Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Currently Thursday does not appear to have a regular setter, although since Autumn 2010 Ray T features frequently. During 2009 almost all of the Thursday puzzles were set by Jay.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment *****
An absolute joy from Silvanus today. Very classy indeed. We’ve got sport, alcohol and naked dancing. What’s not to like? Just chuck in a board game or two and you’ve got the perfect Christmas! It’s all typically immaculate and fair. And, most importantly, great fun. Over to you.
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31113
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning, fellow puzzlers, and season’s greetings to you all.
I found this very straightforward, slowing only slightly in the SE corner. I even began to wonder whether it might not be RayT, but then the sweetheart appeared at 18d and a quick word count revealed a word/clue ratio of just a fraction over five, so all was well with the world.
Blogging is never a chore and when it is a choice between writing hints or watching the Test Match in Adelaide, it is a real joy!
Many thanks to RayT and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
A welcome return from Weatherman. As ever, the construction is immaculate and definitions fair, making for a steady solve. Yes, there is some pretty exotic vocab here – but it’s all generously clued. Still, I’ve tacked an extra difficulty pip on, largely for 5d and 9d. Typically, he’s made my bid to clip tunes extremely difficult, which no doubt comes as a great relief. Alas, I haven’t been totally defeated! Over to you. Continue reading “Toughie 3602”
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
As ever with Beam, this isn’t too tricky – as long as your phaser is set to synonym. Some are perhaps slightly more left-field than usual but nowt too alarming. Great fun to be had, with only a little thesaurus-thumbing. And not just one sweetheart today, but two, possibly to make up for the Queen’s absence! All yours.
Continue reading “Toughie 3599”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31107
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
Another lovely Thursday back-pager to keep us out of mischief today. Quite tricky in parts, but a most enjoyable solve. Smooth surfaces throughout and it’s definitely not RayT, so I will leave you, dear reader, to suggest a possible setter. So many lovely clues, from which I will pick 13a, 15a, 21a, 6d, 18d and 20d as my favourites. Which ones did you like?
Many thanks to our setter and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****/*****
I didn’t really need the byline – this was very, very Dharma. As ever, the definitions leapt out and the surfaces told stories, but some parsing needed (a little) teasing. There’s a pleasingly sporty flavour – football, rugby, racing, athletics, golf and tennis all get a look-in. But (I don’t think 3d really counts) no cricket? For shame! Cracking entertainment. All yours. Continue reading “Toughie 3595”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31101
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
As I write, this, I have one eye on the cricket on the iPad. Who says men can’t multi-task? Mind you, if Brook attempts another ramp shot like that, the laptop might go out of the window!
Back to the puzzle. Despite the notable absence of the Queen, this is definitely a RayT production. He has even signed it with his alter ego at 4a. Elegant and concise as ever and not too difficult. My podium comprises 6a, 24a and 23d.
Many thanks to RayT and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I pretty much flew through this, largely via definitions. A spot of reverse parsing was required, with a couple of synonyms prompting some scrolling – 28a’s “small child”, for one. But it’s all very fair. There is, perhaps, a little vocab, but once you’ve seen 1a you never forget it and, though, botany remains my nemesis, 3d is clearly built. All yours. Continue reading “Toughie 3591”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31095
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
Once again, I am unable to help you on Guess the Setter. I found this most enjoyable despite the spattering of politics and taxation! My ticks are for 12a, 2d, 4d and 17d, with CoD awarded to the lovely cryptic definition at 27a.
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.
Many thanks to our mystery setter and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Sue is still bouncing back, so I’m afraid you’ve got me again. But I’m delighted to blog another Silvanus – only my second. Whip-smart as always. The top left stumped me initially but I quickly moved on and it all flowed pretty smoothly from there. As we know, there’s always a way in. It just wasn’t the NW! All yours.