The Observer on 24/12 had a crossword in by Azed (A Cool Yomp [Yule Comp?] - 2,688). It's not a paper I usually buy so I'm not familiar with Azed's puzzles. I'm bamboozled by the clues (they... ...
This week's crossword has a clue "Scrapbook suitable for addresses?" (3,7). We think the answer is 'box numbers' (we had B_X, _U_B_R_). The 'addresses' bit I get, but what have scrapbooks got to... ...
I have the answer to a clue (I think) but I don't understand entirely how it's made up. The clue is "Pigeon seen in force with a large number behind" I think the answer is Fantail. So, pigeon =...
Having problems with 28a. I have E_F_O_T_R_. Clue is 'Loose Y-Fronts not entirely concealing lots of cheek'. I think the answer is 'effrontery' which contains most of Y-Fronts but I can't parse the...
26a Rum may have inspired this overture (3,8). I think the answer is The Hebrides but I don't know why, other than it fits in! Can anyone shed some light?
Clue 9a "French duke, one on empty wagon" (4). We have _a_n so I think it's WAIN (wagon). I don't understand though how the first bit of the clue works. Or is the answer something else?...
6d clue is 'US conductors have nothing to go on after this' 4,5. I have L-S-, T-A-N so I think it's Last Train. I get the joke but where is the definition?
14d No longer married, masses cite fantastic feelings of joy (9) - I think is 'ecstasies'. I get the 'ecs' sounds like 'ex' - no longer married - but what about the rest of it? Or have I got the wrong...
9a 'What an ally is for most' 6,3. I think the answer is 'nearly all' which fits the definition 'most' but I don't understand the cryptic bit. There is the use of the letters in 'an ally' but that...
The last clue for me (there often seems to be one I don't get). 9d 'Express tears over one Woody Allen film' (7). I have S_E_P_R so I think the answer is 'sleeper' which is a Woody Allen film, but how...
I think the answer to 25d "Family banned shocking, coarse tobacco" (4) is 'shag'. I get that this is the coarse tobacco, but how does it relate to the first part of the clue? Or, have I got it wrong?...
17d "What a pension will give you in retirement?" (8). My husband thinks it could be 'bedstead', which does fit what we've got but apart from a rather weak play on pension being a guest house and...
I think the answer to 21d is 'stress' but I don't understand why. The clue is 'Emphasise lover should leave the motorway' and I have S_R_S_. So I get that stress = emphasise, but what does the rest of...
We are selling up and looking forward to a very active retirement. We would like to be near a social hub (i.e. walking distance from a pub or two and a shop) and preferably a cycle ride (off road, eg...
I'm confused about the answer to 1d. The clue is 'What's added is how to make man manage.' I think the answer is 'appendage'. I get that this is 'what's added' but I don't get the cryptic bit. Can...
Stuck on two answers. I think I know what they are, but I don't understand the clue. 16d Primarily where you'll see Ali in world book (5, 3). I think it's Above all. 26a Nuisance seen briefly in...
I think 1d is 'research' but I don't know why (other than it fits!). Clue is "thorough investigation on Home Counties demo losing millions". Can anyone enlighten me, or let me know the answer if I've...
