Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Currently Thursday does not appear to have a regular setter, although since Autumn 2010 Ray T features frequently. During 2009 almost all of the Thursday puzzles were set by Jay.
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BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ***/****
Typically with Beam, the trickery lies not so much in the construction but the synonyms.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31011
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
Well it is definitely not RayT today and I don’t think it is Silvanus either, so over to you, dear reader, for Guess the Setter. Senf – you might need more than one of your hard earned loonies for this one.
I think this is a lovely puzzle and perfectly pitched for a Thursday. What do you think?
As Daisy has freely admitted to being in her tenth decade, in the interests of safety and her own wellbeing, I will not be posting an image for 8d. Barely worth the risk.
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.
Many thanks to our mystery setter and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***/****
The usual invention from Django. He always works hard to try and make surfaces work, in a fun way.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31005
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
It looks like it should be slightly cooler here in Welwyn Garden City today, so why not take some time out of your busy day and have a go at this enjoyable RayT puzzle? All of his usual calling cards are on show: single word answers, single word clues and answers in the Quickie, the Queen, sweetheart and his usual brevity, with the words/clue count at just a fraction over five.
My Clue of the Day is the very simple 26d, with a nod to the Quickie 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.
Many thanks to our setter and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****/*****
Typical invention from Light today, with imaginative synonyms/definitions and quirky surfaces.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30999
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
A lovely puzzle today, perfectly pitched for a Thursday. A smattering of general knowledge is required on television programmes, pop music from the 80s and 90s, a film from the 70s, football, cricket, tennis and one other sport. All completely fair and above board, of course. 21d was my CoD but I thought the Quickie Pun was pants. I’ll get my coat…
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 mystery setter and to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
Surprisingly gentle for a Thursday Toughie, pleasingly musical and studded with Kcit’s seemingly trademark one-letter deletions (and additions).… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30993
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
[As you may have noticed we are having problems currently in that comments cannot be posted. It’s not just us; the same problem has hit Fifteensquared, so please be patient]
Good morning, fellow puzzlers.
Following the special anniversary puzzle yesterday, normal service has been resumed and we are treated to our fortnightly Thursday offering from RayT, including all of his regular trademarks and a word count of just a fraction over 5 words/clue. An enjoyable puzzle as ever and a very entertaining Quickie pun to boot..
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 to the DT Crossword Team.
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BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ***/****
The usual tight clueing from Beam: no anagrams and a raft of inventive, but fair, synonyms.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Nicely quirky; beautifully Django. Some lovely touches and fresh thinking.… Continue reading