October 2023 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

DT 30445

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30,445
Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty **  –  Enjoyment ***

Distinctly autumnal here in Harpenden but ought to be able to get a good walk in before the forecast deluge for the next few days.

I’m not entirely confident that this one is an Anthony Plumb production but it may well be – he does like that fish at 19d.  … Continue reading

DT 30444

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30444

Hints and tips by pommers

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

Hola from Almoradí where autumn is slowly arriving. I had to get my long trousers out last Saturday but yesterday was back to shorts.  Today’s looking like shorts as well!

I think this puzzle must be a Campbell production, because of the two puns in the quickie, but I thought it was definitely at the tricky end of his spectrum.  Perhaps that’s just me having an off day but I did enjoy the tussle.  I’ll be interested to see who agrees and who doesn’t.
Continue reading “DT 30444”

Sunday Toughie No 92

Sunday Toughie No 92

Hints and Tips by StephenL.

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Hello everyone from the South coast of Devon. No greeting from “up North” today as SJB was on the lash yesterday and didn’t want to produce a review with a banging headache so you’ve got me instead.… Continue reading

EV 1614 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1614 (Hints)

Hide and Seek by Piccadilly

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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It is a pleasure to download a crossword by Piccadilly who has been setting them for 34 years and EVs since 1995. Of course he sets for the Listener and Magpie too.… Continue reading

ST 3236 (Hints)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3236 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where the 4-letter ‘S-word’ arrived on Wednesday, more or less on  the forecast schedule, and continued on and off until midnight on Friday, fairly light, with a total of 15cms (plus or minus). … Continue reading

Toughie 3156

Toughie No 3156 by Osmosis

Hints and tips by Dutch

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

Argh. I finished the blog then somehow deleted it and had to redo the lot, sorry I’m late. Osmosis makes it harder for us with broad definitions. Help with 5a please, I think Shaft’s case is quiver but not sure of first bit.… Continue reading