Home for Christmas - Ravensburger (1000 pieces)

I do enjoy the Ravensburger Christmas puzzle and the 2019 one was really rather lovely. A good bit of sky to get me started before plenty of boats, trees and lights to confuse and delight. I also call this puzzle a boomerang gift. I buy Dad the Christmas puzzle every year, safe in the knowledge that once he's finished I will get a chance. 

Time taken: afternoon 

Fireworks over the Bay (1000 pieces)

When will I ever learn to say no when presented with a challenge? This puzzle was 1000 pieces, but some of the tiniest pieces I have ever seen with an incredibly dark picture. Sadly the cut wasn't great either which meant pieces ended up fitting in multiple spots. Interestingly the puzzle was split into 6ths, with each section having a different pattern on the back. I'm afraid we ended up having to turn it over and do parts of it by using the pattern rather than the picture on the front. However, it was pleasing to get it finished and I'm sure I will continue to not being able to say 'no'! 

Time taken: forever...

Bepuzzled (500 and 1000 pieces)

I've decided not to print the names of these 2 puzzles as it has the potential to give the solution to anyone attempting them at another time. To cut the explanation down I will simply say that you are given no picture and must simply 'solve' the murder mystery by using the puzzle to help. A chance to hone my puzzling skills. 

Time taken: afternoon and evening for the 1000, morning for the 500

Europe - Mandolin puzzles (1500)

If I can persuade her I always try to get my sister to do a puzzle with me when she comes to visit. I didn't have much choice to offer her, but she decided that this one gave her the most scope to work on sections and it proved perfect. Not too big that it was overwhelming but big enough so we could each work on our own sections for most of it. She was content to leave me with the pink edges and internal frames whilst she got going with the various maps. I worked upside down for most of it and we met somewhere in the middle. Not bad at all. 

Time taken: afternoon and morning 

Club 3000!

The best part about being a member of the BCD is that once a year we all gather together at a hotel for 3 days of pretty much non-stop puzzling fun. This years event was in Peterborough and had a record attendance of 70 people. There were a wide range of puzzles to see, a wide range of puzzles to do and lots of interesting talks given by members. At last year's event a group of us had tackled (and completed) a 3000 piece puzzle - the sort you can only do when you have a number of days to keep going. The same feat was attempted this year, but despite the best efforts of well over 10 members, we were thwarted. However, from this joint effort a geeky little group name was born - The Club 3000! Entry was simple enough - just put 3 pieces in. We are now scanning our puzzles collections for the next Club 3000 candidate as it seems for the club to falter before it has even started. Roll on next year. 

Oh, and the photos exhibited show my Dad - we were first in the room at 9am on the Friday and a larger shot of the jigsaw group at large.