Solving time: 30 mins As well as some Christmassy clues there were a few thematic answers in this (e.g. THREE KINGS, HOLLY TREE, FRANKINCENSE) but not enough to justify the traditionally awful grid with grossly … Read more “ST (Jumbo) 4360 (Sun 20 Dec) – Referees assistance”
Category: Jumbo Cryptic
Jumbo 848
Firstly, a Happy New Year to everyone. This was a steady solve, although I did need to resort to aids to confirm 55A, but I don’t think I was alone. I have left out a … Read more “Jumbo 848”
Times Jumbo 847
The usual Jumbo rubric: as the solution is available alongside (or indeed before) the blog, comment is confined only to references that might remain obscure to overseas / inexperienced solvers even with the answer visible, … Read more “Times Jumbo 847”
Times Jumbo 846 – Sat 5 December 2009
Very enjoyable puzzle, completed in very unCheltenhamlike conditions in about 2 hours. Pleased to have solved it all without looking at dicts, getting words that I was not familiar with from the wordplay given, later … Read more “Times Jumbo 846 – Sat 5 December 2009”
Jumbo 845 – well worth the time
It should be safe to put this up now – entries are due today and I suspect the winner has already been selected. If you didn’t do this one, I’d recommend fetching it from the … Read more “Jumbo 845 – well worth the time”
Jumbo 844 – 21st November 2009
Sorry for the lateness of this report. This one was a bit too easy for my liking although my last three accounted for a third of my total time, which was around 30 minutes. Nothing … Read more “Jumbo 844 – 21st November 2009”
Jumbo 843
Not too much to blog about on this one. A couple of additions to the unusual words list, and a couple of clever clues, but not the most inspiring solve. I hope it was just … Read more “Jumbo 843”
Jumbo 842
The usual Jumbo rubric: as the solution is available alongside (or indeed before) the blog, comment is confined only to references that might remain obscure to overseas / inexperienced solvers even with the answer visible, … Read more “Jumbo 842”
Jumbo 841 (31-Oct)
Solving time: No time recorded, but over 2 hours. I did most of it in about an hour and 20 minutes on Sunday night, but the last dozen or so came in dribs and drabs … Read more “Jumbo 841 (31-Oct)”
Jumbo 840 (24 Oct)
Solving time: 1hr 30mins (1 mistake) Welcome to my first blog. If you’re partial to a snack, this should be right up your street. We’ve got Satay Pot Noodles, hot-dogs, tapas and marshmallows. This was … Read more “Jumbo 840 (24 Oct)”