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Times 23824 – a lot of 16 down
Solving time : headed to the reference books after 30 minutes of head-scratching. This has not been my week (at least for the Times…). Across 1 CROC(U)S – crocs are dangerous beasts, but I’ll still … Read more “Times 23824 – a lot of 16 down”
23823 – short and 9
I was a bit disappointed when I stopped the clock – I thought I’d been quick enough to break 5 minutes. As ever, there are ones where I’m now wondering why it took so long. … Read more “23823 – short and 9”
Times 23822 How Many Prunes?
Solving time : 35 minutes A mainly straightforward puzzle that I finished in 25 minutes except for 28 across. After a further 10 minutes without inspiration I decided not to hold the analysis up any … Read more “Times 23822 How Many Prunes?”
23821 – You Ain’t Going Nowhere
I did about half last night and finished this morning – probably about an hour altogether. It seemed pretty difficult last night, but not too bad this morning.There are some interesting clues and a few … Read more “23821 – You Ain’t Going Nowhere”
ST 4260 (Sun 20 Jan) – Cheesed off
Solving time: 6 mins for all but 16ac, on which I gave up shortly afterwards. I was let down by lack of cheese knowledge. The puzzle was let down by some pretty terrible clues. * … Read more “ST 4260 (Sun 20 Jan) – Cheesed off”
Mephisto 2473
Solving time – 37:44 This was probably one of Mike Laws’ easier offerings, as I normally find him the hardest of the three Mephisto setters. Across 1 TWAS – TWA (ceased operating in 2001 when … Read more “Mephisto 2473”
Times Saturday 23814 (Jan 19)
No time recorded last week, but it felt quite straightforward with no major holdups, so I’d guess around 10-12 minutes. Across 1 COME,DIAN(a) 9 MUD,DYING 10 BURIAL – “berry’ll”, scraping the bottom of the barrel, … Read more “Times Saturday 23814 (Jan 19)”
23,819 – Care taken
Solving time: 9:45 This would have been all over in about 6 minutes were it not for 27a and 17d, which between them took me just over 3 minutes. Lots of good solid clues but … Read more “23,819 – Care taken”
Times 23,818
Solving time: 13:30 Solved the bottom half first and worked up, partly through getting the wrong answer into my head for 1A. The short cryptic definitions at 1D and 5 also held me up. There … Read more “Times 23,818”