Category: Jumbo Cryptic

Just a quick report on what I consider to be the more difficult clues. I didn’t make a note of my time for this, but my average for Jumbos is around 30-40 minutes. Across 13 … Read more “Times Jumbo 724 (27 Oct)”

Solving time: About 50 mins in two sessions; four missing (asterisked below). I found this very tough, mostly because I didn’t know some of the harder words / phrases; anyone who did would probably say … Read more “Jumbo 723 (Sat 20 Oct) – Return of the Space Capsule”

Solving time (estimate): about 30 mins Failed to keep my original copy of this so I’ve just done a re-solve, which suggests that the first go must have taken a fair while, and that quite … Read more “Jumbo 722 – fairly tricky”

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”