Category: Weekend Cryptic

Well, that was a nightmare! The “obvious” answer to the early version of 18dn (missing the text of the actual clue, which appeared some hours later) was wrong, leaving me totally at sea in the … Read more “Times Saturday 26664 – March 4, 2017. Clueless in Crosswordland.”

After the rigours of the previous Sunday’s offering from Dean, this one from Harry came as a bit of light relief – and I for one am not complaining! A very accessible puzzle by Sunday … Read more “Sunday Times 4735 by David McLean”

The department of dodgy homophones was on the case with this one.  I put them in the same category as cracker jokes and just relax and enjoy them but there are some on the Club … Read more “Times Saturday cryptic 26658 – February 25, 2017. A bishop, a priest and a rabbi walk into a bar…”

19.33. Another very fine puzzle from Dean this week. I found it tricky, with numerous clues that had me scratching my head until the penny dropped. Looking at them now, as I write up the … Read more “Sunday Times 4734 by Dean Mayer”

I’m just temping here, alternately with Brnchn (Bruce), for the next few weeks while our new boss Vinyl finds a permanent replacement for the irreplaceable Linxit (I believe B is continuing).  Some vintage American material … Read more “Saturday Times Cryptic 26652 – February 18, 2017. Don’t cry for me Richard Nixon.”

An enjoyable puzzle characterised by very economical cluing from Jeff – elegant, pithy surfaces abound. Nothing too taxing, although 1ac was unknown to me and went in from wordplay on a wing and a prayer, … Read more “Sunday Times 4733 by Jeff Pearce”

Another good workout. The top half of the grid went in reasonably smoothly but then it was a slow struggle through the bottom half. I got several answers from the definition and helpers and then … Read more “Saturday Times 26646 – 11th Feb. Crosswords in the Menagerie”

13:30. Another fairly straightforward puzzle this week, so another week in which I have avoided silly error. There seem to be quite a few straightforward anagrams in this one, and there is nothing terribly obscure. … Read more “Sunday Times 4732 by David McLean – leave the gun”

Hello all – this is my first go as an official blogger. Big shoes to fill – thanks, Andy! With my fears aroused by Andy’s parting words (“this Saturday’s was a stinker – looks like … Read more “Saturday Times 26640 – 4th Feb. In at the deep end!”

The usual Dean Mayer blog epithets apply – elegant, succinct, masterly tight cluing with plenty of real ingenuity. This puzzle was, I think, probably one for the true connoisseurs. It struck me (Pseud’s Corner alert) … Read more “Sunday Times 4731 by Dean Mayer”