Category: Daily Cryptic

It’s almost as if I hadn’t been away, as I return to a steamy Hong Kong and a straightforward (for me – but clearly not for everyone) Monday puzzle.

26:22, although I spent far too long dithering over my last two entries, not really being able to parse them. I’m filling in for William this week, writing this blog from the misty woods of Phoenicia, NY, where we are enjoying cooler than usual weather. I found this puzzle to be gentle, though not without interest. A fitting conclusion to a week of hiking and board games with friends and family.

  Happily completed in a steady 17.28, with no particular hesitations except the American city, which I have now added to my list of hazily remembered places should I ever need it again. While there … Read more “28990 Blackbird, learn to fly.”

I didn’t have any problems solving this crossword from the word play and the checkers, but fully understanding a few of the clues involved general knowledge I don’t possess.

Not a biffer’s paradise I suspect

I cannot say that this was another easy Monday, as the last several answers proved very elusive, including two words that were not in my vocabulary.

DNF. Most of this puzzle was easy, but to finish it required a bunch of UK-specific knowledge. In the end, two clues in the upper-right corner undid me. I solved this puzzle in the throes of Covid, but I don’t blame the virus for my poor performance!

Time taken: 11:11. I like the symmetry, just a little slower than my average, so I think this is a chewy one but not a Tricky Thursday.

This was one of those puzzles where ten per cent of the clues took ninety per cent of the time, and vice versa.

1000 and still counting!!