Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
We have a typical Giovanni today, a good mixture of clues but nothing too exciting. Let us know your views in a comment.
For new readers, the answers are hidden between the curly brackets under the relevant clues. Just drag your cursor through the space between the brackets to reveal the solution.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
I had a few pints with Big Dave at the White Horse on Saturday and foolishly offered to do a bit of blogging for him. So here’s the result.
I must admit to not being too familiar with the Toughie crossword so I didn’t know what to expect. I was disappointed with it because I found it somewhat on the easy side. But it was a pleasant enough solve with only one or two things that I had to check.
[My subheading refers to the fact that Busman’s last Toughie was published on 25th March. BD]
Continue reading “Toughie 353”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Morning All! Following our recent meeting at the White Horse, Parson’s Green (where we were discussing the cutting edge of crossword theory) BD asked if I might like to take on the Saturday review. Working full time precludes getting a review out on the day so this is a perfect compromise as I have 4 days to get the writing done. Thanks to BD for the opportunity (I was going to suggest it anyway!).
Whilst there were a few obscure and abstruse words here they were in general clued sufficiently clearly to allow solving (with maybe a dictionary confirmation afterwards). The two star rating reflects my solving experience as compared to some recent Cephas puzzles but please let us know what you think.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
I quite enjoyed this when I solved it, and have stuck with my four-star rating. While writing the review I realised that there is a surfeit of charade/word-sum type clues.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
Today’s puzzle contains an extraordinary number of names, both of people and places, and most of the people mentioned are no longer with us. Osmosis also takes a few liberties with the wordplay, but in spite of everything I did enjoy battling with it, and there are some really good clues.
What do you think of it? Tell us in a comment (and let me know if you think I’ve got any of the explanations wrong!).
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A welcome distraction from the aftermath of the election. Jay maintains his usual standard – particular favourites are highlighted in blue.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
A routine puzzle from Excalibur, which had too many four letter words for my liking. There was a bit of a glitch with the grid in that 7 down was missing, but this should be corrected by now.
I have never heard of the phrase at 32 across, despite having played the game for over 25 years and play to a reasonable standard. I liked the cryptic definition at 8 down but after last Friday’s splendid challenge, overall this didn’t really give me the same buzz. Shame really.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***– Enjoyment ***
It’s Ray T’s turn this week, and as usual he’s provided an entertaining puzzle with some very good clues. I know that some people find Ray’s puzzles harder than other puzzles during the week, but all I can say is keep persevering and if you can’t get the answer and have to look between the brackets make sure that you then understand the wordplay!
Your comments, as always, are very welcome.
For new readers, the answers are present in the review but concealed between the curly brackets under each clue – if you want to reveal one, highlight the space between the brackets.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***– Enjoyment ***
I thought this crossword was a bit harder than we have had for the last couple of Monday’s, but that maybe because I stared at 1a for longer than I should have done before the penny dropped. All in all a very enjoyable crossword, although 8d seems like a clue you might see in the Quick crossword rather than the Cryptic.
If the hints aren’t enough to help you get the answer, just highlight the space between the curly brackets. Please leave us your comments!
And what a mess he makes of it. Many thanks to Jen at the Crossword Centre for pointing it out and to Colin Blackburn for solving the “mystery”.
A week ago, Coronation Street started with Ken Barlow attempting to complete a crossword. It turned out to be Toughie 309 by MynoT (who put in an appearance at the White Horse last Saturday) and using freeze frame on the ITV player it was revealed that he was cheating by filling in random words!
