May 2010 – Page 2 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

DT 26247

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26247

A full review by Crypticsue

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

[Today I would like to welcome Crypticsue to the review panel.  She becomes our first lady blogger, and will be appearing from time to time, other commitments allowing.  Her next post will be Monday’s daily cryptic.]

This Saturday’s puzzle was just right – not too difficult, a couple of tricky ones if you didn’t spot such things as the placing of a comma or a capital I (20a and 26a) and even the chance to learn a historical word (20a)

I am torn between a 3 * or 2* for difficulty (after 40 years I may find some puzzles easier than those with less experience) but definitely a 3* for enjoyment.

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DT 26251

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26251

Hints and tips by Libellule

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment **

I quite enjoyed the crossword when I did it, but when I started writing it up and realised just how much first and last letters are used, and the fact that there are 12 anagrams in 30 clues I began to change my mind… The Thursday crosswords seemed to be getting better over recent weeks, this one seems like a step backwards. Anyway feel free to leave a coment.

Hopefully the hint should give you all you need to get the answer, but if you still have a problem highlight the space between the curly brackets.
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Toughie 360

Toughie No 360 by Giovanni

It’s Definitely Not Mr Bean

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

There were several words which were new to me in this puzzle, but it’s by Giovanni so all the wordplay is very fair and the surface readings are good. Let us know how you found it, and please don’t forget to vote by clicking on one of the stars below.

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DT 26250

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26250

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

Jay is as reliable as ever, and gives us an enjoyable, not-too-difficult puzzle.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.

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Toughie 359

Toughie No 359 by Warbler

A chirpy puzzle

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Warbler always delivers an enjoyable puzzle and today’s is no exception. Tuesday has become the repository for the easier Toughies, so today is a very good day if you want to start trying them.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.

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DT 26249

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26249

Hints and tips by Gazza

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

We have a very entertaining puzzle from Ray T today with some highly amusing clues, but without his normal ration of two hidden words. What did you think of it? Tell us in a comment, and please don’t forget to grade it by clicking on one of the five stars below.
As always the answers, for those who want to see them, are hidden between the brackets under the clues. Just highlight the spaces between the brackets to reveal one.

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Sloggers and Betters 6

Sloggers and Betters 6

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My apologies for the short notice, but I only became aware of this myself at the weekend.

What? The 6th “Sloggers and Betters” gathering for crossword setters and blog contributors and readers will take place in London, following on from the annual lunch for Times setters.

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DT 26248

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26248

Hints and tips by Libellule

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

A typical Monday morning crossword from Rufus gently easing everybody into a new crossword week. I’m now off to enjoy my bank holiday and reflect on the fact that I now need to replace my Toulouse rugby shirt.

If you cannot work out the answer from the hint just highlight the space between the curly brackets.
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ST 2537 – Hints

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2537 – Hints

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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A few hints to get you started.

Don’t forget that you can give your assessment of the puzzle. Five stars if you thought it was great, one if you hated it, four, three or two if it was somewhere in between.

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them.

Peter Biddlecombe’s full review of this puzzle will be published at 12.00 on Friday, 28th May.

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