Times 25,890: Revenge of the Monkey Hangers
I don't mind admitting that I found this a bit of a tricky one, even though I'd possibly seen some of it months before - the perils of being occasionally called upon to test puzzles for friends!...
View ArticleSaturday Times 25885 (6th September)
Solved in 24:05, in the paper for a change, while sitting outside Wilde's Wine Bar in Leamington Spa over a pint of Palm (a Belgian pale ale, very nice). I found this quite tricky in parts - more than...
View ArticleJumbo 1108
Apologies for the delay on this. Internet connection at our first Turkish hotel was not up to much.This Jumbo was published on August Bank Holiday Monday.Nothing contentious - unless anyone can read...
View ArticleMephisto 2819 - Paul McKenna
I wonder if I may be missing something hidden here (and very occasionally Paul McKenna sneaks something extra into his puzzles) because I was struggling most of the way with this one and now it comes...
View ArticleSunday Times 4606 (7 Sep 2014) by Tim Moorey
Solving Time: About 35 minutesI rattled through most of this quite quickly, although the last few were a little more troublesome. 10a was definitely my COD, although 20a, 2d & 6d were all good...
View ArticleQuick Cryptic 136 by Tracy
A straightforward puzzle from Tracy that doesn't contain any particularly complicated constructions or difficult words. I thought that the surface readings were generally good, which might not help...
View ArticleTimes 25892 - OK, your majesty, now where's my cheque?
Solving time: 58 minutesMusic: Prokofiev, Sonata No. 6, PogorelichThis was a rather strange solving experience. I put in a few long ones in the first few minutes, thinking it was going to be easy, and...
View ArticleTimes 25893 - Memories of Stackton Tressel
I took 40 minutes to complete this very lively puzzle. I think 17ac may cause some trouble in some quarters but I got the reference straight away and I'm a fan of the act in question so I enjoyed it....
View ArticleQuick Cryptic No 137 by Flamande
I found this a very pleasant, accessible puzzle when I wandered through it in 9 minutes. As usual when I blog the word play I find bits and bobs which may cause problems to newcomers (e.g. 20ac) but on...
View ArticleQuick Cryptic No 138 by Mara
A pleasant entry level puzzle with plenty of anagram practice, no obscurities and no over-complicated wordplay. It took me 10 minutes or so with the long central clues going in last.Across1BABOON - BOO...
View ArticleTimes 25894
I'm on double duty today, subbing again for Jerrywh, who is still on some extreme walking adventure I believe. Unlike last Wednesday, I found this a straightforward test, could have been a PB except I...
View ArticleQuick Cryptic 139 by Pedro
As at this moment (00:12 BST) the Times Quickie button is not working, so here's a link to the puzzle:http://feeds.thetimes.co.uk/timescrossword/20140918/271/I solved most of this in 10 minutes but...
View ArticleTimes 25895 - mind your D's and K's
Solving time : 22:05 on the club timer but I cannot tell a lie - after about 5 minutes considering SKIPDAW, SLIPDAW and SKIDDAW for 8 down I ended up looking up the three words to find out which of...
View ArticleQuick Cryptic No 140 by Joker
Another entertaining, very fair offering from Mr Joker. Two clues - 6d and 13a - I thought were candidates for my 'Smart Clue of the Month' award. No obscure words or horrible homophones, nothing...
View ArticleTimes 25,896: You Can't Derive An "Ough" From An "Is"
A bit of a toughie this week I thought - I forgot it was my morning to blog, in the excitement of checking the Scottish referendum outcome, so started a bit later than usual, and of course it would be...
View ArticleSaturday Times 25891 (13th Sep)
Very easy puzzle for a Saturday, solved on Monday between Waterloo and Clapham Junction with a massive hangover (it took me half an hour to do Rufus in the Guardian that day). So, practically every...
View ArticleTimes Jumbo 1109
Apologies for posting this so late today! Overall I though this was medium-difficulty, but for some reason it took me ages to get 32dn (BARNARDO).As usual, * indicates an anagram.Across1RIDING HABIT -...
View ArticleMephisto 2820 by Don Manley
A pleasing puzzle that required a concentrated effort without ever being really toughAcross1PADANG - GAP reversed surrounds DAN; a Malayan field; 6SODAIC - SO-(acid)*; 10RUINER - RU-INER(t); 11KREWE -...
View ArticleSunday Times 4607 by Jeff Pearce: roll the dice
Oh dear. My personal crosswording bugbear is when an obscure word is clued in a way that makes it impossible to get the answer with certainty if you don't know said obscure word, and in this week's...
View ArticleTimes Quick Cryptic 141 by Teazel - Take Cover!
I solved this in 9 minutes and I think it's at the easy end of the spectrum. There's a lot of warfare and general unrest going on here, what with hostility, war, a WW1 battle, conflict, fight, fright,...
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