Category: Other Crosswords

Sometimes themed puzzles are more difficult because of the problem of getting the theme words in.   However, in the case of this puzzle, most of the theme was in the clues, not the answers.   In fact, it would have been entirely possible to clue this puzzle without any reference to current events.

Hello, did you miss me? A bit? Well in that case, go on then, have a new blog. My friends, I did not distinguish myself. Except insofar as I solved without any errors. My time … Read more “Times Championship Final 2023: Like Falling Off A Bike”

A new feature in the Sunday Times this year is a cryptic crossword where all the clues relate to a news story during the year. Published only online as there is no printed paper on Christmas Day, you can find the puzzle here in The Times Crossword Club.

I hope you’re all having a good Christmas break. Here are my comments on the team effort. Starting with the grid, the checking side is fine. For me it seems a mild shame to have … Read more “TftT Christmas Crossword report”

I didn’t find this as 1ac as Basil’s puzzle last week, ending up a bit baffled by 5ac, 12ac and a couple of spellings/word endings. But it was all in Latin and therefore good! ACROSS1 … Read more “O Tempora! CCXXXVIII by Auctor”

By popular demand (of one person) – a popup bonus blog of this weekend’s Latin puzzle. I found this comparatively easy but was finally defeated by having to check 20ac, so a technical DNF (Decus … Read more “O Tempora! CCXXXVI by Basil”

Today’s puzzle is online in place of the second TCC qualifier, in the paper, which I shall blog after the closing date (I expect on 24th May). This one, based on its serial number, dates … Read more “Times 010477 – “Any fool can turn a blind eye but who knows what the ostrich sees in the sand.””

TfTT Christmas Turkey 2017 Most of this was done fairly easily for a “mixed setters” puzzle. After 10 minutes I was left with 7 clues, solved in this order (time not noted – maybe another … Read more “TfTT Christmas Turkey 2017”

I am relieved of this most pleasant of duties with this last TLS before the axe fell, and I’m already suffering withdrawal pains. Many thanks are due to Talos (still available in the Sunday Times), … Read more “TLS Crossword 1186 by Myrtilus – July 28 That’s All folks”

ENVOI “Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery”.  The theme of this excellent puzzle is Jane Austen – for obvious reasons (the 200th anniversary of her death).  There seems to have been some controversy … Read more “TLS Crossword 1185 – “1 Across and 1 Down” by Praxiteles – July 21, 2017.”