crypticsue – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3680

Toughie No 3680 by Elgar

Hints and Tips by crypticsue

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

Another of Elgar’s extreme Toughies – it took me just over twice as long as I’d hope to spend solving a Friday Toughie.  I did think there might be a theme  but it wasn’t until I solved 4d and investigoogled that I discovered that today (1st May) is a special day in the ongoing celebrations of the Bicentenary of the Modern Railway, and this  crossword, in particular, celebrates the 150th Anniversary in the line found in 24d and part of the top row of the grid

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Toughie 3674

Toughie No 3674 by Beam

Hints and Tips by crypticsue

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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty *Enjoyment ***

A typical Beam crossword which only took a tiny bit longer to solve than one of his Thursday back pagers

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Toughie 3672

Toughie  No 3672 by Elgar

Hints and Tips by crypticsue

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

Exactly what you expect from Elgar’s fortnightly visit to the middle of the paper. As clearly indicated by the clue to 21d, the Across solutions are all hiding items which a 15d might catch

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