Tag: Sunday Toughie

Sunday Toughie No 57 by Zandio

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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A Heinz 57 variety of a puzzle today, 14 acrosses and 16 downs with plenty of anagrams and lurkers in both directions.

France in particular gets a lot of mentions as well as a couple of other Europeans as well as South America and a nod to our New Zealanders.

I have hinted half but if you need any extra help ask away, I may be away entertaining Mama Bee but I am sure one of our happy band of solvers will help with a nudge.

Here we go…

 

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Sunday Toughie No 54 by Zandio

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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A bit of confusion as to exactly when I started blogging the Sunday Toughies but I am pretty sure that  I am approaching the first anniversary of my attempts at blogging. I reviewed the Sunday Toughie from #2 but blogged the hints from #4, I have enjoyed the tussle and I think I solved this quite quickly. Senf is welcome to his Glenlivet and deserves his six years service medal, I hope I last as long. I was fuelled by “Jeyes Fluid” (Bunnahabhain Toiteach a Dha before midnight and Laphroaig Cairdeas – Port and Wine to finish) last night and my nightcap was not delayed as long as it was when Zandio set the New Years Day toughie. 

14 each way and I have hinted half, I could have picked many but will plump for Peter’s romantic meeting in 5d.

Here we go…

 

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Sunday Toughie No 51 by Zandio

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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A tricky little devil tonight, I was hoping that a good lie-in would help me parse the final few. I think I have mostly got it but parts of 15a elude me. I have enough to at least hint you in the right direction. There are a couple of lurkers and at least three double definitions unhinted so keep your eye out for them. I have hinted half of an even 14a 14d clues but if you have any queries just ask, someone will help.

Here we go…

 

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Sunday Toughie No 48 by Zandio

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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Here we go with the first Christmas Sunday Toughie, This is online only today, which probably cuts the audience a bit. As Gazza said in his last blog, now would be a good time to emerge from the shadows and comment. there will always be someone to answer your queries even if postprandial naps and visits from Santa Claus may delay response at times.
I found this a quite gentle toughie but some of that may be because Chris Lancaster at Telegraph Towers was good enough to provide an advance copy of this and other Christmas puzzles. I was able to solve this at my leisure. I thank him and wish him a speedy recovery from a lurgy that is going around at the DT. Thanks also to Crypticsue for liaising the early delivery of puzzles to me and other bloggers.
We have an evenly balanced 14a and 14d clues and I have hinted at half. I can’t decide if any of the unhinted clues merits a hint so will offer a bonus hint to the first lurker to ask. (my own postprandial naps permitting.)
Many thanks to Zandio, proXimal and Robyn for improving my crossword skills with the excellent Sunday Toughie series. I wish them and all the other setters, bloggers, commenters and lurkers here a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Here we go…

 

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Sunday Toughie No 45 by Zandio

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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I found this quite tricky last night, but sitting here and parsing it I don’t know why (I do now – I cannot spot an &lit for toffee). Zandio brings us a nice even 14a and 14d clues and I have hinted half (with a few bonus picture hints along the way)

Here we go…

 

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