Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30956
Hints and tips by Senf
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BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** – Enjoyment ***
A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg where we still need rain but the wildfires are mostly under control.
For me, etc (I have to say that for Terence), much more like a Wednesday puzzle should be and no sign of the Reverend W A Spooner but there are a number of literary, cinematic, and theatrical references. Once again, I have managed to find another pair of half crowns at the back of my sock drawer and, again, they are telling me that this is probably a Twmbarlwm production.
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Sunday Toughie No 176 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 8th of June 2025
Thanks to Gazza for doing the hints, whilst I was away to see Bruce Springsteen and celebrate my umpty umth birthday.
If I am ever to win another pen, I may have to follow Gazza’s example and cut back on the number of hints (only kidding – I wouldn’t have been able to resist a hint at 4d)
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Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3320
A full review by crypticsue
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This puzzle was published on 8th June 2025
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
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Toughie No 3497 by Stick Insect
Hints and tips by Whybird
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ***
Welcome to the Toughie week. And if this is meant to be the gentle end of the spectrum, we are going to be in for a real mangling this week. … Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30955
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I am standing in for Huntsman today, who is chasing a small white ball around the links courses of North Norfolk this week. I hope the weather there is as good is it here today in Hertfordshire. It is a glorious morning.
Tuesdays are not my area of expertise, as you know, so I will not even have a stab at Guess the Setter. Over to you, dear reader. I found today’s puzzle an enjoyable mix of the very straightforward (23a) and the slightly more obscure (28a). What did you think?
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.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30954
Hints and tips by Smylers
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
Good morning. Today’s crossword felt like *** difficulty to me: I got only a few answers in my first pass and then it was slow-going to fill the rest. But it doesn’t contain any obscure answers and most of you lot are way better at anagrams than I am, so I’m guessing you’ll find it more straightforward than I did, and I’ve rated it ** accordingly. Thank you to the setter, I’m guessing X-Type, for the challenge.
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A Puzzle by Spartacus
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Continue reading “Rookie Corner 582”
Sunday Toughie No 177
by Light
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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In recent conversations with Light/Twmbarlwm he says he has been permitted to be quite tough in this slot. He has certainly brought his A game today and I have reconsidered and re-parsed several clues overnight. It is hard to see beyond the sublime reversal of 1a for COTD but there are many fine clues here.
I have hinted at half of an even 14a and 14d clues today, but I will try and provide a bonus nudge if required, although I will emphasise the advice that when in doubt look for a lurker (backwards too)
Here we go, Folks…
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Enigmatic Variations 1699 (Hints)
Busy Bees by Skylark
Hints and tips by Gabriel
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According to my “sources”, Skylark is supposedly on the easier end of the solving spectrum. … Continue reading
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3321 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where there is good news for some of the wildfire evacuees as they are being allowed to return home.
For me, and I stress for me©, Dada quirkier, especially on anagram indicators, than he has been for quite a while – two long uns, five anagrams (two partials), one lurker, and no homophones all in a symmetric 28 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 1a, 21a, 24, 25a, 2d, 19d, and 20d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
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