Category: Robyn (Sunday)

Sunday Toughie No 97

by Robyn

 

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

 

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Robyn going a bit easier before Christmas I think, I have hinted just under half 😮 of 16a and 14d clues today so I have a bit of latitude to give bonus nudges if you need them.
The Reverend Doctor Spooner makes an appearance but seems quite benign today, I liked it and 3d and 25a today but I am sure there are other candidates for your podia

I haven’t heard if anything special is planned for Sunday Toughie 100 on Christmas Eve yet, but It will probably be a sterner test than this, I hope Chris Lancaster goes easy on us and includes it in advance copies he usually sends to CrypticSue

Here we go…

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Sunday Toughie No 95

by Robyn

 

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

 

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Robyn has brought us a fine toughie today with a slightly unbalanced 16a and 13d clues and I have hinted halfish

I liked 14d as he fits into one of my four c’s (crosswords, coffee, cheese and cycling) I was fooled by his claims of innocence myself but still admire his chutzpah

I will take Mama Bee out for a scone and coffee but will return later if you need any extra nudges

Here we go…

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Sunday Toughie No 90 by Robyn

 

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

 

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I was expecting a proXimal last night but am delighted to find Robyn in the hot seat today, maybe he jockeyed for position for the topical clues or I am reading too much into it
I spent an age on Shakespearean kings and game birds but saw sense eventually

14a and 16d clues and I will try and hint half, but remain available for a nudge with any that hit the cutting room floor

Here we go…

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Sunday Toughie No 88 by Robyn

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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One of the friendliest Sunday Toughies today, only the allegedly popular composer gave me pause for thought, a somewhat intimidating grid without a lot of starting checkers but sorting the four outermost clues got the ball rolling and the rest flowed smoothly

14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half,  as usual I will try and provide a nudge for any that hold out but I will probably be taking Mama Bee out in my new motor, I hope the neighbours don’t think it was my car alarm that woke the neighbourhood at stupid o’clock this morning

Here we go…

Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 88 (Hints)”

Sunday Toughie No 85 by Robyn

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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Robyn gave me a bit of a hard time on the parsing front last night, but I think coffee and contemplation this morning have cleared the mist, much the same as the weather here, which was cleared by some spectacular lightning last night.
I learned about the firstborn son of Isaac who was red-headed and noticeably hirsute at birth, born with his twin Jacob clutching his heel

I don’t think I have noticed a 15a and 15d grid in the toughies before but I have hinted at half, and I offer to help with those clues that didn’t make the cut

Here we go…

Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 85 (Hints)”