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Tips for knotty clues in today’s Toughie puzzler @ bigdave44.com/2026/10/08/3... Berries for those feeling peckish? (9) Get rid of dreadful piano, out of tune (4,3) One encouraging member to get cheese (9)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Hear hear ... I've had one for about 100 years – so tis bang up to date as far as I'm concerned!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Toughie setter that’s hilarious and jolly inspired by classic style @ bigdave44.com/2026/10/01/3767 Claims the entire perimeter excludes diameter (7) Bad time to abandon spruce that's rotten at heart (7) Smart to turn down drop of schnapps after prune tart (7)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Content from work penned by dope pair who set today’s Toughie @ bigdave44.com/2026/09/24/3763 Roughly boxing in clubs, fighter shows craft (5,7) Wink hidden by German contractor almost noted (6) Mysterious secret objects and information primarily (9)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A new turn by smart top Toughie setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/09/17/3759 Company car starts quicker – fine to go for ride (13) Miss Whiplash maybe in shed gripping client’s backside – it involves pins (3,6) Plane from LAX more tense – on board mostly drunk (5,4)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Tackle entertaining curtain-raiser from crafty Toughie setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/09/10/3755 Dancing nude – what, still cold? (8) Persian nightwear perhaps best? (3,4,7) Early general drink produced by farmers? (8)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Toughie setter’s latest in Tel checked by contrary spirit @ bigdave44.com/2026/09/03/3751 Attack group with assistance back at the front (8) Granny possibly inspiring island air that's foul (6) Right about old pub stocking east European ham? (11)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Review of a very lean, concise setter over @ bigdave44.com/2026/08/27/3747 Hunt down suspect possessing lead to intriguing mystery (9) Pull up boring character having a pair of shades (3-4) Hurtful broadcast twin oddly put out (7)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Toughie setter that’s funny and jolly, tackled by poster in review @ bigdave44.com/2026/08/20/3743 Social climber's finished with graffiti? (7) Fanatical members in a cult sporting hair on face (7,6) Lady who sings right at home producing Rocket Man (7)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Och, they can certainly take a bit of swearing in Marseille. Avignon, less so. Bonne route!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Haha. Are you swearing in French or English? The wife's Belgian and she has certainly yelled "dégueulasse" at me more than once!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Ha, now that really is a "special" pot blackening a "special" kettle, mate!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

F*ck, it’s impossible to avoid Featherston’s top Toughie setter! Blogged … again @ bigdave44.com/2026/08/13/3739 Knave almost entirely a scoundrel (6) Dull expert still offering no end to torment at all (7) Slow mover caught by fishing boat with no prow (7)

021

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Today’s Toughie puzzler has smashing tips for baffled beginners over @ bigdave44.com/2026/08/11/3737 Finally Gordon Brown becomes less sensitive (6) Trump’s enforcers' best course? (3,5) Upset to be sacked? (12)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Today’s Toughie setter: broadcaster and largely good egg @ bigdave44.com/2026/08/06/3735 Tumble dryer’s a “gift” found at entrance for scrap-heap (8,4) Piece journalist filed (7) Finally play Spice Girls’ Wannabe as on broadcast – keep stopping song (3,2,4,2,7)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

It is indeed – August issue. Tomorrow's technology today ... and Unch. Top combo!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I lose track of all the animals! Whose cat is that? Re T3, I had to laugh – I went from scowling at a daft TV the price of a Lear jet to roaring with approval in about 2 seconds flat!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

@unchcrosswords.com Sorry if I'm late to the party but I just almost fell off my chair ... Unch gets a top plug in the latest T3 magazine – the best, cheapest thing in there by about a million pounds!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Other options were, of course, available ... but unusable! I've always remembered Clarkson's definition: "one-way street". Even more unusable!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Opening with starters of smoothly inventive Lego, veteran setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/07/30/3731 Dinosaur bone discovered by retired academic early in August (9) Identify England's opener after scoring runs taking drug (9) Australian music producer made love, embracing Spice Girl before party (10)

130

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Upbeat Toughie setter blogged today @ bigdave44.com/2026/07/23/3727 Ex-leader departs, excluded from data store successfully (8) Wild English composer, filled with spirit, losing head (9) Approach experts, doubling care and skill initially (6)

040

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

It's a dead nifty addition, isn't it? Raider's such a clever chap, damn his eyes!

040

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Toothsome muso dude gets thumbs-up as today’s Toughie setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/07/16/3723 Despicable celeb in pop lady cleaned out (9) Smuggle in a cutting implement (6) Drink in sailor's world? (6)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Kerist on a bike – v funny! But I think that would have to be a ©Bottom definition!!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

It's a bleedin' minefield!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Ha, not too shabby mate!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Well, there are, of course, a couple of old faithfuls. God knows how strictly accurate they are, mind. And thank you – it's horrid. This grid has certainly led me a merry dance!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I feel your pain, mate. But I'll gladly swap BISEXUAL with you. I'm not enjoying trying to clue that one bit!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Hahaha – you'd best have an emergency biscuit pronto!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

anagram? Are you feeling quite well?!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Cheers pal. I’m fast running out of ideas – I’ll soon be reduced to death by acrostic[s]!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

A new battle of wits set by smart top compiler blogged @ bigdave44.com/2026/07/09/3719 In America, game wife dancing in ballgown holds in ... (4,7) ... boob, somewhat overreacting (3) Celebrate Viagra's latest cracking blue tablet (7)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Oh how sad are we … not! A f***ing leech almost – happily! – about to quit after newspaper probes (5,6)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

I'm loath to give the old plodder any airtime but it was so badly written – tired, phoned-in drivel. I mean, if you've GOT to be a twat, at least be a funny one Zzz

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Telegraph’s ultimate troll pens repeatedly vacuous and puerile bollocks (7,7)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

The "measure of drawfull"? Haha – dream on mate! But hats off all the same!!

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Andy Burnham savagely snubbed by bunny boiling Telegraph writer @ bigdave44.com/2026/07/02/3715 Well, not in today's Toughie, but other parties get a look-in … Reform is inane with party splitting country (9) Inspire Kemi's possible statement of political allegiance, ignoring Liberal (5)

040

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Twm on here, back in caca again! (5-5) (sorry mate, but you really walked into that one ... again!)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

That'll all be all your secret internet porn – we know your sort! (in fairness, I can't think of anything less likely!)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Chins up fella. And heck, you might be onto a new career!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Just stuff and nonsense really, but ta and – on a more serious note – Blah does need a serious prod to get back in the DIY game. His Luddite muppetry can NOT be indulged!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Absolutely not, no! Just sport.

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Ha, you got it. I did say it was loose! Drawfull..

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

It won’t trouble the scorers – nor was it meant to! Just wilful, slightly loose silliness … Blah’s withdrawn dim drivel! (6) (blah as adjective if that helps)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Twas, of course, withdrawn. And it certainly wasn't dim drivel< !

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

@crypticblah.bsky.social I may just have casually defamed you on DIY ... I just couldn't help myself!

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Possibly born to pen today’s stern Toughie puzzler, he’s rated @ bigdave44.com/2026/06/25/3711 Like strong acid kept in tin by puzzle setter (6) Understanding lumberjack's work includes competitive price (6,7) One descriptor of Othello then another's enthralling head of theatre company (7,6)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

No more, brother – non-existent odds of bloody Yuan, not a chance! (4,2,4,4)

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