Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I have left last week’s grumpy chair and am pleased to say that I have enjoyed this puzzle which mostly fell in quite easily with a small hiccup in the south west corner. Do you remember Mental Arithmetic (now known as mental maths)? Well today is National Mental Anagram Solver Day. There are seven to mentally solve today. Have a go and let me know how you got on.
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment **
Far too easy today, even for a Monday. There are two very weak anagrams and too many clues that can be answered from general knowledge. No stand out clues for me today.
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Nudging slightly into 3 star difficulty due to being successfully misdirected at 2d and 16d and having to use pen and paper for the anagram at 14d (cheating in my opinion and very rarely done). We have made it into The Camra Good Beer Guide yet again and Saint Sharon is taking me away to Shropshire for a three day break starting tomorrow. Life gets better as the years roll by.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I found this easy to solve but tricky to review. 4d for instance. I now have a couple of hours sitting on the lawn tractor in the sunshine scarifying the camping field and collecting the thatch. Then it is off to the most beautiful farm buildings and gardens in Warwickshire with Saint Sharon. Happy days. I suppose there will be an error or two in this review. Please let me know otherwise I will begin to think that I am perfect again.
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
Good morning to one and all. A fairy gentle puzzle today although 8d threw me for a while but it did remind me of one of the legendary village characters of the past. I am glad I never met Fatal Moore. 3d reminded me of the years I spent in the midlands working as a freelance Astronaut. I never did get any employment but it was fun telling people that was what I did.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning from the heart of Downtown L.I. Although it is overcast the sun is still shining merrily away. Rufus shines today as well. He is in playful mood but very fair as usual.
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Note to Bloggers. A Sunday lunchtime session followed by a very pleasant Presidents day at the local cricket club necking an abundance of fine wine (Coronation Chicken sandwiches. Mmmm.) and a further session into the early hours may seem like a good idea at the time. However it is not likely to produce a review published by 11.00 am. For those who might be interested, the kitchen is fully functional and finished but for minor adjustments and the fitting of the kicker boards all of which may be done ……… tomorrow. Today’s crossword didn’t do a lot for me which probably has a fair bit to do with the shenanigans of yesterday. I should know better but I am pleased that I don’t.
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Every week I polish off Rufus’s puzzle at silly o clock whilst half asleep. Only when reviewing do I realise just how good these puzzles are. 20 down is exceptionally clever. Saint Sharon may have her kitchen finished by Friday, nine months after I started it. It is bright outside and all is good in my little world. I hope it is good in yours too.
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
Rufus at his most sublime best. Creative clueing marvellous surface reads. Clever misdirections. A stand out favourite clue at 14d and highly commended to 18ac and 8d. The anagrams allow an easy start to puzzles and there are plenty here to set you off.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Almost a read and write today with a few clues only opening up once checking letters were in. The seven anagrams should assist newcomers to cryptics. Elsewhere we have a fine mix of double definitions, hidden words, charades and all in one clues. The usual paraphernalia associated with that funny little world we inhabit – Crosswordland. Happy birthday to Saint Sharon.