This is a weekly unofficial contest based on your times for the Times cryptic crossword from Saturday to Friday. In July 2007, someone commenting on Tony Sever’s Times 2 RTC blog suggested a competition like … Read more “Unofficial Times cryptic RTC No. 10 – your times please”
23,712 – deSPICAble
I really struggled with this one, and eventually had to revert to a solver for the last clue – 11 across. I’d be interested to know how many average commuters solved this one on the … Read more “23,712 – deSPICAble”
23,711 – no bad for a scunner
Solving time: 18:33 I found this pretty tough-going. Some very good and witty clues, but not enough easy ones for me. And I was worried about 10A until I found that an oxer really is … Read more “23,711 – no bad for a scunner”
23,7010 – a bit of a struggle
Solving time 16:10 On first look, I got to 16A before writing anything, but then did quite well with the bottom half and worked back into the NE corner. But the top left took ages, … Read more “23,7010 – a bit of a struggle”
Times 23709/only one trouble spot
Solving time: 35’ I think the Tuesday curse has been lifted. I got about half of the clues in my first “cold solve” sweep which is a very high percentage for me. Heraldry not being … Read more “Times 23709/only one trouble spot”
Times Saturday 23701 – found it!
Solving time 24:07 When I was solving this puzzle a week last Saturday, I realised it was quite tricky so made some notes on it afterwards to make writing the blog much easier this week! … Read more “Times Saturday 23701 – found it!”
Times 23708 – some easy, some hard, all good
Solving time: 1h 1m 46s I had a bad day at work today and looked forward to a relaxing solve to unwind. Always nice to get off to a flyer – and I got 1A,1D,9A,12A … Read more “Times 23708 – some easy, some hard, all good”
Mephisto 2454/Chris Feetenby
Solving time: 35:16 Finally got to solve the correct puzzle! PB tried to shoulder the blame, but I am sure that it was me misreading the puzzle number on our Google calendar. So apologies for … Read more “Mephisto 2454/Chris Feetenby”
ST 4241 (Sun 9 Sep) – Acadian rhythms
Solving time: 7:58 Straightforward clues with several difficult answer words; 18dn and 20dn were new to me. * = anagram, “X” = sounds like ‘X’. Across 1 BECHAMEL; (ME BLEACH)* 6 AMAZ(O for I)N’ 9 … Read more “ST 4241 (Sun 9 Sep) – Acadian rhythms”
Unofficial Times cryptic RTC No. 9 – your times please
Note about Friday’s 23,706 If you’re about to enter and think you’ve made a mistake on this one after checking the official solution, please read the comments in the entry on this puzzle before you … Read more “Unofficial Times cryptic RTC No. 9 – your times please”