20:20. I found this very tricky, with a few answers that were completely beyond my ken and needed to be carefully constructed from wordplay. Excellent stuff though as always.
Category: Weekend Cryptic
Times Cryptic 28764 – Sat, 18 Nov 2023. From Lima with love?
This was fun. The setter’s tongue was firmly in their cheek on a few clues!
Sunday Times Cryptic 5085 by Dean Mayer — covering a lot of ground
My favorite puzzles are always those that educate me at least a little bit, along with drawing on knowledge you already possess (though it may be on the verge of being forgotten).
Times Cryptic 28758 – Sat, 11 Nov 2023. Hot ’Pies.
In Australia, the ’Pies are the Australian Football 2023 Premiers. Their supporters will be delighted to see them featured in 1ac!
Sunday Times 5084 by David McLean – not so bad
15:22. I found this puzzle enjoyably tricky. There are a couple of rather modern references in here (1dn, 5dn) which I know isn’t to everyone’s taste but I really like it when these puzzles reflect … Read more “Sunday Times 5084 by David McLean – not so bad”
Times Cryptic 28752 – Sat, 4 Nov 2023. To know or … no, not.
This felt harder than recent Saturdays.
Sunday Times Cryptic No 5083, by Robert Price — exotic hybrids
None of these clues are ultimately complicated nor is any of the vocabulary obscure. But the setter artfully, magically, with nearly imperceptible sleights of hand, and oft-amusing surface distraction, keeps the answer hidden until it comes as a surprise.
Times Cryptic 28746 – Sat, 28 Oct 2023. Old Time Rock and Roll.
It wasn’t all R’n’R; with my LOI (26ac) I wasted time vainly trying to construct a classical Italian musical instruction.
Sunday Times 5082 by Dean Mayer
13:43. Another really excellent puzzle from Dean. Top notch stuff.
Times Cryptic 28740 – Sat, 21 Oct 2023. Eyes off the ball.
Solved offline, in free moments. Time and difficulty not registered. You’ll have to tell me!