Author: william_j_s

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”

I thought this was kind of tricky, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of those puzzles that splits us down the middle; the more experienced solvers not really noticing the sideways, superficial … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1617 by Mara”

Just the one unknown meaning for me today (23ac) in an otherwise top-to-bottom solve. Definitions underlined. Across 3 Bric-a-brac mostly running wild (8) BARBARIC – anagram of (running) BRIC-A-BRAc (mostly). 7 Part of ulcer is … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1607 by Joker”

Apart from a couple of slightly unsatisfying clues in the downs (I’m looking at you 4 and 18), I found this a fair and enjoyable mid-week test. There are lots of clues with self-referential definitions … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1597 by Teazel”

A bit of a harder puzzle than of late, which I solved pretty much bacwards. The left hand side of the grid felt decidedly trickier than the right, and I ended up in the NW … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1587 by Tracy”