Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Toughie No 3351 by Prime
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
This is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of blogging a Prime Toughie and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Thanks to Prime.
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Toughie No 3348 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
A typically enjoyable puzzle from Osmosis which is perhaps slightly gentler than what he usually provides. The puzzle has zero anagrams, 25/26th of a pangram and a plentiful supply of abbreviations (I’m glad I’ve set up a shortcut for that word in Microsoft Word).
Thanks to Osmosis.
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Toughie No 3347 by Serpent
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****
Serpent is being uncharacteristically gentle today but as enjoyable as ever with some cracking clues. I was only really held up by my mathematical ignorance in 27a. Serpent often hides something in the grid but I can’t spot anything today.
Thanks to Serpent.
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Toughie No 3343 by Beam
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ***
It’s the time of the month for a Beam Toughie and this one is relatively gentle but enjoyable as ever. Thanks to him.
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Toughie No 3340 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Our setter continues his practice of providing a ‘nearly pangram’ (there’s no K as far as I can see). He’s also given us an anagram-less puzzle – I particularly admire his ability to clue the four peripheral names without the need to resort to anagrams. I enjoyed this a lot – thanks to Osmosis.
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Toughie No 3339 by Kcit
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
The first few answers went in very quickly and I thought this was going to be pretty straightforward. It did get a wee bit trickier towards the bottom but I don’t think this will cause regular Toughie solvers too many problems.
Thanks to Kcit.
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Toughie No 3335 by Django
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Django has given us a relatively gentle but extremely entertaining puzzle. Many thanks to him.
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Toughie No 3332 by Artix
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
It was a pleasure to see the name of Artix when I printed off the puzzle this morning. He’s not at his most tricky here but it’s an enjoyable Friday Toughie.
Artix regularly incorporates a theme in his puzzles and, just as regularly, I fail to spot it. I look forward to someone explaining today’s to me.
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Toughie No 3331 by Silvanus
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Very enjoyable fare from Silvanus to whom many thanks.
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Toughie No 3327 by Beam
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Beam’s here today with all his trademarks (although his sweetheart has taken a different form). There are a couple of homophones which will work for some people, but not for me.
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