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Trish from http://www.dakineshibainus.com wrote on June 9, 2022 at 2:50 am

enjoyed my visit

enjoyed my visit... Collapse

Dave Harrison from Camberley wrote on May 16, 2021 at 4:36 pm

I’ve been doing, or rather attempting the DT crossword for over forty years. I’ve always enjoyed doing the Saturday prize crossword in bed on a Sunday morning lie-in. Some years ago I’d got the stage where I only had two or three clues left to solve when I was summoned to the pub for a lunchtime pint with my good friend and neighbour Brian. During this sojourn, my wife finished the crossword and sent it off under her own name. She won first prize, which in those days was a really nice fountain pen. I haven’t given up beer but I now write with a pencil!

I’ve been doing, or rather attempting the DT crossword for over forty years. I’ve always enjoyed doing the Saturday prize crossword in bed on a Sunday morning lie-in. Some years ago I’d got the stage where I only had two or three clues left to solve when I was summoned to the pub for a lunchtime pint with my good friend and neighbour Brian. During this sojourn, my wife finished the crossword and sent it off under her own name. She won first prize, which in those days was a really nice fountain pen. I haven’t given up beer but I now write with a pencil!... Collapse

Joseph Ian Clough from Manchester wrote on January 20, 2021 at 2:03 pm

Cryptic but not feral (8) Welcome home in packs (4) I love this website

Cryptic but not feral (8)
Welcome home in packs (4)

I love this website... Collapse

Edwin Araap Korir from Eldoret, Kenya wrote on June 15, 2020 at 7:39 am

Very nice. I have been visiting here for a long time. Thank you all.

Very nice. I have been visiting here for a long time. Thank you all.... Collapse

Alex Logan from London wrote on September 4, 2019 at 11:24 am

Hello. I've just started compiling under the pseudonym 'DUMBER' (short story) and have finally completed DUMBER 001 (call me an optimist). I have already sent an email, hoping to have my effort critiqued here, so I look forward to - hopefully - discussing the pluses and minuses of my cluing ability! What a help this site is. I have been solving (!) the DT crossword for 20-odd years so it's great to have the explanations here in black and white, whereupon I often slap my forehead and utter: "Of course!" Alex

Hello. I've just started compiling under the pseudonym 'DUMBER' (short story) and have finally completed DUMBER 001 (call me an optimist). I have already sent an email, hoping to have my effort critiqued here, so I look forward to - hopefully - discussing the pluses and minuses of my cluing ability!

What a help this site is. I have been solving (!) the DT crossword for 20-odd years so it's great to have the explanations here in black and white, whereupon I often slap my forehead and utter: "Of course!"

Alex... Collapse

Steve Cowling from Knockin wrote on July 1, 2019 at 6:34 pm

I have been doing the DT Cryptic Crossword since the 1970's. It was a rare occasion when I finished one! Dave's Blog has shown me a great many things and I have honed my skills to the point I complete quite a number now,. I usually manage to submit the Prize Puzzle every week whereas before It was a rare event. I have always enjoyed tackling the puzzle but, since finding Big Dave, I now have more confidence that I will complete it. Thank you to everyone involved.

I have been doing the DT Cryptic Crossword since the 1970's. It was a rare occasion when I finished one! Dave's Blog has shown me a great many things and I have honed my skills to the point I complete quite a number now,. I usually manage to submit the Prize Puzzle every week whereas before It was a rare event.

I have always enjoyed tackling the puzzle but, since finding Big Dave, I now have more confidence that I will complete it.

Thank you to everyone involved.... Collapse

Don Smith - (auchenmae) from Brydekitk wrote on February 7, 2019 at 10:45 am

I've been doing DT crosswords for many years (but while I can make a good attempt at the Toughie I don't like it - maybe my advancing years)! I'vebeen lucky enough to win the Herculis and a runner-up in the Giant General Knowledge. I've recently found and have started to use Big Dave's and hope to start contributing once I get to know the site. Thanks to everyone.

I've been doing DT crosswords for many years (but while I can make a good attempt at the Toughie I don't like it - maybe my advancing years)!
I'vebeen lucky enough to win the Herculis and a runner-up in the Giant General Knowledge.
I've recently found and have started to use Big Dave's and hope to start contributing once I get to know the site.
Thanks to everyone.... Collapse

Ken from Bromley wrote on September 5, 2018 at 9:12 am

Many thanks to Big Dave and all the contributors to this great site....your explanations to clue composition are a real help to "us novices" struggling to improve our cryptic solving abilities. I've already learnt so much from you all and look forward to learning more! Keep up the great work - it's genuinely appreciated.

Many thanks to Big Dave and all the contributors to this great site....your explanations to clue composition are a real help to "us novices" struggling to improve our cryptic solving abilities.

I've already learnt so much from you all and look forward to learning more!

Keep up the great work - it's genuinely appreciated.... Collapse

Al from Hereford wrote on July 9, 2017 at 4:09 pm

Such a phenomenal site, a big thank you to everyone involved. I am new to cryptic crosswords, very helpful the way you make sense of each clue! It's all about 'time spent' & familiarity... (I'm hoping!).. Thank you .

Such a phenomenal site, a big thank you to everyone involved. I am new to cryptic crosswords, very helpful the way you make sense of each clue!
It's all about 'time spent' & familiarity... (I'm hoping!)..
Thank you .... Collapse

Joan Smith from Camberley, Surrey wrote on May 8, 2017 at 2:43 pm

Just wanted to say a big Thank you for all the help you give me every day when I attempt the crossword, which I think I'm getting a little better at.

Just wanted to say a big Thank you for all the help you give me every day when I attempt the crossword, which I think I'm getting a little better at.... Collapse

Peter Ashton from Hove wrote on March 25, 2017 at 1:20 pm

Great site, much appreciated. Thank you.

Great site, much appreciated. Thank you.... Collapse

Henry Smith from Brighton wrote on March 14, 2017 at 10:26 pm

Great site very helpful many thanks!

Great site very helpful many thanks!... Collapse

Richard from Somerset West, South Africa wrote on November 16, 2016 at 8:14 pm

After finally getting through to your site after being blocked by Firefox/Google it has taken ages to load up - what is the problem? Maybe I'm being paranoid but this seems to have occurred since Mr Kitty joined your fraternity, perhaps he/she brought something unwanted with her/him? I've very much enjoyed using your site for many years until now! Best wishes for the future, Richard

After finally getting through to your site after being blocked by Firefox/Google it has taken ages to load up - what is the problem? Maybe I'm being paranoid but this seems to have occurred since Mr Kitty joined your fraternity, perhaps he/she brought something unwanted with her/him?
I've very much enjoyed using your site for many years until now!

Best wishes for the future,

Richard... Collapse

Jacquie San from Edinburgh wrote on October 24, 2016 at 2:56 pm

Hi Dave I use your blog each day to help me through the DT Cryptic which has been a really great help. However, today when I try to access its take me into an old style text page so cannot access anything. Lots of errors coming up. I've tried from my iPad, laptop and smart phone just in case it was one of my devices. Hope it gets resolved soon. Kind regards Jacquie

Hi Dave

I use your blog each day to help me through the DT Cryptic which has been a really great help. However, today when I try to access its take me into an old style text page so cannot access anything. Lots of errors coming up. I've tried from my iPad, laptop and smart phone just in case it was one of my devices.

Hope it gets resolved soon.

Kind regards
Jacquie... Collapse

Clair wrote on August 14, 2014 at 10:47 pm

Thank you for the blog - whenever we are stuck we know your blog will save (& entertain) us as we struggle through the DT cryptic.

Thank you for the blog - whenever we are stuck we know your blog will save (& entertain) us as we struggle through the DT cryptic.... Collapse

Doug Smith wrote on July 18, 2014 at 7:18 pm

hi dave...been doing telegraph for 30 years or more....still the best I think. love the new format.....Click Here......brilliant. sometimes think the clues are more guesswork than getting the answer logically. yesterdays one.....Bars books ?.......had no idea without your help. cheers buddy. doug

hi dave...been doing telegraph for 30 years or more....still the best I think.
love the new format.....Click Here......brilliant.
sometimes think the clues are more guesswork than getting the answer logically.
yesterdays one.....Bars books ?.......had no idea without your help.
cheers buddy.
doug... Collapse

Phil wrote on May 19, 2014 at 8:07 pm

Hi Dave, Just found your site for the first time today. It's really useful, thank you. Phil

Hi Dave,
Just found your site for the first time today.
It's really useful, thank you.
Phil... Collapse

Una wrote on February 15, 2014 at 9:27 pm

I started doing cryptics in about 2012, getting a few obvious anagrams and the double definitions and not a lot more. I never got more half than finished. Then I discovered this blog and the tutoring began. I have learned a good many of the conventions and the some of the usual suspects as well as some of the old chestnuts (most of them deserve to be old because they are often very good). More importantly , I am doing much better now because my mind is trained to think in a certain way now. I don't think my vocabulary is any greater than before but somehow the words are more available to the conscious mind. None of the above would have happened had I not hit upon this blog. I am eternally grateful to all the bloggers and most importantly to Big Dave for setting up and maintaining this site. Solving cryptic crosswords is a wonderful pastime and sharing with others makes it better.

I started doing cryptics in about 2012, getting a few obvious anagrams and the double definitions and not a lot more. I never got more half than finished. Then I discovered this blog and the tutoring began. I have learned a good many of the conventions and the some of the usual suspects as well as some of the old chestnuts (most of them deserve to be old because they are often very good). More importantly , I am doing much better now because my mind is trained to think in a certain way now. I don't think my vocabulary is any greater than before but somehow the words are more available to the conscious mind. None of the above would have happened had I not hit upon this blog. I am eternally grateful to all the bloggers and most importantly to Big Dave for setting up and maintaining this site. Solving cryptic crosswords is a wonderful pastime and sharing with others makes it better.... Collapse

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