July 2019 – Page 4 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 2265

Toughie No 2265 by Stick Insect

Hints and tips by Bufo

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

Nothing too arduous today though I did use the fact that it’s a double pangram for 11 across and the last couple of answers. Continue reading “Toughie 2265”

DT 29106

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29106

Hints and tips by pommers

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

Hola from an extremely hot Vega Baja where summer is in full spate. At least it’s not quite as hot now as it was during the recent much-publicised European heatwave.  It got to 39°C here last Sunday but today it’s back to a more manageable 31°C with less humidity.  Anyway, to the puzzle – this one just has to be a RayT production as all his hallmarks are there including some rather overstretched synonyms, lurkers, first letter clue and, of course, an appearance by HRH. I thought it was a bit tricky but I liked it quite a lot but I bet a lot of you will disagree as is usual on a Thursday. Over to you for comments . . . Continue reading “DT 29106”

ST 3011

Sunday Telegraph No 3011

A full review by crypticsue

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This puzzle was published on 7th July 2019

BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

Back to ‘tricky Dada’ – well I thought so anyway – the RH side was easier than the left

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.… Continue reading

DT 29105

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29105

Hints and tips Jacinda Ardern

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

My day so far. Wake up just before 7.00am. Download The Daily Telegraph. Read the paper from end to end. Make a pot of tea. Discuss September’s holiday with Saint Sharon. Where should we stay for two nights on our way home from Scotland (suggestions welcome). Pour two cups of tea. Solve the Codeword puzzle. Solve the Quickie Crossword. Start on the Cryptic Crossword. Chatter away with the sainted one whilst lazily solving away. Then the lightbulb moment. I have to blog this today as the 2Ks are otherwise engaged. So stop dawdling and do so. Here is the result. Continue reading “DT 29105”

DT 29104

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29104

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome.  This week I felt that we’re back to near average difficulty and enjoyment.  I particularly liked the smooth surfaces on several of the clues.

The new blog theme necessitated by the site upgrade has now been in use for just over a week.  BD has been tweaking it to work well on computers, tablets, and phones.  It’s challenging to optimise the site’s appearance in the absence of feedback, so BD would like to get your thoughts on the new theme via a brief survey.  Thanks in advance for helping to improve the site.

Click here to open the survey in a new window.  Press the Finish Survey button at the bottom to submit your answers.

Continue reading "DT 29104"

DT 29103

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29103

Hints and tips by Tarzan of the Apes

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment **

What a weekend for music. Neil Young and Bob Dylan at Hyde Park on Friday. Billy Bragg and Van Morrison with others on Saturday at the Cadogan Hall. Continue reading “DT 29103”