Category: Weekend Cryptic

Solving time 24:20, which makes this one a bit harder than average. A really good puzzle though, full of inventive and witty definitions and clever wordplay – some of which I hadn’t worked out until … Read more “Saturday Times 24777 (19th Feb)”

Solving time: Romped through all but 3 (7/8/10) in about 13 minutes, then stared at these for the rest of my son’s swimming lesson without inspiration. I used aids on them when I got home … Read more “Sunday Times 4420 (13 Feb 2011)”

Solving time 11:40, which seemed quite quick for me considering the number of clever clues. A wrong answer at 25 held me up for a minute in the SW corner, but my Tippex is too … Read more “Saturday Times 24771 (12th Feb)”

Well I never did! Farts? In a Times crossword? Whatever is the world coming to? Peter Biddlecombe, I’m shocked at you! What would your mother say? I enjoyed this one, although I suspect I would … Read more “Sunday Times 4419 (6 Feb 2011) – How rude!”

Solving time 11:46, and for a while I was hoping for sub-10 minutes. 1ac got me off to a flier as I got nearly all the Downs off it at first look, so the top … Read more “Saturday Times 24765 (5th Feb)”

Solving time: 30 minutes exactly. Another straightforward puzzle. It’s good to see that the general standard of the puzzle has survived the transition between editors. I haven’t noticed any glaring mistakes in the few weeks … Read more “Sunday Times 4418 (30 Jan 2011)”

I solved this on the train on the way to Derby last weekend for the first non-London Sloggers and Betters event. A fairly quick solve – approx 15 minutes including 2 or 3 at the … Read more “Saturday Times 24759 (29th Jan)”

Solving time: 30 minutes exactly, with one mistake. I found this a pretty steady solve. I spent a couple of minutes staring at the last clue, before I realised I wasn’t going to get it … Read more “Sunday Times 4417 (23 Jan 2011)”

No exact time for this one as I was interrupted after 5 minutes and didn’t pick it up again until the Tuesday morning commute. Most of it came out fairly quickly but I got bogged … Read more “Saturday Times 24753 (22nd Jan)”

Solving time: About 50 minutes, with 1 wrong and needing aids for two others. Many apologies for the late blog, but my phone line went down over the weekend and I’m told it will be … Read more “Sunday Times 4416 (16 Jan 2011)”