February 2024 – Page 6 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Month: February 2024

EV 1629 (Hints)

by Phibs  

Enigmatic Variations 1629 (Hints)

Ceaselessly by Curmudgeon

Hints and tips by Phibs

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The author Anne Rice, most famous for Interview with the Vampire, used the pseudonym Anne Rampling when writing a couple of slightly risqué novels. I believe that my fellow blogger, whose output frequently appears under the name Chalicea, uses the nom de clef Curmudgeon for her somewhat edgier puzzles. Though let’s be clear that we’re not talking here about the cruciverbal underworld inhabited by Private Eye‘s Cyclops, and certainly not the nether regions of decency explored by the appropriately-styled setters of the Craptic Crossword in Viz. Strong stuff this is not, although I’m sure the wordplay in 10a and the definition in 9d would never have sullied the thoughts of the demure Chalicea.

Continue reading “EV 1629 (Hints)”

ST 3251 (Hints)

by Senf  

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3251 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where we have had some more of the fluffy white precipitation but not as much as in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland where, in three days this week, communities ‘received’ amounts ranging from 60cms to 150cms (that’s two feet to five feet in ‘old money’) with a lot of snow drifts due to high winds.… Continue reading

DT 30533 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30533 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

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A warm, sunny if very soggy Saturday morning brings an enjoyable Saturday Prize Puzzle, with a nice ear worm-inducing theme! Be careful how you discuss it as the usual Prize Puzzle red instructions apply, and there’s only a small Battenburg cake in the tin!

Continue reading “DT 30533 (Hints)”

DT 30532

by Mr K  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30532

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** -  Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. I’m in New Zealand this week, so I’m experiencing the disorienting sensation of writing the hints for Friday’s puzzle on a Friday evening. The puzzle felt a little more straightforward than recent Friday offerings, making for a steady and very enjoyable solve. The grid uses every letter except Z. I have no idea if that has any significance. Continue reading "DT 30532"

Toughie 3215

by Gazza  

Toughie No 3215 by Beam
Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Beam has given us a pretty gentle puzzle today with all of his usual trademarks. Thanks to him.

My only hold-up was needing to check one of the reptiles in 25a. Now I know where one of our Toughie setters got his pseudonym from.

Please leave a comment telling us how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle. Continue reading “Toughie 3215”