Category: Weekend Cryptic

Here we have TV shows, stage plays. Fun parks. Trashy paperbacks. Track and field sports, or a quiet ale. Something for everyone! Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you all … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27990 – Saturday, 29 May 2021. Roll up, roll up … fun for all!”

19:43. Another very fine puzzle from Bob, who is having a great run. This one was also quite tough, so gave me plenty of enjoyment last Sunday. As usual with this setter there are lots … Read more “Sunday Times 4956 by Robert Price”

I was stumped by 12ac. The rest was Saturday standard. Thanks to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle. How did you all get on? [Read more …]Notes for newcomers: The Times offers prizes for … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27984 – Saturday, 22 May 2021. Geographically challenged.”

…wins the race! The week before, I had been out of ink, so Saturday saw me working the five weekday 15x15s, plus test-solving two for my former Nation team, before looking at this stunning offering, … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4955, by Dean Mayer — slow and steady”

Surprised, that is, that I took so long with 20ac, where the answer wasn’t “omigod”. 19dn also took longer than it ought, but I smiled at the answer. A generous run of double definitions in … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27978 – Saturday, 15 May 2021. Omigod, I’m surprised.”

6:33. A very gentle puzzle from Harry this week, but none the worse for that. The goddess at 9ac might cause some problems, but she was vaguely familiar to me for some reason. 7dn must … Read more “Sunday Times 4954 by David McLean – something like a phenomenon”

This went fairly quickly until I found myself staring at 19dn in frustration. It could only be what it was, but why!? Was it going to be another of those inexplicable clues, like the one … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27972 – Saturday, 8 May 2021. Another of life’s little mysteries?”

A spectrum of life here, with advice to a weary employee, a nightmarish work scene, a brewery mascot, news in men’s fashions, competitive coworkers in an atmosphere of smouldering tension, and, of course, the uninhibited … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4953, by Robert Price — string of pearls”

Last Saturday was busy for me, and I did this in snatches. So it was an extended solve, but I don’t think it was harder than usual. My ignorance of 1ac is all encompassing, so … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27966 – Saturday, 1 May 2021. Done by dinner.”

17:23. Dean is on top form this week, producing a really superb puzzle. There are lots of good clues in this but I particularly liked 14ac. 10dn also deserves a mention just because it’s such … Read more “Sunday Times 4952 by Dean Mayer”