Category: Weekend Cryptic

Solving time: 51:44 Not a bad test. There were a couple of potential traps for the unwary where similar words would fit the checkers – 16a and 17d, but both were clear from the wordplay. … Read more “Sunday Times 4579 (2 Mar 2014) by Tim Moorey”

Solving time 16:44, quite tricky in places with a couple of unexpected partial words (BIOG, IMPROV), but nothing too obscure and I should have been quicker than that. Now then, I was surprised to read … Read more “Saturday Times 25723 (1st March) – and lots of opportunities for new bloggers.”

Solving time: 44:32 Not too difficult by Dean’s standards, but no less enjoyable for it. Plenty of excellent surface readings, and clever wordplay. cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones … Read more “Sunday Times 4578 (23 Feb 2014) by Dean Mayer”

Solved in 15:44, so about average in difficulty. I didn’t realise until I came to do the blog, but there’s a long run of double definitions and semi-cryptic double definitions in the middle of the … Read more “Saturday Times 25717 (22nd Feb)”

Solving time: 42:01 I found this a good solid puzzle with some good clues and no complaints from me. Judging by the forum comments, I wasn’t alone in my ignorance of the second definition in … Read more “Sunday Times 4577 (16 Feb 2014) by Jeff Pearce”

Getting there, but I’m on call today. Thought I’d have an easy day of it but got called out half an hour before I was due to start and only just finished with it! Still, … Read more “Saturday Times 25711 (15th Feb)”

Solving time: 73:18 – over several sessions. I couldn’t seem to get on the setter’s wavelength with this one, but then I often seem to find that with Tim’s puzzles. That’s not a criticism of … Read more “Sunday Times 4576 (9 Feb 2014) by Tim Moorey”

Solving time 22:15, so on the tricky side for me. A bit late posting today as I was up half the night, and also out earlier sweeping tiles from the street which had still been … Read more “Saturday Times 25705 (8th Feb)”

Solving time: 64:25, albeit amidst distractions Another excellent puzzle from Dean. Plenty to titter about for the schoolboys amongst us in BUM, BALLS, PUSSY, and a few others as well, but they’re all used perfectly … Read more “Sunday Times 4575 (2 Feb 2014) by Dean Mayer”

A rare Nina in the cryptic, i.e. GOODBYE RICHARD in 11 and 12 across, and I’m sure we all wish the outgoing editor Richard Browne all the best for a happy retirement, and the new … Read more “Saturday Times 25699 (1st Feb) – 11 12, and a Happy Retirement!”