Author: vinyl1

Solving time: 22 minutes Music: Niamh Parsons, Blackbirds and Thrushes Tonight, I went for a good time and a quick solve, and got one. More than half the answers were put in from the literals, … Read more “Times 25557 – A genial social game of…..”

Solving time: 35 minutes Music: Old Blind Dogs, Wherever Yet may Be A typically moderate Monday puzzle that I made relatively quick work of, being in a bit of a hurry to catch up after … Read more “Times 25545 – Yes, 1 across sums it up nicely”

Solving time: 65 minutes elapsed, about 30 solving Golf: 5-hole playoff in Iowa I’m making a bonus appearance tonight as a substitute for Ulaca, who is traveling this week. Usually, when I get a puzzle … Read more “Times 25527 – Maybe you do need a weatherman….”

Solving time: 21 minutes Music: Brahms, Symphony #1, Furtwangler/VPO. Watching the golf on TV, I nearly forgot to do the puzzle. Fortunately, it proved to be a no-brainer, at least for experienced solvers. I only … Read more “Times 25521 – That doctor I never liked….what was his name again?”

Solving time: 29 minutes Music: Eric Clapton, Unplugged This should be pretty easy for most solvers, unless there is something crucial that you just don’t know. Fortunately, the definitions and the cryptics are pretty straightforward, … Read more “Times 25509 – Comparisons are….”

Solving time: 32 minutes Music: Shostakovich, Symphony #10, Karajan/BPO No easy Monday today. While the long clues in the middle may not be very difficult, there’s a lot to chew on around the edge of … Read more “Times 25497 – From 5 to 85”

Solving time: About two hours Music: None available I suspected that maybe it was not a good idea to attempt a Bank Holiday puzzle from Connecticut. A blogger can always cheat if necessary, just to … Read more “Times 25485 – A tough way to travel”

Solving time: 46 minutes Music: Schubert, Wanderer Fantasy, Richter I did not have a very swift solve here, falling into a number of subtle traps the setter has provided. While some answers could be written … Read more “Times 25473 – Clam Dever!”

Solving time: 75 rather grumpy minutes Music: Brahms, Violin Concerto, Grumiaux/Davis A rather unsatisfactory puzzle for me. While I was off to a reasonable start, I was not on the setter’s wavelength at all. I … Read more “Times 25461 – Say what?”

Solving time: 45 rather distracted minutes Music: None, the playoff at The Masters Due to the events at Augusta, I tackled this puzzle with only half my attention. Fortunately, it proved to be another rather … Read more “Times 25449 – It’s a Scott, but not a Scot”