Author: william_j_s

Very slow for me – partly because I’m a little out of practice lately, but also due to quite a lot of those crypticky sideways definitions that I’ve always been slow to twig. I probably … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1577 by Teazel”

This had a familiar feel about it mostly, perhaps because I’m finally tuning in to Orpheus’s wavelength, or perhaps because the clues are all composed of pretty standard QC fare. Apart from an unkown region … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1567 by Orpheus”

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”