May 2025 – Page 3 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3484

Toughie No 3484 by Karla
Hints and tips by Gazza

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

Thanks to Karla for a puzzle that’s not too tricky (for a Friday) and very entertaining.
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DT 30934

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30934

Hints and tips by Mr K

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

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. As an American who hasn’t spent much time in the UK for decades now, some of the general knowledge required to make sense of today’s puzzle and the Quick Pun surfaced only after considerable head-scratching. It might be nearing time for me to leave this challenge to the native speakers. Continue reading "DT 30934"

DT 30929 (Full Review)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30929

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 17th May 2025

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Kolkata. A lovely, straightforward Saturday puzzle from NYDK that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 30929 (Full Review)”

Toughie 3483

Toughie No 3483 by Hudson
Hints and tips by Gazza

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

It’s a real pleasure to get a visit from Hudson on a Thursday and he’s brought with him a very entertaining puzzle with lots of humour.  Many thanks to him.
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DT 30933

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30933
Hints and tips by Shabbo

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

We are back from our week in the Highlands and I would again like to thank Huntsman for standing in for me at short notice last Thursday.  It was much appreciated.

There is no doubt that this is the work of RayT, as all of his usual hallmarks are there.  He has excelled himself on brevity this week, averaging a fraction below 5. I think this is the first time on my watch that he has dipped below the 5 words/clue barrier.  Quite remarkable.

My podium clues are 24a, 8d and 14d.  I found the puzzle about right for a Thursday in terms of difficulty.  What did you think?

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.

Many thanks to our setter and the DT Crossword Team.

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DT 30932

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30932

Hints and tips by Senf

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

A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg where the weather is becoming more seasonal, at least that’s what the meteorologists are telling us.

For me, etc (I have to say that for Terence), once again, I hope that I do not offend anyone, with a few Hmms, this was like a Monday puzzle, as Monday puzzles used to be, with, once again, no sign of the Reverend W A Spooner but the phonetic alphabet was somewhat overworked.  Whomsoever the setter is, thank you.  I make no apologies for the illustration that I have used for 27a!

Continue reading “DT 30932”