DT Cryptic Crosswords – Page 54 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Category: DT Cryptic Crosswords

Hints and tips for completing the regular Daily Telegraph Cryptic crosswords

Toughie 3487

by Gazza  

Toughie No 3487 by Beam
Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***

Beam is being extremely gentle with us today and I doubt whether my hints will be required. Thanks to him for the puzzle.
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DT 30939

by Shabbo  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30939
Hints and tips by Shabbo

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****

Today’s puzzle was a steady solve for me with plenty of smiles along the way and wonderfully smooth surface reads throughout.  My very crowded podium consists of 1a, 10a, 13a, 17a, 2d, 8d and 16d, but I could have listed many more.  The Quickie Pun also has a big tick on my paper.

When I am blogging, I tend to concentrate on the parsing of each clue and it is very easy to miss how good the surface reads are.  I have just re-read all of the clues and the surfaces are quite outstanding, so I have increased my enjoyment rating to 5*. Take a bow, clever setter.

In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons.  Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle.  Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.

Many thanks to our setter and the DT Crossword Team.

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DT 30938

by Senf  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30938

Hints and tips by Senf

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BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****

A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg where it is pleasantly spring time and getting warmer but we need some rain!

As I write this blog, on my Tuesday evening, the King is already back, or just about to be back, in the UK after his whirlwind ‘business’ trip to Canada which saw him ‘on the ground’ for 24 hours.  I can ‘trump’ him (nothing to do with the Orange One); some years ago, when I was living and working in Delaware, I went to Düsseldorf and Köln on business for 19 hours – arriving at noon one day and departing at 7:00am, business completed, the next.

For me, etc (I have to say that for Terence), yet once more, I hope that I do not offend anyone, this was like a Monday puzzle, as Monday puzzles used to be, but with an appearance by the Reverend W A Spooner.  The only Hmm I have is for the Pun.  Whomsoever the setter is, thank you.

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DT 30937

by Huntsman  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30937
Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***

More much needed overnight rain here in Harpenden & a distinctly chillier feel to the day than of late.

Today’s puzzle will certainly be welcome by those who didn’t get along with yesterday’s tougher than usual Monday offering. As with last week this was about as Typically Tuesdayish as it gets from a Plumb production & maybe even gentler. Decidedly quiptic & once again ideal for the less experienced cryptic solver. As usual hints plus the usual assortment of clips are provided should they be required.

In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED & the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought & how you got on with the puzzle.

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DT 30936

by Falcon  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30936

Hints and tips by Falcon

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BD Rating  –  Difficulty *** –  Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Ottawa, where King Charles and Queen Camilla will arrive this afternoon for a quick overnight stay. Tomorrow, the King will deliver the Speech from the Throne opening the new session of Parliament before they depart later in the day.

Hopefully, they will be blessed with a bit of decent weather during their visit – something that has been in short supply lately. Although we did experience a warm, sunny day yesterday, the weather has been unseasonably cold and rainy for the past couple of weeks. I read with envy Senf’s accounts of the warm temperatures in Western Canada which would normally arrive here a couple of days later. However, lately they have failed to make an appearance. He must either be hoarding the warm weather or perhaps he has forwarded it by Canada Post.

I found today’s puzzle more challenging than recent offerings. I did enjoy it although I would have enjoyed it far more if I weren’t working to deadline. It does not help that ever since the new Telegraph Puzzles website was introduced, the puzzles have invariably been posted late – sometimes by as much as 45 minutes (the delay was about 30 minutes today). This is a major inconvenience to bloggers on this side of the pond who prepare the blog the evening before it appears on Big Dave’s website. It may also, at least in part, account for the recent dearth of kitties on Friday.

In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.

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Toughie 3484

by Gazza  

Toughie No 3484 by Karla
Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****

Thanks to Karla for a puzzle that’s not too tricky (for a Friday) and very entertaining.
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