DT 29617 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
View closed comments 

DT 29617

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29617

Hints and tips by pommers

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Hola from the Vega Baja on a bright sunny morning, which makes a nice change after all the rain we’ve had over the last 48 hours.  Last week the covid restrictions were eased a tad and bars were allowed to open their outside seating areas but I don’t think there was much trade done over the weekend.

I know I’ve said this before but today’s puzzle is another example of what has become standard fare on Mondays. Elegant clues and not too much difficulty, although there’s a couple of bits of GK required in this one.  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. 

As usual the ones I liked most are in blue.  The definitions are underlined in the clues and the answers are under the “click here” buttons so don’t click on them unless you really want to see the answer.  Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.

Across

7a           Pawn ring put on by husband (7)
HOSTAGE:  The letter that looks like a ring and a word meaning to put on, a play perhaps, all placed next to an H(usband).

9a           Move to stop explosive missile (7)
TRIDENT:  A word which can mean to move, on a bike or horse perhaps, inserted into (to stop) a three letter explosive who’s full name is trinitrotoluene.

10a         Historical object Roman Catholic priest locked inside (5)
RELIC:  RC (Roman Catholic) with crosswordland’s favourite priest inserted (locked inside).

11a         Bearer of fruit to relieve badly off (5,4)
OLIVE TREE:  Anagram (badly off) of TO RELIEVE.  There’s quite a few of these things around here but if you really want to see some you should go to the province of Jaén in Andalusia where there’s literally millions.

12a         Having arrived in Cardiff, earl condemned famous university building (9,6)
RADCLIFFE CAMERA:  Anagram (condemned) of CARDIFF EARL with a word meaning to have arrived inserted (having . . . . in).  A bit of GK required here but it’s a pretty famous building in Oxford.

13a         Consumer after small women’s knitted garment (7)
SWEATER:  S(mall) and W(omen) followed by a consumer.

16a         Perhaps Vespasian‘s mood heading off with enlisted men (7)
EMPEROR:  A word for mood without its first letter (heading off) followed by two letters for enlisted men.

19a         Best old radio receiver part installed in most of these (3,4,8)
THE CATS WHISKERS:  Start with THES (most of these) and insert a component of a crystal set.  I prefer the phrase “ the dog’s . . . . .”!

23a         Police officer given power within home precinct (9)
INSPECTOR:  The usual two letters meaning at home and a word for a precinct or section with a P inserted (given P(ower) within).

24a         Son cutting proper glass object (5)
PRISM:  S(on) inserted into (cutting) a word meaning proper as in strait-laced.  Any excuse for a bit of Pink Floyd . . .

25a         Disorient prisoner having to integrate (7)
CONFUSE:  One of the usual prisoners followed by a word meaning to integrate or merge.

26a         Superintendent to check detailed roster sent over (7)
CURATOR:  The superintendent of a museum perhaps is a word meaning to check or stop without its last letter (detailed) and then a reversal (sent over) of another word for a roster.

 Down

1d           Cleaner, very French, where there’s a Gothic cathedral (8)
CHARTRES:  A cleaning lady followed by the French word for very.

2d           Legendary knight‘s weapon, auction item (8)
LANCELOT:  A weapon, which happens to have been used by knights, followed by an item for sale at an auction.

3d           The Parisian, good sort, wasted chance (3-3)
LET OFF:  The French definite article followed by a good sort and the split (3,3).

4d           Where one may see M. Caine performing? (6)
CINEMA;  Anagram (performing) of M CAINE.

5d           I agree to listen to judge (4,4)
HEAR HEAR: This answer is a repeated word which can mean both to listen and to judge.

6d           Article, at that time, on a Greek goddess (6)
ATHENA:   An indefinite article followed by a word meaning at that time and finally the A from the clue.

8d           Hard hat accordingly put on (5)
SOLID:  Start with a slang term for a hat and before it (put on in a down clue) put a word meaning accordingly or thus.

9d           Galley: new timer about to be installed (7)
TRIREME:  Anagram (new) of TIMER with two letters for about inserted (to be installed).

14d         Still good, getting hold of Nadal’s first service (8)
EVENSONG:  A phrase (4,2) meaning still or nevertheless followed by G(ood) with an N inserted (getting hold of Nadal’s first).

15d         Prize method of learning involving group (7)
ROSETTE:  A method of learning with a group inserted (involving).

17d         Travel document and free ticket left (8)
PASSPORT:  A word for a free ticket followed by the nautical term for left.

18d         Mount charge again (8)
RUSHMORE:  This is the mount in the USA where the presidents heads are carved and if split (4,4) would become a phrase meaning to charge again.

19d         Involuntary movement made by tense member of coven (6)
TWITCH:  T(ense) followed by a member of a coven.

20d         Approach a concert’s chosen location? (6)
AVENUE:  A (from the clue) followed by the place where a concert takes place.

21d         Walpole, say, in House, ahead of competition (6)
HORACE:  The usual abbreviation of house followed by the type of competition that a grand prix is an example of.  Apparently this chap’s first name was really Horatio but he was also known by this answer.

22d         Clubs in correct order (5)
EDICT:  Insert C(lubs) into (in) a word meaning to correct.

I’m not usually a big fan of anagrams but today I’ll make an exception and nominate 4d as favourite with 2d and 18d on the podium.


Quick crossword puns :

Top line:          RODE     +     SIGH     +     DIN     =     ROADSIDE INN

Bottom line:    ARK     +     TICK     +     TURN     =     ARCTIC TERN

109 comments on “DT 29617

  1. I would have had this completed in ** time if I hadn’t convinced myself that 18d must begin with RE. As it was, it took into *** time for the cent to drop.

    I was unable to complete the Quickie, as the only white wines I know are Niersteiner & Black Tower, and I think the clue for 25a is a misprint. I did like the bottom line pun though.

    Thanks to the setter and Pommers.

    1. Re 25a in the Quickie, Ingres is an artist of a particular type, Malcolm. Mr Chriscross is doing the Quickie as I write.

      1. Re 25a of the quickie. This is an odd coincidence as only this week I learnt a French expression which is “violon d’Ingres”. This is a way of referring to a hobby. It caused me to look up Ingres and whilst playing the fiddle was his pastime I learnt where his true talents lay.

    2. Same for me with the start of 18d. The rest went in smoothly. Once I had given up on Re and decided Rosemary didn’t parse I went on to rise so you can imagine how long it took to get to the right answer.

  2. I really enjoyed this puzzle – and, for once, I knew the general knowledge references. Although one would probably have to be approaching one hundred years old to have seen (or heard via) 19a, I suspect.

    Little Lola set off on her journey to the specialist at 9am for a 10am appointment, but no word back yet.

    Today’s crossword soundtrack: David Crosby – If I Could Only Remember My Name

    Thanks to Campbell and pommers.

    1. I liked 19a because it brought back fond memories of my dad, who had a crystal set, which he had constructed as a lad. I have never studied art beyond the third year of grammar school but Mr CC and I have always enjoyedvisiting art galleries and I love doing (pretty bad) water colours. Good luck with Lola, Terence.

    2. Do let us know the outcome as soon as possible, Terence, we’re all hoping that the specialist can give you some answers.
      Good luck, little Lola.

    3. My dad made me a crystal set when I was a lad. He was a marine radio engineer and knew all about them. It could be tuned and I listed to a number of stations while in bed. I had heavy bakelite headphones on. The first programme I heard was “Journey into Space” and I became hooked.

    4. The specialist is keeping Lola in until 17:30 so she can undergo more biopsies and tests under sedation. So, unfortunately, no further updates today, it seems.

      Thanks to everyone. It really means a lot to have support.

      1. Fingers and paws crossed. I too had a father who showed me how a cat’s whisker worked, he also tried to interest me in the workings of the internal combustion engine but to no avail.

      2. “Fongers Crissed” for Lola from me and the Reverend Spooner.

        Seriously, I hope the poor puss gets some relief from her troubles soon.

  3. A nice, straightforward crossword (1.5*/4*), which was very enjoyable. I particularly liked 12a, a building that I’m very familiar with and my COTD 19a. Many thanks to Pommers and the compiler. Sounds like you can put the Ark in dry dock for now Pommers.

  4. Loved the crossword today. I , too, thought 18d began with re and got held up til the penny dropped.Had to look up the sweet white wine in the quick crossword as I’ve never heard of it .Great start to the week.Thank you.

  5. A completely different ‘feel’ in todays imaginative Monday crossword, I had no idea who the setter was until revealed by Pommers.
    Really enjoyed the solve and going for a **/****.
    I did not know the second word in 12a but well well clued so ok.
    A tricky SE corner to finish with ,nicely misled by last in 18d and a chuckle when the penny dropped- originally thought ii might be resaddle until the checking letters went in.
    Favourite had to be 19a closely followed by 7a-cracking start to the week.

  6. This was a well constructed crossword with no real difficulty encountered until 19a and 18d which took me as long as the rest of it. Like Malcolm, I was well and truly misled by 18d into thinking it must be re something for the “again” part of the clue and something to do with one of Senf’s beasts for the “mount”. A very ingenious clue and my favourite today. In the part of South London where I grew up, the answer to 19a was more commonly referred to as a different part of a different animal, as Pommers notes. ***/*** Thanks to all.

  7. Held up by a few bits of GK this morning. I only know of 12a by the first word preceded by ‘the’, hadn’t got a clue about the old radio receiver and struggled for quite a while with the 18d mount which I was convinced referred to Senf’s steed. Got there in the end but it certainly took longer than usual for a Monday back-pager.
    My favourite was 2d with 14&15d joining it on the podium.

    Thanks to Campbell for the teaser and to pommers for the review.

  8. I’d never heard of either 12a (isn’t that straying into indirect anagram territory??) or the 19a component, or the writerI did however see 18d immediately and it’s my COTD.
    2.5/2.5*
    Many thanks to Campbell and to Pommers (always nice to hear some Floyd) for the entertainment.

    1. 12a not an indirect anagram as the word for ‘having arrived’ is inserted ‘as is’ into the result of ‘Cardiff earl’ being ‘condemned.’

    2. Oh Stephen, you must be very young ! I bet you have never heard of the wireless either! (I am only envious of you!)

      1. Alas Daisygirl I am not as young as I may appear (on a good day!). I’m getting my jab on Wednesday, a sure sign I’m no spring chicken!

      2. I’d never heard of them Daisy and I’m right up there, nipping at your heels!

  9. Maybe it’s that I haven’t bought a newspaper in 3 months so I’m out of practice or maybe I’m showing my age (I love that this crossword makes me feel young!) but even having revealed the clue and the hint for 19a I am still none the wiser. Someone shed some light please! How are the furry friend’s facial whatnots related to either a radio or a crystal set?
    Otherwise an enjoyable, straightforward crossword although I did need a bit of help to check my parsing on a few answers (as I said, out of practice!)- I hadn’t come across detailed to mean truncated and I’m not sure everyone would agree with the “good sort” synonym at 3D! I fell for the G for Good misdirection and thought we were looking for some sort of opaque cricketing clue.

    1. Facial whatnots are apparantly a component of an old radio set and they go inside “these” without the e (most of) to give the phrase meaning “best”

  10. Nice to see crosswordland’s favourite boat at 9d after a lengthy absence. Some terrific clues this morning, with the concise 18d coming out on top ahead of the neat 4d.

    My thanks to Campbell for another hugely entertaining and enjoyable puzzle, and to pommers.

  11. I was just held up by 22d and 24a which took longer to solve than they should.
    A pleasant start to the week. I gather we must admire 18d before the woke people literally deface it!
    COTD 19a….a real blast from the past.

  12. A comfortable solve with the same problems encountered as per earlier comments including the wine in The Quickie. As for 18 down I suggest you put Rosemary in. It is the lovely name of my first daughter. It is a fine herb and nice looking plant. It fits the checkers and looks neater than the correct answer. The mountain in question was unpresidented before the hideous ‘sculpting’ took place. Thanks to pommers and thanks to Campbell for the fun and the exercise

    1. I was tempted by Rosemary but didn’t think it was a very likely name for a racehorse.

  13. A real puzzle of two halves, the top was almost R&W but the bottom asked a few questions esp my last in 26a.
    However I must say I really enjoyed this puzzle esp my favs 12a, 16a and def 19a which reminded me of trying make one of these a schoolboy and failing miserably.
    Thx to all
    **/*****

  14. On the subject of olive trees, I live just outside the Province of Jaén. It is true that there is an incredible number of olive trees, Jaén being the largest producer of olive oil in the World. It is truly a beautiful province with the Sierra de Cazorla and the Cazorla Blues Festival it’s crowning glory. Almost unknown to Brits.

    1. I was there for a few days in July last year and will probably visit again once travel around Spain is permitted again.

  15. I am afraid I really do not get on with Campbell…yet. I will persist.
    I am sure that I could have stared at 18d until doomsday without ever solving it. Managed all of the rest but needed a lot of help with the parsings.
    Oh well, as I said I will persist.

    Thanks to Pommers and to the setter.

  16. An enjoyable puzzle to start the week with 19a bring back fond memories as it did for others. The one my dad made me did not use a 19a but a fixed crystal. Lots of clues to like and I am in broad agreement with others with the addition of 25a. My COTD is the aforementioned 19a for the reminiscent thoughts it gave.

    Grateful thanks to Campbell for the challenge and to Pommers for the hints.

    Fingers crossed here for Lola. :good:

  17. No one wants to read my whinings ……… but:
    The amount of proper names went over the threshold, and I don’t mind a bit of GK.
    I agree with Boatlady that the 3d component and a good sort are not synonymous in my book – might even be regarded as opposites…..
    I don’t think most 26as would thank you for being called superintendents
    And finally – 19a….why? And how?
    Got em but didn’t like em much.
    On the plus side, two proper name answers I did enjoy were 2 and 9d.
    Thanks to our setter and to Pommers – glad your weather is perking up.

    1. I wrote my bit before refreshing the page – that’ll learn me. So thanks to the good sorts who explained about 19a.
      I think I might pass……….but thanks anyway.

  18. A Monday Campbell is like a Wednesday Jay, there is nothing that can be said without being boringly, in the nicest possible way, repetitive – **/****.
    Is it me, or are some of the ‘companion’ Quickies relatively more tricky than the big brother or sister back pagers? Today’s certainly was.
    Candidates for favourite – 19a, 24a, and 15d – and the winner is 19a.
    Thanks to Campbell and pommers.

    1. I agree, Senf. I used to “rattle off” the Quickie but not over the past few weeks. I do think they are getting tougher. Mind you, with Quickies you either know the answer or you don’t.

      Not even a trot from you today? Is your horse lame?

  19. Not to many problems today but I did struggle with 7A for some reason.
    Like many others it took a good while to crack 18D but got there in the end. I remember my Dad having a 19A when I was a mere sprog.
    Vinyl for the day Don Henley – Building the Perfect Beast.

  20. Enjoyable puzzle. Spent 4 years up at Oxford and only entered 12a once; to get my Bodleian library ticket which was never used again.

    Thanks to today’s setter and Pommers.

    1. I’ve been lucky enough to join other choral singers from Oxfordshire and beyond in a performance of the Verdi Requiem at 12a, with the Oxford Symphony Orchestra. Great acoustics.

        1. Come to think of it, it might have been. It’s the building with the ferocious classical faces carved outside. We only sang there once, as other performances were in Oxford Town Hall or in one of the college chapels.

          1. Yes, looking more carefully at Pommers’ photo, I realise it’s too small to be the place where we sang.Thanks Jonners.

            1. The building with the herms is the Sheldonian. Fond memories of performing Orff’s O Fortuna there.

      1. In London, I lived a few Tube stations away from the Tower of London but didn’t visit it or see the Crown Jewels until I was18 and my pen-friend spent a short holiday with us. Strange isn’t it.

        1. We’ve lived near Stratford, in more than one house, since the mid 70s and only been to the Birthplace once, having some American visitors. Still not been back – it is quite a small house…….never been to Anne Hathaway’s cottage or Mary Arden’s house either. When I lived in Brighton, including on Marine Parade, only went ON the beach 2-3 times. It always seems to be that way…….

          1. Don’t ever go to Anne Hathaway’s cottage – in 1966 my sister and I went there with some Aussie cousins who were over here staying with us and they wanted to go – it was so mucky and disgusting and don’t even ask what the loos were like – exactly the right kind of time later I had infective hepatitis – never felt so ill in my life and was an extremely unattractive shade of yellow!

            1. Still some lingering PTSD then, Kath?
              Hopefully things have got slightly better in 55 years, and Covid compliance will make them clean up, but I won’t go, because I can’t see the point.
              I like getting up high things…..like the Eiffel Tower, the World Trade Centres, the Grand Canyon and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Or volcanoes.

  21. 2*/4* for a very enjoyable start to the week. Like pommers, my first thought for 19a was a different part of a different animal’s anatomy which fitted the enumeration and checking letters I had at the time (although that would be very unlikely to appear in the DT).

    My podium today comprises 9a, 17a, 2d & 5d.

    Many thanks to Campbell and to pommers.

  22. Ended up with three unsolved, or solved wrongly. Resummon seemed to fit 18d, nothing could be found for 26a ending with an O except Cavetto which answers two thirds of the clue. Cato the Elder who superintended morals in Rome with vet inserted. Passport was obvious so needed Pommers help for those so many thanks to him.

    19a the clear favourite but I do wonder how “The dog’s b*ll*cks” could be clued.

    Thanks to Campbell for an enjoyable if in the end a frustrating solve.

  23. I’m afraid all these references to the dogs something or other has gone right over my head, but I have led a sheltered life. Another delightful Monday offering, thanks to Campbell and to Senf for his hint regarding 18d. As many others I confidently entered RE and was lost, and for some reason
    22d eluded me and was last one in. 9d
    always makes me think of Quinquirine of Nineveh from distant Ophir, so romantic! Manders – hope you managed to get a good night’s sleep and are not in too much pain.

    1. 9d brought the Masefield poem to my mind too, Daisy. I think we were required to learn it at school back in the mists of time. I still like it. It sounds so exotic even now.

      1. I reckon every school choir in the 50s and 60s sang this version. I still know it by heart, because of the contrast musically between the Quinquereme(?) waltz and the “dirty British coasters with their salt-caked smokestacks, jutting through the channel in the mad March days”. It’s such a fun piece for children to learn. Spit out those consonants!

    2. My favourite line was “Dirty British coaster with a salt caked smoke stack”.

  24. I enjoyed this. I thought there would be more complaints about the GK but pleased there are not so far. The GK is ascertainable from the wordplay. Apart from 18d the only one that took up any time was 14d. I agree with Brian (for once) that the top half was easier than the bottom. Favourites 9a for the wordplay, and 1 5 and 14d. Thank you Campbell and Pommers.

  25. I was lucky that the GK suited me today by chance and so this was an enjoyable */*** with my penchant for things classical giving me the take on Vespasian, my college being pretty much opposite 12a and my vintage assisting with 19a. I suspect this puzzle would be much harder for our younger colleagues. Thanks to Campbell and pommers. Only 5 weeks until we can enjoy al fresco drinking……

  26. Very good Monday fare, completed well within my target time of pipe and cafetierre. Gorgeous day here in NC, garden tidy, lawn mowed. Ready for storms to come.
    Thanks to Campbell and Pommers.

  27. A quality puzzle & an excellent start to the week. Knew the 12a building but had absolutely no idea what 19a had to do with radios (until Brian’s link put me right). A fairly straightforward solve in spite of my tendency to read Rs in clues where they don’t exist. Have lost count of the number of times I’ve read country for county & today it was gallery for galley. 18d was my last in & COTD for me – film buffs will know but many don’t that the iconic closing sequences in Hitchcock’s North By Northwest were not actually filmed there.
    Today’s albums: Redemption (Joe Bonamassa) & Reunions (Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit)
    Thanks to Campbell & to Pommers

  28. Enjoyable and just right for a Monday. Thanks to Campbell and Pommers

    Late commenting today because I’m reading Michelle Obama’s memoir, which is well-written, fascinating and almost impossible to put down. Highly recommended

  29. I think I might have heard the expression at 19a (not this century though!) but I’m certain I’ve not heard of the radio part. Those missing checkers cost me dear as I ran out of ability before the bottom was quite finished. Really enjoyed the top half!

  30. I had a terrible night with my leg so started the puzzle at about 5 a.m. and bless him, D got up and made me a cup of tea and put a little sugar in it, bliss. I enjoyed the puzzle today but like others wanted to start 18d with re until the penny dropped. I got 19a OK but had to read the hints to see why. I’m sorry there is no Toughie on a Monday to have a go at. A & E yesterday told me I MUST have my dressing changed on Wednesday so rang my surgery at 8.15 a.m. to be told nothing available this whole week so I suppose its back to A & E in Norwich as Cromer minor injuries unit closed as the staff moved to Covid cases in Norwich. Unfortunately the wound is in a very bad location and may take weeks to heal. Thank goodness there are loads of home made meals in the freezer. Thanks again to everyone for their concern.

    1. Manders I read about your woes too late in the day yesterday to reply. Very sorry to hear & hope you recover soon.

    2. Sorry you feel so wretched Manders. Is the district (sorry they are called community) nurse, service to visit you at home. They do dressings but may not be available with Covid, I guess. Keep your chin up and get well soon.

    3. Oh dear, Manders, you really do seem to be in the wars and you have my sympathy – especially where having a bad night with your leg is concerned. My problems are of a different nature but ‘bad nights with leg’ feature quite highly!
      It’s never a good time but with the Covid situation at the moment, you have to think not only ‘why me’ but also ‘why now’!
      I do hope that you can get your dressing changed on Wednesday – any chance of a district nurse coming out to you?

    4. Hi, Manders.

      I also did not know about your woes but I wish you all the very best for a good recovery.

  31. I thought I was off and running when I saw 1d, as we had a delightful day trip there during a holiday in Paris in 1998. We ventured there by train, using my school girl French. The train was full of locals and no tourists, so it felt like a bit of an adventure. I have a picture Peter took of me sitting outside the beautiful cathedral there, although it did look strange with non matching spires. I usually do well on Campbell days, but not today. I didn’t know 9d and was fixated on a galley being a kitchen. In 12a, I spent ages trying to make crystals work as the last word in 19a. Apparently the cats whiskers reference is before my time. Thanks to Campbell and to Pommers.

  32. As a relative novice, enjoyed today’s challenge. Almost jumped in feet first with 19 across. Reason being we have an old battered tin cup at my golf club and we throw a pound in, winner takes all on days there isn’t an official comp. It’s given a rather naughty name. However caution prevailed.

  33. A typical Monday puzzle. Relatively straightforward with a couple of twists that took me to 2.5*/****
    Clues to mention as favourites included 12a, 19a, 2d, 14d & 19d with winner being 19a followed closely by 12a.
    Thought 14a was clever as well as 5d. New word for me in 9d.
    Live and learn

    Thanks to Campbell and pommers

  34. Flipping 18d put me into solid *** time!
    The penny took ages to drop.
    Great clue, though.
    Many thanks to the setter and to pommers.

  35. I thought that today’s Campbell was a very interesting mix of GK and some very twitchy and clever wordplay. I didn’t know about the makings of that crystal set but the checking letters led me to the answer easily enough. Like many of you, I also toyed with an RE opening to 18d before the penny dropped. Thanks to DG and others for sending me to Masefield’s ‘Cargoes’, which I can’t remember ever reading before (!), and it’s a lovely bit of exotica. My picks today: 14d, 18d, and 26a. Thanks to pommers for the review and to Campbell for a most enjoyable puzzle. ** / ****

    I have great memories of being rhapsodised by the glories of 1d and of taking my mother to see Mount 18d after camping out in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

  36. I usually find Campbell one of the most difficult of the week, and certainly more so than the rest of you do – wavelength (I hope) and today was even more difficult than usual.
    It didn’t help that I didn’t know much, if any, of the so called General Knowledge apart from 12a – oh dear!
    I did remember the 19a expression but have never heard of the innards of an old radio set.
    Generally not my day I think but trying was good fun so thanks to Campbell and to pommers.

    1. My Grandad had an old Crystal Set, I can remember my Uncle trying to tune in to various stations with the Cat’s Whiskers.

  37. Thanks to Campbell and to Pommers for the review and hints. A great start to the week, what a super puzzle, not too tricky, but with a few to make you think. I’d never heard of 12a, but got it from the wordplay and fodder. I was amongst those who thought that 18d began with “re”, well done setter! LOI was 20d. Favourite was 19a. Was 2* /4* for me.

  38. I enjoyed today’s puzzle and many thanks to Campbell and the Pommers. The only clues I struggled on were 19A (though familiar with the phrase and didn’t know the link with crystal sets. It was my husband who remembered the radio connection from his youth) and 18D I was sure it was a warfare term. Remounting a charge!

    Terence really feel for Lola and you. Fingers crossed the problem gets sorted once and for all and you can both have peace of mind.

    Manders I only know of you through the blog. Do hope you get sorted asap. It’s bad enough living through this pandemic and lock-downs without having to suffer any afflictions and to feel that you are an inconvenience.

  39. I was pretty well on wavelength for this puzzle except for the two long ‘uns, didn’t know either and needed e-help to solve them. As Young Salopian pointed out, our fave galley has been missing for some time, maybe like London buses, we might see a flotilla of them all at once now.
    My fave was 2d, but I think 18d deserves a mention. I didn’t know Walpole’s name was really Horatio, I only knew the 21d.
    Thanks to Campbell for the fun and to pommers for the informative review.
    I’m madder’n a wet hen about that interview last night. I didn’t watch it, and I’m glad, but it’s all been on the news this morning. The worst part is the hurt for the family while Prince Philip is so gravely ill. Is there no decency left in this world?

    1. Agree about Harry and the cow. Once his gran has died I will become a republican.

      1. Umm – I’ve got quite a bit of time for William and Kate, so I’ll stick with them.

        1. Jane, I agree. I like Prince Charles – yes, I know, many don’t. I think he’s a gentleman, he’s sensitive with good taste. I like his commune with nature. We need more of his type. Can you imagine Britain with Boris head of state?

          1. Another “untruth” is when Harry said that neither Charles nor William want to be king, that they are “trapped”. Everything I’ve seen about Prince Charles, is that all his life he has been preparing and looking forward to being King when his turn comes. Harry’s comment smacks of sour grapes.

    2. Totally agree, Merusa about the interview. The only thing I admire about the whole debacle is the measured composure of The Queen. I cannot forget that the duchess used to be an actress and can play any part she wants.

      1. Steve, I’ve only said the half of it. I’m a monarchist, I get Majesty magazine every month and keep up to date, so I acknowledge that I am very biased. Does no one remember from history that Queen Charlotte was known as the black queen, descending from the Portuguese descendants of a Moorish king, herself with marked black features. I doubt very much that the family would be racists as they know their history very well. I agree, Markle is an actress seeking a part. She has no right to denigrate our Royal Family. When she came on the scene I thought she’d be trouble, I thought Harry would be better served choosing a Brit, they know the rules, no matter what race they are.

    3. Felt compelled to watch the Meghan/Harry/Oprah road show and how embarrassing it was – I do hope they stay on the other side of the pond, they wouldn’t be welcomed back here by many of us.

  40. Am I the only one to have 9a as TORPEDO ….. as in to stop/torpedo something?

  41. For me a puzzle of two strengths, quickie and toughie. Finally dredged up 12a from depths of memory (and Inspector Morse?) and 19a pushed me into **** territory – to my great chagrin since i built my first radio set with one of those! Many thanks to Campbell and Pommers.

  42. And now it’s raining again! Just what we need -NOT!

    BTW, there’s no truth in the rumour that Spanish TV airs a programme about homes abroad called “A Place in the Peeing Down”.

    1. I have a rule about property hunting…..go and look when it’s sleeting in January. If you like the house and the location then, you’ll be fine the rest of the time.

  43. 18d was my COTD, even if I convinced myself it must start with “re” which held me up for ages!

  44. Please forgive me but I need to know. I have seen references made to a Zoom get together but, I cannot find any information on the blog.

    Is there a Zoom gathering?

    1. I believe it’s planned for the end of this month, Steve – Sat. 27th was the possible date mentioned.

  45. 2*/3*….
    liked 19D ” Involuntary movement made by tense member of coven (6)”

  46. Just one late addition…when I asked Mrs H if she’d ever heard the expression at 19A she responded immediately…Oh yes…means the same as the “dog’s bo****ks!” 😳
    My apologies…perhaps replace with ‘nether regions’ (I think we’re well past the watershed) but must admit, I’d not heard the expression before to mean ‘best’…
    Cheers to Campbell & Pommers.

  47. Hello. I’m still tuned to Big Dave 1. I needed the hints for the two long ones, plus some additional web searching to confirm; I thought I recognized the photo for 12a as the Bodleian Library, but that’s no help once it turns out the building has its own name. And writing this, I’ve just discovered I really can’t spell Bodleian, even with multiple tries.

    My favourite was one of 14d’s service, 20d’s concert location, or 22d’s correct order.

    Huntsman, you aren’t the only one with country/county confusion: today’s Telegraph Puzzles Newsletter mentioned the clue “Country flock diminished, some might say? (14)” — which I failed to solve, then looked at the answer and saw it’s a county, not a country!

    Thank you to Falcon and Pommers.

    1. Hmmm, that was supposed to say “Big Dave plus 1”.

      Either I typoed it, or the plus signs that are being generously distributed among the spaces in some commenters’ names are being harvested from those that are supposed to be in comments.

      1+1=2?

  48. Late to the party as usual. I had the same trouble with 18d as a lot of others. 1d reminded me of the book by Sally Vickers ‘The Cleaner of Chartres’ – a very enjoyable read.

Comments are closed.