Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Dada is John Halpern, who also sets as Paul in The Guardian
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Good day from our humble abode here in Barrel. We start the Toughie week with a genuine Toughie fairly clued. I had no idea who had set this one when I started but quickly decided Dada was the chief suspect. It’s not often that I identify a setter so I think a pint later is in order Continue reading “Toughie 2625”
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
I found this crossword a tad trickier than the usual Toughie Tuesday puzzles so I wasn’t surprised to see that Dada was responsible for setting it. I did find it very enjoyable to solve and also to review although a couple of answers needed extra thinking time to sort out. Continue reading “Toughie 2601”
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning from Barrel. Today Dada has supplied us with a true Toughie. Definitions and synonyms are stretched to the limit in this tantalising puzzle. I found it a pleasure to tease out the answers one by one relying on wordplay, definitions and if nothing else fits it must be right so bung it in’ to fill the lights. Continue reading “Toughie 2585”
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
A proper Toughie on a Tuesday – what is the world coming to! Continue reading “Toughie 2565”
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
This very enjoyable puzzle was slightly tarnished, for me, by the obscure quantum physicist in 8 Down. Continue reading “Toughie 2542”
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
The days when you could guarantee an easy Toughie on a Tuesday seem well gone. This was of middling difficulty, with several long answers and some of what were, for me at least, obscurities (the aromatic plant, the design and the Indian state, although I had heard of the latter) and a sprinkling of General Knowledge. Continue reading “Toughie 2526”
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
I found this a very straightforward solve today. Possibly helped by using an iPad which makes everything about filling in a grid so much easier and neater. Hopefully the inclusion of The Toughie in the newspaper app will lead to more people attempting the Toughie puzzles. If you are new to Toughie solving please let us know how you are getting on with them. Continue reading “Toughie 2502”
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning from the village of Barrel where one falls asleep looking at Saturn and Jupiter and wakens to Magpies. Dozens of them. Downtown L I it ain’t but we are getting used to it. Continue reading “Toughie 2490”
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Yet another Toughie from our Sunday setter that makes you think, but is still solvable. Continue reading “Toughie 2470”
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Certainly not a Floughie, but an enjoyable Toughie. The highlight of this puzzle must surely be 3 Down. Continue reading “Toughie 2454”