Sunday Toughie No 177
by Light
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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In recent conversations with Light/Twmbarlwm he says he has been permitted to be quite tough in this slot. He has certainly brought his A game today and I have reconsidered and re-parsed several clues overnight. It is hard to see beyond the sublime reversal of 1a for COTD but there are many fine clues here.
I have hinted at half of an even 14a and 14d clues today, but I will try and provide a bonus nudge if required, although I will emphasise the advice that when in doubt look for a lurker (backwards too)
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 177 (Hints)”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3321 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where there is good news for some of the wildfire evacuees as they are being allowed to return home.
For me, and I stress for me©, Dada quirkier, especially on anagram indicators, than he has been for quite a while – two long uns, five anagrams (two partials), one lurker, and no homophones all in a symmetric 28 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 1a, 21a, 24, 25a, 2d, 19d, and 20d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Continue reading “ST 3321 (Hints)”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3320 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where late afternoon, early evening yesterday we had some rain, not enough but better than nothing, and a feeble attempt at a thunder storm.
For me, and I stress for me©, Dada upped the ante for today’s puzzle – four long uns, two anagrams, one lurker with an indicator usually associated with another type of clue, and one homophone all in a symmetric 32 clues; with 16 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 5a, 16a, 19a, 27a,2d, 4d, and 8d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Continue reading “ST 3320 (Hints)”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3319 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where serious wildfires continue in NW and SE Manitoba with air operations for ‘water bombers’ and RCAF aircraft for evacuation being hampered by the smoke and some towns have been evacuated completely. Similar conditions prevail to the West of us in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
For me, and I stress for me©, Dada very friendly once again – six anagrams (two partials), three lurkers (one reversed), and one homophone all in an asymmetric 29 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 12a, 23a, 27a, 4d, and 6d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Continue reading “ST 3319 (Hints)”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3318 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where the sun is shining and the birds are singing, beer and wine in plentiful supply, what more can one ask for.
For me, and I stress for me©, Dada very friendly with an anagram fest – eight of them (two partials), one lurker, and one homophone all in a symmetric 32 clues; with 16 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 9a, 13a, 26a, 3d, 14d, and 22d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Continue reading “ST 3318 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 173
by Light
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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I dont think that was as hard as the last Sunday Toughie from Light, but your experience may differ. Maybe I am just getting to grips with the new Sunday Toughie Compilers. Some definitions and synonyms were well hidden. Learning about botany, booze, politics and police along the way, but I think I got them eventually.
From a long list I will pick the lovely 12d as COTD by a nose from 14a. With 14a and 14d clues today I have hinted half. As usual some tricky clues remain unhinted, but I may be able to give a nudge or two if the WiFi at Caffè Nero permits
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 173 (Hints)”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3317 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where yesterday’s high temperature of 5 degrees was 33 degrees cooler than it was on Tuesday, all in Celsius of course. Thankfully, the cooler temperatures and the rain that we have had since Thursday have helped with the ‘battle’ against wildfires East of Winnipeg in which, sadly, two people have died.
For me, and I stress for me©, Dada quite friendly with some ‘creative’ anagram indicators. Six anagrams (two partials), three lurkers (one reversed), and no homophones all in a symmetric 30 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 10a, 18a, 19a, 1d, 5d, 18d, and 20d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Continue reading “ST 3317 (Hints)”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3316 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where, not helping with the wildfire situation, after a very pleasant 24 degrees yesterday the forecast is for 34 or 35 degrees today, tomorrow, and Tuesday and then the Mercury falls out of the bottom of the thermometer as we are forecast to ‘sink’ to 5 (yes five) degrees on Friday – fortunately the Red Scarf has not yet been put at the back of the wardrobe for the Summer.
For me, and I stress for me, in his own way, Dada quirkily friendly. Two long ‘uns, seven anagrams (all partials!), two lurkers (one reversed), and no homophones all in a symmetric 29 clues; with 14, plus 1 bonus, hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 20a, 23a, 25a, 3d, 7d, and 16d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Continue reading “ST 3316 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 171
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Beam here with quite a friendly Sunday Toughie, all his trademarks are present and I dont think this will trouble solvers too much. I will endeavour to provide a nudge or two if your experience differs
We have 14a and 14d clues and I have hinted half.
Here we go, Folks…
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Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3315 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where it is truly shorts and tee shirts weather with 22 degrees yesterday, and forecast highs of 28 degrees for today, and 29 degrees tomorrow.
For me, and I stress for me, in his own way, Dada friendlier than NYDK was yesterday! One long ‘un, breaking the ‘anagram rule’ as usual with ten (five partials), I might have lost count, two lurkers, and one homophone all in a somewhat asymmetric 29 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 16a, 19a, 1d, 3d, 8d, 17d, and 26d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Continue reading “ST 3315 (Hints)”