Category: Jumbo Cryptic

I’m hopeless at remembering birthdays so while I remember, the team version of Times for the Times is one year old next Wednesday. A chance to pause and take stock. I’ll ask the same questions … Read more “We’re nearly one / Jumbo 722 delayed”

Solving time: Gave up on the last 4 (starred) after 45 mins. Very tough this one, although I’m sure more cultured solvers will have known 1ac and so found the top left much less of … Read more “Jumbo 719 (Sat 22 Sept) – Roughing it”

Solving time: 50 minutes, with a dictionary used for the last couple of clues. This started out easily enough, but I got very bogged down in the SW corner (44A and D, 48, 54, 43) … Read more “Jumbo 718 – Tricky Clue City, Arizona”

Solving time 28:04 I don’t often finish the Jumbo in under half an hour, so this was a quickish time for me. I was probably helped by the 22 multi-word answers. I don’t know if … Read more “Jumbo 717 (8th Sept)”

Solving time: 1:10:06 No, not that Potter, Beatrix Potter.  I cannot see that there is any particular anniversary to commemorate, but nevertheless it was the chance to incorporate some interesting answers from amongst her many … Read more “Jumbo 716 – A treat for all Potter fans”

Original copy lost, so I solved this again. I think it took me the usual 15-20 minutes for an easyish jumbo. Just explaining what I think are the toughest few clues here – ask in … Read more “Jumbo 714 – Herod, Henry and George”

Solving time: 1:05:24 Apologies for the late arrival of incoming Flight Number Jumbo 712 – I decided to take advantage of the very pleasant Bank Holiday weather and shot away at very short notice before … Read more “Times Jumbo 712 – Author, author”

Solving time 14:36 A pretty easy puzzle, but the clues read well and there are a couple of good &lit clues. The 15×15 cryptic on the same day was really tough, so this one’s low … Read more “Jumbo 710”

Solving time – 23:36 I’m not 100% sure, but I think this is my fastest time for the Jumbo since I started timing myself. Usually there are a few tricky clues or obscure words but … Read more “Times Jumbo 709 (Sat July 21)”

Solving time: 32 mins, one mistake (42ac) Definitely not at my sharpest when solving this, having suffered a spectacular bout of food poisoning the night before. The top left corner in particular took me ages, … Read more “Times Jumbo 707 (Sat 7 July) – Moth balls”