Toughie No 3609 by Chalicea
Hints and tips by Whybird
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
Hello, good whenever and welcome from a grey, but calm, Wirral today.
Chalicea has turned up the difficulty dial a little in places for this puzzle; this is certainly not a Floughie, but was finished in just about in one-star time for me. Amongst a few “gimmes” are some slightly more unusual senses and at least one pitfall for the unwary solver, although nothing that requires knowledge of what I would class as obscurities. All very fairly and clearly clued, too. My podium places today go to 25a, 14d and 18d. Thank you, Chalicea, for an enjoyable solve.
As this is my final blog of 2025, I will take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.
Please let us know how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle