December 2020 – Page 5 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 2559

Toughie No 2559 by Giovanni

Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

Even though Giovanni has given us a couple of terms from his book of obscurities they are very fairly clued and there’s not an Old Testament character in sight.… Continue reading

DT 29548

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29548

Hints and tips by 2Kiwis

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

Kia ora from Aotearoa.
We are back in Wellington again. Sam, the grandson who had the kidney operation a few weeks ago, is having a follow-up procedure to remove a stent so we are back here for support.… Continue reading

ST 3085

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3085

A full review by gnomethang

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This puzzle was published on 6th December 2020

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Morning All! Whilst reviewing this I thought that there were a large number of (single letter) insertion clues but there were also some great surface readings and the nicely beguiling 5 Down.

Continue reading “ST 3085”

DT 29547

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29547

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone. Today evidently brings us another appearance from the mystery compiler who really likes double definitions, last seen here in DT 29493. No, it's not - we learned during the day that today's puzzle was compiled by celebrated young setter Navy, making his first Telegraph appearance after an absence of just over a year. Continue reading "DT 29547"

DT 29546

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29546

Hints and tips by pommers

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

Hola from the Vega Baja where the summer still continues to hang around.  We had 25°C last Friday which is very unusual for December but it’s a bit chilly this morning.  Overcast as well but the forecast is for improvement as the morning goes on.

I found today’s puzzle at the easier end of the Monday spectrum and nearly gave it a star less for difficulty.  There are a few chestnuty bits and gimmes as well as five anagrams so I don’t think many of you will have had any trouble getting a foothold.  There’s a couple of more complicated clues so ** is probably about right.  As usual I’ll be interested to hear what you all though of it.
Continue reading “DT 29546”

EV 1465 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1465

Change by Piccadilly

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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Piccadilly will not be a new name to thematic cryptic crossword solvers. Dave Hennings’ Crossword Database lists almost 100 of his crosswords in the Listener, Magpie, Weekend and EV series so you can rest assured that you are in safe hands.… Continue reading