Solving time: 11:02 Good puzzle. Interesting but not too obscure answers, and some enterprising approaches to cluing. And economical clues, with very few linking words. Quite a few literary references, in surfaces or answers. And … Read more “Times 23615 – Wilt thou, Angus, …”
Times 23,614 – Not too hellish
Some tricky words at the end, but not too difficult overall. Enjoyed it. Solving time: 25 mins (about average for me for the Times) * = anagramACROSS1 HADES cf shades Both meaning the underworld (hell)4 … Read more “Times 23,614 – Not too hellish”
Times 23613/dogs, hogs and pigs
Solving time: 45’-1h (didn’t properly time myself). Another first-class and, to my mind, hard puzzle. The SW corner was the most challenging – nothing fell there until quite late. As per usual a couple of … Read more “Times 23613/dogs, hogs and pigs”
23612 – I spy a mysterious smorgasbord of pandowdies and spam
Solving time: 41 minutes Another Bank Holiday, another straightforward puzzle. There was nothing too tricky today: a few words I didn’t know but I wasn’t held up for too long. There were quite a few … Read more “23612 – I spy a mysterious smorgasbord of pandowdies and spam”
ST 4225 – The good, the bad and the unco
Solving time: 6:22 Quite a few obscure words in this, especially in the top left, but the clues were accurate and helpful. As only 3dn was new to me, I think my time was probably … Read more “ST 4225 – The good, the bad and the unco”
Times Saturday 23605
OK, finally got time to do it. Sorry for the delay, it’s been a hectic weekend! I found this a bit easier than most Saturday puzzles, and finished it in 9:32. Not many clues to … Read more “Times Saturday 23605”
Times 23,610 – Not feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!!
After finishing last week’s puzzle in what turned out to be an impressive time, I really struggled with this week’s effort. There are a few words which I barely know and some I didn’t know … Read more “Times 23,610 – Not feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!!”
Times Jumbo 698 (Sat 12 May) – Blunder gatherer
Solving time: 21:00, three mistakes (30ac, 34ac and 20dn). This would have been under 15 mins but for 34ac, 41ac and 3dn. I got the last two of these right but guessed the first incorrectly, … Read more “Times Jumbo 698 (Sat 12 May) – Blunder gatherer”
Times 23609 – at last
Solving time: 10:10 There are two question marks in the clues, indicating outrageous indicators. Relatively mildly, 5D relies on Chicken Little’s autobiography being called “Little by Little”. Much more strangely, 16A relies on us treating … Read more “Times 23609 – at last”
Times 23608 23 May 2007
I found this one quite easy. Solving time: 15 mins (very fast for me for the Times) * = anagramACROSS4 CUPID’S BOW As well as the bow of mythology, it describes curly lips.9 EX ONE … Read more “Times 23608 23 May 2007”