Big Dave's Crossword Blog – Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English

 Jane – New Update April 29th

by Senf  

April 29th:  Another update from Jane herself a few days ago. There is some progress but it is slow and she hopes that the considerable number of daily tablets are being effective. Mobility has been affected by two and half months in a hospital bed and she will be having physio to address this. She is being looked after by one of her daughters and regular visits from the district nurses.

Continue reading “Jane – New Update April 29th“

 Welcome

by Big Dave  

Welcome to Big Dave’s Crossword Blog

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You have reached the world’s biggest and best crossword blog.  If you are looking for help with the Daily and Sunday Telegraph cryptic crosswords or the Enigmatic Variations advanced cryptic, a total of 13 puzzles a week, then you have come to the right place.

If this is your first time, or for more information about this site, please click on Continue reading “Welcome”

EV 1747 (Hints)

by Gabriel  

Enigmatic Variations 1747 (Hints)
Group of Four by Ifor
Hints and tips by Gabriel / Jpeg

I-four has set us a four-midable challenge today. Although one can imagine many appropriate musical groups of four, our favourite AI model has suggested a particularly noteworthy four-piece band as a common thread for various song titles that could affect modes of entry.… Continue reading

ST 3369 (Hints)

by Senf  

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3369 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg on the middle day of a holiday long weekend, which is forecast to be quite soggy especially today, celebrating the 207th Anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria who is remembered as The Mother of Confederation.

So, Terence, what was the ‘something’ that went wrong at Wembley yesterday?

For me, and I stress for me,©  Dada almost as quirky as last Sunday – four long ‘uns (two of them not anagrams), four anagrams (two partials), one lurker, and one homophone, all in a symmetric 32 clues; with 16 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!

Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!

If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!

Continue reading “ST 3369 (Hints)”

DT 31235 (Full Review)

by Rahmat Ali  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31235

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 9th May 2026

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

Greetings from Kolkata. A nice and straightforward Saturday puzzle from the setter that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31235 (Full Review)”

Toughie 3687

by ALP  

Toughie No 3687 by Kcit
Hints and tips by ALP

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

Pleasantly straightforward. 1a is arguably the trickiest clue but, having seen “birdwatching” used in a similar way recently, it flew in. Otherwise it will need checkers and/or some lateral thinking. A quintessentially Kcit puzzle, I’d say: all his usual traits are here and I can’t imagine (m)any problems. Still, you’ll be the judge of that! The floor is yours. Continue reading “Toughie 3687”