DT 28519 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 28519

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 28519

Hints and tips by KiwiColin

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

 

Kia ora from Aotearoa.
            A solo flight today as my co-blogger is away in Wellington for a few days.
We have general elections coming up in a few weeks so our media is full of all the madness and invective that seems to be part of it all. I am actually getting a couple of weeks employment from it as I will be working in an Advanced Voting Place before election day and then a long day on the official polling day. I did this for the last elections three years ago and enjoyed it then. Besides, it will give us some spending money for India.

A nice puzzle again from Jay.

Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

Across

1a     Intends to circle island in poor health, getting uninterrupted progress (5,7)
PLAIN SAILING: A word meaning intends contains the one letter abbreviation for island and then a word for in poor health or ill.

9a     Simple boxes or empty case for ceramic ware (9)
PORCELAIN: Or from the clue and the first and last letters (empty) of case are inside (being boxed by) a synonym for simple or unadorned.

10a     Pulls a face, seeing weapons across river (5)
GURNS: The abbreviation for river is inside weapons or firearms.

11a     With detectives chasing, managed to get off! (6)
RANCID: The branch of the police force that detectives belong to follows a word meaning managed.

12a     Daily newspaper’s millions — a force of attraction! (8)
CHARISMA: The daily is a cleaning lady, then a one letter abbreviation for a UK newspaper that in now only published on-line, the ‘S from the clue, the abbreviation for millions, and finally A from the clue.

13a     Son does nothing, but edges along warily (6)
SIDLES: The abbreviation for son and a word meaning does nothing.

15a     Ship carrying cargo of loose ginger produces snorts (8)
SNIGGERS: The two letters that signify a steamship surround (carry as cargo) an anagram (loose) of GINGER.

18a     Men jump for chance of redemption here (8)
PAWNSHOP: These men are found on a chess board and then a word for a little jump.

19a     Fine performer’s important part (6)
FACTOR: The abbreviation for fine and a stage performer.

21a     Previously finished quick examination (4-4)
ONCE-OVER: Previously or at some time in the past and finished or ended.

23a     Qualifier‘s against cutting new beard (6)
ADVERB: An anagram (new) of BEARD contains the letter that signifies against in court cases or sporting fixtures.

26a     Indian state‘s area service rolled back (5)
ASSAM: The abbreviation for area and the reversal (rolled back) of a religious service.

27a     Skinny artist (9)
TATTOOIST:  Skinny points to the surface where the artist’s work can be seen.

28a     What might be instrumental in legislative assembly notes? (7,5)
CHAMBER MUSIC: Another word used for a legislative assembly in many countries and what notes collectively make up.

Down

1d     Scroll worthless reading matter on your meeting with American (7)
PAPYRUS: A derogatory word for worthless reading matter, an abbreviation for your (yes it is in BRB) and the United States.

2d     Overall interest payable before working (5)
APRON: The three letters for Annual Percentage Rate and a short word for working or in operation.

3d     Doctor sees end in poverty! (9)
NEEDINESS: An anagram (doctor) of SEES END IN.

4d     Pseudonym one’s forgotten, unfortunately (4)
ALAS: Remove the Roman numeral for one from a false or assumed name.

5d     Writing that’s seen on face on clock? (8)
LONGHAND: One of the devices that rotate around a clock face.

6d     River running through where ginseng’s raised ; (5)
NIGER: A reversed lurker hiding in the fourth and fifth words of the clue.

7d     Panorama may be in favour of religious group seizing power (8)
PROSPECT: A three letter word meaning in favour of, then the abbreviation for power is inside a religious group.

8d     Analyses a second and speaks (6)
ASSAYS: A from the clue, abbreviation for second and a word for speaks or utters.

14d     Germany have players low in spirits (8)
DOWNCAST: The IVR code for Germany, a word for have or possess and a collective word for players who appear on stage.

16d     Develop a drug with revolutionary fix for cell (9)
GUARDROOM: An anagram (develop) of A DRUG and the reversal of a word meaning fix that could be used in relation to attaching a vessel to a wharf or buoy.

17d     Impetus gained from minute show of hesitation (8)
MOMENTUM: A minute or short period of time and a sound that could be made by someone hesitating.

18d     The last character cutting copra concocted something for depression (6)
PROZAC: The last letter of the alphabet is found in an anagram (concocted) of COPRA.

20d     Old boy’s on unlimited notice to support Queen — it’s automatic (7)
ROBOTIC: Start with the one letter designation for a queen, then the abbreviation for old boy and the four inside letters (unlimited) of notice.

22d     Power specs and speed (5)
OOMPH:  A letter that when doubled looks like a pair of glasses and how speed is expressed in imperial units.

24d     Set out to cover team departures (5)
EXITS: An anagram (out) of SET includes the number of players in some sports teams expressed as a Roman numeral.

25d A bit of nasty ear infection (4)
STYE: And another lurker to finish off. Hiding in the fourth and fifth words of the clue.

The Quickie pun put up quite a fight until I realised it involved three answers so I’ll go for that as today’s favourite.

Quickie pun    solace    +    east     +   hem    =    solar system  

 

85 comments on “DT 28519

  1. Nice gentle stroll in the park with a doh moment for 27A which gets my gold star of the day. Many thanks to the setter & to the 1K for the review.

  2. 18a and 28a are co-favourites this morning in this straightforward yet elegantly clued offering from Jay. 27a was my last in despite all the checkers. 1.5*/4* overall for me.

    Thanks to both bird species involved in today’s production.

  3. In my opinion this was almost R&W. The only thing that stumped me was parsing 12a until the one letter newspaper came to me. Still entertaing though

    The quickie pun was also my favourite.

    Thanks to all concerned.

  4. Almost the first to comment this morning – where is everybody? Anyway, I thought that this one seemed a bit different from the usual Wednesday fare (might just be the rotten downturn in weather getting to me). The top half went in at a steady plod, but the remainder definitely needed a bit of 17d to get underway. In the event, solving 23a brought about a deluge of half a dozen others in quick succession. I think probably a 3* for me? Lastly, and as a former sailor, a might argue about the the relationship of ‘fix’ to ‘moor’ at 15d? Enjoyable crossword from clever setter!

  5. Finished well before lights out last night and virtually no electronic assistance required – a good result in my book, very pleasing. I thought we were on our way to another Pangram when I saw the ‘z’ but I couldn’t find a ‘j’ and gave that up as a bad job!

    Nice, straightforward solve no problems!

  6. A funny old mixture – 75% very straightforward, and then a few absolutely cracking clues. Thanks to all.

  7. All 1a until I came up against the men seeking redemption and the skinny artist – my last ones in.
    5d raised a smile and I put 18&28a alongside it on the podium.

    Thanks to Jay and to Colin K, both of whom were flying solo today.

    PS A new (at least to me) setter in the Toughie slot today – worth a try.

  8. Very much ad read and write today. Didn’t last long enough, so spoiled enjoyment somewhat. I liked 18a and 27a as some others. */**

  9. I was slow off the mark but then it became 1a. Fav after a penny-drop moment was 27a with 18a in hot pursuit. Thank you Jay and KiwiColin – your RU ladies were too good for us on Saturday but it was a great game.

    1. Yes we were all very proud of the rugby result. However revenge followed rapidly on the netball court last night when England grabbed an unexpected victory in the last three minutes of the game.

      1. I’m afraid I don’t follow netball but it’s reassuring to know there was an element of quid pro quo!

  10. Completed this most enjoyable puzzle at a comfortable canter – 1.5*/4*.

    Favourite – choose one from 8a, 18a, 21a, 23a, 5d, 14d, and 22d – I can’t decide.

    Thanks to Jay and KiwiColin.

  11. Found parts of this distinctly tricky not helped by some poor clues. Don’t see why Panorama should be Prospect in 7d, nothing in the BRB which suggests that definition. The use of i for Independent in 12a was a real leap of faith which are my personal huge dislikes and why is adverb a qualifier? All in all not my favourite puzzle although I did like 27a.
    For me ***/**
    Thx for the hints

    1. Brian, I remember reading about the prospect of Whitby somewhere and assume that this refers to its setting or panorama.

    2. Hi Brian

      A prospect –
      An extensive view of landscape.(ie a panorama)
      ‘a viewpoint commanding a magnificent prospect of the estuary’

      The Prospect of Whitby is a pub on the River Thames in East London.

      An adverb qualifies a verb

      I agree about that ‘i’ for the Independent not good (imho).

      1. As Kath has pointed out above the “i” is a newspaper in its own right, not an abbreviation for the Independent.

        1. Haven’t been there for a very long time. It did good food, great atmosphere – and celebrities, now and again.

        2. All I can remember was all those silver-paper cups upside down on the ceiling! Those were the days when everybody smoked and there was silver paper in the packs.

        3. There are a few similar pubs very close by, i.e. the Captain Kidd, the Town of Ramsgate and The Grapes, which is owned by Sir Ian McKellen I believe.

          A few years ago, the company for whom I then worked arranged a staff Christmas lunch at the Captain Kidd, and the food there was excellent.

    3. 7d – A thesaurus may help more than a dictionary?

      12a – a bit unfair for our Solo Kiwi but the “i” is available in print format 6 days a week. It only costs 50p and usually contains a very Tough cryptic crossword from years gone by – Kairos aka Prolixic appeared last Monday!

      1. Ps. A rather nice clue from Kairos!

        Gloomy, like Sonny Bono after divorce touring Spain (9)

  12. Read and write until the last half dozen which took a little time. I love both the word and the clue for 22d. Ta to all.

  13. I thought at one point that this was a pangram, and tried to look for the missing letters. I don’t make things easy for myself. I liked 22d but somehow think it would have been better as an across clue. Thank you 1k, and thanks too go to the setter. How the weather has changed. My feet are cold so I’m off to find some warm socks.

      1. Thank you CS. I’ve just gone back and had a look. My version was a bit bitter. I think it had too much orange peel in it. I will give your version a go next time I make it.

  14. Plain sailing too for me until 10a. Hesitated between gurns and garts but neither was recognised by my online thesaurus. For the latter it asked me if I meant farts and gins for the former.
    That program definitely needs an update of some sort.
    Wasn’t too keen on the I for the Indy either.
    Thanks to Jay and to Colin for the review.

    1. Hi Jean-Luc! 10a was also a new word for me. Hope all is well your end. See you in November!

  15. What a good crossword – I enjoyed the whole thing.
    Not too many problems – well, none really which is a rarity for me – there’s nearly always something.
    18a was my last answer.
    I could easily be wrong here and it probably doesn’t matter anyway but I think the newspaper in 12a is the ‘I’ rather than an abbreviation for the Independent.
    10a is a funny word, I think – I’ve only ever heard it used by the Younger Lamb when referring to a particular actress.
    So many lovely clues it’s difficult to pick out any particular ones but maybe 18 and 27a and 4 and 22d. I think my favourite was 5d.
    With thanks to Jay and to the solitary Kiwi.

    1. PS My main problem was the Quickie pun even though I do the crossword in the paper so knew it was three words.

  16. Slow start in the NW corner for me today but like others found the solve straight forward after that. Agree with KC on a **/**** , lots of enjoyment and 15a.
    Remembered 10a from the gurning contest of the hapless faces framed in a toilet seat ! Devon or Cornwall I think.
    No real favourites today, just well clued throughout, thanks all.

  17. 2.5*/4.5*. The SW corner held me up slightly taking my time to just over 2*. The enjoyment level was very high but I’ve taken off half-a-star from the maximum for the cluing of the “i” in 12a which I don’t like at all whether it refers to “The I” or is an abbreviation for The Independent.

    Once again we are spoilt for choice for a favourite on a Wednesday, but I am going for 2d today with 18a hot on its heels.

    Many thanks to Jay and the 1K.

  18. No problems encountered with today’s challenge. 5d was my favourite and 2/3* overall.
    Thanks to Jay, and to SoloK for the review.

  19. Simple, but quite elegant. 27a gets the gong, but all good. Many thanks Jay and Colin */***

  20. I found this pretty much 1a.
    I didn’t get the newspaper in 12a until I read the hints.
    For about the third time running, I forgot the players for 14d, and the men for 18a which was my last in.
    Thanks to Colin and Jay.

  21. Wonderful crossword. Many great clues, and I probably smiled most at 18a and 27a. Thanks to Jay and to Colin.

  22. I do enjoy Jay’s crosswords and this one was one of his best 😃 */**** Too many lovely clues but 18 & 27 across are worthy of an award 🏆🎖 Thanks to Jay and to Colin

  23. I thoroughly endorse Jaylegs’ comments, and was glad that Brian’s objections to such a wonderful puzzle were quickly and conclusively challenged! Of all the regular backpager setters, Jay provides the most stylish and elegant clues in my opinion.

    My favourites today were 9a, 18a (I knew RD would like it!), 4d and 5d, but many others were vying for accolades.

    Terrific stuff, many thanks to Mr Mutch and to Colin.

  24. This was such a huge treat, loved it all. There was so much good stuff here it’s hard to pick a fave, but I think 27a is it, 18a also tickled my fancy.
    Thanks to Jay and to the single Kiwi.

    I’m so upset at the disaster in Houston, of course I think of the poor people, but, being predictable, I have so much concern for the animals.

    1. Oh Merusa – I understand what you’re saying but my Mum always used to say that she could never go to India because she couldn’t bear to see the starving animals. I used to remind her that lots of people were starving in India too.

      1. Yes, you’re quite right. I have a friend who joins a prayer group, and they were asked to choose someone to pray for. She chose “the animals” but was told she had to choose people, so she told them, “no, I have to pray for the animals – if I don’t, who will?” That’s what I feel. I’ve sent my Houston relief money to the Humane Society as they’re out there looking for the left-behind pets.

          1. Thank you so much for your support. When you hear of a baby rescued still clinging to its dead mother, you wonder about your own priorities, but I’m so animal oriented and feel that the owners would want people to help their pets. There’s a storm churning out there, I just hope it doesn’t have Miami’s name on it.

  25. Though ‘ plain sailing ‘ misnomer for plane sailing which refers to navigational calculations based on plane as opposed to spherical triangles. Just thought I ‘d say…

  26. Morning all,
    Apologies for my lack of newspaper knowledge. I remember people referring to ‘The i’ on this site and just assumed they were talking about the Independent. I have done a quick Google search this morning and must admit that I am now even more confused than ever. I will dig a bit deeper in due course.
    I was hoping to report that our weather has eventually dried up. Well it did for most of the last week but rain again last night and this morning.
    Cheers.

  27. Plain sailing today and much enjoyable it was except for 10a which was a new word for me but was able to work it out. Lots of lovely clues but I nominate 5d as my favourite closely followed by 27a. Will have a go at the Toughie later on. No time for the Quickie as I work in a Charity shop every Wednesday. Wondering how our Texan friends are faring – they live in the Woodlands, some 40km from Houston. We are revisiting them in October… Many thanks to Jay and to Colin. 1.5*/4*

  28. Agree with Miffypops that 75% went in, and rest quite tricky. Never heard of 10a, but Mr BL enlightened me on that one. 18a also held me up. And I also had never run into I for newspaper, so 12a was a bung in without understanding how it fit. 16d was last in. 27a was favourite, even though I don’t care for their artwork. Hope the grandkids never get one. Thanks to 2Kiwis for their help in finishing.

      1. Totally agree, my partner has two beautiful daughters who have covered themselves in the subject, such a shame.

    1. I have the word Dylan tattooed inside my bottom lip. It is private and personal. I show very few people. Old tattoos blur. I hate to think what these sweet young things will look like when the years have taken their toll. However as I said to my daughters boyfriends, their bodies their rules.

  29. Thanks to Jay and to Kiwi Colin for the review and hints. A fantastic puzzle as usual from Jay, such a high standard. 2&5d both made me laugh. Last in and favourite was 18a. Was 2*/4* for me.

  30. me to. And i dont know about apostrophe’s cant do a noun or know what to call a verb and describe a adjectives of how you do a thing, is like, i dunno what
    :smile:

  31. SW last to fall. Only a few caused me to scratch my head. Last one in was 18a. I was thinking of a different type of redemption. Once I found it is was my favourite. Also liked 27a and 18d among others. Nothing to criticise whatsoever. Although I am familiar with the i-paper I had not noticed the “newspaper” in the clue for some reason. Apart from that I think I managed to parse everything correctly. Thanks Jay and 1Kiwi.

  32. A bit of a doddle, but lots of fun: 1*/4.5*. My top three were 9a, 22d and 18a. Thanks to Jay, and our Antipodean correspondent.

  33. First read through – couldn’t get anything in – after a dose of New Tricks managed to work through at a pretty steady pace!! 1a & 5d came out as favourites!

  34. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Is it just me or does 18a also involve a rather cheeky pun at the expense of men?

  35. I enjoy tackling the Telegraph crossword almost every day but I think Wednesday is probably my favourite one from the weekdays. There are always some really nicely thought out clues, and they often read so smoothly. Today’s offering did not disappoint. I especially liked 23a, 2d, 22d, 21a and 14d. Thanks to Jay and to KiwiColin.

  36. plain sailing also caught me out – for ages I had 3d starting with N. Also sorry to be picky but 25d – a stye is an eye infection – presumed a typo in the clue. 18a also problematical. First attempt with paradise – paras jump and dice is a chance but no “sounds like” in the clue made it a risky solution. Most enjoyable and satisfying solve over a cup of tea! Thanks all.

    1. There’s no typo in 25a – the definition is just ‘infection’ (you’ll notice that’s what KiwiColin has underlined as the definition). ‘Ear’ is part of the wordplay providing the hidden word, i.e. naSTY Ear.

    2. Welcome from me too Rosemary.
      Perhaps I should have pointed out the misdirection in my hint for 25d which I thought was very clever.

  37. A rare paper solve for me yesterday (the actual newspaper, not even a printout – and I find I really don’t like the feel of the paper). Found it of average back page difficulty and above average back page enjoyment. Thanks to Jay and the 1Kiwi, especially for deciphering the quickie pun.

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