Well thank you very much Mr (or Mrs) Setter! What an absolute stinker this was. After 20 minutes I was considering coming on here and apologising for lack of blog because I only had three … Read more “Times 24087 – 3rd Dec 08. Hellish route indeed – my worst nightmare”
Times 24,086 Euclid Stars
Solving time : 20 minutes A very straightforward pleasant enough puzzle with no outstanding features or queries but two mathematical references – things are looking up! Across 1 KINGS,CROSS – honours=KINGS (playing cards); decoration=CROSS; infamous … Read more “Times 24,086 Euclid Stars”
Clue Topics Analysis
This is a repeat of the exercise carried out last May. It is based upon 24 consecutive Monday to Saturday puzzles from 1st to 28th November inclusive. No sampling techniques have been used. Subject to … Read more “Clue Topics Analysis”
The Times Cryptic Crossword Number: 24085
Solving time: 39 minutes Mostly straightforward, although I got held up for quite a while in the NE corner. After write-up, I don’t think I get 18. Across 5 B,OTTOM – MOTTO,B reversed 9 PUN,IT,I’VE … Read more “The Times Cryptic Crossword Number: 24085”
ST 4304 (Sun 23 Nov) – Ooh, ah, lantana
Solving time: 4:26, one mistake (‘lannata’ for LANTANA at 20dn) A typical Sunday Times puzzle: mostly straightforward, a couple of difficult words, some very good clues and a couple of pretty bad ones. * = … Read more “ST 4304 (Sun 23 Nov) – Ooh, ah, lantana”
Mephisto 2517 Paul McKenna
All Greek to Me A puzzle of average difficulty with a leaning towards Greek fairy stories. Years of doing crosswords meant that luckily I knew all the references. A smattering of nice clues and one, … Read more “Mephisto 2517 Paul McKenna”
Saturday Times 24078 (Nov 22) – another belter
Solving time 20:10. This was another in an increasingly long stretch of brilliant Saturday crosswords, probably the most enjoyable to solve yet for me. There was a lot of Brit slang in it though, so … Read more “Saturday Times 24078 (Nov 22) – another belter”
Imperator
I feel very guilty about using the blog in this way – would have preferred to send individual emails to those who I know enjoy barred puzzles but a) I’m not aware of everyone who … Read more “Imperator”
Times Crossword 24083
Solving time: 15.24, with one mistake. I wrote in TAXES at the very end at 9ac, and stopped the clock – I didn’t really understand how it worked, but then I rarely do understand anything … Read more “Times Crossword 24083”
Times 24,082
Solving time: 10:13 As often happens, I was mainly held up by trying to break down clues that turned out to be cryptic definitions. At 12A, I ended up putting in BABY BOOM without realising … Read more “Times 24,082”