Author: william_j_s

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”

An abundance of familiar crossword vocabulary, and a couple of real chestnuts, gave me enough of a start in all corners. Only 13ac and 4dn caused any head-scratching; the former to check my spelling, and … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2037 by Trelawney”

Off to a flying start, but slowed down on the right hand side a bit. My last two in were 23ac and 21dn. The answers and clues all feel pretty fresh and fun, which is … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2027 by Oink”

This was quite tricky, and I was well over my target time before I got to my last unfilled entry (7dn, NHO). That one was not the only clue that went in under pressure without … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2017 by Hurley”

A handful of clues here to trip up the unsuspecting solver. While I sympathise with those who might say that some of these answers are slightly obscure, and therfore inappropriate in a QC, there is … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2016 by Breadman”

Middling time, good fun. What excellent anagrams at 23ac and 2dn! I did not get 1ac straightaway, which would have helped enormously in this grid, but the answer bubbled up a few moments later. Other … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2007 by Teazel”

Really enjoyed this. Not a puzzle with exceptionally polished surfaces, but just confusing enough to entertain. There is not a single word in any of the clues or answers that is unusual or unreasonable, nor … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1997 by Hurley”