June 2009 – Page 6 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 158

Toughie No 158 by Giovanni

Hints and tips by Tilsit

+ – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ****

Quite a tough puzzle today from Giovanni, but still very enjoyable.  Some nice clues to draw you into the puzzle, and then some mind-stretchers to make you think.  No really unusual words but good fair cluing providing a good challenge.  As usual, all the clues have excellent surface readings and if you aspire to be a setter, studying these will no doubt help you.

Thanks to Giovanni for a thoroughly enjoyable challenge.

Continue reading “Toughie 158”

DT 25946

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25946

Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

This is an agreeable puzzle with a number of entertaining clues. It contains one word which was new to me, but it’s not too difficult to get it from the wordplay and the checking letters.

Continue reading “DT 25946”

Toughie 157

Toughie No 157 by Cephas

Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

There are two French phrases in this one, which may re-open the debate about how legitimate this is – feel free to contribute your views via a comment. There are also several obscure (to me anyway) words included, but you would not want a Toughie to be too easy would you? On the plus side it contains several very entertaining clues and I enjoyed it.

Continue reading “Toughie 157”

Toughie 156

Toughie No 156 by Warbler

This bird sets pretty Tough puzzles!

+ – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty **** Enjoyment ****

Another excellent puzzle from one of the Tougher setters.  A handful of easier clues, then you have to work hard to get the rest. Continue reading “Toughie 156”

DT 25944

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25944

Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

Sitting in the garden with a long cool drink on a hot Summer’s day and doing gentle battle with a cryptic crossword – what more could you ask for? I thought that the clues in this one got better towards the end, with the last few down ones being excellent – or was it that the contents of my long cool drink were gradually taking effect?

Continue reading “DT 25944”

DT 25943

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25943

Hints and tips by Tilsit

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

Another pleasant start to the week from the Monday Maestro. Nothing terribly demanding and the usual mix of clues to encourage the newer recruits to the Cryptic World. I feel the puzzle gets off to a bit of a shaky start with the first few clues, but then gets into its stride and delivers what we expect on a Monday.

The spaces between the curly brackets hide the answer, and highlighting that space will reveal it. As usual, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the puzzle. Don’t be afraid, you’re among friends! If it’s your first time posting, it can take a little while for your post to appear, as first posts are always moderated to prevent spammers, but don’t let that put you off.

  Continue reading “DT 25943”