Peter Biddlecombe and I will be among those present in the Edgar Wallace pub in London from 5 – 8 pm. Drop in and have a drink with us if you are in town today. Full details can be found here:
Day: 21 May 2009
DT 25930 – Review
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25930 – Review
A full analysis by Peter Biddlecombe
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Another mixed bag of a Saturday puzzle for me. The grid is rather perverse. Combining 14-letter answers with the two 15-letter acrosses is a nice idea, but done a bit hamfistedly, making double unches (start of 7D, end of 17D), and although the 3 of 7 checking letters in these answers were uncommon enough to make these answers pretty clear, the double unches are not impressive. We also get four 5-letter answers with 2 letters checked, though again the checking letters for them are relatively helpful. The clues are generally good – I seem to be grumbling less than usual below – though the last one was disappointing.
Toughie 150
Toughie No 150 by Micawber
Hints and tips by Tilsit
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Hebden Bridge! I have now moved to my new flat and am settling in well. It was nice to pick up a crossword after a couple of days’ break and this Toughie was certainly one that merited the name, and was extremely enjoyable. Apologies for being late with today’s blog, a combination of unexpected visitors and workmen, conspired to make me run late.
Micawber is one of my favourite setters from elsewhere and this puzzle contained all the hallmarks of his puzzles. There were some lovely surface readings and clues to make you laugh out loud, although I am a bit puzzled about 2 down and there is a slip in 6 down.
Clue answers are contained inside the squiggly brackets, so highlight inside to see them. As usual, I am always pleased to read your thoughts, and many of the setters also visit here to see what you have to say and appreciate your feedback.
DT 25934
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25934
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
This is a good, solid puzzle with some nice surface readings. I always think that if you are amused by the first clue across, which was the case for me here, then you are pre-disposed to like the whole puzzle.
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