Toughie No 3609 by Chalicea
Hints and tips by Whybird
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
Hello, good whenever and welcome from a grey, but calm, Wirral today.
Chalicea has turned up the difficulty dial a little in places for this puzzle; this is certainly not a Floughie, but was finished in just about in one-star time for me. Amongst a few “gimmes” are some slightly more unusual senses and at least one pitfall for the unwary solver, although nothing that requires knowledge of what I would class as obscurities. All very fairly and clearly clued, too. My podium places today go to 25a, 14d and 18d. Thank you, Chalicea, for an enjoyable solve.
As this is my final blog of 2025, I will take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.
Please let us know how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31123
Hints and tips by Huntsman
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***
Even by Tuesday standards I’d rate today’s puzzle on the gentle side so I doubt it will detain many for long. Much like yesterday it was all over a bit too quickly but was nevertheless a pleasant & enjoyable solve. The only real head scratch was twigging the synonym for the 3rd word in the Quickie pun. I’ve not looked at it yet but I see that Chalicea is today’s setter over in t’other place so if she’s true to form that will be an entertaining & accessible puzzle.
In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED & the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought & how you got on with the puzzle.
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