Times 24722

[mike11111]

1d Close building sealing ends off (4) A?I?. All I can get is AKIN (meaning close) from MAKING (building) with end letters removed, but am not supremely confident.

[mazie]

Hi Mike. I cant think of anything better but then again I'm not very good at The Times

[JMR27]

I'm sure 'akin' is the right answer for the reason you've given.

[mike11111]

Thanks both. Think it's right but not as clear cut as most Times clues.

[mazie]

Mike I never find the Times clues clear cut. I try every day but I've never completed one yet. when I started doing cryptics about 2 years ago, I started with The Times and gave up. It was Gen2 that helped me and suggested something a little easier. Now every time I pick up the Times my brain freezes :o(

[mike11111]

There are many crosswords harder than The Times. I pride myself in being able to finish it in 30 mins max, 15 is my average. However you occasionally run across a maverick setter, like Tuesday's, in which after 30 mins I had solved one clue and didn't finish till the following lunchtime.

[mazie]

30 Minutes...It takes me that long to get one answer. I generally do the express in that time and the Mail takes a little longer but I had given up on the Times, perhaps I should give it another try. Some of the harder ones on here go straight over my head Mike. I think my problem is if I cant work it out quickly, I get bored and move on.

[mike11111]

A good way is to check the unsolved answers the next day then see if you can work backwards to see how they were arrived at. If not, you can always seek explanation on here; there are plenty willing to oblige, most of whom are a damn sight quicker on the button than me.

[mazie]

Thanks Mike. I'll give it a go tomorrow x

[mike11111]

My favourite crossword joke (v. old) is the one about the gentleman who entered a railway compartment to find that the only other occupant was a little old nun, paper and pencil in hand, feverishly doing the crossword. At length she put it dow. Seeking to make conversation, the gentleman asked, "Have you finished it, Sister?, to which she replied, "I think so, but I'm not sure about one of the clues, 'Part of the female anatomy (4) ?U?T"
"Bust", replied the gentleman.
"Of course", said the nun, "you don't happen to have a rubber on you by any chance?"

[mazie]

Brilliant.....I need to remember that :o)