Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31135
Hints and tips by Huntsman
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***
The usual fairly gentle Tuesday offering to ease us into the demands of sterner tests as the week progresses. I thought the puzzle (by Anthony Plumb I assume) maybe a tad trickier than yesterday but I doubt that it will detain experienced solvers for too long. I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet but I see Hudson is over in t’other place so that’s as good as guaranteed to be a cracker & I’m sure both Rob & Whybird would welcome comment.
As usual there are an assortment of musical clips to enjoy or ignore. Apologies that the title of a couple of ‘em give the game away but couldn’t resist including ‘em again.
In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED & the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought & how you got on with the puzzle.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31134
Hints and tips by Smylers
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BD Rating – Difficulty ★ – Enjoyment ★★★★
Happy new year, gang! Yes, I know that feels a long time ago now, but these are my first hints of 2026. Also Happy Kiss a Ginger Day — easy for me to celebrate, because I had the foresight to marry a redhead; to those less fortunate, best wishes for finding a suitable way to mark the occasion.
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Sunday Toughie No 207
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Zandio a bit trickier today (to me) quite a few 16d references, but please don’t mention the war, I had to, but I think I got away with it. John Cleese/Basil Fawlty©
14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half. I hope you find enough checkers to finish, but I will try and give a nudge if you are struggling – just ask.
Here We Go…
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Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3351 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where however much snow landed on us during the blizzard that we experienced a week before Christmas is being ‘topped up’ on a regular basis.
I hope that all those who ‘experienced’ Storm Goretti survived the ordeal.
For me, and I stress for me,© Dada very friendly with four long ‘uns, four anagrams (two of the long ‘uns and one partial), two lurkers, and no homophones in a symmetric 28 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!
Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31133 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)
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Toughie No 3616 by Elgar
Hints and Tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
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Toughie No 3615 by Beam
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
The usual synonym work-out from Beam who has dreamed up more alternatives for “run” than I would have thought possible! Sweetheart and Queen both make a welcome re-appearance. Some lateral thinking may be required but it’s fairly straightforward. All yours.
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EV1727
Complete by Stick Insect
Solution
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31131
Hints and Tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** Enjoyment ****
I don’t think there’s much doubt about the identity of today’s setter based on the smooth surfaces and the inclusion of a Scottish football team. Thanks to him for a very enjoyable puzzle.
I’ve given the puzzle four stars for difficulty because I thought some of the wordplay was quite tricky – I’ll be interested to know whether you agree or not.
I have to go for an eye test this morning which involves drops in the eyes so I’ll probably be unable to read your comments for a couple of hours.
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