July 30, 2026 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3731

Toughie No 3731 by Silvanus
Hints and tips by ALP

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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****

‘Tis always a (rare-ish) treat to see Silvanus pop up on a Thursday – elegant as ever and nowt too tricky, with a very faint French flavour. 22d was new to me but it’s generously clued and I had to run through a few comedians to crack 12a. Still, the deletion and definition couldn’t be clearer. Even 7d’s botany (my bête noire) is gifted on a plate. So, not tremendously tough, just tremendously entertaining. À vous la parole!

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DT 31305

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31305

Hints and Tips by Senf

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BD Rating – Difficulty 2* – Enjoyment 5*

A very good Thursday morning from Winnipeg where, like most of Southern England (I believe), it ain’t half hot mum – 34 degrees, feels like 43! Although, I was watching TV coverage of the Commonwealth Games from Glasgow on Wednesday and there seemed to more water in the Athletics Stadium than there was in the Swimming Pool!

For me, and I stress for me© (I have to say that for Terence), for the first time in quite a while we have a Dream Team Thursday!  Silvanus on Toughie duty and there is no doubt that this is the work of the Master of Brevity; but, he has dialled it back a bit compared to last week.  The usual one word clues and answers in the Quickie, and an appearance from the Queen, Ray T’s swEetheart, but not the plain sweetheart, in the back pager.  Also, like Dada, Ray T still seems to be making occasional use of a personal thesaurus.  I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!

Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!

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