Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Notabilis is Roger Phillips. He is also Kea of the Listener and Nestor of the Independent
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****
Some longer clues made for harder parsing. I had quite a few left to parse after completing the grid. As often happens, I enjoyed this more when writing up the blog, when you get another chance to savour the clues.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
A rather tricky puzzle from Notabilis, where on several occasions it took me a while to see the parsing after deducing the answer. Nonetheless, I was able solve this methodically a quadrant at a time, giving me that illusion of being in control. … Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****
Quite a devious puzzle from Notabilis today, I thought. It took me some to parse 6a and 9a, as well as a few others.
Definitions are underlined. The hints are intended to help you unravel the wordplay but you can always reveal the answer by clicking on the click here buttons.… Continue reading
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BD Rating - Difficulty ***** - Enjoyment ****
Hello, everyone. I've been asked to stand in for Dutch today. The SW corner of this enjoyable and intricate Notabilis puzzle went in smoothly, but after that I needed some electronic and dictionary help to get it completely solved and hinted. It's one of the toughest puzzles I've encountered in quite some time, so I'll be interested to see whether our experienced solvers consider it to be a "proper Toughie". Continue reading "Toughie 2357"
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
A fine example of what a Toughie, especially a Friday Toughie, should be. I did wonder whether it was “just me”, being the stand-in blogger’s stand-in, doing my first ‘on the day’ blog for a very long time – but decided that it is definitely Notabilis being as cleverly tricky as only he knows how.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment *****
Great stuff from Notabilis as always. The Nina helped me with several answers, e.g. 3d & 28a.
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Many thanks BD for covering for me while I was away.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment *****
What a great way to start this glorious long weekend – a brilliant puzzle by Notabilis. (And there should be something to keep you amused on Sunday in the Independent) Today we have a pangram and a little Nina, as well as plenty of original trickery to keep us amused.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
Well, who else swore at the puzzle for stupidly including the same clue twice? All is explained by the Nina. Notabilis is being rather clever again, making for a top quality and highly enjoyable puzzle.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** – Enjoyment *****
Lots of fun from Notabilis today. 6a was almost my first one in but I delayed, suddenly doubting the plural. I then bunged in SAILOR for 23a, soon corrected.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Hello and Happy Friday! Dutch’s generosity means I have the pleasure today of blogging a lovely puzzle by one of my favourite setters. I don’t know if this was Notabilis in gentler mode or if I’ve just regained the ability to solve crosswords at a little faster than a slow snail’s pace, but I didn’t have too much trouble at all. … Continue reading