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DT 29830

by StephenL  
  • Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29830

Hints and tips by StephenL

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Good morning everyone from a typically mild (and sunny today) South Devon where it certainly doesn’t feel very autumnal, yet the changing colour of the leaves on the trees tell a different story… and very pretty they are too

Fuelled by strong tea I didn’t find today’s Ray T too tricky at all, but as ever very enjoyable, witty and refreshingly un-PC.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.

Across

1a Suitably nifty clues, if solved (12)

SUFFICIENTLY: Anagram (solved…think unravelled) of the preceding three words.

9a English crack team with tense tackle (9)

EQUIPMENT: A crack as in a joke plus a synonym of team go inside the abbreviations for English and (T)ense.

10a Bone seeing top part twisting back (5)

TIBIA: Start with the two letters that represent top or best, add a synonym of a part and reverse (twisting back) the result.

11a Weary embracing sweetheart having rows (6)

TIERED: Another word for weary goes around (embracing) this setter’s usual swEetheart.

12a Famous Democrat holding together with flag (8)

STANDARD: Start with a four letter synonym of famous and add the abbreviation for (D)emocrat. Place the result (holding) around a conjunction meaning together with.

13a Socialist accepts a politician giving better access? (6)

RAMPED: The usual three letter socialist goes around A from the clue and a politician…..topical and a clever play on the word access given the current shenanigans in Westminster.

15a Magnificent concert’s finale due to include Queen (8)

TOWERING: The final letter of the word concerT, and a word meaning due to (as in money) go round (include) the monarch’s royal cypher.

18a Persistent criminal’s hit facing time (8)

CONSTANT: An informal word for a criminal (with the possessive S) plus a word meaning to hit (one’s hide maybe) and the abbreviation for (T)ime.

19a Goddess, advanced adult around at that time (6)

ATHENA: The abbreviations for (A)dvanced and (A)dult go around an adverb meaning “at that time”.

21a Dished up again, possibly cold (8)

RESERVED: If you split the solution 2-6 you’ll see the wordplay.

23a Diplomacy in charge of subterfuge (6)

TACTIC: A four letter synonym of diplomacy is followed by the abbreviation of (I)n (C)harge.

26a Offended and judged in EastEnders (5)

ERRED: How someone from the East End of London may pronounce a synonym of judged (in a court)

27a Sticky slug out in wild (9)

GLUTINOUS: Anagram (wild) of the preceding three words.

28a Trailers lent out between stars (12)

INTERSTELLAR: Another anagram (out) of the preceding two words.

Down

1d Protection of rank protecting lieutenant (7)

SHELTER: A synonym of rank as an adjective, as in total or pure, goes around the abbreviation for lieutenant

2d Fine instrument? (5)

FLUTE: The abbreviation for (F)ine and a stringed instrument give another instrument.

3d Simple men trying to grip tool (9)

IMPLEMENT: Hidden in the clue (to grip)

4d Single sweetheart doesn’t finish proposal (4)

IDEA: The letter that looks like a single plus a synonym of sweetheart in the conventional sense minus its last letter (doesn’t finish)

5d Egypt, say, employing books in hieroglyphics? (8)

NOTATION:  An example of what Egypt is  goes around (employing) some biblical books.

6d Initially language almost turned Italian now (5)

LATIN: The first letters (initially) of the following five words.

7d When describing supporter this compiler’s harsh (8)

ABRASIVE: A two letter synonym of when goes around (describing) this setter’s favourite supporter and is followed by IVE (this complier has)

8d Worshipper of deity father left upset (6)

LAPDOG: A deity is followed by an affectionate term for father and the abbreviation for (L)eft. Reverse the result. (upset)

14d Short skirts make demands on cloth (8)

MINISTRY: Start with some short skirts, popular with men the world over and add a synonym of make demands or have a go.

16d Banish former partner over occupation about sex (9)

EXTRADITE: The usual former partner is followed by an occupation in the sense of a job, which incorporates a dated synonym of sex.

17d Give line out to show lure (8)

INVEIGLE: Anagram (out) of the preceding two words.

18d Drag carrying exercise mat (6)

CARPET:   An old fashioned word for drag or pull goes around (carrying) some physical exercise.

20d Plaintiff with account copper’s heard regularly (7)

ACCUSER: Start with the abbreviation for account. Add the chemical symbol for copper, the S from the clue and regular letters of hEaRd.

22d Dangerous element from artist fellow (5)

RADON: The usual two letter member of the Royal Academy is followed by a fellow at a university.

24d Someone being virtually insulting? (5)

TROLL:  A mildly cryptic description, the virtual referring to the internet.

25d Makes fun of blokes (4)

GUYS:  Straight forward double definition.

No particular favourites today, it was all good fun.

The Quick Pun: Beacon + Find = Be confined.

 

79 comments on “DT 29830”

  1. Havibg completed yesterday’s puzzle in unexpectedly good time for me, I would love to try today’s, but my iPad App won’t open. Instead I get a jokey-looking message suggesting I should take out a subscription for £25.99 a month. I have reported this to the Telegraph and await response. If this offends, please feel free to delete it.

      1. Tried deleting and eloading. It did just the same. I’m waiting for the Telegraph to acknowledge my message.

  2. A lovely puzzle – we are being spoiled this week. I thoroughly enjoyed this although I am not sure how 25a works (not looked at the hints yet). I remembered the word for making fun in 25d so some things stick in the brain. Plenty of great clues but my COTD is 10a.

    Many thanks to Ray T for the fun and to SL for the hints, which I will now read.

    Of course, a huge hello to Kath on her Thursday.

  3. A typically concisely-clued and entertaining puzzle from the master of brevity. Our setter was in friendly mood today, I thought, with no obscurities or difficulties to slow up the solving process. 1 and 15a were my co-favourites.

    Thanks to Ray T as always, and to SL.

  4. I’ve never known Ray T be as solver-friendly as today but it was enjoyable while it lasted.

    Thanks to him and Stephen.

    1. I’ve just quit halfway through. I have no idea why I find RayT so way off wavelength, what on earth am I doing wrong? I hope Kath shows up.

  5. A remarkably lighht and straightforward puzzle from Ray T today (2*/3*). I enjoyed the anagrams in this one and 9a was my COTD. Many thanks to Stephen for the hints and to Ray T. The leaves are falling fast here in Oxfordshire and I’ve just finished a nice walk, part of which was by an avenue of maples, their yellow and red leaves forming an ankle-deep carpet, rustling and crackling with each step.

  6. Having solved The Toughie first this morning I was surprised to see 19 across in this puzzle. Lots to like from today’s setter as usual on a Thursday so thank you to RayT for the puzzle. Thanks also to StephenL down on the English Riviera. Maybe Mr Morrison will play The Princess Theatre in Torquay again. I’ll be there if he does

  7. Enjoyed this a lot and not too troublesome. Grey and misty here in Norfolk but quite warm and more and more geese arriving. Hmm, what on earth is Athena holding in her right hand? Is that an amputee job below the knee or something more sinister? Thanks to the setter and Stephen L

  8. Gentle and reasonably enjoyable */***.

    The Toughie is also pretty user friendly and, coincidentally, has a clue virtually exactly the same as 19a above. Thanks to all.

  9. A very friendly Ray T puzzle. **/*** Good, concise clues as ever. Lots of anagrams which I happen to like because the checkers always help with the more cryptic clues. Favourite 15a. Thanks to all and a big hello to Kath.

  11. As Cryptic Sue says, this is a very friendly Ray T. Absurdly, my last one in was 4d – a teeny four letters that simply eluded me until it didn’t.

    Huntsman – Thank you for pointing me towards that delicious clue related to the currently injured Chelsea striker!

    Today’s crossword soundtrack: Joni Mitchell – The Reprise Years

    Thanks to Ray T and Stephen L, and a big Thursday ‘shout out’ to The Lovely Kath

    1. T. I’m a huge fan of JM – an awe-inspiring musician, singer, song-writer/lyricist, performer and recording artist. I read somewhere, years ago, that she only ever wrote/recorded 2 songs (composed on the guitar) using standard tuning. All the rest used open/non-standard tuning. Maybe that’s why her style is so unique?

  12. I agree with all of the previous comments about the solver-friendly mood of Mr T today, and I particularly liked seeing the 15a Queen in her proper context, as well as that 24d in its illustration as revealed by Stephen. Very nice puzzle, so thanks to Ray T, and thanks too to StephenL for his review. ** / ***

    Hello to Kath. Hope you join us today.

  13. 1*/4.5*. I agree with those who placed this at the easier end of RayT’s spectrum, but it was extremely enjoyable. I might even have stretched to 5* for enjoyment except for my repetition radar bleeping with “out” used twice as an anagram indicator.

    With lots to choose from, my podium comprises 1a, 15a & 26a.

    Many thanks to RayT and to SL, and hoping that Kath will feel up to popping in later to say hello.

  14. A notch down on the usual Thursday puzzle- probably due to the plethora of anagrams, agree with SL on a **/***.
    As Jonnas says-great fun whilst it lasted.
    Last in was 8d-liked the wordplay, favourite charades were 15a and 7d- honerable mention for the 14d’ cloth’
    Shame about the cricket.

  15. Really enjoyed today’s offering. Favourites were 10A, 12A and 8D.

    I think I might even go on to try the Toughie.

    Thanks to Ray T and Stephen L.

  16. One of those (Thursday?) puzzles which seemed to take longer than it actually did to solve – 2.5*/3*.

    A Hmm for the Quickie Pun.

    Candidates for favourite – 18a, 5d, and 6d – and the winner is 18a.

    Thanks to Ray T and Stephen L – especially for the 18a musical accompaniment form fine Canadian singer ms lang.

    And, always thinking of Kath on a Thursday.

  17. ‘Suitably nifty clues’ indeed and very much enjoyed. Top clues for me were the aforementioned 1a plus 15&21a.

    Devotions as usual to the marvellous Mr T and thanks to Stephen for the review.
    Love to Kath for when she hopefully pops in to join us later.

  18. Also initially puzzled by the goddess’ sausage until I realised she’s sitting on her left foot

      1. She appeara to have her left leg folded beneath her and is reclining towards the left with her right leg outstretched behind her. She must be uber-flexible!

  19. I found this swifter than yesterday and generally good although I did have trouble with some of the parsing. I am glad I looked at the hints after the event as I would not have parsed 26a. Only complaint is 4d. I hate four letter clues containing three vowels when the only consonant is not a checker. Life’s too short. Favourites 9a and 5 8 16 and 20d. Thanks Ray T and Stephen. Sending Thursday love to Kath.

  20. I don’t think I have ever made a comment about time taken but today I have to say we raced through this. It just seemed to fall into place. Thanks to RayT for 9 and 28a and 3,5 and 17d especially. Thanks to Stephen L in luscious Devon. We walked over to The Cross at 10 to 11 and were joined by about 20 others for the two minutes silence marking Armistice Day. Quite moving. Love and Thursday wishes to Kath.

  21. Unlike DG can’t say I raced through this but softly softly catchy monkey whilst I was being stupidly slow in the uptake on four (9a, 26a, 7d and 24d) and succumbing to bung-ins. Anyway it was a fun run for which thank you RayT and StephenL for some clarifications.

  22. This felt more like a Monday puzzle than a Thursday one, but I don’t complain because I still enjoyed it. Mild, for sure, for a Ray T but with very well written clues. No stand-out favourite today. 2*, 4*.

    * This morning, I returned home from Buxton on the bus, on a route that rambles through farmland/small villages in the Derbyshire countryside. There were lots of flocks of sheep in various smallish fields and I noticed that in some fields all the sheep were stood up, grazing. In other fields they were all lying down, resting. This struck me as intriguing. I know that in a herd of cows there is always a dominant one that all the others follow/emulate. Maybe it’s the same with sheep. Any sheep behavioural experts out there?

    I’ll see you next time and regale you with another riveting anecdote … :-)

    1. I’m no expert on sheep but the saying to “follow like sheep” is true. When I take Hudson out for walks I see some sheep lying down or grazing while a small number remain standing around the edge of the flock. These are the guards and if they decide there is danger they start to run and the whole flock stops what it is doing and runs after them.

  23. PS. There’s something decidedly weird, and rather disturbing, about the anatomy of that goddess! Especially the relationship between her legs, hips and skirt.

  24. Smooth puzzle as always thank you RayT and StephenL with 2d being a terrifically brief clue. All best wishes to Kath

  25. As is usual for me on alternate Thursday’s I found this Ray T puzzle quite challenging and thought provoking. ***/**** for me today. Nothing that didn’t make sense once the dust cleared from each clue, but did require a few of the hints to keep me on track. Favourites today include 1a, 6d, 8d, 14d & 15d with winner 8d with 14d runner up.
    Several nice lego clues like 20d, for example. 17d not a common word for me, but hit me when i saw the anagram.

    Thanks to Ray T and StephenL for the fun today.

  26. I enjoyed today’s offering, mind, I could say that most days. The clues were generous even where I didn’t know the meaning (25d)
    Particularly enjoyed the helpful photo with 10 a.

  27. A lovely puzzle albeit very gentle & completed while enjoying a coffee outside of the hotel & watching the morning sun come up. No particular favourites just quality clueing throughout. If only today’s golf had been such easy going….
    Thanks to Ray T & Stephen plus a hello to Kath.

  28. I agree with StephenL at **/*** for a pleasant challenge after intermittent absence while climbing in the Lakes. COTD 2d for its repeated instrument. Dealt with over a couple of post prandials having eventually found and ascended the delightful Kettle Crag on Pike’o’Blisco above Langdale. Pic to follow if I can upload it. First timer doing that. Thanks RayT

  29. Oh dear – for some reason I made a bit of a pig’s ear of this one. Never mind everyone and thanks to saying hello to me – it really cheers me up and never fails .

    2. Kath,
      Thanks for popping in. Lovely to hear from you! Great to have “Oh dear” back again.
      Onward & upward as they say.

    3. Always nice to see you. I thought this really obtuse, but with Brian we seem to be very much in the minority. Keep getting better, you’re a star.

      1. Hello Kath. Nice to hear from you. I felt like you do about Tuesday’s puzzle. Everyone else got on well with it and I found it difficult to get going.. There’s no accounting for it sometimes.

    4. How good to ‘see’ you again, Kath. Worry not, nobody here will ever forget you – we just need you back on a regular basis!

  30. A very enjoyable puzzle …but I still failed on the Eastenders and the idea…..doh!
    Probably one of my best efforts at a RayT.

    Thanks to the setter and to Stephen L.

    I agree with those who think the goddess is sitting on her left foot, stretching out her right leg to her right whilst perching precariously on her throne and sticking her tiny tummy out. A strange pose, but whatever floats the boat of a goddess I guess.

  31. A Ray T special, almost completely incomprehensible.
    Thx for the hints but I would have needed every one to get anywhere near this one.
    *****/*

  32. As usual from RayT a cracking puzzle. Not too taxing although like some others I struggled with 4d (not sure why, seemed obvious once I saw it…). Re Joni, I love her voice and she is musically brilliant BUT I find many (not all) of her lyrics trite and/or embarrassingly self indulgent – am I alone?

  33. Evening all. My thanks again to StephenL for the review and to everybody else for your observations.

    RayT

    1. Thank you for dropping in Mr T.
      I look forward to “your” slot and, just like a good single malt you never disappoint.

    2. Always nice when the setter says hello, particularly for me on alternate Thursdays.
      Thanks again for a top puzzle. Big hello to Kath too.

  34. Loved it 😃 so nice and straight forward **/*** Favourites 12 & 18a 👍 Thanks to Stephen L and to Ray T

  35. Busy day so late getting started but pleasantly surprised by a fun and relatively benign RayT puzzle. I sailed through till I hit the buffers briefly in the SE corner with 26a and 14d. A fresh cup of tea did the trick and the pennies dropped. Favourites today were 2d and 6d. Many thanks to RayT and to StephenL – and lovely to see Kath dropping in too.

  36. All been said. Archetypal Ray T At the easier end of his spectrum maybe but excellent for all that.
    COTD 1a.
    Thank you RayT and StephenL

  37. An enjoyable solve. I was held up by 26a for a short while until the penny dropped. Silly boy!

    Thanks to all.

  38. I didn’t this as easy as some but a lot easier than Brian. I managed to parse everything to my own satisfaction which, as luck would have agreed with SL’s. Favourite was 17d, my initial thought was intrigue until I read the clue properly. Thanks to Rayt and SL.

  39. Well it’s been a good run but I’ve got my contrary hat on today. I was quite chuffed at first as a lot of answers were going in swiftly, but then ground to halt. Found some clued awkward. Plus 26a only works if you have a certain accent. The way we always said 26a would never mean judged. Never thought of 8d as being a worshipper. Quite honestly, I found the last two days Toughies easier than this one. Thanks to StephenL and Ray T.

    1. I know what you mean about ‘err’, BL: I say ‘ur’ but most Americans pronounce it ‘air’.

    2. But, in this specific case, the setter in the clue and SL in his review have told us what accent is needed (East End of London).

  40. I too started well but I had to put the puzzle aside and visit my favourite cheese shop ( St Andrews Cheddar, Aged Richard III Wensleydale, a crumbly Stonebeck, and a bit of a mild Blue called Young Buck) I picked up the crossword again and had to take a couple of hints to get over the line, 14d and 26a tripped me up but with SL’s help, I got there in the end.
    Thanks to SL and RayT and best wishes to Kath from me.
    A supper of cheese and oatcakes with a glass (or two) of Tawny Port probably guarantees a sleepless night so I will retire with the toughie.
    TTFN

  41. I normally struggle with RayT, but managed this with just the hint needed for 15a. The NE took me into *** time ,but I think I’m starting to get on his wavelength, and that is rather disturbing . Thanks to all.

  42. I needed a lot of help to finish this, but the many clever and misleading clues made solving a pleasure. Impossible to choose a COTD, there would be too many on the podium. Thanks to setter for the enjoyment and to StephenL for the hints (and pictures!)

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