Big Dave's Crossword Blog – Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English

 Welcome

Welcome to Big Dave’s Crossword Blog

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You have reached the world’s biggest and best crossword blog.  If you are looking for help with the Daily and Sunday Telegraph cryptic crosswords or the Enigmatic Variations advanced cryptic, a total of 13 puzzles a week, then you have come to the right place.

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DT 30260

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30260

Hints and tips by 2Kiwis

BD Rating – Difficulty **** Enjoyment ***

Kia ora from Aotearoa.

A cold southerly blast that has even put fresh snow on the ranges is giving us an early warning that winter is on the way. Feel that we have been cheated out of most of our autumn but maybe it will still be there when this lot blows over.… Continue reading

DT 30259

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30259

Hints and tips by pommers

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Hola from Almoradí on a beautiful morning with not a cloud in the sky.  After 10 days of English cold grey drizzle I’m not at all sorry to be back.

As the musical chairs continue I find myself blogging a Tuesday puzzle, perhaps for the very first time. At least I can’t recall ever having been in the chair on a Tuesday before.  It seems I’ve been missing out on some good stuff if this fine puzzle is anything to go by. It’s not too hard and there’s a fair mix of clue types along with some humour. I really enjoyed it and hope you did too.
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DT 30258

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30258
Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty */**Enjoyment ****

We are playing a game of musical chairs this week only – I’m ‘sitting in’ for pommers today, pommers is covering for Twmbarlwm tomorrow and Twmbarlwm is being let loose on my Thursday Toughie blog.Continue reading

Sunday Toughie 61 (Hints)

Sunday Toughie No 61 by Robyn

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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I think Robyn went a bit easier on me last night as the clocks went forward. We have 16a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half. I hope you find enough checkers to get the rest. The midwife that Mama Bee used to be was particularly amused by 8d and it was my favourite too, but 28a ran it close. 

This isn’t getting the ring around the bath off (6a) so here we go…

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EV 1583 Hints

Enigmatic Variations 1583 (Hints)

Remedies by The Ace of Hearts

Hints and tips by Phibs

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What an intriguing pseudonym. Apart from being a playing card, The Ace of Hearts is the title of a 1921 film in which the member of a vigilante group who is to carry out an assassination is selected by a card being dealt to each person in turn until one receives the ace of hearts. Is this relevant? I’m hoping that our setter might be able to tell us.

Continue reading “EV 1583 Hints”