Times for The Times Christmas Quickie 2024

After a 2 year gap, this year we once again have a Christmas Crossword with 29 members of the Times for The Times community each providing a clue.

The Family Start to Return for Christmas

When family members come to visit we get them to share their location via Google Maps so we can see their progress and be ready for them arriving.

A Swinging Christmas

Tonight our Christmas celebrations got started with what has become a regular outing...

Suffolk Energy from Waste Facility

Today we had an educational visit to Suffolk's Energy from Waste facility at Great Blakenham.

John's Walks 2024 Updated

 

I've done a further update to John's Walks 2024 to cover the rest of September, October, November and the start of December. It provides an index to all the walk blog posts so far this year. You can access it via the menu bar at the top of the page or the "John's Walks" section in the sidebar. I'll make one more update after the end of the year and will create and update John's Walks 2025i periodically during the coming year - every two or three months on average.

Thurston Walk

Today we had a circular walk from Thurston via the wonderful Tostock crochet Christmas decorations.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 118 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's my turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Did you find the Nina? Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 118 - You Better Watch Out

This time it is my turn to provide the fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic crossword, Number 118 in the series. The title "You Better Watch Out" is a clue to Nina hidden in the completed grid. Can you find it?

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

RIP Charles Paterson

 

Today I had a long day driving to Boxgrove, near Chichester in West Suffolk for the funeral of my singing friend Charles and back again afterwards.

Jilly and Ian Visit Suffolk

For the last few days we've had Dawn's sister Jilly and brother-in-law Ian staying for the first time in several years. We've had a lovely time.

London Christmas Lights Walk

Today we had a day out in London to see the Christmas Lights.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 117 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Sawbill's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 117 - by Sawbill

This time it is Sawbill's turn to provide the fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic crossword, Number 117 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival and Walk

Today, as we had done last year (see here), we paid a visit to the Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival in St Peter and St Mary's Church, Stowmarket and followed it with a walk.

Alan Barnes at the Hunter Club

It was my first time at the Hunter Club for a while last night.

Great Cornard Walk

Today we had a lovely late autumn walk starting and ending in Suffolk, but mostly in Essex.

Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Today is Beaujolais Nouveau Day and I've collected my 6 bottles  of 2024 Beaujolais Nouveau from Domaine Pardon et Fils from Majestic Wine this morning

Shotley Gate Walk

Today we did a linear walk along the Orwell River side of the Shotley Peninsula from Shotley Gate back to the Suffolk Food Hall.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 116 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Phil's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 116 - by Phil Jordan

This time it is Phil's turn to provide the fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic crossword, Number 116 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Mayday Hide Walk

No walk with Joyce this week as she is busy 'arts and crafting'. Instead, some of the group tagged along with Alicia's Cambridge Rambling Club walk from Mayday Hide.

Festival Ale - Razorback IPA

While Dawn was our crafting today, I started brewing my beer for next month's festive season.

Ginger Biscuits

Dawn is off to a crafting day tomorrow so I thought I'd make some of these biscuits again for her to take to share.

Spiced Lentil and Butternut Squash Soup

Remembering our lovely holiday in Northumberland last year, today I attempted to recreate the soup we had for lunch at The Ship in Low Newton on our walk from there back to Craster via Dunstanburgh  Castle (see here).

U3A Lamarsh Walk

Today it was Sheila's turn to lead the walk for the U3A Bury St Edmunds Longer Walks Group.

Cambridge Walk and Lunchtime Concert

Today we had a leisurely stroll around Cambridge and lunch and a lunchtime concert at Newnham College.

Norwich Walk

Today we met up in Norwich for a walk through the city and around the outskirts.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 115 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's my turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 115 - Slogging and Betting

This time it is my turn to provide the fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic crossword, Number 115 in the series. Entitled "Slogging and Betting" it was compiled for last weekend's Sloggers and Betters gathering in York and has a number of thematic answers. Can you find them?

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Sloggers & Betters Weekend York 2024

This weekend was the annual crossword bloggers and setters get together in York (the title is, of course, a spoonerism) organised by John Henderson.

Dinner with Sarah and Ethan

We came up to York a day early for the annual Sloggers and Betters event (q.v.)...

The Chilli Harvest

So this is what became of the final chilli harvest.

Times Crossword Championship 2024

Yesterday was the annual Times Crossword Championship in London. I was there as usual and endeavoured to take a few photos (and solve the puzzles).

Weekend Quick Cryptic 114 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Sawbill's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 114 - by Sawbill

This time it is Sawbill's turn to provide the fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic crossword, Number 114 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

More Harvesting

Today Dawn had a blitz on the garden and harvested a load more tomatoes and chillies.

Felixstowe Ferry Walk

Today we had a circular walk from Felixstowe ferry via Falkenham, Newbourne and the River Deben.

Kent Holiday Day 5

Today was the end of our short stay in Kent, but we decided to do a bit more sightseeing before we headed for home.

Kent Holiday Day 4

We woke to a showery morning and didn't venture out beyond the local shop until after an early lunch today. This afternoon we did a rather different walk - a circular walk around and through the Allhallows Marshes. This post sums it up perfectly.

Kent Holiday Day 3

Today we had a day out in Rochester.

Kent Holiday Day 2 - Part 2

After our walk from Upnor and excellent lunch at the Kings Arms we returned to our caravan before setting off on a shorter afternoon walk.

Kent Holiday Day 2 - Part 1

We are in Kent for a few days staying at Haven Kent Coast Holiday Park in Allhallows-on-Sea on the Hoo peninsula and Thames estuary. I looked up the tide times and found that, with low tide just after 10am, today would be perfect for doing this walk I had discovered online.

Kent Holiday Day 1

Today we headed south to Allhallows-on-Sea on the Hoo peninsula in Kent for a 4-night stay at the Haven Kent Coast Holiday Park, where we have a caravan for our stay.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 113 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Phil's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT .  You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 113 - by Phil Jordan

This time it is Phil's turn to provide the fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic crossword, Number 113 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

U3A Horningsea Walk

Today it was Dave's turn to lead the U3A Bury St Edmunds Longer Walks group on an expedition.

Stoke by Nayland Walk

Today we did a circular walk from Stoke by Nayland via Polstead.

Tassel Pickles - The Latest Batch

Today I labelled the results of my labours in the kitchen from Thursday to Sunday.

CAMRA Beer Styles Training

This afternoon Dawn and I joined a Zoom training session in CAMRA Beer Styles.

Shelland Walk

 

It was a lovely Autumn afternoon this afternoon so we went for a walk. It is a while since we had walked around there so I devised a short walk starting from Shelland.

More Harvested Produce

Dawn has been collecting more from the garden. The little chillis are quite hot.

Prize Received

Hooray! 3 Weeks after my win was announced in the paper (see here) my prize of a bundle of Times reference books has finally arrived.

Clare Walk

An end-of-summer walk today from Clare, a "Walkers are Welcome" town and a favourite place to walk from.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 112 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's my turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT . You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 112 - Choose Your Five-a-Day

This time it is my turn to provide the fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic crossword, Number 112 in the series, entitled "Choose Your Five-a-Day", which is a hint to the theme.

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. The title gives a clue to the theme, which shouldn't be hard to spot. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Landguard Point

Today, while Sarah was attending an online training course at home, we took Ethan to Landguard Point to show him a different side of Suffolk - the Felixstowe docks and Landguard Point Nature Reserve.

Newbourne Walk

We have Sarah and Ethan staying with us for a couple of days so today we took them on a favourite walk finishing with a pub lunch.

Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce

The cherry tomatoes keep coming.

What Was in the Bowl

Nobody managed to guess it. Any more ideas before you click the "Read more" link?

Bury St Edmunds Walk

Today we had a local (to me and Dawn) walk with many familiar paths.

What's in the Bowl?

 Can you guess? Answer coming soon.

John's Walks 2024 Updated

 

I've done a further update to John's Walks 2024 to cover July, August and the start of September. It provides an index to all the walk blog posts so far this year. You can access it via the menu bar at the top of the page or the "John's Walks" section in the sidebar. As usual, I'll continue to update it periodically during the year - every two or three months on average.

Sudbury and Bulmer Walk

Today we did a familiar and favourite walk from Sudbury via Belchamp Walter and Bulmer.

Weekend Quick Cryptic 111 - Solution

Phil Jordan, Sawbill and I are continuing to produce our series of Quick Cryptic crosswords. We take turns, publishing one a fortnight, and this week it's Sawbill's turn. 

You can find a link to the crossword here and the answers below.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions here as you would do on  TfTT . You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Weekend Quick Cryptic 111 by Sawbill

This time it is Sawbill's turn to provide the fortnightly Weekend Quick Cryptic crossword, Number 111 in the series. 

You can try and solve the crossword interactively here on MyCrossword or here on crossword.info. As usual you can download a PDF to print which you can find here. Alternatively you can copy and print the image below. Comments and queries are welcome with the solution post (which also gives tips on some of the clues).  I will react to any comments or queries there as soon as I can. You can find an index to the complete series of crosswords here. 

Houghton Hall

Today we were on a U3A Bury St Edmunds trip to Houghton Hall in Norfolk.