National Trust Minatures

Been a while since I've bought one of these - it appears only the big properties sell them. Haven't cross referenced the cut, but do think it may be different, which is nice. Not a cheap price, but still a little piece of Wentworth magic to keep me satisfied. 

Time taken: 5 minutes 

British Jigsaw Championships

Well, it's official, unless I can master a jigsaw in under 2 hours I am simply not going to beat the wonderful winner who managed it yet again in under 2 hours. Nice puzzle, but need to start training in earnest ready for next year! 

Time taken: 2 hours, 18 minutes 

BCD Meeting

Well, this month is was my turn to host our meeting and I was pleased to welcome one and all. I had recently written in the club newsletter about how much I enjoy cardboard jigsaws and the members heard my call, turning up on the day with lots of cardboard ones. We completed a couple around the theme of natural beauty and a good day was had by one and all. 

Time taken: 2 puzzles over the course of a day (with lunch and committee meetings to contend with)

Which One's Santa - Ravensburger (1000 pieces)

It's never too early to do a puzzle with this topic....see, I didn't say the C word, but very much did this puzzle. I always buy the Ravensburger Christmas Puzzle for my Dad and happily for me he always passes it on once he has completed it. It was a lovely puzzle to do, not least because there were lots of Father Christmas figures to organise and place. The sky was a little small for a sky enthusiast such as myself, but overall a very pleasant little puzzle for a rainy day - and didn't we have a lot of those in May!?

Time taken: afternoon

Diamond in the rough - MENSA jigsaw (1000 pieces)

Soul destroying - and had I not have been checking it for a local group I think I probably would have given up. I can't say I garnered any real enjoyment until the last 100 pieces or so where it was clear I was going to win. I was able to connect smaller pieces by spotting small white chips, but then ended up with loads of small sections which proved tricky to connect. Ah well, I suppose this is what some puzzlers enjoy...

Time taken: I lost count...

La Grande Jatte - Wentworth Wooden Jigsaw (750 pieces)

A dear friend handed this to me at our last BCD meeting and I really was very grateful - I really cannot justify buying Wentworth jigsaws for myself, so be gifted one was a real treat. Despite the blurred image (yes I know it is supposed to be), it really was a lovely puzzle to complete. There were whimsys in their own right, and then other pieces which combined to make further shapes. 

Time taken: Two evenings 

BCD Meet - Hemel Hempstead.

I love it when a BCD meeting comes around - something to really look forward to. The theme this time was 'Boxes' so there were lots of really interesting discussion pieces - but for a puzzle purist, the jigsaws were what I had come for. I completed 2 on the day and helped with another. Apart from the puzzles it was a great chance to catch up with friends.