About the Setter
David Stickley has been writing crosswords professionally since 1995. His cryptic puzzle, The Stickler, reached number 4786 before being axed in July 2013 due to cutbacks. In 2024 David and his wife Linda secured a weekly cryptic and quick slot in The SMH and The Age. David has also been published in the NYT, the UK's FT and Church Times.
Author Archives: David Stickley
AFR Cryptic, Saturday 22/8/2026, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (15/8/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 BUSHCRAFT Bus and hire car float? Such Australian know-how! (9) BUS + HC + RAFT 6 COAST Sail cover snagged on pole (5) COAT outside S(outh) 9 STIRRUP Runs in to stimulate support for … Continue reading
AFR Cryptic, Saturday 15/8/2026, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (8/8/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SEMESTER “Academic period” seems to be confused with “short term” (8) Anagram of SEEMS + TER(m) 5 IMPART Pass on one piano on show in shop (6) I + (P inside MART) 10 GOLDEN … Continue reading
AFR Cryptic, Saturday 8/8/2026, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (1/8/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 ENVIRONMENTAL Green with envy – mainly tough nuts (13) (ENV)y + IRON + MENTAL 9 ANCHORS They host employees of ranch or station (7) rANCH OR Station 10 SPINNER Bowler’s wrong ‘un cut by … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 1/8/2026, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (25/7/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 SALTBUSH Plant located in arid region arranged last bus in front of hotel (8) Anagram of LAST + BUS + H 5 ASYLUM Harbour city ultimately forming part of a poor area (6) cit(Y) … Continue reading
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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 25/7/2026, Clue Hints
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AFR Cryptic (18/7/2026) Solution
Across Answers and Clues Explanations 1 PILGRIMAGE Part of a book about the Italian forbidding religious journey (10) PAGE outside (IL + GRIM) 6 ACID Bitter cold contracted by helper (4) C inside AID 10 RUN-UP Hastily make an approach … Continue reading
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