Toughie No 3577 by Donnybrook
Hints and tips by Whybird
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment *****
Welcome to the Toughie Week! Well, the hawfinches might not have been obliging, but RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands has delivered a very showy bittern and a closing time/dusk glossy ibis so not all of my feathered friends are avoiding me.
This is very much a Toughie from Donnybrook, to whom many thanks for the challenge. I did double-check the top right corner of the newspaper, and it assures me that it actually is a Tuesday today. There are a few “gimmes” to get things rolling, and whilst there is a chunk of general knowledge that I didn’t have to hand, the clues are all clear and precise; many are very clever indeed. My podium places today go to 2d, 3d and 8d, with 23a and 6d getting very honourable mentions.
Please leave a comment telling us how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle.
I am taking a short break from the blog – I’m being “sent” to Tokyo for work, and then taking the opportunity to go chasing cranes, owls and eagles. Shabbo has kindly volunteered to craft the blog for the next two Tuesdays, so thanks very much to him for that.