Toughie No 3617 by Hudson
Hints and tips by Whybird
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment *****
Welcome to the Toughie week, and what a way to start it! Hudson has given us a treat. Given some of the pieces of general knowledge I had to check up, I would not have described this as a Floughie, but I found I had completed it in Floughie time. In fact, my only criticism is that it was all over too soon – another 15 or 20 clues at this standard would have been very welcome indeed. There are some great surfaces, with some sneakiness and some clever crypticness, all set out in concise terms. What’s not to love? I’ve selected 2d, 11a, 15d and 19a for my Roll of Honour, but there are so many to choose from, it might have been easier to pick the few that were merely “good”. Thank you, Hudson, for a cracking puzzle, although 2d has caused some angst with having to avoid it in the hints!
Please let us know how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle
Continue reading “Toughie 3617”
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)”
Toughie No 3616 by Elgar
Hints and Tips by crypticsue
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
Continue reading “Toughie 3616”
Toughie No 3615 by Beam
Hints and tips by ALP
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
The usual synonym work-out from Beam who has dreamed up more alternatives for “run” than I would have thought possible! Sweetheart and Queen both make a welcome re-appearance. Some lateral thinking may be required but it’s fairly straightforward. All yours.
Continue reading “Toughie 3615”
Toughie No 3614 by Shabbo
Hints and Tips by crypticsue
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
Continue reading “Toughie 3614”
Sunday Toughie No 205 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 28th of December 2025
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 205 (Review)”
Toughie No 3613 by Dada
Hints and tips by Whybird
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Happy New Year from Neston! The weather has turned, and the snow and ice are gradually being washed away. A shame, as both Lord Alfie and I (especially the former!) enjoy early morning strolls on crisp snow. On the plus side, looking for the short-eared and barn owls at the Old Baths won’t feel quite so much like a cryogenic experience.
Dada’s puzzle today has provided something of a jolt after the Festive period. It took a while before I started to get onto the right sort of wavelength. There are plenty of inventive, lesser-spotted pieces of word play, but all very fair. I’ve given my prizes today to 1a, 11a, 19d and 21d. Thank you, Dada, for effecting a thorough clean-out of the mental cobwebs.
Please let us know how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle
Continue reading “Toughie 3613”
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)”
Toughie No 3612 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Gazza
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****
There are a few gimmes here but in the main this required a fair bit of work. There are no anagrams (that’s fine by me) and I enjoyed the challenge a lot. Thanks to Osmosis.
Continue reading “Toughie 3612”
Toughie No 3611 by Samuel
Hints and tips by ALP
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment *****
A very happy New Year to you all, one made brighter still by the appearance of Samuel – the one-and-only Chris Lancaster. It’s been a while since we’ve seen one of his Toughies, so this was an especial treat. Suitably gentle-ish for January 1, and impeccably fair, but fizzing with wit, as one would expect. I particularly enjoyed seeing a grown-up set 3d, i.e, properly! All yours.
Continue reading “Toughie 3611”