March 24, 2026 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3657

Toughie No 3657 by Dada
Hints and tips by Whybird

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BD Rating – Difficulty *   –  Enjoyment ****

Croeso o Gymru! This week’s travels find me in a very nice cottage on the Bodnant Estate, overlooking the Conwy valley and the village of Dolgarrog.  The Present Lady Whybird, Lord Alfie and I are enjoying a few days of downtime following Lady W’s latest sewing retreat, coincidentally situated in the aforementioned village.  Anyone would think there was a plan… We’ve had a hefty dose of spectacular early spring weather, but we are now experiencing something more traditionally North Walian.  As with the last time I was in this area, several hours over a couple of days in St Mary’s Churchyard, Caerhun, involved plenty of obliging finches (Gold, Green, Chaf) but not Haw. There’s always a next time, and the Roman archaeology is interesting.

Dada, to whom, many thanks, has given us a very enjoyable puzzle today, towards the more straightforward end of the spectrum, I felt, which is especially welcome as I’ve been solving on the iPad rather than my much preferred Dead Tree.  Just a couple of pieces of explanations had me scratching my head a little, but nothing too strenuous. I did wonder if Dada had dined on an Atlas given the number of geographical references.  My prizes today go to 18a, 19a, 27a with 14d getting an honourable mention

Please let us know how you fared and what you thought of the puzzle. 

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DT 31195

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31195
Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty *  Enjoyment ***

Typically Tuesdayish  puzzle, as Senf would say, that I assume is an Anthony Plumb production. I was going great guns solving in an anti-clockwise direction & on course to comfortably better yesterday’s solve time until a bit of brain fog near the finish line in the NE. As ever nicely clued throughout & very enjoyable too.

As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.

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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