Toughie No 220 by Warbler
Four Play
+ – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Not a particularly difficult Toughie today and generally enjoyable, in fact the kind of Toughie that all solvers of the normal daily Telegraph cryptic crossword should try. There are (for me) a couple of new words. However I did find the grid a little strange with what seemed like a large number of four letter answers spread all around the edge, but then maybe that’s just me.
As ever please feel free to leave a comment.
.
Continue reading “Toughie 220”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26036
Hints and tips by Libellule
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A peculiar crossword today, with a mixture of clues, some good, some average. some bad, and one that would be better off in a quick crossword, even if it looks like a deliberate double bluff. If you have anything further to add, please leave a comment.
Continue reading “DT 26036”
Toughie No 216 by Busman
Hints and tips by Libellule
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
This may not have been the most difficult Toughie, but it was very enjoyable. A well written crossword with a number of amusing clues and answers…
Comments appreciated.
Continue reading “Toughie 216”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26031
Hints and tips by Libellule
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Back in the Friday slot, because Gazza is taking a day off and what do we have? Not an overly difficult puzzle today, but a little tricky in places. But otherwise perfectly enjoyable entertainment.
Continue reading “DT 26031”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26024
Hints and tips by Libellule
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Not a particularly difficult crossword today, but in general a nicely balanced one, with a number of different types of clues that will test your cryptic crossword abilities.
Continue reading “DT 26024”
Toughie No 208 by Excalibur
Any Hidden Gems?
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
This is my first attempt to blog a Toughie, so this should be an interesting exercise.
When I did the crossword, I was not overly impressed, however as I started to write this up, I found that I actually enjoyed some of the clues more than I had when I did it. However I also found a number of cryptic and double definitions that just didn’t work for me at all, in that usually when you get a good cryptic or double definition you like to have a “eureka” moment, whereas here it was more like, oh so that’s it is it…. ho hum.
As usual feel free to let us know what you thought of the crossword either by voting for it, or by leaving a comment.
Continue reading “Toughie 208”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26018
Hints and tips by Libellule
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
We thought we would ring a few changes, so today I have started to do the Thursday blog instead of the Friday one. Seems blogging Giovanni is a popular pastime. So instead of Gazza today you now have me. Expect some more changes shortly. Today’s crossword is an enjoyable effort that is not too taxing. However there are a couple of quibbles. Please feel free to leave comments.
Continue reading “DT 26018”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26013
Hints and tips by Libellule
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Beware of what you ask for. After last Friday’s gentle stroll, today’s crossword is certainly not a walk in the park. Today we have a much more difficult crossword, although that does not detract from its enjoyment. (Even if the grid is a bit cornery).
Please take some time to enjoy the excellent surface readings.
As usual feel free to leave your comments.
Continue reading “DT 26013”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26007
Hints and tips by Libellule
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
This is a nice straightforward crossword today, although some will be disappointed by it, new cruciverbalist’s should enjoy it. From a personal point of view a number of weak cryptic definitions made this crossword a bit of a let down. As usual comments are appreciated, and please let us know how much you actually liked or disliked it by voting.
Continue reading “DT 26007”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26001
Hints and tips by Libellule
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
An interesting puzzle today, but thankfully it is nowhere near as difficult as yesterdays. A number of accessible clues that allows access to the rest of the crossword by providing some of the relevant checking letters. There is the usual nice mix of well defined clues, and at least two or three that raise a smile. All in all a nice pleasant ramble after yesterday’s workout. 10a is a new word for me today.
Continue reading “DT 26001”