OK, we’re back to the normal levels of difficulty, so it’s time to get out your Chambers again.
Author: vinyl1
Times Cryptic 29365 – A bit of the UK, a bit of the US
The puzzle was not terribly difficult, with some mild attempts to conceal the literals. Well, one of two of them may give a little trouble, but then you can turn round and use the cryptic fairly easily -so a Monday puzzle, not a Friday.
Mephisto 3398 – In the middle of the middle
For a John Grimshaw, this puzzle was not too bad; only of medium difficulty, with some easier starter clues. But this is still Mephisto, and it’s highly like that most solvers have not heard of the long words around the edge.
Note: This week’s Mephisto by Paul McKenna is very easy, so if you’ve been wanting to try one, now is your chance.
Times Cryptic 29359 – Not the Championship puzzle!
I printed out three puzzles for the evening, and whipped through the Quickie. Next up was supposed to be the main puzzle, but the puzzle on my clipboard was the Championship final. Fortunately, I realized this immediately from the difficulty of the clues – no easy Monday this! Turning to the correct puzzle with relief, I found it not as easy as usual, although not really hard.
Some changes at TftT
As many of you know, Piquet has resigned from the Wednesday daily cryptic slot. Over the past few weeks, JerryW has been blogging half time in this slot.
Mephisto 3396 – Making new pals while solving quickly!
Here we have a puzzle from the milder end of the Mephisto spectrum. The average cryptic solver might not do so well, but hardened Mephisto enthusiasts will not have much difficulty.
Times 29347 – Cherry picking?
I tore through this fairly quickly, and it will be a breeze for most experienced solvers. There were some good clues, but those speeding along with just put in the obvious answer an move on.
Mephisto 3394 – Hope and pray!
The puzzle itself was of moderate difficulty, and I solved it over a couple of days. Somehow, the answers kept coming to me, and I was able to parse them all without calling for assistance.
Times 29335 – A test drive
I thought his puzzle was going to give trouble, so I picked off some of the easier clues to get started. The setter offers some novel constructions, and is definitely fond of removing letters from words.
Mephisto 3392 – Topical excursions
There was nothing very difficult for hardened Mephisto solvers here, although I was a bit slow on finishing owing to other activities.