contact Us

Send email to Times for The Times Admin using our Contact Form

Dark mode switch

  • Home
  • About
    • About this site
    • Current Bloggers
    • Past Bloggers
    • Privacy Policy
  • Register
  • Help
    • User/Commenter Tips
    • Glossary
    • Contact Us
  • Log In
Times for The Times