DT 30080 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30080

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30080

Hints and tips by pommers

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Hola from a rather cloudy Los Alcàzares where I’m standing in for the Kiwis.  Earlier this week Colin experienced some chest pains so went to the local medical centre where a minor heart attack was diagnosed. He has been transferred to a hospital in Wellington for further tests.  I’m sure you will all join me in wishing them well and sending hopes for a speedy recovery.

As to the crossword it’s a bit of a homecoming for me.  Those of you who have been around the blog for long enough may remember that I started my blogging career doing the Wednesday puzzle and I did it for quite a few years before the Kiwis arrived and I moved to the Thursday slot.  I’m pretty sure this puzzle’s by Jay and it shows why I used the refer to him as “The Wednesday Wizard”. Hope you 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

1a           Advance requirement in front of Her Majesty has to be acceptable (4,6)
PASS MUSTER:  A word meaning advance, to the next question in Mastermind perhaps, followed by a word for a requirement and then the regnal cypher of Her Majesty The Queen. I only mentioned Mastermind in order to give me an excuse for this . . .

6a           My pence will make pound (4)
COOP:  My is an exclamation of surprise so think of another one, not cor but something similar, and follow with a P(ence) to get the sort of pound where you might keep chickens.

9a           Cleaner accepting one post at university (5)
CHAIR: Your cleaning lady has an I (one) inserted (accepting).

10a         Exclude wild stories about a Conservative (9)
OSTRACISE: An anagram (wild) of STORIES is placed around (about) the A from the clue and C(onservative).

12a         Drunk with present for Take That (2,5)
SO THERE: Take a word for a drunk and a word meaning present or in attendance and split it (2,5) to get a phrase meaning “take that!”.  Sorry, couldn’t resist . . .

13a         African country’s losing love for a dance (5)
CONGA: Start with an African country and change the O to an A (losing love for a).

15a         Figure unruly mob must be in mad rush (7)
RHOMBUS: A geometric figure is an anagram (unruly) of MOB placed inside (must be in) an anagram (mad) of RUSH.

17a         Praise from extended family embracing Utah (7)
TRIBUTE: A word for an extended family or clan placed around (embracing) the abbreviation of Utah.

19a         Father figure’s carriage (7)
FREIGHT:  Carriage as in carrying cargo.  The abbreviation of father in the Catholic church followed by a number (figure), of rowers perhaps.

21a         Elder taking a time to replace Independent US politician (7)
SENATOR:  Take a word for elder and replace the I with AT (taking a T(ime) to replace I(ndependent).

22a         Golf hotel may come before country (5)
INDIA:  This country is also a word in the phonetic alphabet and Golf and Hotel are the two words which come immediately before it.

24a         One might nick food rejected by the French right (7)
BURGLAR:  A slang term for food is reversed (rejected) and followed by a French definite article and R(ight).

27a         Strange angle adopted by continent showing lack of feeling (9)
ANAGELSIA:  Anagram (strange) of ANGLE placed inside (adopted by) the largest of the continents.

28a         Records can be horrible mostly around New Year (5)
VINYL:  This is a term for the sort of records you had before the advent of CDs.  It’s a word for horrible without its last letter (mostly) placed around NY (New Year).

29a         Has saddle, cycling (4)
EATS:  Has as in has ones dinner. A word for what the saddle on a horse is but with the first letter moved to the end (cycling).

30a         Roles played in customs — roughly (4,2,4)
MORE OR LESS:  Anagram (played) of  ROLES inserted into (in) some customs and then split (4,2,4).

Down

1d           Limit set up on time for agreement (4)
PACT:  A word for to limit is reversed (set up in a down clue) and followed by T(ime).

2d           Attitude underpinning Coronation Street’s material? (9)
SOAPSTONE:  What Coronation Street is an example of, don’t forget the ‘S, followed by (underpinning in a down clue) an attitude or air.

3d           Worth may be raised in retirement (5)
MERIT: This is a lurker hiding in the word RETIREMENT but it’s backwards (raised in a down clue).

4d           People who demonstrate bathroom facilities? (7)
SHOWERS:  People who demonstrate or exhibit are also something you stand under in the bathroom.

5d           Beg delicacy, supporting men with no leader (7)
ENTREAT: Take the MEN from the clue and remove the M (with no leader). After that (supporting in a down clue) you need a word meaning a delicacy or t  deal with.

7d           Stars performing outside port (5)
ORION:  A word meaning performing or in operation placed around the famous port in Brazil will give a famous constellation of stars.

8d           Assignation in French chap’s bijou accommodation? (4-1-5)
PIED A TERRE: Take an assignation, with a girlfriend perhaps, and insert into (in) a French male Christian name and split the result (4-1-5).

11d         Sale of uranium captured in battle (7)
AUCTION:  Chemical symbol for uranium inserted into (captured in) another word for a battle or military engagement.

14d         Extravagant academic left one opening (10)
PROFLIGATE:  The abbreviation of the academic who has the post in 9a followed by L(eft), the letter that looks like a number 1 and then an opening, to the garden perhaps.

16d         Important American fringe event that started everything (3,4)
BIG BANG:  A word for important or large followed by the American word for your fringe.

18d         Complete a new church statement (9)
UTTERANCE:  A word which can mean complete followed by the A from the clue, N(ew) and the abbreviation of the Church of England.

20d         Bill a small company for sauce (7)
TABASCO:  A slang term for the bill in a restaurant followed by the A from the clue, S(mall) and the usual abbreviation of company.

21d         Come up and browse the web with expert (7)
SURFACE: Come up as a SCUBA diver might come up. The usual term for browse the web or internet followed by an expert.

23d         Queen interrupting silly sketch (5)
DRAFT:  Take a word meaning silly and insert (interrupting) the letter which represents Queen or even King.

25d         Lothario‘s line no more (5)
LOVER:  L(ine) followed by a word meaning no more or ended.

26d         Luxurious, without hotel’s advantage (4)
PLUS:  Take a word for luxurious and remove (without) the letter represented by hotel in the phonetic alphabet.

Hard to pick a podium out of this lot but I’ve gone for 12a, 8d and 4d in that order.
Not certain about the quickie pun but I’ve given it my best shot!


Quick crossword pun:

JURY     +     ALLIES     =     DO YOU REALISE

77 comments on “DT 30080

  1. What a great puzzle, very enjoyable indeed.
    1a got us off to a cracking start but top three for me (though it could have been virtually any) were 12a &16d with top spot going to 22a.
    Many thanks to the Jay and Pommers….and get well soon Colin.

    Ps…anyone remember the last time we had 2d, I seem to recall the wordplay involved Tony Blair and caused quite a fuss.

      1. I can’t remember it exactly, the last four letters referenced Blair’s first name informally, the first five something about washing. Wasn’t the best of clues!

          1. All the credit is due to the BD search box on this page, Stephen, and absolutely none to me.

            I’m rather more impressed that after nearly four years you could recall a clue so accurately!

  2. First things first. The very best of luck to Colin for a speedy and full recovery.

    Moving on to the puzzle, I thought this was right up there in terms of enjoyment; not difficult, but elegantly clued as always by our regular Wednesday setter. I think 8d just takes too spot from 12a.

    My thanks to Jay and pommers.

  3. Lovely crossword without a succubi or an alb in sight.

    More importantly – very best wishes to Colin and his family. A worrying time for them and I endorse pommers’ hope of a speedy recovery.

    Thanks to Jay (probably?), pommers, (and The TwoKays).

  4. This is the first time that I haven’t struggled with the Wednesday crossword so hopefully that’s a sign I’m improving.
    Favourites were 4d and 12a.
    After a lot of thought I came to the same conclusion about the quickie pun.

  5. Todays puzzle had a different ‘ring’ to it for me and I really enjoyed the solve., no idea who the setter was.
    No obscurities,just various and clear cluing.
    Last in was 6a, not sure of the ‘my’ but it just had to be so to arrive at the pound..
    22a was my D’oh moment,my favourite was 8d.
    Going for a**/****.
    Thanks Pommers for the Mastermind clip,a touch of genius.

  6. What a Jay Day!
    A great start to the morning with this delightful puzzle.
    I must have been on exactly the right wavelength because the answers just dropped into place.
    As some of the recent backpagers have had me scratching my head, I was pleased to have my confidence restored.
    Most enjoyable

  7. Terrible news about Colin. I do hope nothing too serious & obviously all good wishes for a full & speedy recovery.
    As for the puzzle I too thought it a top notch Jay albeit on the gentle side but beautifully clued. The surface read at 10a immediately made me think Boris & at 1a Liz (probably) who I see will have to trek up to Balmoral in the hope of doing so.
    Thanks to Jay & Pommers for filling in.
    Ps The Quickie pun had me scratching my head too.

  8. This puzzle was a most enjoyable challenge, fullof intricate clues and clever misdirection. Like SL, I found it hard to pick the best clues from so many. My favourites were 1a, 12a, 15a, 8d and 2d, the latter being my COTD because I found some once on a Geology Field Trip. Thanks to Pommers for the hints and Jay for an specially good crossword. Good luck to Colin and I hope he is back home soon.

  9. Very sorry to hear about Colin, and wishing him a speedy recovery.

    Today’s puzzle was Jay on top form, and my rating is 2*/5* with 12a my favourite of many ticked clues.

    Many thanks to Jay and to pommers for standing in at short notice.

  10. Best wishes to KiwiColin for a full and speedy recovery and warmest regards to KiwiCarol. We all hope for your swift return to blogging once Colin has fully recovered.

    Many thanks to pommers for stepping in to do the blog at fairly short notice and thanks to Jay for yet another fine puzzle. The top clue for me was 22a.

    If you’re looking for a few good laughs do try today’s Toughie which is not too tough but highly entertaining.

  11. Thoughts and prayers for our beloved Kiwis hoping that Colin makes a speedy and complete recovery.

    I will go beyond pommers’ ‘pretty sure this puzzle’s by Jay’ and say what an absolute delight from the Wednesday Wizard who seems to have persuaded his Logman alter ego that he didn’t need any help today – **/*****.
    I will probably get into trouble for this, candidates for favourite – 12a, 17a, 24a, 14d, 16d, 20d, and 21d – and the winner is 12a, which had me thinking ‘that’s a pop group, isn’t it.’

    Thanks to Jay and to pommers – where have you hidden the other 36 letters of 1a?

    1. Ditto to all comments above. A very pleasant solve. COTD, 22a. Thanks to Jay and thank you Pommers for the Morcombe and Wise skit. One my favourites. All the best to the Two Kiwis. Get well soon Colin🦇

  12. Not had chance to look at the crossword yet. Just wish to add my thoughts and good wishes to Colin. Get well soon.

  13. Best wishes to Kiwis Colin and Carol. Colin was very helpful when my son needed minor eye surgery.
    I really do not like the way our stalwarts are succumbing to health problems. We must show our appreciation!

  14. Brilliant puzzle with 12a taking top spot for me as I see it did others. Thank you for the commentary pommers and I agree with your rating as a **/****. All credit to Jay if it is he.

  15. With best wishes to Kiwi Colin (indeed to the 2Ks!) for a full and speedy recovery.

    Enjoyable puzzle this morning, pleasantly straightforward with plenty to smile about throughout. Hon Mentions to 10a, 22a, 2d, 14d & 20d.

    1* / 2.5*

    Many thanks to Pommers for standing in with the blog, and to Jay for the cruciverbal challenge.

  16. Best Wishes to Colin, of course, for a speedy recovery!

    6a held me up the longest, naturally. Otherwise, a fast and very enjoyable romp through another JayDay charmer. 12a heads the podium, followed by 6a and 16d (although never heard in the singular over here–that fringe, I mean). Thanks to pommers for stepping in today and to Jay. *** / ****

  17. Most enjoyable progress to an unaided completion in 2* time.
    12 and 15a, and 7 and 14d compete amongst many excellent clues for COTD
    And the winner is 15a, especially for its great surface.
    Many thanks, Jay, and pommers.

  18. Super puzzle, right up my street. Couple of tricky 4 letters in 8a and 29a but my favs were 16d and esp 22a.
    Not sure who the setter was but well done for giving us a great crossword.
    Thx to all
    **/*****

  19. Fairly mild but certainly enjoyable. I’ll pick 1a as my favourite – I’ve always been intrigued that the answer and the synonymous phrase “cut the mustard” both contain “must”. Maybe a mere coincidence? 2*/4*.

    *Best wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery to Kiwi Colin.

    1. *Not at all sure that the fringe in 16d needs an indicator. I can remember my mother using that word 50-odd years ago. The BRB stipulates “originally an Americanism”.

    2. Being similarly curous I just had a glance at the two phrases in Brewer’s – no use at all. However the suggested etymology in the BRB for muster and mustard suggests different derivations, both from Latin, respecitvely monere and mustum – but as what little Latin I’ve every known has largely left me, I’m in no position to comment further!

      Jose, you may be interested in a podcast to which I used to subscribe, “The History of English” – absolutley fascinating, starting with the most basic Indo-European roots and inching forward through 160 podcasts (each some 30-60 minutes long if I recall correctly) so far. Not sure how to bury a link in the text, so yer ’tis: https://historyofenglishpodcast.com/episodes/

      1. Thank you MG. I’ve clicked on the link and it worked – I can listen to the podcasts on my laptop, and for free it seems.

  20. All the very best of wishes to Colin for a speedy recovery and to Carole who must be very worried at the moment.

    On to the crossword and it was a delight from the Wednesday Wizard. Podium places here went to 12a plus 2,8&16d.

    Thanks to Jay and to pommers for standing in today – love that Mastermind sketch and always have time for Take That.

      1. I’d forgotten about that one but you’re quite right, it’s excellent. Just watched it again on YouTube.

  21. Hola pommers and que te mejores pronto Colin Kiwi.
    I didn’t find this as easy as everyone else and was grateful for some nudges pommers, especially the PDM at 22a.
    Favourite 16d amongst a strong field.

  22. An enjoyable crossword, perfectly pitched for a mid-week solve

    Thanks to the setter and Pommers

  23. Agree with everyone today – a super puzzle. Only got stuck on 6a as I couldn’t get pound, as in thump, out of my head. I have a beautiful hippo ornament made of 2d, from South Africa, so that has to be my favourite of the day.
    Thanks to Jay and Pommers, and get well soon Mr Kiwi.

  24. A nice Wednesday puzzle this week.
    No real hold ups for me today. 2*/3.5*

    Favourites include 1a, 15a, 27a, 4d & 23d with winner 15a

    Thanks to Jay and pommers

  25. Sorry to hear the news about Colin – wishing him a speedy recovery.

    Thanks to setter for a very enjoyable puzzle, and to Pommers for the hint I needed to finish (not often I can say hint instead of hints!).

  26. Best wishes to Colin for a speedy recovery and to Carol who has the strain of waiting and watching the progress Colin makes. I had a cardiac arrest in 2007 when I was just 60 and even my doctor thought it was the end. It wasn’t and here I am 15 years later gardening, cycling, walking, and most importantly, following the instructions from my consultant. So fast forward Carol and Colin to the end of ‘Life of Brian’ and join in with Eric Idle and the others.

    Good puzzle today for which I am thankful to Pommers for his hints for a few of the recidivist clues ; making the podium today are 22a, 4d, and 14d. Thanks to the setter, Jay if indeed it is he, and to Pommers for his always good and helpful blog, with a happy homecoming thrown in.

  27. Excellent Jay (?) puzzle: well, it certainly has the hallmarks! **/*** for me.

    GWS Colin the Kiwi.

  28. All best wishes to Colin and Carol for a speedy recovery and return to the blog. Thank you setter and Pommers – I now know an Americanism for fringe!

  29. Difficult enough for me although I can see that it isn’t a particularly hard crossword.
    I really just popped in to say thanks to pommers for standing in for the Kiwis. Also to say hello, all good wishes, a :rose: , and xx to Colin and Carol – I’ll email you!

  30. I haven’t had a chance to look at this puzzle yet and am very much looking forward to it. I’m about to print off a hard copy…
    My warmest good wishes to Kiwi Colin and Carol. I hope that it won’t be too long before Colin is very much better.
    My thanks in advance to Pommers for the review.

  31. I’d like to add my name to the list of those who send their very best wishes to both the Kiwis.Colin, I wish you a full and speedy recovery.

    Excellent puzzle today for me. Many thanks to Pommers

  32. Just returned from a day out so can now rejoin the blog.
    I was interested in 29d and Busy Lizzie. I’m not much of a gardener but I did know it was called “impatiens”. Balsam was a surprise.

  33. Good morning all and thanks for all the good wishes. They must have worked as, although I am writing this from in hospital, expect to be sent home today. Yesterday, after 2 days in Palmerston North hospital I was transferred here to Wellington where they did angioplasty and installed a stent. All went well and I should be back to fighting fit very quickly. I feel like I have been treated like royalty and am so very grateful.

    1. Bloody glad to hear that news. It must have been a worrying time so take it easy for a bit. I’ll do next week’s blog if you want but that’s up to you. Regards to Carol too.

    2. It’s so good to hear from you Colin. Sending more best wishes for a smooth recovery – get well very soon. :rose:

      [With apologies to Jay and Pommers – I’ve not done this crossword, but know from experience that you always do sterling work.]

    3. Very glad to hear that, Colin – fingers crossed you will be home today and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Best wishes to Carol, too – must have been a worrying time for her.

    4. Tried to add to my comment but it didn’t seem to work … to say best wishes to Carol, too – must have been a very worrying time for her.

  34. Good wishes go to the 2Ks. Pleased to read that Colin was whisked off for tests.Hopefully you’ll end up like me and lots of others on a cocktail of pills. Thanks Pommers – the subs bench is coming into its own at the moment. Today’s Xword is a splendid Jay. Some witty clues of which 8d and 22a are my top favourites. Least liked were 6 and 29a. I wanted to put cor for my! In the latter but of course it didn’t parse.

  35. A bit rusty after two weeks in Turkey without a DT in sight. Spent way too long with the wrong my in 6a and the customs went over my head in 30a. Thanks to Pommers and today’s setter.

  36. About right for a Wednesday. Favourite was 12a. Thanks to Jay and Pommers. If anyone is interested I went for a pint or two with Miffypops this afternoon, he was on good form.

  37. Best wishes to Colin for a quick and complete recovery!
    I must have been on the right wavelength today – lovely solve. Especially 22a!
    Many thanks to Jay and Pommers!

  38. Hurrah hurrah – three successive days of finishing the puzzle, although yesterday and today with very minor assistance. What a pleasure after the long run of backpage toughies. Thanks to all.
    Glad to hear Colin’s good news, and wish him a speedy and complete recovery.

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