proXimal returns with a Spoonerism to start and some compound anagrams. The Spoonerism wasn’t a problem as it was just a transposition of initial letters rather than sounds, but I spent rather a long time mulling over what and where to extract the compound anagrams. I was in a Nabakovian rabbit hole over a simple girls name before sense prevailed.
We have 14a and 14d clues and I have hinted half. If a few tricky ones have hit the cutting room floor I may be able to give a nudge if asked.
Another Newbie to the Sunday Toughie, I was quite surprised to find Dada as the compiler today. Once I got over the surprise I found this a floughie toughie and I don’t think horses have any concerns either here or in the backpager. I haven’t had time to tackle Senf’s Dada yet but I have spotted some similarities.
Dada has brought a slightly “25a ungenerous” 14across and 13down clues today on what I call the H4 grid (from the dark blocks along the sides of the grid). I will plump for the crafty 9d today but the precarious 16a ran it close before falling at the last.
I counsel you “15d” to be aware that the red pencil has been active this weekend with just a few 1a remaining of Christmas Comestibles
Well that was a surprise! Beam has shone over my Saturday night/Sunday morning. Once I got over the surprise it went smoothly. All the usual 20d’s are there (Average 5.3 words per clue, sweetheart and a queen) I am sure there are other Beam trademarks but my experience of Beam is somewhat limited as his toughies usually fall on my busy work days
14a and 16d clues and I have hinted just under half – a bonus nudge may be available if you are still stuck
It took me a little longer than normal to 7d this last night but I was watching the snooker. The Snooker was a bit of a grind, and the crossword was done before the final frame. I hope **** recovers as he is playing in the final right now (I redacted myself as you may be watching the highlights later)
As usual proXimal starts with an easy (to Sloop John Bee) Spoonerism we have a couple of extraction/compound anagrams and several homophones. Dinner would appear to be 13a served with a Spanish red
I have hinted half of an even 14a and 14d clues and hope you find the checkers to “pot the final black”
Robyn on Toughie duty today and I found it quite tricky last night, but on reflection, I can’t quite see why. Apart from a sure-fire candidate for (THE LIST™ Terence) 13d remains unhinted as it is a partial anagram with plenty of checkers, but a French term for Scottish Dances I ask you! I would bet that not many of you leapt to the answer without the checkers
Plenty of Greeks, Romans, Shakespeare and golf along with a couple of boats. We have 14a and 16d clues and I have hinted half. I hope you get enough checkers to find the rest
16d gets my COTD by a nose from a close field what did you like?
Zandio with his usual entertaining not to tuff tuffie. I found it quite hard to choose which clues to hint but here are half of 14a and 14d clues and I hope there are enough checkers to get you over the line
There are quite a few literary references to styles of writings from Aesop to Hans Christian Anderson but I may be going 16a to call it a theme
As usual proXimal was a little tougher than my other Sunday Toughie regulars but I think I have got there eventually
We have 14a and 14d clues today with the trademark proXimalisms™ dealt with early doors I have hinted 13 of 28 clues leaving me a bonus hint for the first to ask
