April 29th: Another update from Jane herself a few days ago. There is some progress but it is slow and she hopes that the considerable number of daily tablets are being effective. Mobility has been affected by two and half months in a hospital bed and she will be having physio to address this. She is being looked after by one of her daughters and regular visits from the district nurses.
Welcome
Welcome to Big Dave’s Crossword Blog
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You have reached the world’s biggest and best crossword blog. If you are looking for help with the Daily and Sunday Telegraph cryptic crosswords or the Enigmatic Variations advanced cryptic, a total of 13 puzzles a week, then you have come to the right place.
If this is your first time, or for more information about this site, please click on Continue reading “Welcome”
EV 1745 (Hints)
Enigmatic Variations 1745 (Hints)
Omissions by Kruger
Hints and tips by Gabriel
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The theme of OMISSION had me thinking that we’re going to have a lot of entries that aren’t real words – but the preamble is silent on that subject. … Continue reading
ST 3367 (Hints)
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3367 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where, even though we are now in May, Spring continues to be decidedly cool, in temperature terms that is.
Meanwhile, courtesy of the Winnipeg Library, I have become the temporary owner of Iona Whishaw’s A False and Fatal Claim, her thirteenth novel, not counting the novella prequel, describing the ‘escapades’ of her heroine, former SOE operative Lane Winslow, and long-suffering husband, Police Inspector Frederick Darling, in the town of Nelson, and its environs, in the interior of British Columbia in the late 1940s. Highly recommended!
For me, and I stress for me,© Dada back to (very) quirky – seven anagrams (one partial), one lurker (reversed), and one homophone, all in a symmetric 32 clues; with 16 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!
Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
NTSPP 847
DT 31229 (Hints)
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31229 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club
(hosted by crypticsue)
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Toughie 3680
Toughie No 3680 by Elgar
Hints and Tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
Another of Elgar’s extreme Toughies – it took me just over twice as long as I’d hope to spend solving a Friday Toughie. I did think there might be a theme but it wasn’t until I solved 4d and investigoogled that I discovered that today (1st May) is a special day in the ongoing celebrations of the Bicentenary of the Modern Railway, and this crossword, in particular, celebrates the 150th Anniversary in the line found in 24d and part of the top row of the grid
DT 31228
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31228
Hints and tips by Mr K
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BD Rating - Difficulty *** - Enjoyment ****
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. Today’s puzzle is a very enjoyable solve with nothing to obscure or technical involved in the clueing. I hope that our setter drops in later to claim it. Continue reading "DT 31228"
DT 31223 (Full Review)
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31223
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 25th April 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A nice and brilliant Saturday puzzle from the setter that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31223 (Full Review)”
Toughie 3679
Toughie No 3679 by Karla
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****/*****
Great fun from Karla today. Pretty friendly, I’d say, for a Thursday and no harm in that on a beautifully sunny day. Nowt that’s remotely obscure – the only arguably less-than-everyday 5d is served up on a plate. Smart, gettable wordplay and some well-worked, credible surfaces. Very enjoyable. All yours.
Continue reading “Toughie 3679”
EV 1743 (Solution)
DT 31227
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31227
Hints and Tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ****
Today’s puzzle is just one letter short of a pangram which is a strong hint as to the setter. Thanks to him for a very enjoyable challenge.
Continue reading “DT 31227”