Friday – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3684

Toughie No 3684 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

For a Friday Toughie Sparks is being quite gentle with us today. Thanks to him. He often gives a Nina in the grid and today we have a Dylan Thomas play as well as a phrase which is used backwards in 3d.

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Toughie 3680

Toughie No 3680 by Elgar

Hints and Tips by crypticsue

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

Another of Elgar’s extreme Toughies – it took me just over twice as long as I’d hope to spend solving a Friday Toughie.  I did think there might be a theme  but it wasn’t until I solved 4d and investigoogled that I discovered that today (1st May) is a special day in the ongoing celebrations of the Bicentenary of the Modern Railway, and this  crossword, in particular, celebrates the 150th Anniversary in the line found in 24d and part of the top row of the grid

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DT 31228

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31228

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** Enjoyment ****

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. Today’s puzzle is a very enjoyable solve with nothing to obscure or technical involved in the clueing. I hope that our setter drops in later to claim it. Continue reading "DT 31228"

Toughie 3676

Toughie No 3676 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Gazza

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

This is not Osmosis at his most fiendish but it is still worthy of the Friday Toughie slot. Thanks to him for the very enjoyable challenge with well-disguised definitions and clever wordplay (and extra kudos for forswearing anagrams).
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DT 31222

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31222

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** Enjoyment ****

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. I thought that today’s puzzle was a lot of fun with many penny drop moments producing smiles.  Continue reading "DT 31222"

Toughie 3672

Toughie  No 3672 by Elgar

Hints and Tips by crypticsue

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

Exactly what you expect from Elgar’s fortnightly visit to the middle of the paper. As clearly indicated by the clue to 21d, the Across solutions are all hiding items which a 15d might catch

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Toughie 3668

Toughie No 3668 by Luxor
Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

Welcome to Luxor, a new Toughie setter whose name will be known to those who solve the Enigmatic Variations puzzles. I was a bit apprehensive on seeing the new name but I needn’t have worried; this puzzle is pretty gentle for a Friday Toughie.
Thanks to our new setter for the enjoyment.
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