Author: william_j_s

Not the easiest Izetti, in that I needed to look twice at several of these before cottoning on, and didn’t feel confident enough at any point to do much biffing (I did biff 12dn, though, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1717 by Izetti”

Nice puzzle – average time. Following on from yesterday’s Japanese poetry lesson, I was forced to guess a bit more general knowledge today (18ac, 20ac), and I was slow to think of the required woman … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1707 by Orpheus”

It’s been a while since I blogged an Izetti*, and I solved this one without knowing the setter’s identity (on my phone). I should have guessed, but missed the trademark religious reference (4dn today, I … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1697 by Izetti”

I raced through this one, helped by plenty of double definitions and opportunities to biff. I did pause on blogging at 16dn thinking that some double duty was afoot, and at 5dn wondering if the … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1687 by Mara”

I was told when starting crosswords that The Times was perhaps not the best to cut your teeth on (but obviously the superior puzzle), and if you’re starting out with this tricky little number, I’ll … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1677 by Izetti”

Not my fastest time for an Oink, but I can’t tell if that’s the result of me being offline for a week or so, or if it’s really a tester. I put my LOI 22ac … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1667 by Oink”

Posting a bit later than usual – apologies to our esteemed friends across the pond. This one held me up a little, taking me average time and a half,  but I can’t see why now. … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1657 by Teazel”

Not much say about this one, except that I hope it is a confidence-booster for any improvers out there. I biffed quite a few, to be honest, so now to figure out how they all … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1647 by Tracy”

Another well-pitched puzzle from Orpheus, with enough to chew on but not totally indigestible. I certainly started to get worried when 1ac, 5ac, and 1dn failed to appear, but as has been said many times … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1637 by Orpheus”

After a slow start at the top of the grid, I found the rest yeilded more easily so finished in an average time. I’ve never heard of the type of drama at 2dn but with … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1627 by Oink”