DT 29576

93 comments on “DT 29576”

1. I completed this in *** time, with a slow start and an even slower finish, but the middle section went apace.

   I couldn’t quite see the parsing of 1d, and thought that 2d was the wrong tense.

   COTD has to be the Quickie pun.

   Many thanks to the setter and Mr. K.

2. I thought this was very good with some really clever wordplay and parsings, particularly in the NW corner, with excellent surface readings too. I’d very interested to know who set this little gem. Only problem was it was all over too quickly.
   My ticks go to 1,21 and 28a plus 1&7d.
   1.5/4.5*
   Many thanks to the setter and to Mr K
   Ps The Matt cartoon an absolute peach today

3. I was eagerly awaiting the hints, thank you for explanations for 7d, 3d and 24d. I couldn’t see where the dragonflies came into 3d, where Ely came into 7d (very obvious now) or why the “and another” is required in 24d. Assuming spate but it’s an odd clue. **/**
   1a and 13d are the best of the bunch to my mind but no oustanding favourite. I’m just waiting now for Brian to tell us that he’s breezed through this and loved every minute. Thanks to all.

   1. The S in 24d was after the A, not before the P Greta!

      1. I also took it as spate Greta – still we got the right answer!

         1. I never solved it, too obtuse for me.

      2. Yes, I realised that. Pate for spread without the son. Still don’t see where the “and another” comes into it? Unless you remove the s from spate which is loosely also a spread. Confusing.

         1. The abbreviation for “son” leaves one spread “and (gives/ leaves) another.”

            1. Finally I get it. That’s taken more time and help than the rest of it put together! Thank you.

               1. Well done! Happy to help Greta.

                  1. I am very obtuse at times. It’s thanks to this blog that I understand it. No disrespect to to the people who give us the hints. That’s generally very good. On this one, I was bamboozled.

4. Pretty straightforward today, I really enjoyed it with some excellent wordplay, it was all over too quickly, last in was 24d going through the alphabet until P.
   COTD 17d with 1a and 7d on the podium.
   */****.
   Thanks to Mr K and the setter.

5. I thought the whole NW corner–my last section to complete–was just perfect, especially 1a, 2d, and 4d; I also liked 7d and that tricky little 24d. Most enjoyable, with thanks to Mr K for the delightful illustrations as always, and to today’s crafty setter. ** / ****

6. Great it’s Paste.

7. Greta sorry

8. 24d was my last one in too but the rest was fairly straightforward and enjoyable. The little video of the trout versus the mouse was nice but I would have eaten the trout! I love trout and you don’t seem to see it these days. Anyway, thanks to all – I’ll have a bash at the Toughie now which will no doubt defeat me.

9. Yet again some great charades with meaningful surface read.
   A real joy from start to finish which was solved without any hiccups.
   Absolute favourite 18a.
   Thanks to the setter and to Mr K for the review.
   The toughie is excellent too and quite friendly.

10. Needed the hints to parse 8d and 24d.
    Sorry to say that I didn’t enjoy this one much…..clues seemed too contrived to me….if that isn’t a daft thing to say about crossword clues.

    Thanks to Mr K and to the setter.

    1. With you there.

    2. Me too.

11. This was certainly a coffee time puzzle today. 24d was my last in, after a revisit, and my favourite clue. Thank you setter and Mr Kitty. The quick pun doesn’t work for me I’m afraid.

12. Gentle but excellent (*/****) with great surfaces that made it flow seamlessly. Podium places to 7d, 13d and 18a – for the surfaces, misdirection and construction. Thanks to Setter and Mr K. Excellent pics/videos – amazing banana cutting!

13. Like every one else, I found 24d quite baffling but the rest was reasonably clued (2.5*/3*). It felt like reversal of days this week. Yesterday was like the recent Tuesday puzzles and todays like recent Monday puzzles, a bit more demanding. No favourites today. Many thanks to Mr K and the compiler.

14. Like earlier commenters I found this a comfortable solve apart from the clues already covered. 2 and 24d were my final entries and just take the favourites slot. There seemed to be a lot of Lego clues which speeded up the overall completion of the grid.

    Thanks to both Misters.

15. 2*/3.5*. This was a lot of fun with only 24d pushing me above my 1* time.

    2d was my favourite with 10a & 24d joining it on the podium.

    Many thanks to Messrs R & K.

16. Had a bit of a panic with this one as I just couldn’t find the way in. Eventually managed to solve a clue and then things steadily came together. Found this had too many rather odd synonyms for my taste. Not quite sure why but I didn’t like this puzzle very much.
    Never really felt comfortable with the clueing. Undoubtably just me suffering from lockdown ennui.
    Thx for the hints
    ***/**

17. Like Mr K 24d was the last in and took a while to parse-not 100 % sure until confirmed by the blog!
    An excellent puzzle all round with diverse cluing and a **/*** for me.
    Liked 21a and the surface of 1a , thanks for the pic!

18. Nice puzzle **/*** today. Some interesting wordplay today for me – fav’s 4d, 7d, 24d & 28a. 24d last in with 7d getting my vote today
    Thx to setter and Mr K

19. I enjoyed this one. Lots of good clues such as 1a and 28a but my COTD is 11a. The NW corner was the last to go in with 9a and 2d holding me up. That’s two in a row completed unaided this week. Must try for the hat trick tomorrow but I am either on Jay’s wavelength or not. I’ll have to wait and see.

    Many thanks for the setter for this most enjoyable puzzle. I’m afraid the Quickie pun didn’t quite work for me but I should imagine it’s one of those regional things. Many thank to Mr K for the hints, which I will now read. Hope there are lots of cats.

20. Really enjoyed this one & thought there were some clever clues. 24d also my last in & pushed me just over *** time. Finding the Toughie a good deal easier & down to 3 to go in half the time. Pick of the bunch for me is a coin toss between 7d &18a with mentions for 3&16d also. Struggling to think of 2 albums beginning with Q worth listening to today but Quadrophenia (The Who) is good enough to play twice on my walk.
    With thanks to the setter & to Mr K

    1. Queen by Queen, or Quo by Status Quo? Admittedly Quadrophenia would be my first choice of these three.

       1. My ears couldn’t cope with either of those two RD.

          1. Glad to hear it Huntsman. I can stand Quo if it’s a single track in a playlist but I just don’t understand what anybody sees in Queen. Pop Pap ditties well past its sell by date. You are doing alright with your own choices so far but a little nudge for the day after tomorrow. You might like something Sensational.

       2. Queen’s debut album is superb, as are the following two. The rest of their discography much less so.

21. Strange feel to this but enjoyed the challenge. South came in first. Needed help wth 24d. Fav 7d which took a while to work out as I was overlooking the chestnut See. Thank you Messrs. Ron and K. Agree with SC above re Quickie pun.

22. Enjoyed that! Despite having done cryptic crosswords for upwards of 45 years, I always forget the significance of ‘see’ in clues so 7d was my last in.

    1. Yes, I always forget that particular meaning of “see”, Reg.

       1. Always reminds me of the line from Yes Minister about the priest who has waited for years to be appointed bishop: “long time no see!”

    2. My graduation ceremony was at that particular cathedral so I’m pleased I got it!

23. Managed this without help but needed your explanations for 1d and 2d, Mr Kitty. Absolutely loved today’s illustrations especially the golf clip. I don’t know where you find them but they are always so apposite. Thanks to setter and blogger.

24. Enjoyed this one although I wasn’t very persuaded by either 10a or the Quickie pun.
    The short and sweet 2d was my favourite.

    Thanks to our setter and to Mr K for the review. A Silvanus Toughie to look forward to now, just right to combat another dismal rainy day in lockdown!
    PS Hope Terence pops in soon with the results from yesterday’s trip to the vet for Lola.

    1. Ah it was Silvanus. No wonder I enjoyed it so much.

25. Enjoyed this one today. 21a was the only one that caused a problem that needed a hint. Probably 1a being the favourite. Thank you for the hints and tips.

26. (Quickie – yes, yes, it’s in the dictionaries and thesauri, but any horsewoman or horseman will tell you that a gallop is a transition up from a canter and not the same movement at all)

    Enjoyed this crossword immensely, with the exception of 24d which drove me off my head – geddit?

    Lola is a feline Lazarus. Bearing in mind we were giving up hope only five days ago… The vet is very pleased with her progress – he wants her to complete the antibiotics (14 days) and then stay on steroids for a while longer (they seem to be responsible for her miraculous turn around in health). The cone was removed briefly by the vet, but as Lola immediately began to ‘groom’ the sensitive areas he felt it should stay on until Thursday.
    She has eaten a good portion of food this morning and even tried a little miaow – which didn’t come out, but at least she tried! Still not drinking at all but the vet is not concerned by that (I mix water into her food). Her teeth are fine. I can confirm this, as I am finding when giving her the medication – she is becoming a little more resistant as her strength returns. She doesn’t bite or penetrate my skin – she just tries to grab my fingers with her teeth.
    All rather encouraging!

    Today’s soundtrack: Todd Rundgren – The Hermit Of Mink Hollow.

    Thanks to the setter for a delicious crossword; the celebrated Mr K; and everyone here for continued support and kindness.

    1. Fantastic news, Terence! You must be so relieved. Great to hear Lola is becoming playful – always a good sign. Pity about the collar but by the sound of it she may have removed it herself by Thursday.

       I am sure your TLC went a long way towards her improvement.

       1. Thank you Steve – you’re very kind.

          1. Said it before Terence animals know when you are trying to give back what they give to you. Helpless you felt last week but helpless you were not.
             All pet lovers on this site will have experienced the emotions you experienced during the past week or so and will be thrilled for you and Lola that she is returning to normal.

             Appropriate good news on a Mr K day of course.

    2. Such an excellent report, Terence. I’m not at all surprised that Lola wants to groom herself, that hair regrowth must itch like mad!
       Well done to both of you – you’re lucky to have each other.

    3. Good choice of music Terence. Am sure the antibiotics & steroids have played their part but she was always recovery bound with global good wishes & fingers crossed behind her…..

    4. Well that is good news. Roll on Thursday when Lola can get that dratted cone removed.

    5. Great news indeed about Lola, Terence. Your Oscar is being readied for you.

    6. Whoop, whoop! Such good news. I love you Lola!

       1. Glad to hear the good news of Lola’s progress, Terence. Thursday will soon be here and you can make bonfire of the collar/ shred it/bury it and then drink a libation.

27. Like Steve I was completely hung up on the NW corner and still not happy with 1 or 2d but I’m feeling crotchety, I’m in such a lot of discomfort with my leg, yuk. 90 days now it should be getting better. 24d was last in, I thought 28a was very clever and so was 17d. The smart cat with the golf balls was really funny, thanks for that Mr K and thankyou Mr Setter. I have a Book Group Zoom at 2 but not looking forward to sitting still for an hour! Either side of our five barred gate we have a large winter clematis, Jingle Bells and Freckles. They have both bloomed prolifically since the autumn and are greatly admired, though Jingle Bells is the more attractive. Daisy’s Daily Trivia. If it were not so cold outside I would go and see if the snowdrops are out! Hope Lola is progressing, I’m off to discuss the singing crowdads with my friends.

    1. Snowdrops are peeping through here, Daisygirl. In fact, there are signs of spring all over the garden. Daffodils are pushing and, surprisingly, the myrtle is in flower. I thought myrtle came into bloom in summer. Anyway, the perfume is gorgeous and I have cut a few sprigs for the kitchen. It’s amazing how the smell permeates the house. The bush has berries too so maybe time to make mirto!
       Sorry to hear your leg is playing up but, as Kath keeps telling us, it takes time at our age to recover from things. Remember not to overdo things. Stay safe.

       1. Sorry to hear your leg is sore Daisy. I’ve found that progress after replacements is never a steady improvement. It’s more two steps forward and one step back. The weather being damp and chilly does you no favours if you’ve had orthopaedic surgery either. Anice brandy/ wine/scotch helps.

28. Solved in ** with enjoyment at *** despite finding s good handful of clues enjoyable. Did not have trouble with 24d and was surprised so many did. Perhaps it’s a northern thing : fish paste and sandwich spread for lunches as a child out in the country for a day’s cycling weekends and holidays.

    Favourite is 18a with honourable mentions for 14, 21, and 22a, and also 16d.

    Thanks to Mr K for his usual interesting blog and especially for the filing kitten. Thanks to the setter for again proving that Telegraph puzzles can be solved by me.

    1. I think the fish paste was called Shiphams or something like that? I used to enjoy it, can’t get it here.

       1. It was indeed Shiphams Merusa

       2. Actually Merusa it was Shippams Paste. See my reply to Weekend Wanda below

29. I thought this was fun with some elegantly constructed clues, eg 7d. I struggled with 2d and join the spate group of 24d before the penny dropped. All over too soon but I always look forward to Mr K’s cats. Thanks to him and the setter.

30. Did not enjoy this very much it all seemed a little convoluted ***/*** 😬 Favourites 11 & 22a & the dreaded 24d 😳 Thanks to the Setter and to Mr K for his as always enjoyable blog 🤗

31. 24d got me but the rest was most enjoyable especially the very neat 7d. Thank you setter and MrK

32. A do as you are told sort of puzzle solved at lunchtime for a change. No stretched synonyms to make things difficult so those who easily solve The Quickie should have no trouble with this. Speaking of the Quickie. I liked today’s pun. As with homophones the more excruciating the better. The pun of the day can be found in today’s of Harold Bernstein. Donald Trumps former doctor was described as The Hippocratic Oaf

    1. Today’s obituary of Harold Bernstein

    2. It’s a good day for puns! My favourite is a letter in today’s Irish Times:

       The vaccines appear to herald the end phase of all this Covid awfulness. I suggest we call this phase, “The Road to Demask Us”.

    3. Love it, M’pops.

       1. I do too. Love it. The Man from Delaware just quoted Hemingway about becoming “strong…in all the broken places,” and I wondered if you were watching. You seem to have become my Go-To-Person, Merusa. And that’s a huge compliment.

          1. Yup, love my man from Delaware. I still think we’re in for a bumpy ride, hold tight. Did you ever watch “The Divinity of Donald Trump” on YouTube?

33. Another enjoyable puzzle. Most of this made perfect sense, with hints needed for 7d and the universally difficult 24d. If anyone needs another puzzle, I really recommend yesterday’s bonus cryptic, it was equally as good as 29,575. Yet another chilly day in South Florida. This is getting very old. This is the time of year when we usually open up the doors and windows and lunch outside. You do turn into a hothouse plant when you live here for a while. But at least all my jumpers have made it out of the closet this year. Thanks to setter and Mr K for another great start to the day.

34. This all went in fairly briskly, but I did not get 24d, even by going through the alphabet (I considered Pate, but didn’t hear it in my head with the correct pronunciation and ecoute accent!)
    16d made me laugh.
    Very enjoyable – thanks very much to the setter and Mr. K.

35. I’m far too crabby to feel it’s fair to inflict myself on others so just called in for a Lola update – that all sounds really good and I’m so pleased to hear it.
    I’m not even in the mood for crosswords but I quite enjoyed this one – had the same trouble as others with 24d and ended up going with ‘spate’.
    No particular favourite due to extreme grouchiness – my fault and definitely not the setter’s or Mr K’s so thanks to both of them.

    1. PS – I agree with Terence about the ‘canter/gallop’ in the Quickie.
       For anyone who hasn’t seen it before Google “How to Give a Cat a Pill” – go down several until you get to “How to Give a Cat a Pill – and a Dog” – it wouldn’t have been appropriate to mention this while Terence was so upset about Lola!

    2. Oh dear, Kath. Hope you feel less grouchy soon.

    3. I’ll bet you can do without my advice Kath

       1. I’m guessing your school of advice may have something in common with Eric Idle’s to Graham Chapman when things were a bit dicey

          1. Not a chance Huntsman. I was thinking more of putting an onion in a sock and tying it to the end of the bed

    4. Oh Kath I was talking to my dear friend ( half of the couple with whom we used to play cards) and she confessed to me
       almost guiltily that she felt really depressed. Well so do I, and I think this latest lockdown is really getting to some of us
       more mature citizens. Even with the vaccine, is there really a return to ‘the old days’ within the foreseeable future? It is now
       getting on for a year and I just cannot settle to anything, I have a studio full of the most wonderful equipment but I have barely
       been in there. BUT on the plus side, it was still light at four o’clock and a couple of weeks ago we were putting the lights on
       at that time, so spring is on the way. Let’s just revel in being crabby and crochety for a while – we are allowed to!

       1. Thanks DG – I really think that there’s a massive difference between being or feeling ‘depressed’ and actually behaving and reacting as a normal human being to a very abnormal time. I’m just thankful that there are few normal people around who are able to admit to feeling pretty miserable at the moment.
          And, as SC said earlier in the comments that I would say, your knee will take time to heal – we all have bad days at the moment. As far as I’m concerned there aren’t that many ‘good’ days, it’s just that some are better than others.

    5. Well I eventually got 24d without having to do the quicky but it was a bit unusual. Otherwise mainly fine.
       You are not the only one feeling in the dumps Kath, it is really getting us all down with no end in sight- and no Little Venice gathering to cheer us up at the end of the month. I find it a bit strange coming on this blog every day to hear the progress of a sick cat I have no idea who she and her owner is, glad all is beginning to look good again.

    6. Oh, Kath. I know how you feel; I seem to struggle with that Black Dog more and more. But over here, we can take some cheer in the fact that the Man from Delaware, who just spoke of his once-depressed state and how he became “strong…in all the broken places”, is about to become our POTUS.

       1. One or two positives have come out of Lockdowns for me. I have three or four circular walks, one of which I do every day. I have found a lot of others doing the same and have made a lot of friends (and their dogs) with whom I have distanced conversations. Also, a cousin, with whom I lost touch, has started to telephone regularly. During the pandemic, he has lost his mother in law to Covid (in a care home), his sister in law to cancer and has had depressing news about his own health. So we are sharing information and researching our family tree and trying to stay positive. Still get grumpy sometimes but that’s allowed so don’t beat yourself up.

          1. I agree with you, Chris. As the saying goes, “It is what it is”. I was forced to retire from a job I loved because of COVID and, initially, I felt very down. I continued to feel low for a few months until a friend said I should get myself a project. I decided my project should be the garden. It had been neglected for quite a while but I am now quite keen to get on with it.
             I am shielding but am allowed to go to the village shop to get provisions. Everyone I meet there is happy and friendly, everyone making the best of a bad situation. That is the essence of what we are going through, a kind of “ group therapy” everyday.

             I do feel for you, Kath. I have known the black dog that Robert mentions and it can consume.

             This will end. We will be free again.

36. Hmmm…tricky and a bit of a grind at times. Sounds like I wasn’t the only one needing Mr K’s help with 24D to finish…even then it had me scratching my 24D until I realised we were talking about a food item…doh! cheers to the setter anyway for the challenge!

37. I fairly cantered (not galloped as it’s a much bigger and faster stride) through most of today’s offering but came to a sudden walk in the NW corner. Struggled with 24d and sort Mr K’s electronic help. Enjoyable puzzle nonetheless thank you to the setter and Mr K.

    Terence pleased to hear that Lola has returned from the vets with a good report. Our 17yr old dog is on a cocktail of medication including a steroid tablet every other day. On those days she is constantly hungry. Be prepared!

    Daisygirl so sorry to hear that your leg is playing up. This weather will not be helping. Hope you managed to sit through the zoom meeting OK. My husband Bill received his invitation today to make an appointment for the vaccine. So he is off to the nearest venue (9 miles) Blackburn Cathedral, on Thursday afternoon. At least he can have a little prayer afterwards and pray for its success?!

38. Found this quite tricky in spots and the NW was most troublesome area. Until then, had not needed any hints, but just drew a blank in that section. Put me to *** time but enjoyment until then was ****
    Clues I liked were 18a, 22a & 27a with 27a the favourite.
    And 24d was tough too
    Thanks to setter and Mr K for the hints

39. I was so way off wavelength today, I wondered if I’m losing it! Of course, I missed 24d. I needed a lot of help, particularly in the SW.
    My fave was 16d, mostly due to Mr. K’s banana sculpture.
    Thank you To our Setter, I’ll try harder next time, and to Mr. K for his usual entertaining hints and pics.

40. All perfectly straightforward and doable until it wasn’t, for that read 24d which took me as long as the rest of the puzzle put together and I ended up going through every word that I could take an “s” out of until I stumbled on the right one. Not very satisfactory. Favourite was 1a, not my first in by any stretch. Thanks to the setter and Mr. K.

41. Hmm. I finished this without help but didn’t find it particularly satisfying. The NW corner had me stumped for ages and even though I got the right answers I wasn’t sure they were correct. I got 24d wrong but didn’t thing it was a particularly good clue. Isn’t pâté and paste pretty much the same thing? **/***

42. I disliked 24d so much that I could not be bothered to try and solve it. Oh dear, am I turning into Brian? I share Kath’s pain. I also feel for Steve. A sudden enforced retirement does no good. When I retired from the main job I had six years to continue with the part-time one, other bits and pieces and some studying. A sudden stop leads to lethargy and aging if you are not careful. My main fear is that I will not have the energy to pick up where I left off and become a couch potato. Apart from the aforementioned clue everything went in quickly and could be solved in a workmanlike manner but it had no sparkle for me. I only encircled 28a. Thanks setter and Mr K. MP I think the meat paste was Shippams. I am more of a potted meat person than a pâté lover even when accented.

43. Indeed it was WW. I must tell Merusa and add a visit to this museum to my to do list

    Written by Portia Tremlett, Public Programme Engagement Officer at The Novium Museum Chichester

    The story of Shippam’s begins in 1750, when the grocer Sergeant Shipston Shippam opened premises at West Gate selling butter, cheese and meat which he collected from the West Country. In 1783 further premises were opened in East Street, as well as a retail shop in South Street. After his death, his son established relations with the Royal Navy, meaning that during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815), the firm supplied provisions to the dockyard and ships at Portsmouth and Spithead.
    Shippam’s started out as a supplier of meat and dairy products, before moving into pastes, sandwich spreads and soups, as well as canned and jarred meats. The company prided themselves on their ability to source their ingredients from all over the world: “There are sardines from Portugal, anchovies from Spain, salmon from Canada and the United States, lobster from Nova Scotia, shrimps from Holland, prawns from Scandinavia and”- perhaps most shocking – “turtles from Bermuda”. In the early days, Shippam’s even produced a ‘Galantine of Wild Boar’s Head with Pistachio Kernels’! In 1897, a dozen pints of real turtle soup would cost 24 shillings, while the wild boar’s head galantine would be 10 shillings and sixpence per dozen cases.
    The business was one of the earliest preservers of meat and fish products, by transporting their goods in white porcelain containers, sealed with butter. It was in 1906 that the company first packed its meats into sterilised glass jars with airtight metal caps, establishing the Shippam’s name with the product we know today.
    Rapid expansion soon followed, and in 1948, the company was granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment as Suppliers of Meat and Fish pastes to His Majesty King George VI, and again in 1955 to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
    In 1955, Shippam’s launched their first television advert. They were one of the first companies to advertise in this way and their adverts were played throughout the 1950s in cinemas and on television. The advertisements were well made – Shippam’s Guide to Opera(1955), for example, won a First Award at the Monte Carlo Film Advertising Festival.
    In 1962, the company produced the book Shippam’s of Chichester: A Family Affair, which “attempted to give you some idea of the kind of people we are, and of the care that is taken in preparing the products of sea and land for your table”.
    Production continued at the East Walls site until 2002, when the company was bought by Princes Foods and production moved to their new factory on Terminus Road. The factory façade and silver wishbone can still be seen on East Street to this day.
    “A feature of the factory which always appeals to visitors is the great pile of wishbones. There must be a quarter of a million of them, and twelve hundred new bones come in every day, so anyone who calls can take away a good luck token.”
    Quotation from A Family Tradition, promotional film 1954.
    If you would like to find out more about Shippam’s, the museum has a small display of memorabilia and tells the story of Shippam’s during the First World War. The Novium also holds the Shippam’s advertising archive, an extensive collection of wonderful advertising pieces, labels, display cards and packaging.
    In August the Novium will be displaying never before seen items from the excavations at the Shippam’s factory in 2005 for the re-launch of our ground floor Roman Gallery

    1. Thanks, M’pops, I can’t wait to read this. I remember those little glass pots so well.

44. 3*/3* …..
    liked 7D “finally fiddle books? Tax collectors see all! (8)”

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