Big Dave – Page 5 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 2550

Toughie No 2550 by Moeraki

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

It took me a few minutes to get into this puzzle, but once I had a few answers the rest fell quite quickly.  A promising start from this new setter – Moeraki is a small fishing town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, which suggests a Kiwi connection. Continue reading “Toughie 2550”

DT 29524

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29524

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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

The Kiwis have to attend a family matter at short notice – I hope they will be back next week. Continue reading “DT 29524”

Toughie 2534

Toughie No 2534 by Chalicea

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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

As usual Chalicea had me reaching for my trusty Chambers to confirm the musical abbreviation, the bone marrow, the measuring instruments, the pugilism, and the subgroups, but all were easily derived from their respective clues and only the bone marrow was a totally new word. Continue reading “Toughie 2534”

Toughie 2526

Toughie No 2526 by Dada

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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

The days when you could guarantee an easy Toughie on a Tuesday seem well gone. This was of middling difficulty, with several long answers and some of what were, for me at least, obscurities (the aromatic plant, the design and the Indian state, although I had heard of the latter) and a sprinkling of General Knowledge. Continue reading “Toughie 2526”