Toughie No 3611 by Samuel
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment *****
A very happy New Year to you all, one made brighter still by the appearance of Samuel – the one-and-only Chris Lancaster. It’s been a while since we’ve seen one of his Toughies, so this was an especial treat. Suitably gentle-ish for January 1, and impeccably fair, but fizzing with wit, as one would expect. I particularly enjoyed seeing a grown-up set 3d, i.e, properly! All yours.
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Toughie No 3607 by Django
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment *****
A zinger from Django today – a real treat. I must thank the Telegraph’s top brass and one of our very own top brass – Gazza – for gifting me a copy to blog in advance. It has – just about – kept me out of the doghouse. I did make the mistake of giving a woman (i.e. my mother-in-law) summat with a plug on – a sin that my urbane godfather told me years ago never to commit. In my defence, I remain convinced she’ll learn to love it! Merry Christmas everyone.
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Toughie No 3603 by Silvanus
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment *****
An absolute joy from Silvanus today. Very classy indeed. We’ve got sport, alcohol and naked dancing. What’s not to like? Just chuck in a board game or two and you’ve got the perfect Christmas! It’s all typically immaculate and fair. And, most importantly, great fun. Over to you.
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Toughie No 3602 by Weatherman
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
A welcome return from Weatherman. As ever, the construction is immaculate and definitions fair, making for a steady solve. Yes, there is some pretty exotic vocab here – but it’s all generously clued. Still, I’ve tacked an extra difficulty pip on, largely for 5d and 9d. Typically, he’s made my bid to clip tunes extremely difficult, which no doubt comes as a great relief. Alas, I haven’t been totally defeated! Over to you. Continue reading “Toughie 3602”
Toughie No 3599 by Beam
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
As ever with Beam, this isn’t too tricky – as long as your phaser is set to synonym. Some are perhaps slightly more left-field than usual but nowt too alarming. Great fun to be had, with only a little thesaurus-thumbing. And not just one sweetheart today, but two, possibly to make up for the Queen’s absence! All yours.
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Toughie No 3595 by Dharma
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****/*****
I didn’t really need the byline – this was very, very Dharma. As ever, the definitions leapt out and the surfaces told stories, but some parsing needed (a little) teasing. There’s a pleasingly sporty flavour – football, rugby, racing, athletics, golf and tennis all get a look-in. But (I don’t think 3d really counts) no cricket? For shame! Cracking entertainment. All yours. Continue reading “Toughie 3595”
Toughie No 3591 by Kcit
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I pretty much flew through this, largely via definitions. A spot of reverse parsing was required, with a couple of synonyms prompting some scrolling – 28a’s “small child”, for one. But it’s all very fair. There is, perhaps, a little vocab, but once you’ve seen 1a you never forget it and, though, botany remains my nemesis, 3d is clearly built. All yours. Continue reading “Toughie 3591”
Toughie No 3590 by Silvanus
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Sue is still bouncing back, so I’m afraid you’ve got me again. But I’m delighted to blog another Silvanus – only my second. Whip-smart as always. The top left stumped me initially but I quickly moved on and it all flowed pretty smoothly from there. As we know, there’s always a way in. It just wasn’t the NW! All yours.
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Toughie No 3587 by Django
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****
The usual cleverness from Django. Some quirky little tricks, fun definitions and a riot of 80s reference – in (bar 28a!) a good way. All yours.
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Toughie No 3583 by Beam
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****
Quintessential Beam today – very tight, very clean. Surprisingly clean-ish, in fact. But don’t worry, the usual wit is still there. 1d, for one! As for difficulty, it really rather depends on whether you’ve got your synonym head on, or not. The bottom half flew in but the top was perhaps slightly knottier. 9a’s “sensitive”, for example, took some thought, though the definition couldn’t have been clearer. In short, a delight, and a lovely way to mark my 100th blog. Where on earth did the time go, eh? All yours.
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