DT 29379 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 29379

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29379

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty ** Enjoyment **

Hello, everyone, hope you are all well.  Can't think of much to say about today's crossword.  The grid fill and the parsing were OK, but I did struggle to make sense of a few of the surface readings. 

In the hints below most indicators are italicized, and underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions.  Clicking on the answer buttons will reveal the answers.  In some hints hyperlinks provide additional explanation or background.  Clicking on a picture will enlarge it or display a bonus illustration.  Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

 

Across

1a    Changing diet, Alec's fragile (8)
DELICATE:  An anagram (changing) of DIET ALEC 

5a    Bank deputy removing 50% limit (6)
DEPEND:  Half (removing 50%) of DEP[uty] is followed by limit or termination 

9a    Scone -- it's cut to make slices (8)
SECTIONS:  An anagram (cut, in the sense of adulterate) of SCONE IT'S

10a   Still in charge after endless fluster (6)
STATIC:  The abbreviation for in charge comes after all but the last letter (endless) of a fluster or panic

12a   Begin lies with stab wound in front of hospital (9)
ESTABLISH:  A rearrangement (wound, read as the past participle of wind) of LIES STAB comes in front of the single letter for hospital 

13a   Sweep called -- he wants husband (5)
RANGE:  A synonym of called is followed by [h]E from the clue minus the genealogical abbreviation for husband (… wants husband)

14a   Type of bread from the east -- and from the west (4)
NAAN:  A type of bread that is a palindrome – the same read from the east and from the west

16a   Underwear -- and where it's kept? (7)
DRAWERS:  A dated word for underwear is also a place where they might be kept 

19a   Prime Minister retaining large yen to be fit (7)
HEALTHY:  The Prime Minister who took the UK into the EEC containing (retaining) the clothing abbreviation for large and followed by the abbreviation for yen (as currency)

21a   Teen carefully squeezes returning spots (4)
ACNE:  "Teen carefully" holds the reversal (squeezes returning) of the spots alluded to in the surface reading

24a   Joe wearing raincoat? Marvellous! (5)
MAGIC:  Joe is US slang for a type of soldier.  He's inserted in (wearing) an informal word for raincoat 

25a   Bolt from the blue? (9)
LIGHTNING:  A cryptic definition of a discharge of electricity that comes from above 

27a   Labour  type (6)
STRAIN:  A double definition.  Labour or struggle and type or breed

28a   Wrong maiden is captured (8)
MISTAKEN:  Concatenate the cricket abbreviation for maiden, IS from the clue, and a synonym of captured 

29a   Singular niff? English drunkard (6)
SPONGE:  Link together the single letter for singular, a niff or stink, and the single letter for English 

30a   Junior to follow weaker party (8)
UNDERDOG:  Stick together a synonym of junior and follow or shadow

 

Down

1d    Father gathers the woman bolted (6)
DASHED:  An informal word for father contains (gathers) a pronoun for "the woman" 

2d    Local tea leaves last characters find (6)
LOCATE:  LOCA[l] TE[a] loses (leaves) the last characters of each word 

3d    About 50 before I'm bowled -- making progress (5)
CLIMB:  Assemble the single letter for about or roughly, the Roman 50, I'M from the clue, and the cricket abbreviation for bowled

4d    Numbers working under current stress (7)
TENSION:  Join together some numbers between nine and eleven, the physics symbol for electric current, and working or operating 

6d    Please go in that inn regularly (9)
ENTERTAIN:  A word meaning "go in" is followed by alternate letters (regularly) of THAT INN 

7d    Former lover was inclined to be put out (8)
EXTENDED:  Follow a usual former lover with a verb meaning "was inclined" 

8d    Drop Ant's partner and run? No trouble (8)
DECREASE:  Chain together TV presenter Ant's partner, the cricket scoreboard abbreviation for run, and "no trouble" or deftness

11d   Church promotion for African country (4)
CHAD:  The map abbreviation for church with a sales promotion

15d   Having a go at taking cat out (9)
ATTACKING:  An anagram (out) of TAKING CAT

17d   Male cutting chest is upset -- they'll provide medicine (8)
CHEMISTS:  The abbreviation for male inserted in (cutting) an anagram (upset) of CHEST IS 

18d   New anorak covers good old jumper? (8)
KANGAROO:  An anagram (new) of ANORAK contains (covers) the abbreviation for good and is followed by the abbreviation for old 

20d   Shout cowardly, letting out expression of pain (4)
YELL:  A cowardly colour minus (letting out) an expression of pain 

21d   Old English cleric leaving clubs (7)
ANGLIAN:  A Church of England cleric minus (leaving) the playing card abbreviation for clubs 

22d   Chose finest editor (6)
PICKED:  The finest of a bunch is followed by the abbreviation for editor

23d   Before golf, urge no drink (6)
EGGNOG:  Urge or encourage and NO from the clue both come before the letter represented in the NATO phonetic alphabet by golf 

26d   Name bird by meadow with no tail (5)
TITLE:  A small songbird is followed by all but the last letter (… with no tail) of a poetic word for meadow 

 

Thanks to today’s setter.  I couldn't identify a favourite.  Could you?

 


The Quick Crossword pun:  PAR + TEE + PEACE = PARTY PIECE


129 comments on “DT 29379

  1. Didn’t need to waste any ink to sort out the anagrams today. They almost wrote themselves in.
    Thanks to the setter for the short divertissement and to Mr K for the review.

  2. I found this even more straightforward than yesterday’s with only the NE putting up any kind of resistance.
    25a struck me as barely cryptic at all and I don’t think I’ve come across an easier clue than 18d!
    I don’t usually like double definitions, but I did like 27a, along with the amusing 13 and 29a.
    1*/2.5*
    Many thanks to the setter and to Mr K for his usual well illustrated and informative review.

    Ps..Chalicea in good form in the middle pages.

  3. Another straightforward puzzle today, but enjoyable, all over too quickly.
    */*** no real standouts for me today, 23d reminded me of Christmas in the 60s at my grandparents😊.
    Thanks to Mr K and the setter.

    1. I remember being given a Snowball as a child and I was told it was custard with lemonade……not that far from the truth, but disgusting nevertheless……

  4. I just had to do what it said on the tin. Nothing to scratch my head about. Newbies will enjoy this one. I did too, but over a bit quick. Thanks to the setter and to Mr K. I must go off and feed the ducks.

  5. I found this as straightforward as yesterday’s offering, without it being challenging in any way. Not really my cup of tea unfortunately.

    Thanks and apologies to our setter and to Mr K for his usual entertaining blog.

    1. Quite agree, too many anagrams and all in all rather dull, sorry. Love the cat pictures though! Best bit.

      1. Just curious – 6 anagrams in 32 clues is too many, how many is ‘just right’?

        1. About 4 I would think. It felt like more though maybe because they weren’t particularly challenging. However, when we have a *** for difficulty I really look forward to anagrams to let me get a foothold!

          1. I have a love/hate relationship with anagrams. If I solve one, I love it but if don’t it is the most evil device there is.

            1. I love them. It’s like Marmite isn’t it . You either love them or you don’t.

            1. I am a marmite addict. I take the biggest jar on holiday and in weird places like Libya and Syria (before the wars) I would see ex pats literally drooling at the sight of my marmite jar so I always let them have a dig in so I always have to take the largest jar possible! Its fantastic with raspberry jam on top!

              1. Marmite and peanut butter is great,
                peanut butter and raspberry jam is great too,
                Cheese and jam works for me,
                Best of all is Marmite, grated cheese, and crispy bacon.

                But I have never tried Marmite and Rasp jam – an experiment I shall look forward too.
                ( I once sent a little sample sachet of Marmite to an american friend who described it as tasting like used engine oil – how she knew I’ll never know

                1. I’m with you on Marmite and peanut butter, John! With cheese and crispy bacon? That sounds great. I’ll give it a try tomorrow for lunch.

                  I tried Vegemite while in Melbourne a couple of years ago. Not a patch on Marmite!

                2. Oh dear – the only thing worse than marmite is the thought of combining it with the equally yucky peanut butter. I think you’re a lovely guy, John B, but PLEASE don’t send me a marmite sample!

                  1. Guess what we’re all getting you for Christmas, Jane! :yes: :grin:

                    (The trick is to spread it thinly)

                  2. Noted – years ago when the local brewers were more amenable you could go and get a bit of their yeast extract. Elf and Safety wallahs killed that off years ago. Although I believe the marmite factory still gets the source material from the Burton breweries.

                    1. When I heard that Marmite was going to be in short supply due to the lack of brewing at the moment I made sure that I added a large jar to my shopping order despite the fact that I already had some in the pantry. I don’t know whether this was a rumour or not but Marmite lasts for ever. Always take one of those tiny jars when travelling. Remember eating marmite on Ryvita on the toy train up to Shimla in the Himalayas.

                3. Hear hear John – love Pb with marmite or jelly/jam but then again I did live in USA for years!

              2. So am I! I order my Marmite from amazon in 600g tubs, shipped from UK. It takes a little while, but we can get it here should a disaster befall me and I run out, I just like the big tubs, full of gooey Marmite for my egg on toast for breakfast. Yumyumyum.

                1. I shall have to look at Marmite from Amazon, interesting. I had to have reduced salt marmite a couple of weeks ago, I’d never heard of it before but it was not very much different. Vegemite – not the same thing at all. Peanut butter – yuk – Mr Manders loves it. But like the idea of cheese and crispy bacon. Marmite with jam is sort of sweet and sour – enjoy!

                  1. I worked at the marmite factory in Burton-on-Trent a few years ago as a contract draughtsmen in the engineering dept. I could buy it at the staff shop at cost. Once people realised that they would ask me to get it for them which I did and sold it to them for what I paid for it.

                2. Yes, you can get it here in most Publix supermarkets, in the international food section.

              3. Back in 1982, at a beachside picnic in Boca Raton, Fl, someone stole some of our marmite sandwiches while we were all in the ocean. When we discovered this, we and our best friends (visiting us at the time), burst out laughing. The picture of some American biting into a marmite sandwich was just too funny. Shame we didn’t see it.

        2. All anagrams are fine. The outstanding ones are top dollar clues. Most are too obviously indicated and too easily solved.

  6. Thanks Mr K and Setter.

    Two easier grids to start the week and finished both without help.

    I’m sure 14a has been around for a while but was the last clue in and made me smile (although I prefer the cheesy garlic variety).

    1. I don’t think I’ve come across a 14a with cheese as well as garlic.
      Are you sure you weren’t having a “bare” pizza?

  7. Completed alone and unaided and understood all of the answers, so a hurrah day today.
    Always enjoyable for me when I succeed.

    Thanks to the setter and to Mr K .

  8. Enjoyable enough but, as Mr K said, a few rather odd surfaces and nothing that stood out for a ‘favourite’ vote.
    Thanks to our setter and to Mr K for the review – I wonder whether you will have reignited the scone assembly debate!

    Many happy returns to ‘our’ Kath, I’m sure your day will be brighter for having finally managed to see your Elder Lamb again.

  9. Another puzzle over too soon. No real favourite stands out. I’ll nominate 15d because of Mr. K’s picture. It made me smile. It reminded me of my daughter’s Jack Russell. He leaps up and down at the door like the cat in the picture. It looks like he’s attached to a bungee cord. Please post a comment today Tilsit just to let us know that you are still with us. I’m still plodding. Thanks to all.

      1. Good luck Greta and Tilsit. My test was negative by the way. I thought it might be as I think I’ve already had the virus.

  10. Another chocolate bar offering today – a tad more challenging than yesterday maybe but still over far too quickly. No real favourites although I quite liked 14a.
    Thanks to the setter & to Mr K & wishing Kath a happy birthday

  11. No real pain today but NE held out longest mainly due to stalling over 13a which IMHO is a bit iffy. No Favs. Thank you Mysteron and MrK. Best wishes Kath 💐.

    1. Didn’t we have “iffy” as an answer sometime last week?
      It would have been fun if someone had described it as such…. :)

  12. Nice tuesday puzzle nothing much to frighten us. Usual quality puzzle.
    Thanks to Mr K and setter.

  13. 1*/2* with a hmm for 24a.

    My favourite was the review together with the accompanying pictures. I like my scones any way I get them.

    Thanks to the setter and to Mr K.

    1. My father and mother-in-law were Cornish and Devonian respectively.
      Can you imagine?

  14. Given there was only a slender thread (1 space) joining each of the four quarters of this grid, I fully expected to be hit by a fiendish section – it never came!

    Thanks to Mr K anyway, the setter and MHR to Kath. My daughter’s b’day last week but, as 100 miles distant, only managed a Zoom toast (well, I had bought her the Prosecco she was drinking…..).

    BTW, I did have a favourite clue today – 20d – it just made me laugh!

  15. Straightforward until my last two clues, which took too long to solve. **/**. Loved the pictures of the animals though.

  16. Nothing startling, completed at a gallop – **/***.
    Two Hmms on my list – 24a and 30a.
    No outstanding favourites but I did like 4d and 23d.
    Thanks to the setter and Mr K and Happy Birthday wishes to Kath.

  17. Very straightforward 😃 */*** but enjoyable. Favourites 14a & 26d 👍 Thanks to Mr K (enjoyed the pictures, especially 30a) and to the Setter

  18. A bit bland, I thought, though I did like 8d (‘Ant’ unknown to me but the rest of the clue made it doable; my last one in) and 23d. Happy Birthday, dear Kath. And best wishes to Tilsit and Greta: I’m sorry you’re still struggling. My usual heartfelt thanks to Mr Kitty and to today’s setter for the fast ride. * / **

    1. For those of you that may have the future misfortune to catch this horrible virus, I can tell you the following: the medics at the hospital where my husband is still incarcerated say it takes at least 3 weeks before any real improvement occurs. I have about a week to go, if they are right. It can attack any of our organs not just the lungs. They are currently monitoring his liver and kidney functions (and he doesn’t touch alcohol). Imperative to drink a lot of water, 3-4 litres a day. Bulletin over!

      1. Wishing you and your husband all the very best, Greta. I hope things get better soon.

        1. All the best Greta. They say it’s always darkest before the dawn and that’s very true, when you have been ill and have to struggle to recover. Keep hanging in there, both of you.

        2. Echoing what Steve and Chris said, Greta. All the very best wishes to you and your husband.

          1. I am sure that sentiment is echoed by everyone. I cannot imagine what it is like for you both 🙏

      2. Greta
        Wishing both all the best I am sure that when this is all over we will be stronger. Try to keep positive.

      3. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, at least you have the crossword to distract you.

          1. As mentioned in my comment 10 above I think I’ve had the virus. You start to feel a bit better after 3 weeks and then it grabs you again so about 6 weeks in all. I’m still here to tell the tale though.

  19. Pretty straightforward but enjoyable. Thought 12a was clever re the wordplay on “wound”. Had forgotten about the other meaning of 29a and didn’t really know 21d, although it couldn’t have been anything but the answer. Wasn’t that also an old double glazing company?

  20. I have little to add to the rest of the comments. It was straightforward, quite pleasant and quickly finished (1.5*/2.5*). I didn’t really have a favourite clue. Thanks to the setter. Thanks to MrK for the hints. The cat pictures were great, particularly the one of the moggie who didn’t want to be put outside. Happy Birthday to Kath. Keep safe and well everyone.

  21. Straightforward & satisfactory. Nothing to take issue with but nothing to excite either. Much in the qvein of yesterday. It should give most the satisfaction of an unaided solve & encouragement.
    Thanks to setter & Mr K for the informative & entertaining review..
    Happy birthday Kath

  22. I enjoyed this one and found it quite straightforward. No real favourites today just enjoyed the ride. Mind you I liked the surface of 21a.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Mr. K for the hints and the always amusing cats.

    A very Happy Birthday, Kath. Thank you for all your hard work. :good:

  23. Got through this very quickly this morning. Made a silly mistake – put the wrong last letter in 20d. Obviously wrong when parsed but it was the first word I thought of as an expression of pain especially from an animal. Interestingly this was not one where I quickly spotted most of the answers on first sight as with yesterdays but once I had one in the others followed and within 1* time. Favourites 21d and 16 and 25a. Thank you setter and Mr K

  24. Definitely worth having a go at the toughie today – not too frightening and a satisfying solve

  25. Very like yesterday, pleased to be able to do without any type of help but no real sense of satisfaction.Some good humour though and a great blog.No doubt Jay will stretch me probably past breaking point .Thanks to all.

  26. Scratched head once, 27a.
    Otherwise, read and write.
    Pleasant.
    Thanks to the setter and to Mr. K.

    1. I thought R&W was now frowned upon. I feel it diminishes the sense of achievement felt by newcomers who, perhaps for the first time, solve unaided & can parse every clue. It is always going to happen sometime they deserve to feel good. (See Terence below as an example).
      There must be more tactful ways of saying “this was dead easy for me”.
      In fairness you do say it was pleasant.

      1. Well, I don’t think newcomers are shrinking violets, LROK. When I started way back in nineteen hundred and frozen to death, I knew others were far better than me. I was in the RAF when I started and there was one guy who could finish the puzzle in about 8 minutes. Rather than put me off it spurred me on. :smile:

        1. As one of the novices on here, I agree Steve. I am not put off by people saying they find it easy or Read and Write etc This is about my enjoyment and my lockdown challenge to myself or against myself if you like..Like yesterday I enjoyed this one but again didn’t finish… Had a great west side… east side not so! Days like today ( and yesterday)make me feel I am getting better!

          1. Pleased to hear you are not put off by R&W, stupee However, as LROK said, some newcomers are. You are, of course quite correct. In the end it is all about enjoyment. The whole purpose of the blog is to explain cryptic crosswords in. plain English. It says so at the top of the page. Please keep posting. It’s good to hear from newcomers. 👍

        2. SC,
          My original statement was I thought use of the term was not the done thing & I think CS made a similar comment a couple of weeks ago.
          The matter arose originally, as I recall, because some newcomers did remark about the term R&W. There are many commenters today who would have found this extremely easy and they labelled it * or whatever.
          Also see FW in #32

          1. I agree it’s not the done thing, LROK and I understand the reasoning behind your post. To merely put “This was easy peasy” could well put off those “dipping their toes” for the first time and seeking help from the blog. My point was not all newcomers will be put off by such comments. However, I concede that there should be another way of stating “this was simple” and I suppose the star system achieves that end. I do, however, have an issue with the star system. To newcomers, as it did to me when I joined, it appears to be some kind of secret code and could, conceivably, put off those who are tackling cryptics for the first time, as many of our new blog members are doing during lockdown.

  27. I thought today’s offering was an excellent ‘entry level’ cryptic for someone who wants to have a go at them. As mentioned above, the clues just about solved themselves. I needed my solving buddy (Bangalore King) for help with 8d. Dec and Ant aren’t well know down my way. 13a was my last to go in. It was a bung in but thanks Mr K for the explanation. I wondered what H, normally for husband, had to do with it. Straight forward but enjoyable nonetheless. Thanks to the setter. Regards, Not-so-much-flyingfox😥🦇

  28. A big ‘hoorah!’ day for me as it is the first time I have solved the cryptic two days running, without assistance.
    Regarding the anagram debate above – the more the better for me; I love ‘em.
    Another zero paperweight day in the garden. The dianthus have gone turbo overnight.

      1. Daisy – yes! It’s extraordinary – I watered everything last night and it is as if I have given the dianthus the elixir of life!

        1. Well I suppose that is what water is, although at the moment gin runs a close second. I’ve picked some to put in the house just for the perfume.

          1. I watched Monty Don taking cuttings and tried my hand at it a few weeks ago. I potted them up and covered each pot with a clear plastic bag secured by a rubber band. Bingo. I have 5 new Dianthus plants and 2 Rosemary cuttings that have taken too.

    1. Congratulations! I’m not sure if I’ve ever managed that yet (though at the moment with home schooling to fit into days as well as work, I can’t remember the last time I even tried to do crosswords 2 days in a row. After its plaudit’s, the most recent NTSPP is lined up for when I do next get time.

      1. Smylers – yes I understand. Luckily I have no home schooling duties and plenty of time, otherwise I am sure I wouldn’t have managed it!

    2. Congratulations, Terence. That is a feat that has, so far, eluded me. Now you’re on a winning streak have a look at the Toughie from Chalicea. :yes:

      If Jay is benign tomorrow you could make it three in a row?

      1. A hat trick may be beyond me, Steve – but I’ll be giving it my best shot tomorrow!

  29. I solved in four distict quarters which reflects the layout of the grid. No favourites although I am partial to a garlic chilli 14a. Thanks all.

  30. Two consecutive gentle crosswords – what is in store for us tomorrow? Always love the feline references – used to have two Somalis – fantastic animals. Thank you everyone.

  31. I echo the thoughts of others who thought that this was an ideal puzzle for anyone starting out on cryptic crosswords, Thanks to the setter and Mr K.
    I shall maintain a dignified silence about the blatant error in the 9a illustration.
    Many Happy Returns to Kath and Best Wishes to Greta and her husband.

    1. That non error is nothing compared to those unfortunates who pronounce scone to rhyme with own.

      1. Scone is named that because one minute it’s there, then it’s gone
        The cream goes on first. Period

          1. No discussion to be had, sorry Jane – I have my fingers in my ears singing ting-a-ling-a-loo :whistle:

      2. I’m new to crosswords and usually struggle through and need help .Im so encouraged when I nearly manage it all alone.Then I read all your comments and feel thick again.Thanks all

        1. Welcome to the blog, F W and well done.
          Most of those commenting here have been solving crosswords for some time so don’t be discouraged. Stay with us and you’ll improve by leaps and bounds.

        2. I always fess up when I have struggled, so don’t despair. Not all of us, even old hands, find these puzzles too easy.

        3. Welcome, F W. Please don’t feel thick! I’ve been doing the DT puzzle for nearly 50 years but I had to give up on one last week. Stick with the blog and use it to get to know crosswords and how to solve them. it is no idle boast by Big Dave that this is the best crossword blog in the world. It has helped me and many others on here to improve our solving skills.

          Just accept that you will not solve them all.

          If you have any questions, just ask. As Merusa said, it’s about enjoyment. 👍

  32. I love a puzzle I can finish unaided, so thumbs up from me! It’s good to know it can happen every now and then. Also a big fan of anagrams. Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  33. I really enjoyed this and after to many grey hairs and years of solving I consider myself a rookie, I worked through the parsings, thank you Mr K and the setter, now onward to try and solve the Toughie where all help is welcomed

    Stay safe Everyone

  34. Today’s puzzle tasked my brain a little bit more than yesterday with ponderings over 7d and 27a.
    As expected the Scone pic has relit the Jam or Cream first debate. I will leave it to the Devonian and Kernow folk to duke it out.
    I am in the “It all goes down the same either way” camp. I will pass on the 23d tipple but if any of that fragrant gin is about make mine a large one. If Kath has left any – Happy Birthday Kath from me too.
    Thanks to Mr. K and state. I will go and try my brain cells against Chalicea’s toughie.
    TTFN

  35. Wishing you a very happy birthday, Kath!!
    I liked this a lot, solved at a record rate (for me) but got held up in the NE. I got some help from Mr. K to get going again.
    My fave was 20d with 23d running close behind.
    Thanks to our setter and to Mr. K for helping me to complete this.

  36. 1/2.5. That was the simplest Tuesday puzzle I can remember. The LHS went in quickly but slowed in the NE corner which needed a bit of unravelling. I didn’t particularly like 13&25a but did enjoy 15&18d. Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  37. As others have said a fairly straightforward puzzle. 17d made me think that nowadays a lot of people refer to the pharmacist for some reason. Happy birthday to Kath and hope you’re enjoying your day. Thanks to the compiler and Mr K.

  38. I agree that the crossword was straightforward but I enjoyed it – I enjoy all of them – it’s just that I enjoy some more than others.
    I think there sometimes needs to be one to encourage people to make a start on solving so congratulations to anyone who completed one for the first time today.
    I thought 21a was a bit yucky but only because of the mental picture it conjured up. :sad:
    My favourite was 24a.
    Thanks to the setter and to Mr K.
    Thanks also to all for the birthday wishes – I’ve had a lovely if somewhat distant day with lots of cards, phone calls and pressies but the best bit of all was seeing my Elder Lamb yesterday.
    My best wishes to Greta and to her husband.

    1. Dear Kath, I know you have a medical background, so I thought you might be a good person to ask
      Is there any kind of therapy or support for the poor individuals amongst us who are sinisterly convinced that the jam goes on a scone first?
      I’m fine, but it’s looking serious for a friend of mine… and can I catch it off the internet?
      Any advice gratefully received, thanks in advance, LbR

      Happy Birthday Kath :rose:

      1. Oh dear – put the cream on first and it starts to sink into the scone quite quickly, then you try to put the jam on top and it catches on the cream and pulls it to one side. Doesn’t happen if you go for jam first and then top with the cream.

    2. Belated Happy Birthday Kath! 🎂🥂What’s left of it. Hope you had a great day. 🦇

  39. Happy birthday, Kath. Rose was 60 yesterday but celebrations muted by death of Gray’s mum, 95, the day before.
    Crossword a nice pleasant solve but not for us easier than yesterday, which was our first */**** ever. This one more of a **/***, very enjoyable, thanks to setter and Mr K.

  40. Slightly more taxing than yesterday, but as enjoyable. I have no trouble with having so many anagrams; I simply pass them on to my wife who is much better at them than I am.

  41. Overall a **/*** puzzle that was as easy to unravel for the most part as was yesterdays puzzle. I too, had trouble like others did, in the NE corner and needed to use the hints to unravel. I also didn’t like 13a much even when I got the answer. On the plus side 5a,10a, 28a & 23d were great clues with 10a the winner.

    Thanks to setter and Mr K for the hint help

  42. Happy Birthday 🎂🎈 Kath!
    Enjoyed this puzzle today, but took a bit longer than yesterday’s. Was held up by 13a, very odd. Thought 25a was too obvious to be right, hardly cryptic. 8d was a problem as that duo hasn’t made it across the ocean, at least not that I’ve seen. I was thinking more along the lines of Ant Antstead, who is on our TV these days with his car programs. Having spent much of our dating years helping Mr BL take engines out and put them back again, it’s quite nostalgic for me. Thanks to setter for another enjoyable challenge and to Mr K for the hints. Particularly liked the picture at 30a.

  43. As usual most relevant things have been said by the time I get here, but I enjoyed this. As for favourite I rather liked 30a. Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  44. As a Devonshire man can I -very tong in cheek- point out that your pictures for 9 across are the wrong way round. (Always cream first)

  45. Loved today’s puzzle, as I finished with no help and that doesn’t happen very often !
    As for the scones (rhyming with stones), it has to be jam first , how do you put jam on top of cream without making an awful mess ?
    Love the cats 😻 thanks to Mr K and thanks to setter.

    1. I make a mess just spreading the butter on nevermind cream and jam!

      Anyway, when I t’wer nobbut a lad, we had t’bread n drippin, an them t’were on’t Sunday’s. Rest a t’week t’were nobbut drippin!

      T’was ard but, eee, t’wer a greet life tha knows!

      1. Ah like bread ‘n” drippin’ an’ all me duck. Ah were brung up on it too.

  46. Happy Birthday, Kath!
    Here in the Antipodes we always put jam on first, and then cream. And it’s pronounced to rhyme with gone!
    No favourites today, But thanks to the setter, and to Mr K, as always, for the cats! 🙃

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