February 28, 2009 – 10:50 am
Big Dave’s Blog is One Month Old Today + – + It seems like a lifetime, but it was one month ago today that I started this blog.
On 28th January, there were just 2 hits (both from me!). The following day I published my first Toughie review, and the hit count shot up to 26, with 5 of them actually looking at the review. The average now is between 750 and 1000 hits each day and each puzzle gets looked at from 100 – 200 times for the Toughies up as high as 500 for the Daily cryptic.
I would like to thank you all for supporting me on this venture; it has already far exceeded my expectations. So many of your comments have been words of encouragement that it makes it all worthwhile
A particular thank you goes to Gazza, Libellule and Peter whose help with the reviews has enabled me to stay sane (well, just about).
February 28, 2009 – 8:00 am
Edition 5 + – + A couple of problems to report today. The Giant General Knowledge crossword No 12251 is not yet available online. There is a problem with Codewords No 1237.
February 28, 2009 – 12:00 am
Selected hints + – + It seems to be a regular occurrence that the Saturday puzzle is an easy one. As this is a prize crossword, I will be publishing just a few hints to get you started. A full review of this puzzle, by crossword blogging veteran Peter Biddlecombe, will be published at 12.00 on Thursday, 5th March.
February 27, 2009 – 12:01 am
Toughie No 103 by Kcit
Back with the real Toughies today
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
This one is for the real Toughie lovers, but I thought that the obscure French composer in 5 down was a bit unfair and accounts for the fourth difficulty star. While he does have an entry in Wikipedia, he fails to make their list of French composers. That apart, I enjoyed the puzzle.
February 27, 2009 – 12:00 am
Hints and tips by Big Dave + – + Today’s puzzle was a bit harder than usual, and I struggled with some of the wordplay. In yesterday’s Toughie I tried out a new idea for giving the answers without spoiling the rest of the crossword, and I have tried it here today. Essentially, the answers are between curly brackets in white type – selecting them with the mouse will reveal the answer. Please let me know if you like it.
February 26, 2009 – 12:01 pm
A full analysis by Big Dave + – + Writing up the Sunday puzzles is a very frustrating job. They tend to be difficult to finish, although this one was easier than most, but then you are left with the feeling of annoyance at some of the clues, which spoils any enjoyment you might have received from some of the others. This one has more of the annoying clues and less of the enjoyable ones.
February 26, 2009 – 12:00 pm
A full analysis by Libellule + – + As many of you are aware, this crossword was accidentally released on the CluedUp website last Friday. Although it was subsequently replaced by the correct Friday puzzle, this was not before Libellule had reviewed it for us. Here is that review, revised to give all of the answers. BD
February 26, 2009 – 12:01 am
If you can do the regular cryptic then try this one today + – + So you think the Toughie is too difficult for you; well, this one is a little harder than the regular cryptics, but a good one on which to cut your teeth.
February 26, 2009 – 12:00 am
Today’s hints and tips by Gazza + – + It’s Thursday today, so Gazza’s back again. Don’t forget that the full analyses for last weekend’s puzzles are due to be published at noon. You may have already seen the Saturday review as it was released last Friday after being published online by mistake; some small revisions have been applied, mostly to give all the answers as well as the wordplay. BD
February 25, 2009 – 11:59 am
Edition 4 + – + Just a small problem today, but especially annoying to people who, like myself, don’t always check that the number of letters in the clue matches the number of lights in the grid. Today it’s the Toughie No 101.
February 25, 2009 – 12:01 am
Firefly sets another very enjoyable puzzle + – + This is the latest in a run of good Toughie crosswords. Not so Tough that you can’t finish it, but it gives you a warm glow of satisfaction when you do.
February 25, 2009 – 12:00 am
Hints and tips by Libellule + – + Libellule thinks that going to watch France play Wales in Paris is more important than his Friday blog. I’m sure you would all rather he missed the game, but as a penance he is doing today’s instead. BD
February 24, 2009 – 12:27 pm
Edition 3 + – + This was meant to be an occasional publication, but here we are, back again! Today it’s the DT Cryptic No 25860.
February 24, 2009 – 12:01 am
The landmark 100th Toughie lived up to its name + – + Was it as good as last Friday’s? Not quite, but a good puzzle nevertheless. I found it difficult to get started, and had to fight my way out of the bottom right-hand corner.
February 24, 2009 – 12:00 am
Today’s hints and tips by Gazza + – + It seems you all like Gazza’s hints and tips, so I’ve twisted his arm and he’s agreed to do two days a week, starting today, and then back on Thursday. I’ve added a few new bits and pieces to The Mine – Birthstones, Roman Numerals and Zodiac Signs – with more in the pipeline. BD + – + Today’s puzzle is quite interesting and certainly a bit harder than yesterday’s. There’s one clue (24 across) where I’m unable to provide a very satisfactory explanation of the wordplay and I’d be grateful for comments [stop press - mystery now solved - see clue below]
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