Category: Daily Cryptic

Solving time: 35’ Had to use Chambers to work out 19D (ELF-LOCKS) and for 11A (CHASUBLE) – I’ve already mentioned that ecclesiastical clues aren’t my forte. No long multi-word phrases this time which is usually … Read more “Times 23643/tangled mop”

Solving time : 43 mins – one missing Not too bad today – did just over half at breakfast and finished off at lunch – with the exception of 28A which I just couldn’t fathom. … Read more “Times 23642 – Dormer”

Solving time: Didn’t record, but took ages to get CALIPASH and DIVINE in the top left, and resorted to references to get FIG-LEAF. The preamble to this puzzle should have read: In two clues the … Read more “ST 4230 (Sun 23 Jun) – Divine comedy”

Despite some of the tricky clues, this wasn’t overly difficult – once I had some answers in, many of the others jumped out at me and it was a simple matter of checking that the … Read more “23640 – Keep ireless”

Solving time: 14:58 Pretty straightforward for the most part, if not as easy as yesterday’s. But then I came to a dead halt on 10A and 22A. Perhaps my mental filing system is less good … Read more “Times 23639”

Solving time 4:30 I think that’s the appropriate quote from Reggie Perrin after ripping through this one on the train – personal best material for someone, perhaps. And nice for me to know after a … Read more “23638 – “Very easy today”, said Peter Cartwright”

Solving time: 45’ Looks like a pangram — given the presence of the uncommon z, q, x, k, j – I haven’t checked the other letters. In fact, there are three checked q’s here which … Read more “Times 23637/cute”

Solving Time: 51 minutes Last one to go in was 21D, I didn’t know the word, but I still feel a bit thick.Also, just checking my answers online, I think that 20A could be TYROL … Read more “The Times 23, 636 – multiple choice?”

Solving time: 7:57, one mistake (20ac). There are some really good clues in this puzzle, which I thought was probably the best ST crossword since #4213. I especially liked 14ac, 24ac and 18dn, but almost … Read more “ST 4229 (Sun 10 Jun) – Blunderpants”

Solving time: 8:40 As Peter says, a relatively easy puzzle. That is a pretty good time for me. I had a good start, getting the first nine clues I looked at (which in this grid … Read more “23633 – 4D and not at all 22D”