Sunday Toughie No 145
by Robyn
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Seeing Robyn as the setter today was a bit of a surprise but proXimal has been busy setting EV’s so maybe next week. This was a bit of a breeze with plenty of anagrams, reversals and removal of tops, but I did have to check 3d with google maps. It is an ideal introduction to those dipping their toes into Toughies
We have 14a and 14d clues and I have hinted half – I don’t think you will need it but a bonus hint is available if you ask
Here we go…
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Sunday Toughie No 144
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Many thanks to Zandio who sent me an advance copy of the puzzle as I will be/am boozing with crossword peeps at the S&B in York. Fortunately, this puzzle was not as “Gross” as its number suggests and apart from not knowing enough about RFK Jr it was a not-too-tuff tuffie
Along with the Sunday Toughie, Zandio sent the GK puzzle that appears next to the toughie and for those interested in all things Sloggers & Betters I believe there is a bit of a theme to be discovered
We have 14a and 14d clues today and as has become my practice I have hinted just under half, A bonus nudge may be available if required but bear in mind I may be feeling a little hungover after the aforementioned boozing
Here we go…
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Sunday Toughie No 143
by Robyn
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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A very friendly Toughie today, I started at **** and had it finished before midnight, Oops better redact myself as we don’t approve of solving times as it may deter new solvers who may be dipping a toe in Toughiedom for the first time.
14a and 14d clues today and I have restricted hints to 13 to enable me to offer a bonus hint to the first to ask
Here we go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 143 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 142
by proXimal
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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The top half went in fairly fast for me but I slowed down considerably as I approached the end, the little ones gave the most parsing grief and I had to ask for help with the Burgundian’s covering
Plenty of signature proXimalisms today and a generous 15a and 16d clues today I have hinted just under half so have a bit of leeway with a bonus nudge if required – but beware the 9a piece of cake that Sue may provide for those that get sent to The Naughty Step – Sue said yesterday that the rather nice Victoria Sponge with Home-Made Plum Jam was reserved for the recuperating Mr CS – Get Well Soon
Here we go, Folks…
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Sunday Toughie No 141
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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I managed to get hold of this at about 11:20 last night and had it largely filled in by Midnight, some not-too-tricky parsing and a bit of formatting and I was off to the land of nod fairly early on.
We have 14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half, A couple of lurkers and anagrams both whole and partial should fill most of the gaps but I will try and give a bonus hint for clues that didn’t make the cut
Here we go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 141 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 140
by Robyn
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Robyn a little tougher than we get in his Monday guise (3d!) – but that is as it should be for a Sunday Toughie. I had a bit of trouble parsing a few (14a and 25a) but I think I have them now
Four different ways of indicating outer letters (4a 10a 24a and 3d) but they all work for me and some nice computer-related surfaces too, I was working with a high-level Windows user in 14a for a while until I chucked it out of the window
We have 14a and 14d clues and I have hinted half, I hope you find the checkers to finish this puzzle but I will remain on hand with a bonus nudge if you are stuck
Here we go…
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Sunday Toughie No 139
by proXimal
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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A lovely Spoonerism to start that I found most toothsome, I sailed through most of these but came to a grinding halt when my lack of gardening knowledge became apparent (25a particularly but 15d tested me as well)
Lots to like today but I did find 1a and 18d most toothsome with 8a and 5d fighting for the bronze
I have hinted at half of 14a and 14d clues but a nudge for some of the unhinted clues may be possible if I can manage it
Here we go, Folks…
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Sunday Toughie No 138
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Zandio with a not-too-tuff tuffie today, not much harder than his Friday back pager. I hope I haven’t dropped a catch by changing from Go West and a cricket catch to a more obvious place to go in 3a but I am sure the answer is correct even if my parsing fails
We have 14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half. If you remember the maxim “when in doubt look for a lurker you should get enough checkers to fill the lights
Here we go…
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Sunday Toughie No 137
by Robyn
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Bradford’s book of crossword lists didn’t get an outing today but the BRB certainly did. The Pirate’s rewards 21a gets my COTD today but what was yours?
A generous 16a and 16d clues today and I have hinted half, a couple of the little ones (20a in particular) caused me some grief last night so some of the longer bits of Lego™ remain unhinted. I hope you find the checkers to fill the lights, but I will try and provide a nudge if you are struggling
Plenty to eat and drink today and a 15a selection of music and pics you should have a fine Sunday Solve
Here we go…
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Sunday Toughie No 136
by proXimal
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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I found this at the tougher end of the spectrum last night but this morning it seems that I wasn’t paying attention to the tenses required. I am still a little puzzled by 7d, is it just referring to a budget hotel chain or am I missing something? I was – see Gazza’s comment and my revised clue
14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half. I will try if possible to give a nudge for some of the unhinted clues
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 136 (Hints)”