The last ten days have been very busy, and very enjoyable, for me, and so many people have taken time and effort to make it so. From the February 18th surprise party at my local pub, to a family gathering last weekend in a Derbyshire farmhouse, via a reception at the Guardian on the Eve of my 80th birthday, I have been taken by surprise by the tremendous warmth and friendliness of people in the crossword world.
Monthly Archives: February 2012
Toughie 728
February 29, 2012 – 12:49 pm
Toughie No 728 by Osmosis
Fruit Cocktail
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
I thought that this was just right for a Wednesday Toughie, with some clever, witty clues and not an obscure word in sight. Thanks to Osmosis for the tussle.
DT 26801
February 29, 2012 – 9:39 am
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26801
Hints and tips by pommers
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Hola from the Vega Baja. Well I can’t believe it but this week it’s a year since my “Baptism of Fire” as a blogger – 2 March 2011! Where has the time gone? I’ve really enjoyed doing all the reviews and I thank you all for the nice comments that you’ve made. I hope you’ve found my efforts useful.
Over the year Jay has consistently supplied us with excellent puzzles and this one is no exception. The only problem is that sometimes they’re a bit thin on photo opportunities – not this time though!
Toughie 727
February 28, 2012 – 2:06 pm
Toughie No 727 by Giovanni
Geography Lesson
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment **
What could have been a very enjoyable puzzle was spoiled, for me, by the inclusion of a Japanese city that rightly belongs in a General Knowledge puzzle. The majority of the clues were up to the usual high standard that we expect from Giovanni.
DT 26800
February 28, 2012 – 11:00 am
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26800
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment **
There’s nothing too tricky or exciting in today’s puzzle. 11a is a new word (for me anyway) but the wordplay is very straightforward so it should not present any great problems. Let us know how you got on.
DT 26799
February 27, 2012 – 11:05 am
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26799
Hints and tips by Digby
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
After a week of celebration in Crosswordland, normal service is resumed with today’s challenge from “our” brand-new octogenarian. Rufus provides us with another gentle and enjoyable start to the week – his consistency never fails to impress.
ST 2628 (Hints)
February 26, 2012 – 12:36 pm
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2628 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the more difficult clues and provide hints for them.
NTSPP – 107 (Review)
February 25, 2012 – 3:30 pm
Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 107
A Puzzle by Prolixic
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Another great puzzle from Prolixic – I do think he is sneakily increasing the level of difficulty with every new crossword he produces. For some reason, I found the top half harder than the bottom, but the whole thing was just as enjoyable as usual.
NTSPP – 107
February 25, 2012 – 12:00 pm
Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 107
A Puzzle by Prolixic
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Welcome to the latest in our series of puzzles, which have now been running every week for over two years.
This week’s puzzle is by Prolixic. You can also have a go at his puzzle in the Church Times.
DT 26798 (Hints)
February 25, 2012 – 9:33 am
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26798 (Hints)
Big Dave’s Crossword Club
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As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, an assortment of clues, including some of the more difficult ones, have been selected and hints provided for them.
Toughie 726
February 24, 2012 – 1:34 pm
Toughie No 726 by Elgar
Trouble Double
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
Greetings from the Calder Valley! Today’s Friday Fiend is young Elgar who presents us with an enjoyable challenge that unfolded nicely as you solved it. I managed to crack the left side fairly quickly, but the right side proved reasonably elusive, but once one of the answers came to me, everything else fell into place. After last Friday’s mental mayhem, this seemed positively joyous.
The puzzle has four twelve letter answers, each comprising a phrase made up of two six-letter words that are fairly similar and differ only in an odd letter. The cluing is of Elgar’s impeccable standard and contain some nicely misleading pieces which don’t leave you scratching your head and wondering why you are persevering.
ST 2627
February 24, 2012 – 12:00 pm
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2627
A full review by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
I usually type out my weekend puzzle review when I have spare time on a Wednesday evening and schedule it for the right time slot on the Friday, as I don’t always know what I might be doing on Thursday evening. It is a good job that I do as yesterday teatime brought a texted plea for help from Gnomethang who was on a work call-out that might take all night. Luckily I had saved my solved Sunday puzzle for such an emergency (there have been a few lately!) and was delighted to enjoy this superb Virgilius puzzle second time around. I have marked my favourite clues in blue
DT 26797
February 24, 2012 – 11:00 am
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26797
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
I completed three-quarters of this one pretty swiftly but then slowed down in the NW corner (which upped the difficulty level to 3* for me). Thanks to Giovanni for the customary Friday enjoyment and a warm-up for the impending five-setter with Elgar. Let us know how you fared.
DT 26792
February 24, 2012 – 8:00 am
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26792
A full review by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
I did enjoy this Mysteron Prize Puzzle – it didn’t take me long, hence the 1* difficulty – yes, I know lots of you found it harder but I have to rate as I solve! A great mix of clues, including the wonderful 21a which could well be a contender for my clue of the year so far.
Toughie 725
February 23, 2012 – 1:41 pm
Toughie No 725 by Shamus
Hints and tips by Bufo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I thought this was more back-page standard than Toughie standard. I’d never heard of 13 down but it was easy enough to work out from the wordplay and it took me a bit of thought to unravel the wordplay at 17 down. Otherwise I had no problems whatsoever.
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