Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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This puzzle was published on 31st May 2025
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A nice, fantastic Saturday puzzle from NYDK that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 30941 (Full Review)”
Toughie No 3491 by Silvanus
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
This is my last Thursday Toughie blog (at least for the time being); ALP will be moving to this seat from next week and we have a brand new blogger taking over the Tuesday Toughie blog.
Continue reading “Toughie 3491”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30945
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Two sweethearts and the Queen suggest that this has to be a RayT puzzle, although at times it didn’t feel like one of his – maybe it’s just me. Other RayT indicators are single-word answers in the Cryptic and single-word answers and clues in the Quickie. At 5.4 words/clue, it is still very concisely clued, even if it doesn’t quite match the extraordinary brevity of his previous puzzle. No need to pop in to confirm ownership, Ray, but it would be lovely to hear from you, as ever. A first class puzzle, beautifully and succinctly worded. Thank you Ray.
I found it quite tricky in parts, but then I did solve it at midnight, so was probably not at my sharpest. Bizarrely, the puzzle was available on my phone at about 23.30 last night, but I gave up waiting for it to arrive on my laptop. All is well this morning, however, so let’s go…
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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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
I understand that today’s Kcit Toughie is his 200th, the third setter to reach that landmark after Elgar and Osmosis. Many congratulations to him on reaching this landmark
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BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** – Enjoyment ***
A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg where we had some rain on Monday but we need a whole lot more!
As ALP said yesterday, there is some reshuffling going on. Today is my last every Wednesday blog; but as ALP also said yesterday don’t start cracking open the champagne yet. For the next while (how long is a piece of string?) I will be sharing Wednesdays with a new to mid-week back page blogger who is starting next week. And, I will continue to solve half of a Dada puzzle on my Saturday evenings and prepare the Sunday blog 😉
For me, etc (I have to say that for Terence), much more like a Wednesday puzzle than we have had recently except for the absence of the Reverend W A Spooner. I was partially defeated by 2a – so any sensible suggestions on how ‘brother’s’ fits in would be appreciated (thanks to Maggie and CS for the enlightenment). I have managed to find another pair of half crowns at the back of my sock drawer and they are telling me that this is probably a Twmbarlwm production.
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
It’s Chalicea, doing what she does best. Other than one Shakespearean burst, there’s nowt exotic here – just good clean fun.… Continue reading
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30943
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning, fellow cruciverbalists. For the next two Tuesdays, I am filling in for Huntsman, who has prior commitments elsewhere.
I found this fairly straightforward, as befits a Tuesday puzzle, but an enjoyable solve. I shall not hazard a guess as to who our setter is today as Tuesdays are not familiar territory for me. Those who enjoy a double definition are in for a treat, as there are no fewer than four in today’s puzzle. No particular favourite clue for me, but I did enjoy the Quickie Pun.
This is my 100th blog, having just been pipped at the post by Huntsman, who posted his 100th blog last week. I would like to thank Gazza for asking me to join the select band of bloggers a couple of years ago. I feel honoured to play a small part in this wonderful forum.
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.
Hello. We got back last night from an enjoyable half-term holiday. The train journey took about 6 hours and includes one of the most scenic stretches of track. Can you triangulate where we were from these pictures (click to enlarge)?
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
