Author: william_j_s

Apologies are due to the early birds for the slightly later than normal posting – unforeseen circumstances, I’m afraid. This has a bit of everything and I enjoyed solving it. A few bits and pieces … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1117 by Hurley”

Hawthorn’s previous puzzles have been elegant and witty (and slightly harder than average I’d say), and this one is no exception – a very enjoyable solve. We have some examples of clue types that are … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1107 by Hawthorn”

I’ve finally got round to using mohn’s excellent script and instructions to post this blog – kudos to him for solving that puzzle! I’m very glad that I can now show clues in blue, as … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1097 by Felix”

A quick solve for me, especially the top half, which seemed to go in on first reading without much thought. I was definitely slowed by the bottom half (the worker’s rule providing a barrier – … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1087 by Joker”

A touch harder than the previous puzzles this week, but not by too much. I was slowed down by the Hampshire town and the Russian house (but not the noisy party or wine from castile… … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1077 by Flamande”

A good challenge for which I wasn’t quite on the right wavelength, so found difficult. I was saved to some extent by a number of short double definitions which put a few checkers scattered around … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1057 by Izetti”

First of all, apologies for the supremely sparse blog – it’s the result of work troubles, technical failure, and last-minuteness. I found the puzzle hard, possibly due to the aforementioned stresses, or just having an … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1047 by Teazel”

I thought there were plenty of ways in to this puzzle (through 11dn, if nothing else), but had to jump around the grid to complete it. There are some tricksy and well-hidden definitions: 6ac and … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1037 by Joker”

A puzzle of average difficulty (I predict). What it lacks in cunning, it makes up for in wit – several surfaces raised a smile (14ac, 4dn and 22dn get a mention, but especially 23ac). My … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1027 by Rongo”

This puzzle was as much fun in the unpicking as it was in the solving! It took me a bit longer than average, owing mainly to the handful of clues where my general knowledge was … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1017 by Corelli”