December 24, 2024 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3397

Toughie No 3397 by Donnybrook
Hints and tips by ALP

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

A fun Christmas Eve jaunt, this. Not terribly tricky, despite 14a (hence the extra half) which was certainly new to me and some typically cunning synonyms.… Continue reading

DT 30805

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30805
Hints and tips by Shabbo

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

Good morning and happy Christmas Eve to you all.  Our regular Tuesday blogger, Huntsman, is having some well-earned R&R near Loch Lomond where the Wi-Fi is apparently intermittent at best.  When he told me about his break in the Trossachs, I thought it was a nasty medical condition, but I am assured that it is not.  Either way, he has asked me to fill in for him today, which I am more than happy to do.  It will, of course, cost him a pint when he is back!

I found this to be fairly straightforward, but a fun challenge. I hope you enjoyed solving it as well.  Just a reminder that whilst there will be no dead tree version of the paper tomorrow, puzzles will still be available on the puzzle website.  Season’s greetings to you all.

In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons.  Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle.  Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.

Thank you, setter and a special thank you to crossword editor, Chris Lancaster, as we approach the year end.

Continue reading “DT 30805”