Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Sparks is the name used by Mark Kelmanson for Toughies. He is known elsewhere as Monk (M on K, his initials)
Toughie No 3420 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Sparks has provided an entertaining puzzle where some of the parsing took me some time – many thanks to him. He usually has something going on in the grid and today all of the 4-letter answers are reversed in symmetrical locations.
Continue reading “Toughie 3420”
Toughie No 3388 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ***
Sparks has given us a pretty tricky double (thanks Huntman) pangram today – thanks to him. There are a few gimmes but most of the clues need some cogitation.
Continue reading “Toughie 3388”
Toughie No 3372 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
As Friday Toughies go this was on the gentle side I thought. Sparks, as he often does, has included a couple of Ninas in the grid (see rows 1&3 and 13&15). Thanks to him.
Continue reading “Toughie 3372”
Toughie No 3356 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Thanks to Sparks for what I thought was relatively straightforward for a Friday Toughie. It’s a pangram.
Please leave a comment telling us how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle.
Continue reading “Toughie 3356”
Toughie No 3300 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
We have an enjoyable puzzle from Sparks today. He normally includes something significant in the grid but I can’t spot anything (possibly due to the fact that I’m knackered after staying up most of the night watching the election coverage). Thanks to him.
Please leave a comment telling us how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle.
Continue reading “Toughie 3300”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****
Well that was interesting. I didn’t know who the setter was.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
I found this tricky with some new words.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ****/***** – Enjoyment *****
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
We have a bingo-related Nina today. Apologies for no pics, running late.
Continue reading “Toughie 3212”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** – Enjoyment *****
A pleasant respite between Elgars. I finished the grid within 2* time but parsed two while writing the blog.… Continue reading