Life
2438: Shining bright
One clued solution (which solvers must highlight) can be linked with eleven unclued solutions, (one in the plural). Brewer confirms…
to 2435: A Little Puzzle
Unclued lights are DWARFS. First prize Bill Stewart, LeicesterRunners-up Mark Roberts, Luxembourg;John Bartlett, Solihull Got something to add? Join the…
How could any woman fail to be won over by my new cinema room?
As Christmas approaches, fighting has broken out in the Young household. No, I’m not talking about my three boys, aged…
The Battle for Britain
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Only now are we seeing what an extraordinary figure Bob Willis was
Maybe it’s just an age thing, but the death of Bob Willis has left me — and, I am sure,…
Dear Mary: What can we do about our son’s girlfriend’s appalling table manners?
Q. My son has a girlfriend who we like but who has appalling table manners. They come to stay most…
Sumptuous, remote – and forgettable: Locket’s reviewed
Locket’s is a new café from the owners of Wiltons in Jermyn Street. Wiltons is the restaurant that dukes visit…
Where did ‘aconite’ spring from?
‘What,’ asked my husband teasingly, by way of an early Christmas game, ‘connects wolf’s-bane with Woolwich Arsenal?’ It took me…
The TV show that rots young minds
How can I phrase it without sounding pompous? When very talented people dine together, it sometimes turns into a contest…
Hell is an expat dinner party
I just don’t understand it. Emigrating from Britain to France is a big step. Shifting from one culture to another…
I’ve practically solved the crime myself but still the police won’t help
‘Thank you for calling Surrey Police. We want to help you with your inquiry as quickly as possible. Did you…
The election won’t bring any joy to the racing community – whatever the outcome
Whatever the outcome of the election on 12 December, it is unlikely to bring joy to the racing community. Conservatives…
Bridge
As 2019 draws to a close, it is time to review the year’s achievements and disappointments. My team’s highest achievement…
The Saric Supremacy
There is a gritty fight scene in The Bourne Supremacy, in which Jason Bourne (played by Matt Damon) faces down…
no. 583
Black to play. This is a variation from McShane–Van Foreest, Bundesliga, November 2019. I avoided this position, and the game…
Brow lines
In Competition No. 3127 you were invited to submit Shakespeare’s newly discovered ‘Woeful ballad to his mistress’ eyebrows’, as referred…
2437: Sketchy
The unclued lights (two of two words, one of which includes an apostrophe) are of a kind. Where alternative final…
to 2434: eat it!
The unclued lights, including the pair at 35/28, are CAKES. First prize John Maynard, Motcombe, DorsetRunners-up Tony Mouzer, Birmingham; Michael…
Must try harder: Labour wants to reverse a decade of progress in education
If education rather than Brexit or the NHS was the biggest issue in this election campaign, the Tories would be…
The Battle for Britain
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This year’s top gadgets – according to my inner chimp
I’d hoped to spend this week writing about my new Geberit Japanese-style toilet, but since the grout is not yet…
Dear Mary: Why does my feminist friend always expect me to pay for dinner?
Q. One of my very best female friends has got into the habit of lecturing me on gender equality, in…
Politics of a certain vintage – and wine to match
I wonder how they do things now at Tory headquarters. For the ’79 election, the preparations had been completed weeks…
What exactly is a narwhal?
A point that many people mentioned amid the horror and heroism of the attack at London Bridge was the enterprising…
Prince Andrew and me
No use piling on where Prince Andrew is concerned. It’s a sorry business, and he’s not among the brightest either.…
