April 29th: Another update from Jane herself a few days ago. There is some progress but it is slow and she hopes that the considerable number of daily tablets are being effective. Mobility has been affected by two and half months in a hospital bed and she will be having physio to address this. She is being looked after by one of her daughters and regular visits from the district nurses.
Welcome
Welcome to Big Dave’s Crossword Blog
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You have reached the world’s biggest and best crossword blog. If you are looking for help with the Daily and Sunday Telegraph cryptic crosswords or the Enigmatic Variations advanced cryptic, a total of 13 puzzles a week, then you have come to the right place.
If this is your first time, or for more information about this site, please click on Continue reading “Welcome”
Toughie 3688
Toughie No 3688 by Elgar
Hints and Tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
EV 1745 (Solution)
DT 31240
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31240
Hints and tips by Mr K
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BD Rating - Difficulty *** - Enjoyment ***
Hello, everyone, and welcome to a solid Friday puzzle. Continue reading "DT 31240"
DT 31235 (Full Review)
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31235
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 9th May 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A nice and straightforward Saturday puzzle from the setter that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31235 (Full Review)”
Toughie 3687
Toughie No 3687 by Kcit
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment **/***
Pleasantly straightforward. 1a is arguably the trickiest clue but, having seen “birdwatching” used in a similar way recently, it flew in. Otherwise it will need checkers and/or some lateral thinking. A quintessentially Kcit puzzle, I’d say: all his usual traits are here and I can’t imagine (m)any problems. Still, you’ll be the judge of that! The floor is yours. Continue reading “Toughie 3687”
DT 31239
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31239
Hints and Tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ****
Thanks to today’s setter for an enjoyable and reasonably gentle challenge.
Continue reading “DT 31239”
Toughie 3686
Toughie No 3686 by Stick Insect
Hints and Tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty <* – Enjoyment ****
DT 31238
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31238
Hints and Tips by Deansleigh
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ****
Good morning everyone, and welcome to the Wednesday back-pager blog. I must have tuned into the setter’s wavelength fairly quickly this morning, because I found today’s puzzle to be quite gentle for a Wednesday. (I even had time to complete today’s Toughie, which is well worth having a go at.) At one point I thought this was going to be a pangram, but I think it’s three letters short. Amongst some excellent concise and witty clues, my favourites were the angry Americans in 13a, the suspect material in 17a, and the plus-sized old flame in 4d. I also liked the Quickie pun. Many thanks to our setter.
Sunday Toughie 223 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 223 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 3rd of May 2026
ST 3367 (Full Review)
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3367
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 22nd May 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A slightly tough yet entertaining Sunday puzzle from Dada that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review for your kind perusal and valuable feedback. Continue reading “ST 3367 (Full Review)”