Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I must have been on Giovanni’s wavelength this morning because I breezed through this with no problems (except that I had to convince myself that the definition in 1 across is OK)
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** – Enjoyment ****
For me this was one of Ray T’s easier puzzles. As usual you need to think out-of-the-box for some of the answers
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Today we have a welcome return by Dada with a very entertaining puzzle. It’s full of his usual inventive and witty clues but not as tricky as he can be. I have a feeling that he’s being slightly constrained, but I’m quite happy with that as long as he stays in the Wednesday slot. 
As usual your comments are welcome and please take the time to register your approval rating by clicking on one of the stars below.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Today we have the usual enjoyable offering from Jay – one that I thought tended toward the less difficult end of the scale.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
When you see MynoT as the setter there is usually a theme in the offing but, apart from a few fishy references, there doesn’t seem to be anything today. [Wrong again! Thanks to Qix for pointing out that the theme is a work from a series by Edith Sitwell.]
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment **
This is a pretty gentle puzzle for a Tuesday. My problem with it is not its relative ease, but that the compiler seems to have put all his/her effort into getting the wordplay right without paying too much attention to the surface readings. As a result the surface in a number of the clues is clunky or meaningless. Do you agree or disagree? – let us know in a comment.
In the unlikely event that you need to see an answer just drag your cursor through the space between the brackets under the clue.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Apologies for the somewhat late arrival of the blog. As you are probably aware there are problems with the Telegraph Puzzles site. However crypticsue came to the rescue after a visit to the newsagents and the use of a scanner. The crossword on the other hand is exactly what we expect from Rufus on a Monday.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
[I am in Cheltenham today for the exciting 3D Sloggers & Betters meeting (see sticky post) so Tilsit will be compiling the hints. BD]
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a few of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Tilsit is receiving treatment for his leg today so it falls to me to blog a proper Friday outing from Notabilis. This was highly enjoyable with smiles and groans on the way. Often, even where the answer was obvious, the wordplay in places displayed all of Notablis’s cunning. It took Gnomes’ law to work out 27d. If Notabilis has included one of his trademark ninas in today’s grid, I have not been able to spot it. {Many thanks to Libellule for pointing out what was staring me in the face all the time. See his comment below.]
Many thanks to Notabilis for an excellent crossword. I have highlighted my favourite clues in blue though top of tree today were 29a and 18d.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
We have a pleasant mixture of clues from Giovanni today. Your views, as ever, are very welcome.
To reveal an answer just highlight the space between the wrinkly brackets under the relevant clue.