Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30981
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning, fellow puzzlers. The sun is just starting to break through here in Hertfordshire and it looks like being another lovely summer’s day with a decent puzzle to set us all off on the right footing.
I took longer than usual over this RayT puzzle, but on reflection, I can’t really see why. Ray is playing a bit fast and loose with his trademark sweetheart and Queen in 19a and 26d respectively, so tread carefully!
Enjoyable and concise as ever at an average of exactly five words/clue. A special mention to the Quickie Pun as well. For those new to crosswords, the first two or three across clues in the Quick Crossword are italicised and make a groanworthy pun.
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle. Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.
Many thanks to RayT and to the DT Crossword Team.
Continue reading “DT 30981”
Toughie No 3511 by Silvanus
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
After some relatively chewy Toughies this week, I was expecting a proper kicking from the mighty Silvanus today.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30975
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers from a sundrenched Welwyn Garden City.… Continue reading
Toughie No 3507 by Weatherman
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
Weatherman slides fizzily into the Thursday slot with muscle and menace.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30969
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
RayT is in benign form today, or maybe I was just tuned in to his wavelength from the start. A concise and enjoyable puzzle, as ever, from the master of brevity. My gongs go to 10a, 11a, 18a, 8d, 18d and 20d. Which clues did you like?
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle. Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.
Many thanks to our setter and the DT Crossword Team.
Continue reading “DT 30969”
Toughie No 3503 by Beam
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***/****
Very gentle, very Beam: smart synonyms, tight constructions and, as ever, no anagrams.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30963
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers. Chris Lancaster has thrown a bit of a curve ball today, as it is definitely Thursday and this is definitely not RayT and nor does it feel like a Silvanus puzzle. I am going to have to check the small print of my blogging contract, as this has completely thrown me!
That is not to say that I didn’t enjoy it – I did. Two very impressive long hidden words, a very smooth anagram at 13d and a well-read footballer at 20d. My CoD however, goes to the lovely 21a with a nod to the Quickie Pun, which took me ages to see.
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle. Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.
Many thanks to our setter and the DT Crossword Team.
Continue reading “DT 30963”
Toughie No 3499 by Django
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment *****
A Django’s always a treat and this was no exception.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30957
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning fellow cruciverbalists. Today’s offering is a classic RayT puzzle with single word answers, a sweetheart at 19a and a word count of exactly five words/clue. I found it perhaps a bit tougher than usual, but then I did solve it at midnight as my troublesome back kept me awake yet again last night.
Much to admire, including the horse’s tack at 24a, the ghost tube train at 7d and the clever person at 9d. Which were your favourites?
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle. Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.
Many thanks to RayT and the DT Crossword Team.
Continue reading “DT 30957”
Toughie No 3495 by Light
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment *****
Yet more impossible boots to fail to fill.… Continue reading