Friday – Page 16 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Category: Friday

Friday’s current setter is Don Manley who is also known as Giovanni, Duck, Pasquale, Quixote, and Bradman (all punningly connected with the name Don or Donald)

Toughie 3396

by Gazza  

Toughie No 3396 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****

We can rely on Osmosis to give us a proper Toughie and I always enjoy the challenge he offers. There are no anagrams and no obvious gimmes (except 2d) here and each answer needs to be prised out. Thanks to the setter.

Continue reading “Toughie 3396”

DT 30802

by Mr K  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30802

Hints and tips by Mr K

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** -  Enjoyment ****

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday.  Today we have a very enjoyable puzzle combining precise cryptic grammar, smooth surfaces, and a shoutout to a Scottish football team, ingredients which likely identify today’s setter. I hope he drops in later. Continue reading "DT 30802"

DT 30796

by Mr K  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30796

Hints and tips by Mr K

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

BD Rating  -  Difficulty **** -  Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. I found the top half of this puzzle fairly straightforward, but things got decidedly chewy down in the bottom half, especially in the SW. That all made for a rewarding solve.  Continue reading "DT 30796"

Toughie 3388

by Gazza  

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”

DT 30784

by Mr K  

*Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30784

Hints and tips by Mr K

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** -  Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. Over here today (Thursday) is Thanksgiving, which meant it was very late by the time I was able to download and hint this nice puzzle. So, no time for pics I’m afraid. I hope to do better next week.  Continue reading "DT 30784"

Toughie 3380

by Gazza  

Toughie No 3380 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***

We have a typical Osmosis puzzle today with clever definitions abounding. I had a hiccup in the SE corner and had to write over my first answer for 23a ‘titbits’ (which I thought worked quite well as a cryptic definition).

Thanks to Osmosis.
Continue reading “Toughie 3380”