Category: Jumbo Cryptic

 Solving time: 30:32 Unbelievably I spotted a few of the thematic answers as I worked through the puzzle, but it was not until completion that I sat back and noticed the number of the puzzle!  … Read more “Jumbo 747 – a REAL Jumbo puzzle!”

Solving time 35:32 OK, it ended up being Tuesday morning, but I got there in the end! Good puzzle, a lot of clever definitions and more than the usual share of &lits. Across 1 0,RANGE,BLOSSOM … Read more “Times Jumbo 746 (Mar 15)”

Solving time: 18:52 Not a fast time but I’m reasonably pleased with it as I thought this was quite hard. There are some difficult words and cultural references, most of which I didn’t know, but … Read more “Jumbo 745 (Sat 8 Mar) – Laughing Kavalier”

Solving time 16:08 The long hidden word at 20A, a lot of very well-crafted clues, and the mild difficulty level for me, all make me wonder whether this puzzle is from Brian Greer. If not, … Read more “Times Jumbo 744 (March 1st)”

Solving time: 22:30                                   I solved this Jumbo on the Saturday afternoon of a nice, relaxing weekend break so I had no intention of “intense” solving.  However, I found this probably the most straightforward Jumbo I … Read more “Times Jumbo 743 – PB’s anyone?”

My broadband connection was down all weekend, hence the lateness of this report. Solving time 49:06 – a bit slower than usual, but as it was two weeks ago I can’t remember what I got … Read more “Times Jumbo 742 (Feb 16)”

Solving time: 12:00 This was probably the easiest Jumbo I’ve seen – but for 51dn I’d finished in about 7:50. Unfortunately it took me another four minutes to spot the answer to that (and even … Read more “Jumbo 741 (Sat 9 Feb) – Flamed out”

Solving time: 36:22 Peter’s “false start” with Jumbo 740 had me disorientated for a while, but after checking the calendar I confirmed that I should be posting this blog this weekend! I enjoyed this Jumbo … Read more “Times Jumbo 739 – Thought I was a week late!”

As the remaining comment points out, I put this up a week too soon. Babs_gee will get credit next week for the explanation she provided to debaffle me on one clue.

This was one of the best Jumbos I’ve solved, with loads of great clues. Pretty difficult too, but very satisfying to finish. Took about 50 minutes I think. Across 5 TAC(I)T,US – Roman historian, whose … Read more “Times Jumbo 738 (Jan 19)”