Category: Jumbo Cryptic

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)”

A brief report on this. I thought I’d solved it when it appeared zand then lost it, but it felt like fresh solving – especially as one answer defeated me – or I lost patience. … Read more “Jumbo 736”

This was the New Years puzzle. Haven’t done a Jumbo in some time… the solving experience seemed an eternity (over an hour). Had to search for both the lit refs (Shelley and Eliot) and was … Read more “Jumbo 735/New Years day”

Solving time: 34:47                                   Quite a straightforward puzzle, although the NW corner did not give up much to begin with, so a slow start, and the SE corner took a little work at the end. I … Read more “Times Jumbo 734”