Category: Weekend Cryptic

13:26. Nothing too taxing here, but for the second time in a row I have the blogger’s nightmare of being unable to explain something. In fact this week there are two clues I don’t understand … Read more “Sunday Times 4796 by Jeff Pearce”

Well there were some tours de force in this puzzle, capped by the quadruple definition at 25ac – yes, four of them in a surface that reads naturally! And supported by a triple definition elsewhere … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27024 – Saturday, 28 April 2018. Definitions, definitions everywhere!”

A pleasant, fairly gentle puzzle from Harry this week with some nice twists and sleights of hand.  I particularly enjoyed the neat construction of 10ac with the Ts removed from two words, and the excellent … Read more “Sunday Times 4795 by David McLean”

I think that barring some quibbles this is the best Saturday puzzle I have had the privilege of blogging. Clue after clue was a gem of the setter’s art. Sadly, it was beyond my abilities … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27018 – Saturday, 21 April 2018. A classic beauty – but don’t give me flowers!”

14:51. I didn’t find this particularly difficult but I enjoyed it immensely. Lots of witty and consummately elegant clues, as we have come to expect from Dean. It’s always hard to pick a favourite, which … Read more “Sunday Times 4794 by Dean Mayer”

This was a straightforward exercise, although in several cases I had to stop and think twice about well-disguised definitions. Finished in under 30 minutes, so I expect some fast times from the experts. My clue … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27012 – Saturday, 14 April 2018. A walk in the park?”

An enjoyable puzzle from Jeff this week, not too tricky but it kept me interested throughout and the whole thing was, I thought, beautifully crafted.  Elegant surfaces abounded, but I’d probably single out the wagon maker … Read more “Sunday Times 4793 by Jeff Pearce”

I printed the crossword soon after it appeared on the Club site, and solved it in about 40 minutes – so not too hard for me, and no horrible obscurities, I’m happy to report. The … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27006 – Saturday 07 April 2018. Blink and you’ve missed it!”

8:31. This was a pretty straightforward puzzle, but a lot of fun to solve. Lots of great clues but 3dn is a particular highlight. So many thanks to Harry, and here’s how I think it … Read more “Sunday Times 4792 by David McLean – cryptic boogaloo”

Some were forecasting a special showing for this millennial puzzle No. 27,000, but as far as I can see it’s business as usual, unlike the Verlaine special No. 26,999 the day before. It took me … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27000 – Saturday, 31 March 2018. Crossword 27K day.”