Mephisto 3009 - Paul McKenna
Today I am thinking back to about five years ago - I was in London after visiting friends in Leeds, and managed to snare Mephisto setters Paul McKenna and Tim Moorey and the Sunday Times puzzle editor...
View ArticleTimes 27031
Time: 45 minutesMusic: O melhor de João GilbertoI would call this a moderate puzzle for a Monday, but it seems like I was a little slow on some of the clues. I wasn't really in a hurry, anyway....
View ArticleQC 1085 by Tracy
Another very quick blog from me this week as I have been away at a music festival with my son, so my head is fuddled with too much drink and noise from last night.Plus I have just been trying to upload...
View ArticleTimes Cryptic Jumbo No 1319 (21/4/2018): Better Late Than Clever
Oh you guys, I thought I was doing so well for a change - I'd checked the blog calendar and satisfied myself that I was definitely scheduled to blog CJ1320 next Saturday, which I'd solved and was busy...
View ArticleTimes Quick Crytic 1086 by Orpheus.
I was only vaguely familiar with the composer in 23ac and unfamiliar with the Catholic dignitary in 21dn but the clueing was simply - so - thanks to Orpheus for a quick QC - completed in a couple of...
View ArticleTimes Cryptic 27032
Continuing the run of quite tricky puzzles this one took me 58 minutes. I found it satisfying and was pleased there were no unknown words or references so that I was able to complete the grid without...
View ArticleQuick Cryptic 1087 by Joker
A quick solve for me, especially the top half, which seemed to go in on first reading without much thought. I was definitely slowed by the bottom half (the worker’s rule providing a barrier - heard of...
View ArticleTimes 27033 - no eventers were scared in the making of this puzzle
A more straightforward offering today than I've had for a while on a Wednesday, no doubt a respite for me before next week's 'golden oldie' arriving alongside another TCC qualifier. One slight bear...
View ArticleTimes 27034 - sunk!
Solving time: submitted at 15:12, but I have one incorrect. After a longer look at the one I got wrong, I can see what it should have been, though I don't think I would have come readily.Odd puzzle...
View ArticleTimes Quick Cryptic No 1088 by Mara
On the gentler side today from Mara. I came in three minutes under my target, with a bit of biffing and help from some familiar clues. There are a limited number of ways of clueing short clues like 6,...
View ArticleTimes Quick Cryptic No 1089 by Oink
It is my delightful privilege to get to write the blog for, I think, the first QC from a new compiler, Oink. I'd like to say it's a pig of a crossword, but it isn't. Beautifully crafted, it is a...
View ArticleTimes 27,035: The River Horse In The Room
I thought this was good and commendably Friday-hard, with the tough combination of (a) very few definition parts that immediately suggest their answers and (b) very few completely straightforward...
View ArticleTimes Cryptic No 27030 - Saturday, 05 May 2018. All Greek to me.
Some very obscure Greek words here. Thanks to the setter for expanding my horizons, but give me scientists any day! My clue of the day was 26ac – I just “went for it”.Clues are blue, with definitions...
View ArticleJumbo 1320
I felt this one was of about average difficulty but above average enjoyment, with a smattering of unknowns and some lesser-spotted wordplay devices (e.g. 19A, 39A, 4D) to keep the solver interested....
View ArticleSunday Times 4797 by Dean Mayer
Reluctantly I have informed Vinyl that I need to stand down from this blogging gig (and also my QC slot). I've recently taken on a new job which is all-consuming (I really should know better at my...
View ArticleMephisto 3010 - by Don Manley
Middle of the road puzzle. Some help needed with 2 Down please.In the blog, the definition in the clue is underlined and followed by the answer; the parsing; any commentsACROSS1 What’s special about a...
View ArticleTimes 27037 - Spooner in the Works
Today's was very much your average Monday offering - high in entertainment and not too taxing. The lovers of the bodice-ripping Regency tales of Ms Heyer get a clue all to themselves. Most of us will...
View ArticleTimes Quick Cryptic 1090 by Flamande
Once again we celebrate a ton-up as Flamande reaches his 100th QC today, so congratulations and thanks to him for this fine puzzle. I think only one other of the original setters is due to achieve this...
View ArticleTimes Quick Cryptic 1091 by Rongo
A blogger's lot, whilst arguably somewhat more upbeat than a policeman's, is not consistently one of joy and song. However, today finds my mood in perfect harmony with the clemency of the weather...
View ArticleTimes Cryptic 27038
"This puzzle was presented as a British cryptic challenge to contestants at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in March. The fastest solving time was 12 minutes".I don't think we've ever had an...
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