Mephisto on-line

[bathtub]

Looks like the free on-line version of Mephisto has gone the same way as The Listener and can now only be accessed by joining The Times Crossword Club or buying the ST. Which is fair enough... but I don't have �25 or any inclination to buy the paper.

[kayakamina]

It's the easiest one for weeks so you're not missing much!

[eddiebun]

� 25 is a bargain for all the crosswords available, especially the number of crosswords with a prize.

If you are entering the Times crosswords by post you are paying for the stamps.

Just by being online, you're paying for a monthly internet connection, so I can't believe you can't afford �25 a year for a Crossword Club subscription.

A Times Crossword Club subscription means you can enter the Saturday Crossword, The Sunday Crossword, Both the Jumbo Crosswords and the Club Monthly ONLINE saving the postage.

By being a subscriber I've won both the Club Monthly AND the saturday crossword, paying for my subscription several times over.

[bathtub]

Eddiebun, you are of course right, in the scheme of things. Unfortunately my wife and I are both disabled and rely on benefit and other (very minor) sources of income - so, whether you believe it or not, it's far easier to afford a weekly stamp for Mephisto (I can only rarely do The Listener) than an annual sub to the Crossword club. Likewise, we have our internet connection free with our Talktalk phone package.

But I'm not complaining - as I said, it's fair enough that the Times have taken this off-line on a free basis.

Congrats on your wins!