Author: william_j_s

A similar story to yesterday, for me, in which most of the answers flew in before I got stuck on some head-scratchers. I thought 15dn was brilliant – it had me almost panicking when I … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1837 by Wurm”

I failed to see 1ac on first pass (the topic not being my strongest subject) so this was a bottom up solve for me. A little over average time, possibly owing to the above, but … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1827 by Jalna”

I was pleased to end up with a pretty quick time in the end, worrying as I solved that I might need a lot more general knowledge than I have. Luckily, though, most of it … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1817 by Felix”

Due to considerable difficulty breaking into the NW corner, and a couple of other spiky clues, I finished in a respectable but above average time. I thought some of the anagrams (and indicators) were lovely. … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1807 by Orpheus”

I hope I’m not alone in finding this one a bit of a struggle. The problem with blogging after solving is that in trying to break clues down and make the parsing clear, it all … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1797 by Felix”

DNF – hopefully for technical reasons regarding 18ac. I’m sure you’ll let me know if I’m missing something… [On edit, looking at the leaderboard, it seems I’m in good company!] Otherwise a puzzle of average … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1787 by Joker”

A good training ground QC with a nearly complete range of clue types and very little esoteric GK. 21ac was my LOI, having seen the legendary bird round here before, but taking a while to … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1777 by Hurley”

Well that was a struggle! I couldn’t get any of the perimeter clues at the top of the grid, nor did any of the long answers jump out. The SW proved a little more tractable, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1767 by Teazel”

A relativley rare offering from Jalna, and the first one of theirs I’ve blogged. It did feel a little different, although I don’t subscribe to the idea that a setter’s style reliably gives them away, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1757 by Jalna”

DNF after staring at 2dn for a couple of minutes then giving up. I usually talk myself out of giving up when thinking that it’s a word I just don’t know, as that’s quite unusual … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1747 by Joker”