Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27633
Hints and tips by 2Kiwis
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
We had a beautiful fine Spring morning for our walk earlier but now, as it often does at this time of the year, a wind has built up and the sky is grey. Just the weather for solving and blogging crosswords.
Good fun again from Jay and we thought it was just a little easier than last week’s.
Please leave a comment telling us what you think of it.
Across
1a Engagement for management graduate in company time (6)
COMBAT : Three letter business degree inside the abbreviation for company and T(ime).
4a Noted writer (8)
COMPOSER : Cryptic definition of someone who deals with notes rather than words. We seem to have seen this answer several times in the last week.
10a Irrelevant bit of parlour game? (9)
BAGATELLE : Double definition.
11a State meals must be taken around ten (5)
TEXAS : Afternoon meals that includes the Roman ten.
12a Look at bishop argue for viewer protection (7)
EYEBROW : Synonym for look, B(ishop) then argument.
13a Distance from motorway? Three miles cutting out the bend (7)
MILEAGE : The big motorway, then an old-fashioned distance with the bend shaped letter removed (cutting out).
14a A wish to get together? (5)
ALONG : A from the clue, then synonym for wish in a verbal sense.
15a Wilful but adore changes (8)
OBDURATE : Anagram (changes) of BUT ADORE.
18a Dessert mainly otherwise known as main course (8)
MOUSSAKA : A type of dessert without its last letter (mainly) plus the abbreviation for an alias.
20a Drums originally featuring in ‘Ring Cycle‘ (5)
PEDAL : First letter of drums (originally) inside a word for the sound of a bell.
23a Released around the third of March without a court hearing (7)
UNTRIED : Released by removing a cord perhaps with R (third of March) inserted.
25a Confirmed nuisance exposed (4,3)
BORE OUT : Someone you don’t want to sit next to on a long journey, then a synonym for exposed.
26a Post Office impounds stolen print (5)
PHOTO : Abbreviation for Post Office encloses how stolen goods are described.
27a Handy chap‘s strange book lots failed to finish (3-6)
ODD-JOBMAN : Strange, book from the Bible then a word for lots with its last letter missing (failed to finish).
28a Group developing ideas for land not being used (3-5)
SET-ASIDE : Word for group then anagram (developing) of IDEAS.
29a Check on cover for safety procedure (6)
SYSTEM : Word for check or staunch follows first and last letters (cover) of safety.
Down
1d Conveyance putting competent accountant in credit? (5,3)
CABLE CAR : Word for competent, then abbreviation for accountant, all inside abbreviation for credit.
2d What may provide spark in attraction and love? (7)
MAGNETO : In an internal combustion engine. Word for attraction and usual abbreviation for love as a score.
3d Other personalities get a loser confused (5,4)
ALTER EGOS : Anagram (confused) of GET A LOSER.
5d No way would you put flowers here! (4,2,4,4)
OVER MY DEAD BODY : Double definition. Of course we would Jay!
6d Coppers turn up dead part of flower (5)
PETAL : Reverse (turn up) a word for dead and abreviation for small monetary units.
7d Instrument from south still in existence (7)
SEXTANT : Abbreviation for S(outh) then word that says it is still with us.
8d In a hurry to cast off after game (6)
RUSHED : The NZ game followed by word for cast off.
9d Disappointment with both taps — keep changing one’s mind (4,3,3,4)
BLOW HOT AND COLD : A word for disappointment then how the kitchen taps are labelled.
16d Theatre‘s type error to be corrected (9)
REPERTORY : Anagram (corrected) of TYPE ERROR.
17d Element from a metal found in fruit (8)
PLATINUM : A four letter fruit encloses A from the clue and a common metal.
19d Open mail in military settlement (7)
OUTPOST : Split (3,4) a word for open then letters perhaps.
21d Party format excludes female submissive type (7)
DOORMAT : Usual word for party, then FORMAT without F(emale).
22d Commotion caused by American supporting rear (6)
RUMPUS : Synonym for rear with abbreviation for American.
24d Golf clubs offering decreases? (5)
IRONS : Double definition.
We choose 1d as our favourite today for no other reason than that we used to ride on one every day when we both (unknown to each other) were attending university in Wellington many years ago.
The Quick Crossword pun: crow+Asian=Croatian
Busy busy at the moment, so crosswording is having to be slotted into any available gaps. Just time for me to make a quick appearance today to reassure you that I haven’t deserted :).
This was a lovely puzzle, nice and gentle – which is exactly what I need at the moment. My shortlist for favourite includes half of the clues going down, but 1 and 2d have a special resonance and 21d made me laugh, so it’s a toss up between those.
Thanks muchly to Jay and the 2K’s
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3/4 very much a two star but the bottom right was close on a five star for me. Don’t know why but I failed with almost the whole corner. Needed the hints for these clues.
I think what threw me was I thought that 27a was split 3 hyphen 3 3.
Stupid! No real favs apart perhaps from 1a.
Thx to all
This really was a breeze but nonetheless enjoyable for that. 4a and 24d amused. Party/do seem to be regulars here. Thanks Jay and the 2 Kiwis. */****. Weather in West Sussex grey and wet after marvellous summery weekend but warmth is forecast to return tomorrow.
Made a big mistake in 7D having put sackbut, dont ask me why which meant the NE corner couldn’t be solved, I eventually saw the error & quickly rectified it & finished without the need for hints.Many thanks to the setter & the two Kiwis for the review, might see if I can cock up the toughie now
Its not often I agree with Brian, but surely 27A should be clues as 3,3-3. Other than that, quite enjoyable with no problemo. Couple of old chestnuts (sure we had 20A and 28A yesterday or Monday), but the puzzle was not made the worse for them. Perhaps I’m showing my age (or youth?) by thinking of the X Men when solving 2D
But you don’t agree with Brian as he said (3-3,3), which is the same as in the Oxford Dictionary of English (ODE) – Chambers, unsurprisingly, gives (3-6), as in the puzzle.
As does Collins, although I’m with the ODE (and Brian).
I too am with Brian, ODE and Larousse (for what it’s worth!)
And me
And me
we do like Larousse. thank you angel. ps nice garden by the way
How sad to witness the demise of your palmier. Malheureusement after 30 years I have moved from that wonderful garden but I do still have the memories.
Up at puppy o’clock this morning again. I was completely stuck in the SE corner, mainly because I couldn’t see an alternative for odd-jobber. I needed the help today. I liked 18a and 5d probably because I got them straight away. Thanks 2Kiwis and Jay
What kind of puppy?
Two black and tan Jack Russell types. Home bred and very early risers!
How lovely – but maybe not the early rising bit!
*/****. Fairly straight forward but fun. Might have another go at the Toughie today. I may regret that.
I loved the simplicity of 4a and the humour of 9d.
Beautiful sunny day in N.Yorks so I’m taking youngish child to go and fall off horses with me. Work can wait.
Thanks to Jay for a lovely crossword and to the 2Kiwis for a great blog as always.
Do be careful, Hanni, it’s a long way to come and visit you with grapes.
Another fairly easy ride today, although first scan didn’t make me think it would be. Like Brian, I worried a little about the split in 27a.
Plenty of smiles – 13&20a, 21&24d but favourite would be a toss-up between the two long ones – 5&9d.
28a put in an appearance only yesterday in the Toughie!
Many thanks to Jay and to 2Ks – loved your picture for 21a. Is that a personal belonging?!!!
I think 2* and 4* today.
Raining – might try Toughie later.
I confess to failing completely with 27a – just how dim can I be? Anyone who’s thinking of answering that please don’t. I just couldn’t get beyond the first word being ‘old’ – oh dear!
Apart from that one I agree that it was fairly straightforward.
13a caused a brief hiccup until I saw Leag(U)e – well, at least I now know how far a league is.
28a seems to be answer of the week – we had it yesterday.
I liked 8a and 2 and 21d. My favourite is either 5 or 9d.
Thanks to Jay and 2Kiwis – lots of pictures today – I really am going to learn . . .
Life is conspiring against me today – I’m fed-up with dealing with a load of bureaucratic numpties.
Re the Toughie – remember Wednesday is the new Friday
Thanks for the warning – haven’t even got round to looking yet.
Looks like we’ve swapped weather! After the deluge yesterday we’re now enjoying glorious sunshine here. Walking gear from yesterday still dripping puddles all over the place!
Wonder whether your issue with 27a was caused by never experiencing the luxury of having one around the place? A friend of mine employs an absolute ‘star’ but then………… she also has a much bigger bank balance from which to pay him!
Wish I’d read CS’s comment about the Toughie before launching into it. Six answers in and the prospects aren’t looking good.
But, don’t you think that 13a was very weak, with “miles” in the clue and “mileage” being the answer?
Yes
Yes. (At last, two fellow sufferers. I had despaired that anyone else was going to object to this.)
I hadn’t really thought about it from that angle – I just thought it was clever because a league, as I’ve discovered today from BRB, is three international nautical miles.
Which are different from terrestrial miles. Which means the clue is not very good. My interpretation was 3 miles e.g. mil…… So I got it anyway. Anyone under 60 would have no idea what a league is . So thanks for your explanation Kath.
Just possible however that they might for instance have read Tennyson’s Charge of the Light Brigade.
Light dawns. I hadn’t realised (or more likely had forgotten) that a league is three miles. Whether nautical or not I now think it was an excellent clue rather than a weak one. Apologies to the setter and thanks to Kath!
Hi Kath. I sent you an email which may be hidden against the deluge of notifications. I will send it again anyway.
Thanks. Been out and about and busy and still trying to deal with bureaucratic imbeciles – if they get any worse I might just add another adjective to them. Just replied to your email.
Thanks to Jay and to the 2 Kiwis for the review and hints. A nice puzzle, would agree with the 2 Kiwis ratings, 2*/3*. Favourites were 13&18a and 5d. Also spotted 28a was in yesterday’s Toughie. Good puzzle from Jay to brighten up a dull day in Central London.
Thank you Jay. I agree with the above assessment in that it was easier than the normal Wednesday puzzle. Thanks 2Kiwis for your review and hints.
Three easy days in a row, nice puzzles but not a lot of meat. Will it be tougher tomorrow? Bring it on.
Ray T tomorrow?
I think it might be. It was not him last week.
Hope so – I’m in the chair
How come I keep missing his?
Lucky old you, and good luck.
Managed to finish this puzzle while my tree surgeon was cutting a 130 years old palm tree. These bugs called red charançons are a real menace to all the phoenix palm trees in the south of France. I need to find how to post a video link on the blog as I had to stop all traffic in the town centre for a 45 tons crane to remove the offending weed. Apart from that no real difficulty in solving this gentle offering. Thanks to the setter and to 2kiwis for the overnight review.
Re 13a, surely the “old fashioned distance” is in fact more than 3 miles
It’s three international nautical miles.
Or even 1500 paces on land!
The Oxford Dictionary of English says “a former measure of distance by land, usually about three miles”.
Chambers has a longer entry, with two definitions:
(1) “A nautical measure, 1/20th of a degree, 3 international nautical miles, 5.556km (3.456 statute miles)”
(2) “An old measure of length, varying from the Roman league, 2.215km (1.376 modern English miles), to the French, 4.448km (2.764 miles), and the Spanish, 6.781km (4.214 miles), in general, eg in poetry, taken to be about 4.828km (3 miles)”
as promised here’s the video of one of my palm tree being removed.
Good stuff Jean-luc. Thank you.
Well that was fun… Am enjoying this one and hopefully will not need the hints until afterwards. I’m sorry to lower the tone
but I could continue on this level quite happily. I enjoyed 3d and all of the top half really. Many thanks to the setter and 2 Kiwis, and also BD for all the time and trouble for our benefit!!!
Enjoyable effort today. We just had to confirm one or two answers. Lovely weather here in Scarborough, hope we don’t get Kath’s rain later. What an interesting site this is, horse riding in N. Yorkshire and cutting down palm trees in S. France, and the hints from 2Kiwis in New Zealand. Thank you very much setter and to 2Kiwis.
Apparently it’s three statute miles on land – the distance a person could expect to walk in an hour. No, I’m not that clever – I looked it up!
Apart from 13a, a very enjoyable puzzle. 3*/3* for me.
Sorry, and of course I meant to add many thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis.
I nearly always forget to place a thanks but when I do it is to everybody. So Thanks everybody.
Straightforward indeed. 1*/3*
Good puzzle from Jay again. I, too, had a problem with 27a, but I went ahead and bunged it in with fingers crossed. My favourite is either 5d or 9d, it’s a toss up.
Thanks to Jay, and to the 2kiwis for the review, loved it.
Greetings from sunny Lisbon. Gentle puzzle today, I also thought the split in 27a odd but it didn’t hold anything up. Liked 18a and 10a.
Thanks setter and kiwis
I thought at first it was going to be tricky, but it was actually quite gentle. I did put BORN… instead of BORE but other than that no probs. I liked… well, I was going to say 21d but I think I’ll play safe and say 17d.
Thanks to Jay and the 2Kiwis.
Have decided that it is impossible to stay in bed after 5am on the mornings after we have written a blog, so up before the sun again this morning. Always a big sigh of relief to find we haven’t made too many mistakes. Interesting comments about how long a league is. The impression we got from a quick investigoogle was that it can be just about any length you care to imagine, depending on the time and circumstances. No wonder it has dropped out of common usage. Thanks for the comments everyone.
such a nice way of putting it: investigoogle. makes a change from what I usually hear. google the **** out of it or the **** out of it or the **** out of it, etc etc. very refreshing indeed.
Thank you Jay for a lovely fun puzzle. Loved 5d & 10a. Thanks also to the 2 Kiwis for the review.
What a nice puzzle. I enjoyed it all the way through. My favorite clue is 5d which I felt was both easy and clever. Many thanks to Jay and to 2K
Purred along with this until I came to 29a ! Couldn’t figure out why “system” had to be the answer but then I’m not into sport and wanted “check” to be related to money ( shows you how old I am, eh?) Laughed at 5d and laughed at myself for not getting 27a though I agree with others’ preference for 3-3, 3. Comments are nearly as fun to read as the crossword itself so thanks to you all !
Class this as * / *** Now Friday looms with its problems, no, not the crossword but my hair-roots and tooth-fillings alas !
Hang on – have I missed a day – surely tomorrow is Thursday so Friday can’t be looming yet.
It is not so far away Kath. i would say it it looming threateningly.
Quick wave to everyone from East Suffolk and thanks to 2Kiwis for help which I did not need today – just dropped by to see how you had fared and catch up with any vital news.
Jay is in a generous mood today. 1*/3* for me. Methinks the setter shows his age with 2d, unless he dabbles in ancient machinery. My dear old Dad once had one of these on a Stuart Turner petrol engine in his boat; it rarely started at all, and even then only when the appropriate swearwords had been recited in the right order and at the correct volume. Anyway, 2d was my favourite for that reminder of him. Thanks, Jay, and thanks 2Kiwis for the review.
If it plays up put it in the airing cupboard for 24 hours- always works on my old motorbikes!
Is that to dry it out, or just to show it some love?