Sunday Toughie No 215
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Beam has provided a very pleasant and not too tough Toughie today. I was pleased to have something a little easier than last week’s, as no matter what tricks I used, I couldn’t get the puzzle until 00:10
Beam has brought us a generous and symmetric 16a and 16d clues today. When selecting the clues to hint, I found that the across selection was equally symmetric, so I let that guide an equally symmetric selection of downs. That may have left a few of the trickier clues unhinted, so I will endeavour to help with a bonus hint or two if you ask.
All the Beam™ trademarks are there, sweetheart, the Queen, single word answers and no anagrams. I spotted quite a few definitions by example? hence the question marks. I expect you will find the checkers to finish, as this was much more straightforward than last week.
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 215 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 214
by proXimal
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
proXimal is here again with all his Sunday Toughie trademarks. Tougher than usual I think, but not helped by my failure to find 27a in any dictionary! There appears to be a surplus I and the only source I can find suggests it is a common misspelling. Tomdisappointingsturges 65 will be very disappointed indeed if we allow misspellings to become commonplace.
We have 14a and 16d clues today and I have hinted half. I hope you find the checkers to get across the line.
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 214 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 213
by Dada
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
A day out at the Rhubarb Festival yesterday was very good (and tasty too), but quite tiring. Last time Dada was here (Sunday Toughie 204) I was a bit grumpy and wanted to express disapproval (7a) at getting a Dada to solve last night, but this was quite pleasant. I will obviously have to get used to seeing Dada twice on a Sunday quite often.
28 clues today split 13a/15d and I have hinted half. I hope you find the checkers to finish but I will try and give a nudge or too if time permits, around preparing the surplus of Rhubarb I bought yesterday.
Here We Go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 213 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 212
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
A generous 16a and 16d clues today, and I have hinted half, I hope you find the checkers to finish. I will try to give an extra nudge if you ask.
Mama Bee needs shopping, so I may be replying from the aisles. I will get back as soon as I am able.
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 212 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 211
by Light
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Light’s thirteenth appearance in the Sunday Toughie slot but not unlucky for me. 5d took the most time to parse, but I think I have it now. It seemed like there were rather a lot of first, last, and alternate letter uses today. I did particularly enjoy the bilberry eating bird and the Hurricane, but those were just two of a long list of candidates.
I have tried to be a bit oblique with pics and vids, so I hope I haven’t given too much away. I will try and give a nudge or two if you ask.
14a and 14d clues today I hope you have as much fun as I did.
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 211 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 210
by proXimal
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
A great time was had by all at the birthday bash – see posts passim for pics. It took a bit of puzzling to parse some of these and, as ever, I can’t hint them all.
Connection permitting I will try and give an extra nudge or two if I can. I went to see the wonderful Caravaggio at the Wallace collection Friday, and today I fancy having a look at 19d’s Gin Lane, which I believe is in the Tate.
Thanks to everyone who came to the bash I hope you had fun, and apologies if you tried the Teams link. I won’t try that again – it doesnt work well in a noisy pub environment.
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 210 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 209
by Samuel
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
I was very pleasantly surprised to find Samuel here today, but my happiness waned when the theme of today’s puzzle became apparent. A valedictory performance indeed. 7a 16a 26a 6d 7d and 12d brought a 4d to my eye. I don’t think we can expect more from Samuel, who has given us so much already.
Lots of double definitions and anagrams, but I can’t hint at them all. I think the valedictory nature of today’s puzzle will allow me to forego the red pencil. 23d up Samuel, you’ve given us a belter today.
Here We Go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 209 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 208
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Beam has brought us a generous 32 clues today and I have hinted half. I had a bit of parsing trouble last night, but I hope I have got them right. I hope you find the checkers to finish this fine puzzle and I will try and give a bonus nudge or two if you are struggling.
Why I was struggling a bit last night – I was nearer the keyboard monitor than the keyboard player!
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 208 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 207
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Zandio a bit trickier today (to me) quite a few 16d references, but please don’t mention the war, I had to, but I think I got away with it. John Cleese/Basil Fawlty©
14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half. I hope you find enough checkers to finish, but I will try and give a nudge if you are struggling – just ask.
Here We Go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 207 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 206
by Light
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
The grid-fill was easier than the parsing, but I think I have got there eventually. I have hinted 12 of 28 clues today, so I have scope for a nudge or two if you (8d) Just ask.
The anagram at 12a needs careful checking of the fodder to find the player as his instrument has been renamed over time.
I hope you get the checkers to finish this fine puzzle and envelop the Welshness.
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 206 (Hints)”
