DT 29432 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 29432

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29432

Hints and tips by Falcon

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** / ***Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Ottawa, where we have just come through the hottest July in 99 years with 18 days on which the high temperature exceeded 30° C. August is starting off a bit cooler with daily highs forecast to be in the low- to mid-twenties.

Today’s puzzle from Campbell features his usual smooth surface readings. I expect it would be a fairly gentle mental exercise for those conversant with cricket terminology. However, for someone like myself for whom cricket is a foreign language, I spent a lot of time untangling the cricket delivery. It was only when the penny finally dropped on the patrol vessel that I was able to solve the cliue. My efforts certainly weren’t helped by misspelling the answer at 3d.

In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

1a   Discover the truth about collapse? Not initially (6)
RUMBLE — a verb meaning to collapse or break into fragments with its initial letter removed

4a   Unprincipled act ended unfortunately (8)
DECADENT — an anagram (unfortunately) of the two words in the middle of the clue

9a   Dog‘s stick found outside home (6)
CANINE — a walking stick surrounding the usual short word for (at) home

10a   A meeting around five with old Charlie, a lawyer (8)
ADVOCATE — the A from the clue precedes a romantic meeting that is wrapped around a charade of a Roman five, O(ld), and the letter represented by Charlie in the NATO phonetic alphabet

11a   Delivery of fine motor-launch (3-6)
OFF-CUTTER — the OF from the clue, the abbreviation for fine found on pencils, and a small lightly armed boat produce a fast cricket delivery moving from off to leg

13a   Bury‘s season lacking direction from the start (5)
INTER — a calendar season with a compass direction removed from its start

14a   Fill up after pre-MOT work? Bill may include it (7,6)
SERVICE CHARGE — fill up a battery with electricity following work carried out to ensure a vehicle passes its annual inspection

17a   Daydreaming associated with sheep-shearers? (4-9)
WOOL-GATHERING — a cryptic definition of how one might aptly describe day-dreaming engaged in by sheep-shearers

21a   Spill measure close to bar (5)
TAPER — a tool for measuring distance followed by the final letter of baR gives us a spill with which one might light a cigar

23a   Put down, ahead of cheers, in harbour (9)
ENTERTAIN — link together a verb meaning to put down in a ledger, a synonym of cheers as an expression of gratitude, and the IN from the clue

24a   Geographer in vehicle on a high rocky hill (8)
MERCATOR — an informal name for an expensive German automobile, the A from the clue, and a high rocky hill gives the name of a 16th century Flemish cartographer who invented a widely-used map projection that grossly exaggerates the size of land areas near the poles as compared to those near the equator

25a   Journalist going in for a felt hat (6)
FEDORA — the usual abbreviated senior journalist inserted into the FOR from the clue to which the A from the clue is appended

26a   Hotel guest and I study others outside (8)
RESIDENT — link together the I from the clue and a private work retreat; then place a word meaning others or remainder outside the result

27a   Take in  summary (6)
DIGEST — a double definition; the first could mean to take in either food or information

Down

1d   Page on king and member of the clergy (6)
RECTOR — the right-hand page of an open book followed by the abbreviation for the Latin word for king

2d   Reveal nothing in political statement? (9)
MANIFESTO — a verb meaning to reveal or declare followed by the letter that looks like the figure zero

3d   Lassitude of monkey gulping oxygen (7)
LANGUOR — a long-tailed Asian monkey ingests the chemical symbol for oxygen

5d   Support offered by soldiers aboard tender, so composed (11)
ENDORSEMENT — some generic gender-specific soldiers contained in an anagram (composed) of TENDER SO

6d   Get rid of dreadful boils in a hospital (7)
ABOLISH — an anagram (dreadful) of BOILS sandwiched between the A from the clue and H(ospital)

7d   Flawless in part supporting former lover (5)
EXACT — a part of a theatrical production or a segment of a variety concert follows (supporting in a down clue) our usual former lover

8d   Suppositions of male splitting Conservatives (8)
THEORIES — a male personal pronoun inserted into another name for members of the Conservative Party

12d   Feathery stuff from a plant, lots the wind scattered (11)
THISTLEDOWN — an anagram of LOTS THE WIND

15d   A grim ugly character in pantomime (9)
RIGMAROLE — an anagram (ugly) of the first two words in the clue followed by a character or part in a play or motion picture

16d   Couple send up one who’s unfaithful (3-5)
TWO-TIMER — the cardinal number that enumerates the number of items in a couple and a reversal (up in a down clue) of a verb meaning to send money in payment

18d   Kid returned then left with daisy chain, perhaps (7)
GARLAND — a charade with three components; first, a reversal (returned) of kid or tease; second, L(eft); finally, a synonym for with

19d   Sharon, say, has British statesman blowing top (7)
ISRAELI — a 19th century British prime minister loses his initial letter to become the nationality of a 21st century Mid-East prime minister

20d   In cooler temperature, child is delivered (6)
INFANT — the IN from the clue, a cooling applieance, and T(emperature)

22d   Is below standard for a European capital (5)
PARIS — the IS from the clue follows (below in a down clue) standard or normal

There are plenty of fine clues today but when it comes to singling out one for special mention no clue really seems to scream “pick me”. For no particular reason other than it is an exemplary model of a clue with a smooth surface reading as mentioned in the intro, I have picked 13a as my clue of the day.


Quickie Pun (Top Row): INN + EDDY + BULL = INEDIBLE

Quickie Pun (Bottom Row) : AVER + CARD + OWE = AVOCADO


91 comments on “DT 29432

  1. 2*/4* for an excellent Monday puzzle.

    Vying for top spot are 11a, 17a, 15d & 19d.

    Many thanks to Campbell and to Falcon.

  2. Enjoyable start to the week. Despite being a cricket lover took a while to get the answer. No particular favourites but thanks to the setter and Falcon. I wonder why Monday’s paper doesn’t have a Toughie?

    1. If you’re in need of a Toughie you need to look no further than today’s Rookie Corner puzzle.

    2. I did finish the Toughie for the first time last week but it all went downhill after that – most of the time I couldn’t even understand the answers! But as with this puzzle, if you stick at it you improve and this is the perfect site to help you.

      1. It does, but only if you pay extra for the privilege of being able to print the puzzles…

        1. I think if you are a subscriber you should be able to get it electronically as well, its a bit of a cheek to expect you to fork out twice. I’ve had this gripe for a long time. Hey ho!

          1. We subscribers do get The Toughie in our physical copy of the paper that we can collect or have delivered. I have my copy delivered to a neighbour and if I want a toughie I have to ask that very nice Crypticsue to email me a copy. Not ideal when I have been blogging Toughies every other Tuesday.

        2. I don’t recall seeing that option when I downgraded my subscription BL. I will check again.

          1. May be mistaken but I’m sure Chris Lancaster has stated that the 4 Toughies are set to be included in the iPad version – not before time because the puzzles app is hopeless in my view

  3. The NE and SW corners went in very smoothly in this puzzle but there were a few wily clues in the SE and NW that gave me pause for thought. In the end I just finished in 2* time and found it enjoyable apart from some synonyms in 15d and 23a (3.5*). My favourite clue was the crickety one 11a and 19d was a close second. My family have always been mad on cricket and some of it must have stuck. Thanks to Falcon for the hints and to Campbell for the puzzle.

  4. I liked 15 and 19d plus 11& 23a in particular but overall not the most enjoyable puzzle I’ve done recently so going for 2.5/2.5*
    Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon for the entertainment.

  5. I’m conversant with most cricket terms so 11a came to mind instantly. **/*** today. Some very good clues, 5d, 17a, and 27a among them. Favourite 19d. I did think of Miffypops saint for a moment! Thanks to all.

  6. Didn’t know the cricket term but worked it out from the checking letters. Otherwise, a smooth and fast solve this morning, with 19d the COTD, followed by 3d and 14a on the podium. Enjoyable Monday fare so thanks to Falcon and Campbell for the pleasure. ** / ****

    Wi-Fi already a bit spotty here as some outer bands of the tropical storm have already reached land. It will be an all-day affair, or so it looks, with the heaviest rain and wind coming tonight.

    1. That must be worst of it – just waiting for ‘whatever’ to hit you. Stay safe, Robert.

      1. While I’m still connected, before the winds increase, let me tell you that I finished Greengage Summer yesterday and enjoyed being transported into the minds and actions of young characters of a very different time, place, and manner of narration. The French passages held me up at times, and there were whole paragraphs I could translate only roughly, but the narration in English pretty much kept me ‘au courant’ with the action. And so, there we are. Amazing what this blog does for us, isn’t it? My copy of Hamnet: A Novel of the Plague arrived over the weekend, and so, once the storm passes, I’ll be embarking on a whole new literary journey.

        1. I’m pleased that you enjoyed it – think it’s Merusa we have to thank for the recommendation. Next ones on my list are The Go-Between and Pillars of the Earth. The latter could take quite some time (over 1,000 pages) but I’m told it’s well worth it.

          1. I’m always on the lookout for something new to read. It’s been donkey years since I read the Go between. I’m sure I still have a copy. I’ll give the other two a go as well. Thank you both.

          2. Glad you enjoyed it. Sadly, my eyes are getting so bad it’s difficult to read, even making print bigger on the Kindle, I’ve therefore ordered the movie of Go-Between! I presume you’ve read Kristin Hannah (The Great Alone is fab) and Frederick Backman, maybe the spelling is dodgy.

            1. I very much enjoyed The Nightingale but haven’t read The Great Alone, nor anything yet by the Swede. Let us know your reaction to The Go-Between.

              We’re beginning to get some wind and rain now. I’ll be glad when this latest trauma passes!

              1. A Man Called Ove was the first, it was on bestseller lists for ages. I also enjoyed My Grandmother Says to Say She’s Sorry! The Great Alone I think was better than The Nightingale, but both excellent.

                1. Your memory for authors’ names is far better than mine, Merusa. I enjoyed both of the first two you mentioned, courtesy of your recommendations, but hadn’t made the connection to The Great Alone!

            2. Authors duly noted, Merusa, but it could be a while before I get round to them given those I’ve already ordered from my ‘Merusa book list’! Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to report back as and when.

        2. Good luck Robert. We were very lucky down here with what proved to be little more than a practice run. Disappointingly, 7200 homes still lost power. Luckily we did not. When we arrived in 1982, we were amazed that Florida Power and Light used (and continues to use) above ground power lines, in a hurricane prone state.

        3. Thought of you this morning when I saw the weather on the TV. I hope it’s not too bad. I thought, with all our tribulations, that Big Massa could have given us a break this year! Good luck.

          1. Thank you, Merusa, for recommending the Rumer Godden book; as I told Jane earlier, it was an altogether new kind of reading experience for me, and I enjoyed the chance to see the world through a different set of prisms.

  7. A notch or two higher than the usual Monday solve with an excellent spectra of clues.
    Hard to choose a favourite and cannot better RD’s four .
    17a came from somewhere distant .
    Special praise to Campbell and Falcon for the pics-used to bowl off cutters/breaks for many years in the Cheshire County league-fond memories.

    1. 11a and cutters, recalled the great Derek Shackleton, the Lancastrian that got away.

  8. A little tougher than the average Monday for me but enjoyable and doable. Struggled with NW again, like Falcon had the wrong spelling for 3d so had to check.
    15d was COTD as I like the word.
    Thinking of MP perhaps “sainted” fits 19d rather than the official answer.
    Thanks to Campbell & Falcon for the pleasant start to the day.

    1. As well as the sainted one in 19d 23a made me think of your good self. Are the men of Tain back at work yet?

      1. John,
        Will be entering Tain tomorrow for our click & collect
        No steam from the stack yet. I check most days, when the haar allows and nothing. Still nothing a minute ago.
        Good excuse to stockpile I would say.

        1. Well I suppose we won’t really see the effects for at least 10 years. but I will lay up a couple of bottles just in case. Hic…

  9. Great start to the week what I call a good solid puzzle. Last one in for some reason 1a no idea why. As others have commented several in line for favourites but for me 5d and 24a.
    Thanks to Falcon and Campbell.

  10. I too could not spell 3d which, given my lack of cricket knowledge made 11a difficult. A consultation with Mr Meringue sorted that all out, so I cannot claim an unaided solve today. But I did understand all the answers, so at least a well done for me !
    An enjoyable start to the week.

    Thanks to the setter and to Falcon.

  11. Started out by making probably the same mistake as Falcon with 3d, not helped by coming across a crickety thing in 11a. According to Wiki, it involves chucking the ball in such a manner that it ‘spins about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the length of the pitch’ so that’s clear now……….
    Top two here were 2&15d with a mention for the Quickie puns which I thought were well contrived.

    Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon for the review.

  12. This was a little tougher than normal for a Monday but most enjoyable and doable. Like Falcon, I got the wrong spelling for 3d which held me up at 11a. I am a cricket lover but that particular stroke eluded me. I liked 24a and 15d but my COTD is 20d.

    Many thanks to Campbell and also Falcon for the hints.

    Liked the Quickie puns today.

  13. For me, this was very straightforward and very enjoyable with completion at a fast gallop – 1.5*/4.5*.
    Candidates for favourite – 1a, 14a, and 24a – and the winner is 1a.
    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  14. 19d was my favourite from a great selection of excellent clues this morning. The smooth surface readings and commendably brief clueing rank this puzzle among the very best. A very rewarding solve.

    Thanks to Mr Scott and Falcon.

  15. Great set of clues. This crossword has brightened my day from the tedium of unpacking suitcases following a glorious week walking in the New Forest. I can’t believe I struggled with 4a (last in) when it was a lurker. My brain must still be in holiday mode. My favourite clue was 24a. He was a very learned gent. Many thanks to Campbell and Falcon. Stay safe all those on the Eastern seaboard.

      1. You are right Steve. Thank you for correcting me. I’m not sure why I wrote lurker. My brain has been scrambled in the mounds of washing I have to do.

  16. I found this a bit trickier than a normal Monday crossword. It went fairly smoothly (with the exception of the experience of others in the spelling of 3d, and the cricket term in 11a) until I hit the SE corner where I got really stuck on several clues which took as long as the rest of the puzzle. Thought of the maritime reference in 11a as a sailing vessel rather than a motor launch, so that put me off a bit. I suppose I must really bone up on cricketing terms, and perhaps some rugby ones while I am at it, although I normally rely on my more sportsman relations.

  17. Liked 14a as clever piece of misdirection (for me at least) looking for all the world like an invitation to play with the letters of pre-MOT (work). Incidentally, I thought the simile for “fill up” was directed to filling glasses rather than batteries.

    1. You may have a point about filling the glasses — or perhaps even overfilling them as two clues later at 21a some of the contents end up on the floor near the bar!

  18. Had this almost completed in good time (for me!) with just 11a to go. I know nothing about cricket, which didn’t help, so had to resort to Falcon’s hints where I realised that I, too had spelt 3d incorrectly. So, many thanks to Falcon for the help – I’m relieved to hear that the very extreme temperatures that you’ve been enduring have ended for the time being.
    Thanks, too, to the setter – so many good clues but my favourites were 1a, 17a, 24a, 1d, 16d and 19d.

  19. Those of us who misspelled 3d must be in the majority! The delay pushed me into a **** time. Very poor for a Monday.

    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  20. Another one who misspelled 3D and “was stumped” by the cricket terminology. But altogether very enjoyable.

  21. I enjoyed this and didn’t have too many problems apart from the obvious one – 11a!
    I’m another one who can’t spell 3d but I know I can’t so I looked it up first!
    Had a spot of bother trying to make definition = answer in 23a but got there eventually.
    14a took a while but I don’t know why.
    The first word of 11a was obvious but the second was a guess (the only boat I could think of that fitted with the checking letters) and it is in the BRB.
    Lots of good clues including 10 and 24a and 3 and 6d (yuk!). My favourite was 17a or 15d.
    Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon.

    1. PS – Have we mislaid Daisygirl? I do hope not but haven’t seen a comment from her for a while – maybe I’ve missed it but I hope she’s OK.

      1. Oh thank you dear – I am here but thought I had better keep a low profile for a while before I put my head above the parapet! I have missed you all though, it’s like another family out there in cyberspace.

          1. Take no notice of me, I am in a very bad place at the moment. To be honest, I was mortified to be told I was being offensive when I thought I was just joshing so I decided to lie low! Crosswordland is a huge escape from reality and it was very nice to have been missed!

        1. Can’t remember any transgression that you might have thought yourself guilty of, Daisy, but it really doesn’t matter anyway in the ‘grand scheme of things’. We all make howlers from time to time or lose our cool over something that possibly doesn’t bother other folk but that’s part of what makes this blog such a wonderful community.
          Bring ’em on – we love your comments.

          By the way, I have a good friend who is going through the same trauma as you over a delayed hip op. She’s found an excellent acupuncturist whose monthly ministrations are helping her no end – particularly where comfortable sleeping is concerned. Might be worth a try?

          1. Nice thought Jane but it is knee not hip and there is no cartilage left so the only answer is the operation. I first went in 2015 and was told I was wonderful for my age- and managing very well. I was back twice a year begging for the op and finally decided to go to the Nuffield where I should have had the knee done 23rd March. Bad timing. Now on morphine which I hate and can hardly walk. The worst thing is it has made an old lady of me. Me!!! (I can still do the splits though, just cannot get up again without help!)

            1. I realise it’s the knee in your case, Daisy, but it would seem that there are benefits to be gained for either issue – try asking Mr Google! All to do with de-sensitising the surrounding location as I understand it.
              I’m going to give it a whirl for my spinal problems – no harm in trying.

        2. Oh good – just checking that you were OK as I know you’ve been having a rough time.
          Many years ago we used to have a ‘tongue in cheek’ request for absence – ie – if you were going off on holiday (haha – fat chance at the moment) any regular commenter told everyone else that they wouldn’t be around for a while. Perhaps we should start it again? Just a thought . . . .

          1. I promise that if I get called for my operation, (bag has been sitting there packed since March) I will let you know!

          2. Didn’t we have to submit a pink form for holiday s? Perhaps we need a different colour for sick leave?

            1. Yes – a pink form for request to go on holiday – in ‘those’ days I don’t think there was any other reason for not commenting!

  22. */***. This well crafted and enjoyable puzzle was right up my street. A nice mix of anagrams got me off to a fast start. Had to look up the monkey in 3d and a slight blip with the spelling of 19d which was soon corrected. I liked 15d. Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  23. A bit of a mixed bag for me, some jumped off the page, but many did not. With zero knowledge of cricket, other than what I have learned from this blog, 11a was a mystery to me. Likewise 14a. Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  24. I enjoyed doing this puzzle and thought there were many good clues. I’ll pick out 12d and 17a as joint favourites. Fortunately I had solved 11a before getting to 3d, otherwise I think I could easily have misspelt the answer. Thanks to the compiler and Falcon for the review.

  25. Solving this called for a bit of application but I enjoyed the effort. SE was last corner to acquiesce because I struggled with 19d whilst thinking around unlikelihood of someone in that context having first name Sharon. Two good Quickie puns. Thank you Campbell and Falcon.

  26. Very enjoyable.
    Never got one down as I had never heard of the left hand page and after trying just about every member of the clergy except the correct one, gave up.
    Out of interest, what’s the right hand one called?
    Thanks all.

      1. Many thanks, Merusa. Will probably stay in my head until, about 8 o’clock tonight!

  27. This was a very pleasant solve and very doable, but like everyone else, spelt 3d incorrectly and didn’t know 11a. Dingbat that I am, instead of checking the spelling, I bunged in an answer at 11a which was wrong, so I never got 12d.
    Otherwise it was very benign, even 24a came from the depths of my brain, maybe we’ve had it before? Sharon had me going off on a tangent before I had my Road to Damascus moment.
    My fave was 15d, doesn’t it just roll off the tongue? Liked 17a as well.
    Thanks to Campbell, and of course to Falcon for sorting 3d/11a.

  28. I’m also in the 3d misspelling and slightly harder than average for a Monday clubs and hadn’t heard of the page in 1d so needed to check. An enjoyable start to the week. Thanks to today’s setter and Falcon.

  29. Well I enjoyed that. LOI was 27a and couldn’t choose between many options that fitted the checkers.Ihad to have a peep at the hint before the penny dropped. Fortunately the cricketty one came before the monkey so that forced my hand re the spelling thereof. 21a was a fave and I remembered it from other puzzles passim. Too many other faves to cut it down to a podium so I will leave it at 21a.
    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  30. Rather late here today as we have been out to RHS Wisley for a stroll and lots of oohing and aahing at the lovely displays of colour. We had to pre-book because of controlling numbers, social distancing and the rest, but it was a lovely afternoon.
    Terrific crossword, right at my level. I too would have stumbled with 3d if I hadn’t spotted the cricket reference and filled in 11a earlier.
    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.
    (Good to see Daisy popping in, above)

    1. Terence I have been dying to say something. As a family we are all fond of lilies – my mother was a Lillian. Our big pots of lilies have been perfuming the garden for the last month BUT I always cut off the Polleny tops of the stamens. The animals are not really likely to chew the flowers or the bulbs but if their fur brushes against the pollen and they then groom themselves – disaster. Better safe than sorry and this way you can also enjoy the lilies. As long as you don’t get the little Red Lily Buggers. Sorry, Beetles.

      1. Daisy – I ‘thought’ they were lilies but I’m not an expert so I will use the ‘plant snap’ app tomorrow to clarify this. If it turns out they are lilies then I will certainly follow your advice because the welfare of Lola and any other cats and animals is paramount to me.

        1. I have had a couple of laughable bum steers from the ‘Picturethis’ (plant snap) so beware!

  31. A lovely puzzle solved twelve hours ago. Nice clues all round leading to a satisfying solve before doing random stuff all day. Thanks to Falcon and Campbell.

  32. I made jolly hard work of that and I’m not sure why, once I’d worked out the answers! Thanks to Falcon for the hints and Campbell for stretching the brain cells.

  33. A late post today. Had a quick look at this earlier & it was a brisk solve until I hit a brick wall in the SE. Pressed for time I discarded it & have only just looked at it once again. I find it amazing that you can be utterly nonplused with half a dozen clues & return to them later & just rattle them off. Anyway a super crossword, a tad tougher than is usual for a Monday & with 19d surely COTD.
    Thanks Campbell & Falcon & Merusa for explaining my 1d bung in.

  34. A late finish on this one as was interrupted mid puzzle. **/*** for me with the NE holding me up for a while with10a last in.
    COTD include 1a, 14a, 15d, 16d & 19d winner 15d

    Thanks to setter and Falcon

  35. I too was stuck in the SE corner. My particular solution to the problem was to nod off for an hour or so then wake up and write all the answers in. I knew the answer to 11a so checked the spelling of 3d otherwise I’d have spelt it wrongly or should that be spelled? A most enjoyable crossword favourite being 17a, what a lovely term. Many thanks to Campbell and Falcon, do you feel fatigued after Covid 19? I do even after 6 months.

  36. 3*/4*…..
    liked 12D “feathery stuff from a plant, lots the wind scattered (11)”

  37. Very late on parade today and a long time between posts, been busy…but an excellent Monday offering. Numerous COTD candidates, I’m giving it to 17a, been a while since I’ve heard the term. Many thanks Campbell and Falcon🦇

  38. Thanks to the setter and Falcon for the review and hints. I enjoyed this one very much, a great start to the week. A nice mix of clues, but no lurkers, which is somewhat unusual. Last in was 23a. Favourite was 24a. Was 2* / 4* for me.

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