Toughie No 2506 by Donnybrook
Hints and tips by Olivia De Havilland
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Good morning from Saint Sharon’s sanatorium here in Barrel where I am suffering the cold both of my grandsons had when we met up for a day out on The Oxford Canal on Sunday. Our first day out together since Lockdown.
Today’s puzzle followed my usual pattern throw in what is obvious on the first couple of passes. Bung in what fits and reverse parse the rest. At the moment I cannot name or thank the setter as their name isn’t included on my iPad version of the puzzle. If Auntie Kath’s paper arrives in time I will thank them by name but until then Thank you setter.
Auntie Kath’s paper has arrived. It is Donnybrook we need to thank.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.
Across
7a Eine Frau he’s wed, astray for so long in Berlin (3,11)
AUF WEIDERSEHEN: A Nice and easy anagram to start us off and generously provide seven checking letters to down clues. Anagram (astray) of EINE FRAU HE’S WED
9a Having received one in simple English, son acts as diplomat (10)
NEGOTIATES: A five part charade 1 A word meaning having received. 2 The word that looks like the number one. 3 A synonym of the word simple. 4 The abbreviation for English 5 The abbreviation for son. Arrange as suggested by the clue
11a Those Corbynistas remaining? (4)
LEFT: A double definition, the first being the political side Corbynistas sit on
12a Keep working steadily in place with yard (3)
PLY: The abbreviation for place is followed by the abbreviation for yard
13a Gong sounded to an extent intrusive (10)
MEDDLESOME: A homophone of the type of gong awarded for bravery is followed by a word meaning to an extent
16a Establish connection school in Karachi uses (4)
LINK: The answer lies hidden within the words of the clue as suggested by the word at the end of the clue
17a Where absolutely necessary answer cheers press (2,1,4)
AT A PUSH: Begin with the abbreviation for answer. Add a short word used to convey thanks. Add a synonym of the word press
18a Creatures likely to destroy position taken across street (7)
LOCUSTS: These destructive creatures played havoc in swathes of Africa earlier this year. Place a noun meaning the particular position or place where something occurs or is situated around the abbreviation for stree
20a Something of a looker this particular Murdoch? (4)
IRIS: This something of a looker is a part of ones eye. It is also the first name of an authoress
21a Homes apt to be given makeover on air (10)
ATMOSPHERE: An anagram (to be given makeover) of HOMES APT is followed by a short preposition meaning on
23a Cool northern watering-hole (3)
INN: A short word meaning cool, with it or trendy is followed by the abbreviation for Northern.
24a Person revered pens poem and riddle (4)
SIFT: The abbreviation for a revered canonised person contains a poem by Rudyard Kipling also used at 4 down in yesterday’s cryptic crossword
25a Money perfect to be invested in lavish project funding (5-2-3)
GRANT-IN-AID: A three-letter term for money is followed by an informal adjective meaning of the highest order. This all sits inside a synonym of the word lavish
28a One’s report initiates speedy action (8,6)
STARTING PISTOL: A cryptic definition of what used to be fired to produce a noise which signalled the start of a race
Down
1d Flags down vehicle for this designer? (8,6)
PAVEMENT ARTIST: These flags may be under your feet as you walk in a municipal area. The provide the vehicle for those such as Bert in the first Mary Poppins film to portray his talents at chalking pictures
2d Armani at the outset beaten for style (4)
AFRO: This style is a type of haircut. Begin with the initial letter (at the outset) of Armani. Add an anagram (beaten) of FOR
3d Caught important little bird (4)
KIWI: Homophones of two three-letter words will give the name of this bird. One meaning Important or crucial and one being the Scottish word for little
4d Rabble-rousing leaves initial impression (7)
EDITION: Remove the initial letter from a word meaning Rabble-rousing or conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch. Thanks Crypticsue
5d Well-to-do island ruler meets under-secretary (10)
PROSPEROUS: A Shakespearean island ruler from The Tempest is followed by the abbreviations for under and secretary
6d Humorous issue that shakes corporation? (5,5)
BELLY LAUGH: The loud and unrestrained reaction to something humorous that makes ones stomach (corporation) wobble
8d Better to break with infernal nonconformist (6,8)
ENFANT TERRIBLE: Anagram (to break) of BETTER with INFERNAL
10d A little Terence used at regular intervals in Othello? (3)
TEL: A shortened version of the name Terence can be found using the alternative letters of the word Othello
14d Down payment made before Golden Treasury finally appears in store (10)
DEPOSITORY: A rather untough word meaning a down payment is followed by the heraldic word for gold and the final letter of the word treasury
15d Lamb infused with a singular flavour in British region (4,6)
EAST ANGLIA: The pen name of Charles Lamb sits around the letter A from the clue, the abbreviation for singular and a synonym of the word flavour
19d The writer’s upset with British stars in trade restriction (7)
EMBARGO: A reverse of the personal pronoun referring to the person who wrote this clue. The abbreviation for British. A constellation
22d Pair ending up with one letter from abroad (3)
PHI: Pair or join the last letters of two consecutive words in the clue with I (one). Thank you CrypticSue
26d Jolly experience with hallucinogen (4)
TRIP: A day out may be described as a jolly, as might dropping a tab of acid. Each to their own.
27d Enthusiasts taking floor up (4)
NUTS: The answer satisfies the definition enthusiasts but when reversed satisfies the definition [to] floor.
After my moaning about the back-pager, I have to say that I’m in a much better mood after finishing this puzzle. A completed Toughie, without the use of hints, is a rarity in my household.
I even parsed all the clues (except for 15d, Mr G. solved that little riddle). I will admit to using an anagram solver for 8d, I wasn’t expecting a non-English word, and I did have to look up the proper spelling of 7a.
My last two in were 1d and 3d, so become my joint COTD.
Many thanks to Donnybrook and MP
Started well but got held up by a couple in the SE corner. 28a and 1d both raised smiles. 22d seemed a bit clunky. Thanks to Donnybrook and MP.
I did play guess the setter but it is strange how you can only spot some of a setter’s usual humour once you know who’s provided the crossword
thanks to Donnybrook and Olivia
I wonder if the list on the Telegraph Puzzle site will be updated or whether we’ll be playing guess the setter again tomorrow?
A really enjoyable start to the Toughie week for me. Finished this nice Donnybrook alone and unaided (as some like to say) last night, with podium honours going to 15d (Mr Lamb’s 2nd appearance, a la his nom-de-plume, in recent memory), 24a (and Mr Kipling’s too), and 8d (let’s nominate Byron). Thanks to Olivia for the review, which I’ll now enjoy as always, and to Donnybrook for the entertainment. *** / ****
A very accessible and approachable Toughie today. Not a piece of cake, but very solvable from the wordplay once I got into it. 7a and 1d take my top honours.
Thanks to Donnybrook for the challenge and to MP.
25a was new to me and I didn’t like the 3 letter clues. I also felt there should be some hint that 3d was a homophone or was that the meaning of “caught”? Not impressed! I also didn’t really like the partial anagram that was 21a. Apart from that…..!
COTD was perhaps 20a or 1d
A slow start for me today then a steady solve, agree with MP,S ***/***
Last in was 3d, good job I had the two i’s, I parsed it well enough but thought that the clue should have ended with an exclamation /question mark to indicate the homophone, as is usually the case.
Apart from that a sound start to Toughie week,
Favourite was 1d and the surface of 28a.
25a was new to me but eventually got there- thanks all.
An enjoyable Toughie which I thought was helped by long clues and a friendly grid favourites were 8 & 15 down, thanks to Donnybrook & Olivia.
Gentle and enjoyable, thanks Donnybrook.**/***. 13a, 15d and 28a on the podium.
MP, looking at the photos, have you bought another pub?
Certainly not. Retired means retired. (If you can excuse me landscaping the gardens). It is The Rising Sun in St Mawes. An awful place in Cornwall, best avoided
Say no more, guv. 😉
I haven’t been to SM for years. Might be worth a visit as I’m still stuck in England.
It’s really very nice. We are trying to keep it our little secret so it doesn’t get overwhelmed
I was there last week MP, and have to agree to some extent; though better than The Ship in Mousehole Harbour which is astonishingly terrible
The Lizard improves after Coverack and gets better and better all the way round to Porthleven (but not Bereppen unless you want to get your kit off – bit of a mistake on my part there)
Kynance Cove at low tide is a hidden treasure, as is the Poldhu Point to Church Cove coastal path
Very good Chinese restaurant in Gweek too
I wonder if Gweek is where Jonathan Woss goes on holiday now that he can’t go to Gweece.
Good seven days in Cornwall…
Yes, the nice easy anagram at 1a started us off well and the entire solve was enjoyable. We weren’t aware of the abbreviation for Terence but it was generously spelled out for us. Thanks to Donnybrook and Olivia.
Terry Venables was known as El Tel after a spell managing Barcelona.
Oh don’t tell everyone about our special places!
This one was right up my street. 4 long ones round the periphery to get you started & nothing particularly obscure although my last in was 25a & though I knew it was correct from the wordplay (& the iPad declared all answers correct) I wasn’t familiar with the term & it looked clumsy somehow. Chuffed to just beat my fastest ever Toughie solve & even more surprisingly all parsed (though some after the clock stopped). Thanks Robert for reminding us that we’d had Charles Lamb recently as I was wondering where I’d picked that bit of info up from. 6d was my favourite – am sure it’s oft recycled but still good nevertheless.
Thanks Donnybrook & Liv
We took much longer than we should have to sort out 1d so not a quick solve for us. The 10d shortened name was new to us too. Our favourite of course has to be 3d.
Thanks Donnybrook and MP.
Thanks to Donnybrook and to Olivier for the review and hints. I enjoyed what I could do, but needed the hints for 9&25a and 1,2,3,4d. Had never heard of 20a & 25a. Favourite was 18a. Was difficult, but fun.
My comment was of course meant for the Cornish places. I bet no one ever calls Lola’s Terence ‘Tel’ even though we do now know he scoffs Hula Hoops. I’ve just heaved myself out of the bath and have made very creditable progress on this rather nice puzzle. I shall look at it again in the morning but must say how much I liked to spend so long in Berlin and the infused lamb was delicious. I put Boarding School in at 28a – well, report ties in but then I got down checkers. Four to go and maybe they will hit me tomorrow. Many thanks to Donnybrook and Olivia. You struggle so nobly with life’s vicissitudes.