Author: william_j_s

A couple of unknown meanings for me at 1ac, 14dn and 18dn meant I had to wait for a few checkers there, but otherwise a nice, workaday puzzle. Definiitons underlined. Across 1 Former pupil, retainer, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1557 by Hurley”

These are quite devious clues in which several parts have been handpicked for their ambiguity. This made for a tricky but ultimately satisfying solve. There are also some minor obscurities, but these are balanced by … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1547 by Orpheus”

A middling difficulty excursion that has only a few unusual bits. But they’re mixed in with a very healthy number of simpler ones, and they’re all clued quite transparently. If you asked my five years … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1537 by Hurley”

I had a hard time getting started, flitting around the grid, and a hard time finishing, with several gaps in my knowledge. Probably my slowest solve for a few months! Hope you found it considerably … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1527 by Tracy”

Happy New Year to all – I hope that 2020 brings you many PDMs and fast times. I found this tougher than average, and it took me a long while to get going. We seem … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1517 by Howzat”

This might prove dispiriting for those on the K-scale – it’s going to be difficult to keep up, I think! Trelawney has typically been a welcome respite from obscurities and tortuous wordplay, and while no … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1507 by Trelawney”

I finished this in an average time, but only by leaving some of the clues unparsed until the end. There are some lovely neat clues amongst a few rather clunky ones, and my COD goes … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1497 by Pedro”

Not easy for me, resorting to the downs to get anywhere, and ending up with my worst time in a while. I thought that all four long answers were difficult to get, despite seeing how … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1487 by Pedro”

Sluggish to get off the ground, but completed in an average time. I was slowed down by clues that ended up seeming rather simple in hindsight; so touché setter. I’m left wondering about ‘you’ in … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1477 by Mara”

Nothing too scary here. Plenty of footholds and generous clueing meant I was only held up at the very end by 17ac, which I did not know and took ages to switch gears from the … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1467 by Oink”