Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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A cracking puzzle from Zandio, I solved this with less stress than watching the England game last night, although 3d and 13a took a bit of pondering.
My stress levels have soared as the installation of new broadband is not going smoothly…
I hope you find the checkers to finish, and I will try to give a nudge if required.
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 231 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 28th of June 2026
Sunday Toughie No 232
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Many thanks to Mr-K for getting us up and running again. When I finally got to see the puzzle, I was pleasantly surprised but mentally challenged by proXimal.
I see from Phibs’ post that the other SJB (proXimal) has passed over editorship of the EV to Elgar. I hope that will give him plenty of opportunities to post more back-pagers like 31252 or Sunday Toughies like this.
All the trademarks are present – start with a Spoonerism and a couple of compound anagrams, but only one X today.
We have 14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half. I hope you find the checkers to reach the end, but I will try to give a nudge if asked.
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie No 230 by Silvanus
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 21st of June 2026
Sunday Toughie No 231
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After Thursday I was hoping, but we haven’t seen a Robyn here in Sunday Toughie land since #175, 1st June 2025, over a year ago; however, Beam is a more than adequate replacement. The daunting castellated grid (nice description, ALP) soon filled itself as I watched a slightly laboured performance of England last night. I was able to turn in before Keane and Neville had their say.
14a and 14d clues and I have hinted half. Beam trademarks are there, under six words per single word solutions, no anagrams, Queens, sweethearts, and initialisms, although we have been spared a trip to the lingerie department today.
I can’t hint them all, but will try and give a nudge if you ask
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie No 229 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 14th of June 2026
Sunday Toughie No 230
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For Silvanus’s third Sunday Toughie (# tooth hurty) I may have expected a dental reference or even a reference to the summer solstice, which passed as I slept on the parsing.
I think the slightly niche British TV references should be widely enough known to those overseas.
14a and 16d clues today and I have hinted half. I hope you find the checkers to finish, but I will nudge if required and able.
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie No 228 by Light
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on 7th June 2026 Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 228 (Review)”
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A bit of a slow start, but once some checkers came, I picked up the pace. As it is a Prize Puzzle I am unable to hint them all, but I will try and give a nudge if I can.
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 227 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 31st of May 2026