smiffy

A fairly gentle pipe-opener to start the year off here. Despite an easy solve, I haven’t fathomed the wordplay behind 5D yet and am clutching at straws somewhat on 13A. Across 1RE,FORM 4 … Read more >>

Apologies for the lateish and skeletal blog today; didn’t manage to get near a PC earlier, and there’s an impending blizzard in this neck of the woods, so I have to dash before … Read more >>

A healthy assortment of subject matter and chicanery today, with nothing being too obscure (although 22A may have perplexed those who have never dared to cross the threshold of a betting shop). Across … Read more >>

Another early upload online for the puzzle (thanks Messrs Editor/Webmaster) allows me the opportunity to blog promptly again this week.  Nothing particularly byzantine here – other than my lack of familiarity with Mel … Read more >>

An earlier than usual online appearance online for this puzzle allowed me to solve before turning in for the night Stateside. All very accessible stuff, with the gimmick being a slew of longer … Read more >>

On of the more tractable of late from Bradman. Not that I’m complaining, as I was strapped for time this morning and feared a more protracted than average solving time. In the interests … Read more >>

With apologies for the tardy posting. Especially as I thought this was a really well-balanced and cohesive puzzle that merits plaudits or discussion. The surface readings in particular were what caught my eye. … Read more >>

Running slightly late today, so I’ll keep the small-talk to a minimum.  If anything is unclear or dubious then please leave a message at the tone…… Across 1 DOS-A-DOS – A phrase that … Read more >>

This puzzle seemed, frankly, a little underwhelming compared  to Mudd’s usual standard. Not that there is anything wrong with it, per se; just seems a tad light on imagination or inspiration. I suppose … Read more >>

Across 1 WIN,NIP,E.G. – “nip”=arrest is new to me. I guess it’s a tamer version of “nab” 6 GORGON – (no grog)< 9 C[-h]AMBER 10 LOO(S)E,NED 12 SCEPTICISM – (MEP’s critics)* – r … Read more >>

A puzzle of two halves for me. Gliding through the early stages, before having to shift down a couple of gears to negotiate a few uphill  stretches towards the end.  Aardvark plays a … Read more >>

A liberal smattering of general knowledge items (operas, chess players, Roman poets), of the type that one is either likely to know readily or have never heard of. I started off at a … Read more >>

I found this less challenging than usual for Bradman. Nothing fundamentally wrong with that; the clueing is as watertight and scrupulously fair as ever. And the fact that I’m uncertain whether I have … Read more >>

A  twitcher-friendly theme today – and not one of my personal strong suits, so I was relieved that the thematic examples used were generally common or garden varieties.  I did have to confirm … Read more >>

At the risk of unintentionally damning with faint praise, I’d describe this as a pretty run-of-the-mill challenge today. A couple of clues stood out for me (e.g. 14A) and 25A was the only … Read more >>