Sunday Toughie No 19 by Robyn
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 5th of June 2022
I think that was my first Nina to blog, and I missed it! But Mustafa and the rest of the commentariat spotted it. 10a, 24a, 13d and 15d provide a nice little PROFIT MARGIN. It might explain why I got my TEN flipped confused with my Net in 30,010 recently or at least that’s my excuse. Thanks to all who stepped in to help, I am sure I will need it again soon. Here we go with the latest guesses from the BeeHive.
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 19”
Sunday Toughie No 20 by proXimal
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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After Friday’s relatively easy X less pangram, I was expecting a sterner test today, and boy did I get it. This took at least 3 times longer than Friday’s proXimal most of it spent staring at answers and reverse parsing them. I admit that the first word of 9a remains unparsed. I can explain the head part, but is he a twin or just a bad chef. Over to your good selves to help out. Anyway, this blog isn’t going to write itself so here goes…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 20 (Hints)”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30010
Hints and tips by Sloop John Bee
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Good Morning from North Yorkshire. Deep Threat is still on holiday so I am back for another go at the back pager.… Continue reading
Sunday Toughie No 18 by Zandio
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 29th of May 2022
Across
1a Left Spain after report about weather front for ships (10)
FORECASTLE: L for left and E (The IVR code) for Spain, go after a weather report or FORECAST L E.… Continue reading
Sunday Toughie No 19 by Robyn
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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This may be a bit brief today as I have to attend a speed awareness course this morning, when it is over (about 10:30) I will endeavour to come and garnish the blog. It all depends on how quickly I solved this last night (tonight as I write this) rather than how quickly I drove through Horton in Ribblesdale in April !.
Thanks to Robyn for a toughie that while still tricky didn’t delay me so long that I haven’t had time to attend my speed awareness course and even left time for me to add some pics to go along with the hints. Mustafa has pointed out that there is a nice little Nina in the four three letter answers.
I have hinted at exactly half of today’s clues and further nudges can be seen in the images. Dear reader you have always treated the hints with the respect BD asks for below, so once again I will be tolerant of some discussion about tricky parsings. I probably need the help.
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 19 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 17 by proXimal
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 22nd of May 2022
Across
7a Protective covering around slate unit (8)
CARAPACE: We start with one of crossword lands usuals, around as an approximation CA for Circa, add the slating you may receive across the knuckles perhaps RAP, and a playing card that represents a unit ACE.… Continue reading
Sunday Toughie No 18 by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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I took my time getting going last night but when the three lurkers (one reversed) revealed themselves in the SW corner I got on a roll. I was going to stick at 7 of 14 across and 7 of 14 down hints but a PDM on 12a just made the cut. I am not sure I have seen all there is to see in 18a either so I remain tolerant of some discussion.
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 18 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 16 by Zandio
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 15th of May 2022
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 16”
Sunday Toughie No 17 by proXimal
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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This was a real tricky one for me. I was able to have a blog at another of the Sunday Toughie setters (Zandio) in a Friday back page guise and although it was quite tricky I managed it in half the time that this proXimal Toughie took.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29992
Hints and tips by Sloop John Bee
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Good Morning from North Yorkshire. Deep Threat is having a well earned holiday, so Miffypops, Stephen L and myself will be rotating Friday blogging duties until he returns refreshed,
I have no real idea of gauging ratings so I will leave those alone for others to assess.… Continue reading