Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
I always enjoy blogging a Notabilis puzzle because I know it will be high quality. Today I worked my way around clockwise starting in NE. NW was my last quadrant and it seemed a little harder to me.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
This is Elgar’s 120th Telegraph Toughie and it is of the usual high standard. I got off to a gentle start, courtesy of a few anagrams, but then it took me a fair while to fill the grid.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment *****
A stunningly good puzzle from Notabilis showing some very tidy cluemanship and trademark precision. I enjoyed this immensely. It took me 3* time to complete the grid, but it took a little longer before I had the full parsing for 17a, 19a, and 4d.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***/****
I enjoyed this, though I didn’t know who the setter was at the time of solving (thanks CS for filling me in). In retrospect, I might have guessed.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***/****
Thankfully a not-over-the-top-difficult puzzle from proXimal. My top half seemed to go in fairly smoothly, then I slowed down considerably as I sank towards the bottom. I still managed to finish in just over what is 3* time for me, with several smiles along the way.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
Another corker from Elgar. This is his 119th Toughie puzzle, and the 15-letter Nina relates to that. I was worried at first when I spent ‘some time’ staring at the grid getting nowhere.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
How delightful to have an Elkamere puzzle on the day his Macclesfield S&B crossword meeting kicks off. I found today’s puzzle somewhat trickier than his last few, but I still managed to complete it in what for me is 3* difficulty time.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Another elegant puzzle by Notabilis with fun wordplay, lovely indications and clever definitions. I managed to finish it before the school run though I only saw the parsing of 4d several hours later.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
I did feel a little panic when I saw the setter’s name but happily I managed to do this before the school run this morning, within 3* difficulty time.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
I was a bit pre-occupied with the elections and can’t remember exactly how long this took me to solve, I think roughly 3* difficulty. I do remember I found it massively enjoyable, as usual for an Elkamere.… Continue reading