Category: Weekend Cryptic

DNF. I whizzed through most of this, then got completely stuck on two clues: 12ac and 2dn. I eventually figured out 12ac but couldn’t get anywhere near 2dn. It was only thanks to a hint … Read more “Sunday Times 4816 by David McLean – breaking news”

Well – where has this setter been hiding? This puzzle wasn’t easy, and had delightful originality. Unusual vocabulary, original wordplay, delicious definitions. I gathered it was going to be a challenge when my first pass … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27144 – Saturday, 15 September 2018. A crossword from another universe?”

And it isn’t even the entire clue. My goodness, has this ever happened before? (nagarams)* like this ACROSS  1 Indian dish served in food halls (4) DHAL — Hidden in food halls  4 Boss with … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic No. 4815, by Dean Mayer — Yon lone nagaram…!”

Times Cryptic No 27138 – Saturday, 08 September 2018. Tennis, anyone? Once again I had a full weekend of meetings – don’t mention the tennis! – so I did this in bits and pieces, and … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27138 – Saturday, 08 September 2018. Tennis, anyone?”

9:49. Straightforward stuff from Jeff this week. I found a few of the definitions a bit loose as I solved, but they all turn out to be supported by dictionaries and/or things I hadn’t come … Read more “Sunday Times 4814 by Jeff Pearce”

I found this puzzle a workout! About a third of the clues were “regular weight” and went in in 10 minutes or so, then I spent another hour or more looking at clue after clue … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27132 – Saturday, 01 September 2018. Don’t talk of clues – show me!”

Rather a mundane vocabulary for this one. I pick as my COD the clever, though quite easy, 7, which is also probably the most interesting word here. But 6 also stands out, as &lit.s have … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4813, by David McLean — Not the end of the world”

I did this in bits and piece during a busy Saturday so I don’t have a time to report. I thought it might have been a little harder than recent Saturdays, but it was a … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27126 – Saturday, 25 August 2018. Resistance is futile.”

13:18. I’ve had something of a hectic week this week so I can’t remember much about this puzzle I’m afraid. One thing that did induce a raised eyebrow was the politically controversial usage at 14dn. … Read more “Sunday Times 4812 by Dean Mayer”

A fun puzzle. Harder than the previous couple of weeks, taking me almost 42 minutes. There were a number of clues where I had knowledge gaps, but could put the answer in with a note … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27120 – Saturday, 18 August 2018. No smoking gun, just smoked haddock.”