Big Dave's Crossword Blog – Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English

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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.

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ST 3385 (Hints)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3385 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where Summer is desperately trying to hang on for a while longer although we have had at least one foggy morning typical of late October/early November.

For me, and I stress for me,© Dada very quirky although I have to admit that my spelling and writing skills left a little to be desired.  Seven anagrams (three partials), one lurker, and one homophone, all in a slightly asymmetric 30 clues; with 16 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, all BRB verified where necessary, 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! You might even need your favourite e-search ‘assistant’!

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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Toughie 3751

Toughie No 3751 by Karla
Hints and tips by ALP

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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty */** Enjoyment ****

Breezy, elegant and fair. Nowt outré. Only 18a’s “granny possibly” and 15d’s “right” caused the very briefest of pauses. Karla does like to sign his work and today is no exception – just look for a K down below and meander upwards. Knowing him, he may well have secreted summat else in there but, if so, I didn’t clock it! The floor’s all yours.

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Toughie 3750

Toughie No 3750 by Donnybrook

Hints and Tips by crypticsue

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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ****Enjoyment ****

This turned out to be tougher than I expected when I saw the setter’s name (shown correctly in the newspaper but originally on line showing the setter’s real name rather than his pseudonym)  I think a fair amount of that can be attributed to working out what was going on in 3d/6a, especially as I hadn’t heard of the 9a 26a.  One of those crosswords that was easier to explain then to solve

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DT 31334

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31334
Hints and Tips by Deansleigh

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BD Rating – Difficulty **/***  Enjoyment ****

Good morning everyone, and welcome to the midweek back-pager blog.  I found today’s puzzle quite challenging – an excellent Wednesday workout.  My favourite from a plethora of fine clues is the naked president in 22a.  I also enjoyed the Quickie pun.  Many thanks to our setter.

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