Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Excalibur is Nuala Considine. She was, until early 2009, the setter for the Sunday Telegraph.
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
Excalibur at her shimmering best today! I solved the four interlocking clues in the middle then did the four resulting mini-puzzles in order, anticlockwise from the SE, enjoying it all the way.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment **
The Toughie week begins with a slightly more convoluted offering than some of Excalibur’s recent crosswords, including one clue which, had the puzzle been sent to me for test solving by one of the crèche, I’d certainly have queried when I sent my comments back to the setter. … Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I quite enjoyed this gentle start to the Toughie week, even though it was annoying to find the paper hadn’t got the right clue for 3d, but had instead an amended version (which matched the online version) of 4d. … Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty n/a – Enjoyment n/a
First time I’ve tried this, so please bear with me.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
Life ain’t fair! How come that Gazza seems to get decent puzzles on a Wednesday including an Elkamere one yesterday and I end up with yet more typical Thursday fare?… Continue reading
BD Rating - Difficulty *** - Enjoyment ***
A nice puzzle in the Excalibur style. Apologies for a hurried review.
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BD Rating - Difficulty **** - Enjoyment ****
The more I get into crosswords, the more I realise what a fusspot I can be about strict cluing (at least as I see it). Why, then, do I make an exception for Excalibur? I found this puzzle unnerving and downright unfair in parts, often struggled to see the obvious as a result, and enjoyed every minute of it!
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BD Rating - Difficulty **** - Enjoyment ****
Psst... don't tell the boss, but for the most part I thought this was a lovely puzzle from Excalibur. I like her short clues with their vivid surface readings and imagery, and had fun figuring out the wordplay.
Just checking that you've all booked tickets for Saturday...
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
Greetings from the Calder Valley!
As our usual Tuesday chappie is gallivanting elsewhere, I’ve offered to help out today.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ***
I made fairly slow progress to begin with while I was refamiliarising myself with Excalibur’s quirky style. It took me some time to finish off the north-east corner and that accounts for the extra half star in the difficulty rating