Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Currently Thursday does not appear to have a regular setter, although since Autumn 2010 Ray T features frequently. During 2009 almost all of the Thursday puzzles were set by Jay.
Toughie No 3135 by Beam
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
This is a fairly typical Beam Toughie, though there are no ‘first letters’ clues and the Queen is having day off. Thanks to Beam for the enjoyment – I wonder if he was one of the prominent figures from Britain and France invited to last night’s banquet at Versailles?… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30,411
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow cruciverbalists. I really enjoyed this and I hope you did as well. I had ticks all over the place, but my favourites are probably 1a, 13a, 27a, 28a, 3d, 7d, 14d and 16d, with 1a winning my vote for COTD.… Continue reading
Toughie No 3131 by Artix
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
A proper ‘tough’ Toughie from Artix which I progressed through steadily rather than speedily and enjoyed the whole process a lot – thanks to the setter. The last Artix Toughie I blogged (3095) contained the names of the members of Queen (which totally escaped me).… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30,405
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning from sunny Welwyn Garden City. Another excellent puzzle from our sweetheart (see 18d) setter who really is the master of brevity, with an average count of only five words per clue!… Continue reading
Toughie No 3127 by Kcit
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
I enjoyed this puzzle which was well-suited to a Thursday Toughie – thanks to Kcit.
Please leave a comment telling us how you fared and what you thought of the puzzle.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30,399
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from sunny Hertfordshire, which makes a pleasant change after a pretty miserable July and August. The children who are able to return to school this week might justifiably feel slightly aggrieved, as the improvement in the weather has coincided with the end of their holidays.… Continue reading
Toughie No 3123 by Firefly
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
Thanks to Firefly for a decent puzzle which wasn’t too tricky and didn’t really hit the heights for me. There is a theme identified at 15d/12a.
Please leave a comment telling us how you fared and what you thought of the puzzle.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30,393
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
This required concentration throughout, especially in the SE corner. I put the wrong letter at the end of 28a, which slowed me up somewhat and I wouldn’t mind betting that I’m not the only one who fell into this particular bear trap.… Continue reading
Toughie No 3119 by Beam
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
A fairly straightforward Beam puzzle with all his usual trademark features – thanks to him.
I suspect there’s an error in the 12a clue. The answer which the wordplay points to was not accepted by the online puzzles site which wanted a different (though related) game.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30,387
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
A good Thursday workout, with plenty of fun along the way, smooth surfaces and clever misdirections. Not the friendliest of grids, with the top row all being unchecked letters, but that is my only gripe.… Continue reading