Tuesday – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

DT 31339

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31339

Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty *  Enjoyment ****

Well it’s been a damp start to the day here in Harpenden and there seems to be plenty more to come. Fortunately tomorrow looks ok for ⛳️ which I’m looking forward to having shot my lowest gross score for 3 years yesterday – no doubt a freakish aberration.

Today we have the usual gentle Tuesday puzzle from Anthony Plumb which  as ever is nicely clued throughout & very enjoyable. I thought it a little trickier than yesterday so I’ll be interested to see what others make of it.

Ray T is on duty over in t’other place with a very gentle anagram free Beamer that really isn’t more, if at all, difficult than this one so well worth having a stab at. Whybird is on hand with some afternoon tunes & to provide a nudge if required.

As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.

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 31333

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31333

Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty *  Enjoyment ***

The sun is shining here in Harpenden but a walk will have to wait as I’m off back to bed to catch up on some much needed kip. Yesterday was a full on day of golf followed by a very pleasant early evening meal at a Turkish restaurant near my course then the trek into Hammersmith to see The Black Keys. Suffice to say I was finally in bed much later than is ideal when you have to get up & write the blog.

As ever with one of AP’s Tuesday puzzles tightly clued & not overly taxing fortunately – on a par with yesterday in terms of difficulty.

I’ve not had a chance to look at it but I see Chalicea is over in t’other place. I’m sure that will be an accessible puzzle well worth having a stab at & Whybird will appreciate your thoughts on it.

As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.

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 31327

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31327

Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty *  Enjoyment ***

It’s shaping up to be another pleasant sunny day here in Harpenden so I’ve no excuses, now that the temperature is mercifully more tolerable, for not getting a decent walk in this afternoon.

I thought today’s Anthony Plumb lacked a wee bit of sparkle compared to recent weeks so I’ll be interested to see what others make of it. It was certainly on the gentle side even by Tuesday standards & I’d reckon it easier than yesterday’s puzzle. As ever immaculately clued.

Hudson is over in t’other place with a light delight that is fun & pretty ‘floughie’. Ideal for anyone contemplating dipping their toes into toughie waters for the first time. Whybird will be delighted to hear from you.

As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.

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 31321

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31321

Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ****

Mercifully much cooler today in Harpenden & I suspect we may even have had a drop or two of wet stuff overnight.

The usual elegance from Anthony Plumb today. I found it a wee bit trickier than yesterday’s puzzle. Smylers awarded that one a ** difficulty rating so I’ll follow suit & wait to see what others make of it.

I see Dada is over in t’other place with what seems at first glance a reasonably approachable affair.

As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.

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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Toughie 3737

Toughie No 3737 by Shabbo
Hints and tips by ALP

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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * Enjoyment *****

It’s always a joy to see Shabbo’s name pop up. He’s clearly got the expected Tuesday non-difficulty level down pat, generously going out of his way to give us a toehold or ten (6d, etc). Ever so gentle, sure, but smoothly entertaining. If you like anagrams, you’re going to love it! The floor, as ever, is yours. PS … dinna fret – Whybird’s back next week!

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DT 31315

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31315

Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ****

It looks like yet another scorcher on the golf course this afternoon at Centurion where I’ll be more than happy if I can get round in under 30 strokes more than Charley Hull took last week.

I thought today’s Anthony Plumb was a very enjoyable solve & maybe a tad trickier than last week. As ever concisely clued throughout with much to admire. Hopefully I can manage a 2nd week without needing to amend any hints but if so they’ll need to wait until later.

Our old Thursday blogger is over in t’other place with a delightful ‘floughie’ which I would strongly urge commenters to have a bash at as it really isn’t any more taxing than this one & is great fun.

As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.

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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Toughie 3733

Toughie No 3733 by Beam
Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

Whybird is off on his holidays so I’m standing in today.

Beam is obviously the flavour of the month at Telegraph Towers – this is his second Toughie in three days. All his trademarks are present today in a gentle and enjoyable puzzle.
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DT 31309

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31309

Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ****

Mercifully cooler today so it promises to be a lot more comfortable on the golf course this afternoon.

I found today’s Anthony Plumb offering a good bit easier than last week & about on a par with Heron’s puzzle yesterday in terms of difficulty. As ever nicely clued throughout with some excellent surfaces. Any corrections to the hints (if current form is anything to go by there’s bound to be at least one) will have to wait until later.

There’s a quick reappearance from Ray T over in t’other place with a very enjoyable & fairly gentle(ish) Beamer that’s begging to be walloped to the boundary ropes. I’m sure both he & Whybird would welcome your thoughts on it.

As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.

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 31303

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31303

Hints and tips by Huntsman

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

I found today’s Anthony Plumb offering maybe a tad trickier than yesterday’s puzzle chiefly because  the definition context at 1&23d needed a bit of a crumpet scratch. As ever it was very enjoyable, nicely clued throughout & with some neat surfaces. I look forward to hearing what others make of it. I’m off to play  ⛳️ so hopefully (no promises) no amendments need to be made to the hints below.

I see Chalicea is over in t’other place so that is guaranteed to be an enjoyable puzzle & well worth having a stab at. Whybird will be delighted to hear your thoughts on it.

As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.

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 31297

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31297

Hints and tips by Huntsman

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

A ‘typically Tuesdayish’ & perfectly enjoyable Anthony Plumb puzzle that I’d rate on a par with yesterday’s offering in terms of difficulty.

Though I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet I see Hudson is on duty over in t’other place so that’ll be a puzzle guaranteed to be a good ‘un & well worth checking out if seeking a further challenge. Don’t let the Toughie title put you off as generally the Tuesday offerings are no more difficult than the back-pagers near the end of the week.

As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.

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.

Continue reading “DT 31297”