Friday – Page 85 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

DT 26827

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26827

Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

This is a fairly routine Giovanni puzzle with a fair sprinkling of proper names. After last week’s Nina I looked carefully for another (but in vain). Let us know how you enjoyed it.
If you need, in spite of the hint, to see an answer, just highlight the spaces between the curly brackets under the clue.

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DT 26821

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26821

Hints and tips by pommers

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

Hola from the Vega Baja. No, it’s not Wednesday! Gazza thought I might be suffering withdrawal symptoms after I missed Wednesday because of the rain so kindly offered to let me tackle this one instead – many thanks Gazza. It’s the second Giovanni I’ve blogged and both times I’ve found it an interesting experience to get to grips with a different style from my normal Jay puzzle.

I thought this was piitched about right for a Friday with a couple of gimmes and a few anagrams, to give you a start, and a few that require a bit of thought. I really enjoyed it but it will be interesting to see if others agree.
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DT 26815

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26815

Hints and tips by Gazza

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

I’ve given this one four stars for difficulty because I struggled with a couple of clues (specially 6d), not so much to get the answers as to understand the wordplay. Let us know how you fared.

If you want to see an answer just highlight the spaces between the brackets under the clue (if you have a newfangled I-thingy or equivalent then there is some advice on how to reveal the answer in the FAQs).

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DT 26809

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26809

Hints and tips by Gazza

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

I was in a bit of a rush this morning so it may just be me, but I thought that this was trickier than the standard Friday Giovanni. I’d be interested in your thoughts.
To reveal an answer just highlight the gap between the curly brackets under the clue.

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DT 26803

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26803

Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

There is a fair sprinkling of pretty easy clues in this one to provide a helping hand for the few which are a bit trickier. Let us know how you got on.
To reveal an answer just highlight the space between the brackets under the clue.

Continue reading “DT 26803”

DT 26797

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26797

Hints and tips by Gazza

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

I completed three-quarters of this one pretty swiftly but then slowed down in the NW corner (which upped the difficulty level to 3* for me). Thanks to Giovanni for the customary Friday enjoyment and a warm-up for the impending five-setter with Elgar. Let us know how you fared.
If you’re stuck for an answer, even after reading a hint, then just highlight the space between the brackets under the clue.

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DT 26791

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26791

Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Last week I gave the Giovanni two stars for difficulty and provoked a lot of disagreement. Undeterred, I’m awarding this one the same – do you agree this week? It’s got some very good clues and I enjoyed it.
If you’re stuck for an answer even after reading the hint just highlight the space between the brackets under the clue.

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DT 26785

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26785

Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

We have a really enjoyable puzzle from Giovanni today with some great clues. Let us know how it grabbed you.
If you’re desperate to get an answer just highlight the word hidden behind the spaces between the brackets under the relevant clue.

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DT 26779

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26779

Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

After yesterday’s excitement we have a more traditional offering today. The main problem I had with this one was that the grid really makes it into four separate puzzles, so that having completed one corner you have to start again with another. Give us your views in a comment.
If you want to see an answer just highlight the space between the brackets under the clue.

Continue reading “DT 26779”

DT 26773

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26773

Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

Giovanni periodically provides a puzzle which is easier than normal and this one will probably come as a relief to those who have struggled this week. I breezed through most of it and then slowed down a bit in the SW corner. Let us know how you fared.
If you want to reveal an answer highlight the space between the brackets under the troublesome clue.

Continue reading “DT 26773”