Author: william_j_s

Only the first if these was unknown to me, and was consequently my LOI. Otherwise another solid and gettable puzzle from Tracy.

I had to consult the dictionary over 9ac before seeing the answer to 2dn, so DNF after many long minutes staring at those last two clues. Apart from that, and despite some other unknowns, a very enjoyable test.

Lured into a false sense of security by Mara today. The NW corner went in smoothly and then I had to pick them off all over the place. Good fun though. Definitions underlined. Across 1 … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2117 by Mara”

Quite tricky today. Although I managed to finish just inside my target time, Tracy has a way of making you second guess how the clue works while solving it. I did not know 3dn, 7dn, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2107 by Tracy”

After a little difficulty breaking through to the bottom half (and particularly the SW), this was polished off in less than target time. I had to take a post-solve look at 7dn to parse it, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2097 by Tracy”

Not as rare as hen’s teeth, these days, Alconiere strikes again. Thanks to jackkt for the heads-up regarding this setter’s habit of including a Nina – I wouldn’t have spotted it (have I though?) without … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2087 by Alconiere”

A bottom to top solve, in which 1ac gave me the most trouble. Definitions underlined. Across 1 Eccentric chap — Welsh (8) CAMBRIAN – CAM (eccentric) and BRIAN (chap). This was my LOI having had … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2077 by Orpheus”

A sting in the tail of this one, as I missed the enumeration of 8ac and was convinced it would end -CIAN, and was flummuxod by the parsing of 24ac. All green in the end, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2067 by Breadman”

A good tester, involving a couple of educated guesses, but which I managed to finish in average time. I suspect there will be many NHOs today with the fabric, yarn, and amphibian (as well as … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2057 by Orpheus”

I’ve been off the ball recently, with another sluggish solve today. Your comments will tell if we’re in a tough patch, or if it’s just me. I had to solve this grid in four quarters … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2047 by Wurm”