Toughie No 438 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Tilsit
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ***
Greetings from Calderdale’s Finest NHS Facility, where I have been holidaying since last Friday’s blog. As usual with the Toughie, the Friday puzzle is the toughest of the week and with Osmosis, it’s usually one of the toughest of all. However, one or two clues today left me a bit cold, and seemed forced rather than O’s normal excellent surface reading. In addition there were a couple where the clue was forced to produce a good surface reading, which spoils the enjoyment for me. That turned the puzzle into a bit of a slog and I was relieved rather than satisfied after solving it.
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53.741224-2.014475
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2556
A full analysis by Peter Biddlecombe
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
Solved on the way to the pub meeting with Brian Greer and various setters and solvers – the first of a batch of puzzles on the train journey. Very little scribble on the copy so anything I say after this is added after I write the explanations below.
It’s the usual – a couple of those all-in-ones he just can’t stop producing, and a good mixture of answers, elegantly clued. No epic hidden word so I’ll expect one at least 13 letters long next week.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26366
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Gazza is still recovering from the name check he received in yesterday’s puzzle!
Typical Friday Fare, with the usual faultless wordplay (as long as you are prepared to forgive the homophone in 24a) – although I’m sure that a few of you will have tripped over on the answer to 15a.
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