Sunday Toughie No 156 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 19th of January 2025
Category: Sunday Toughie Crosswords
Sunday Toughie 157 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 157
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Zandio very graciously provided me with an advanced copy of this puzzle. I imagine I will be a “bit under the weather” after the Big Bash and unable to give this puzzle a good blogging. By the time you read this, I should be on a train home but I will respond to comments if and when I can.
I hope I have transcribed the clues accurately, as I haven’t seen the puzzle in print yet. It is quite tricky and has lots of cross-references between clues. Big Dave’s advice when I started these hints almost three years ago was to hint first and last across and down clues with about half the clues hinted. I have stopped at half hints before I got to the end.
I have hinted at half of the 14a and 16d clues. I hope you find the checkers to enable completion, as the journey home from the Big Bash may make bonus nudges a bit tricky.
*Post Bash update*
All had a great time, and it was even better to see so many old and new faces. The Teams link was a little problematic, but I hope those who managed to log on could join in the fun a little. Many thanks to Steve C who got the ball rolling with a donation to the bar bill, even though he may have preferred not to be teased by those displaying “Mythical” Pens. Over the next few days, I hope to collate photos taken and put them in the gallery.
Here we go…
Sunday Toughie 155 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 155 by proXimal
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 12th of January 2025
Sunday Toughie 156 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 156
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Beam is back for his second Sunday Toughie and it is a treat, all his trademarks™ are there (sweetheart, The Queen, single-word answers and an average 5.375 words per clue) I found a lot of cycle parts but as a cycling fan I am probably a bit biased. It allowed me to tell a couple of old jokes too.
We have a generous 16a and 16d clues today and I have hinted half plus a couple of bonus pics. I hope you find enough checkers to fill the grid.
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie 154 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 154 by Dada
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 5th of January 2025
Sunday Toughie 155 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 155
by proXimal
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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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.
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie 153 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 153 by
Robyn
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 29th of December 2024
Sunday Toughie 154 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 154
by Dada
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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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
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie 152 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 152 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 22nd December
Sunday Toughie 153 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 153
by Robyn
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Ooh a Robyn – he was given a Sunday off (for good behaviour perhaps) but after a Beamish interlude he is back with a delightful Sunday Toughie
We have 16a and 14d clues and I have hinted half. I am sure some tricky ones remain unhinted so I will try and provide an extra nudge if you get stuck
Here we go…