Enigmatic Variations 1677 (Hints)
No Fine Feathers by Vismut
Hints and tips by Gabriel
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In the olden days (15 years ago!) I was a blogger (on a couple of the other sites) but blog quality and sophistication has improved considerably since. Me not so much.
My qualification then was that I self-described as a beginner and Peter Biddlecombe (Hi Peter!) wanted to demonstrate that mere mortals such as myself were cryptically capable.
Incidentally, my solving partner (to be introduced) pointed out it’s ironic for us to be writing this blog since this is where we come ourselves for help (thanks Phibs!).
Enough about us…
Continue reading “EV 1677 (Hints)”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3299 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where more fluffy white stuff has been falling from the sky – it must have warmed up somewhat.
For me, and I stress for me, quite a challenge from Dada this week. … Continue reading
BD’s XVIth Birthday
Teams link is here
https://teams.live.com/meet/9392488449100?p=AHh3AnVcqP3JZ5Om46
I hope to be online soon after noon UK time – The 2K’s have set an alarm to arrive about 2pm
25th January 2025
The Bridge House
13 Westbourne Terrace Road, Maida Vale, London W2 6NG
Now that Elgars Double Toughie perimeter message has revealed the venue I can remind you of the Sixteenth Birthday Bash
The Blog will celebrate its sixteenth birthday next January 28th, 2025. With help from the Guardians of the Blog (Cryptic Sue, MrK, Gazza, and Prolixic) and John and Jane “Elgar,” I am reviving the Big Dave Birthday Bash and want to bring it to the attention of as many of you as possible.
Continue reading “Big Dave’s 16th Birthday Bash”
A Puzzle by Shabbo
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Continue reading "NTSPP 779"
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30821 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)
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Continue reading “DT 30821 (Hints)”
Toughie No 3408 by Elgar
Hints and Tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty *****+ – Enjoyment *****
Continue reading “Toughie 3408”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30815
A full review by crypticsue
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This puzzle was published on 4th January 2025
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Continue reading “DT 30815 (Full Review)”
Toughie No 3407 by Beam
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Thanks to Beam for another entertaining puzzle with all his usual trademarks.
Continue reading “Toughie 3407”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30819
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Perfect Thursday fare. Thank you setter.
When blogging I tend to concentrate on the parsing, for obvious reasons, and my page is full of scribbled notes. Having now re-read all of the clues, I can admire the smooth surface reads and appreciate how good this puzzle is. Not a single clue that looks or sounds like a crossword clue – they all read perfectly well as sentences in their own right. I was grateful for the checking letters to confirm the spelling of 12a and 22a. I had too many ticks to list here. 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.
Continue reading “DT 30819”