DT 30176 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30176

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30176

Hints and tips by 2Kiwis

BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ****

Kia ora from Aotearoa.

Meri Kirihimete

We have been in Wellington for a few days and have missed our regular ration of crossword solving opportunities. Back home again now in time to do our regular blog as well as wish everyone Meri Kirihimete.

We thought as we were solving that Jay might have ‘signed’ this one in  proXimal mode but eventually found that one other letter is also missing.

Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

Across

1a     Outlet supplying tickets for the water-carrier’s dance? (6,4)
BUCKET SHOP : A vessel that could be used for carrying water and then an informal word for a dance.

6a     Short material benefit (4)
PLUS : A velvet-like material without its last letter.

9a     Guide may see international in bed (5)
PILOT : A bed in a garden contains I(nternational).

10a     Sort of allegation that sees cast in nude dancing? (9)
UNFOUNDED : An anagram (dancing) of NUDE contains cast as one might a metal.

12a     Prevarication from husband — back working after one (7)
EVASION : A word meaning husband or preserve is reversed, then the Roman numeral one and the two letter word for working.

13a     Bonds having to hold new teeth (5)
TINES : Bonds or laces hold N(ew).

15a     Takes turns using revolving toaster (7)
ROTATES : An anagram (revolving) of TOASTER.

17a     Attacked from the air, supplied by skills from the east (7)
STRAFED : The reversal of a synonym for skills and then supplied, possibly with food.

19a     Man dispatched to collect gravlax oddly absent (7)
SERVANT : A synonym for dispatched contains the second, fourth and sixth letters of gravlax
.
21a     Money needed for wages of Scottish town during plebiscite (7)
PAYROLL : A plebiscite or statistical survey contains a three letter Scottish town.

22a     Hotel meal with no starter giving you the hump (5)
HUNCH : H(otel) and a meal eaten in the middle of the day without its first letter.

24a     Cleared, accepting student is irritated (7)
NETTLED : Cleared in the sense of financial return contains the student driver letter.

27a     Delicate question entertained by south-eastern sect in America (9)
SQUEAMISH : The two letter abbreviation for question is enclosed by S(outh) and E(astern), then a religious community sect from America.

28a     Dream of Conservative party (5)
CRAVE : C(onservative) then a wild party.

29a     Rejected bread rolls as cut (4)
SNUB : Another name for bread rolls is reversed.

30a     Constituent and I get dinner cooked (10)
INGREDIENT : An anagram (cooked) of I GET DINNER.

Down

1d     Hits military exercises under British (4)
BOPS : B(ritish) and the abbreviation for military exercises.

2d     Reader supporting firm line for hoarder (9)
COLLECTOR : The abbreviation for a firm or company, then L(ine) and a reader, probably at a university.

3d     Run over? (5)
EXTRA : A double definition. The run is a cricket one.

4d     Private rooms macho types must keep nice occasionally (7)
STUDIES : Macho types or he-men contain the second and fourth letters of nice.

5d     Finishes on high? The other way round hurts (7)
OFFENDS : Finishes or conclusions and high or past its use-by date. Reverse the order of these.

7d     Left port with a full cargo (5)
LADEN : L(eft) and a port at the entrance to the Red Sea.

8d     A theologian in Leeds is excited to see ladies riding up like this (10)
SIDESADDLE : An anagram (excited) of LEEDS IS contains ‘A’ from the clue and a Doctor of Divinity.

11d     Completely articulate — and lively after vacation (7)
UTTERLY : Articulate as a verb used in a vocal sense, then the first and last letters (after vacation) of lively.

14d     Fresh hopes rest on son getting replacement arms perhaps (10)
PROSTHESES : An anagram (fresh) of HOPES REST and then S(on).

16d     Tube train not popular with revolutionary American (7)
TRACHEA : Remove the two letter ‘popular’ from the word train, then Crossword’s favourite revolutionary, and A(merican).

18d     Part of lock told of age after renovation (9)
FLOODGATE : An anagram (after renovation) of TOLD OF AGE.

20d     Strain of working in stone (7)
TENSION : An anagram (working) of IN STONE.

21d     Person trying to sell open-topped vessel (7)
PITCHER :  A double  definition.

23d     North American university game and state (5)
NAURU : N(orth) A(merican U(niversity with New Zealand’s national game.

25d     Copper must be up in top, and clear (5)
LUCID : A top or cover contains the reversal (up) of the chemical symbol for copper.

26d     Breezes through full of enthusiasm (4)
ZEST : A lurker, hiding in the clue.

Lots of ticks as is usual for a Jay puzzle but we will go with 16d as our favourite.

Quickie pun    gone    +    duller     =    gondola

85 comments on “DT 30176

  1. I thought this a bit harder than our Antipodean friends at ***/*** notwithstanding the smattering of anagrams. 23d was a new one on me but achievable through the clue, and I always thought the activity in 17a was from ground to air rather than vice versa. Must check that. 5,8 & 16d all great clues and my COTD is the last mentioned. Thanks to the 2Kiwis and the setter.

    1. I have now checked the strafing definition. Not sure why I bothered as of course a compiler is always correct – and me wrong!😖

      1. I was going to say, I remember during WWII the Messerschmidts strafing Grand Drive which led to Raynes Park. For years afterwards you could see the bullet marks on the pavement. We took shelter in Dorcas the Drapers shop for about three hours and my baby brother yelled the whole time.

        1. Blimey! I’m not surprised you baby brother yelled, DG – I would even now if Messerschmidts were attacking!

          1. I wanted to edit the above post but was told I do not have permission to do so. It’s my comment so would have thought I could edit it. Only wanted to correct a spelling error. :grin:

  2. I thought this was quite tricky, mainly because I took a while to twig 1a, needing all the checking letters before I saw it. Also the parsing of 12a took some time to see with the clever use of husband as a verb but overall it went in quite smoothly if not rapidly.
    Today’s ticks go to 12&21a plus16d with top spot going to 3d, an excellent cryptic definition. Many thanks and season’s greetings to Jay (I presume) and the 2Ks.

  3. 10 and 12a I found quite hard to parse but managed after a lot of head scratching. I found the bottom half a lot easier to solve than the top, hence I found this a bit of a struggle, ***/*** for me.

    1. Thank you for thinking of me Robert. My husband, Jim has suffered froma remitting/ relapsing form of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)for the las 7 years. After a long stable spell, I recognised the symptoms were again occuring on 27th November. I called the doctor, who sent out a paramedic. He was so concerned by his observation that by mid-day 28th November we were en route to Oxford in an ambulance. After 4 hours waiting in the corridor on a trolley, the A& E consultant admitted J8m. Jim is unable deacribe earlier bouts of encephalitis , as it has attacked and damaged the part of the brain governing short-term memory and speech. Thus, I travelled into Oxford and spent several hours at Jim’s bedside to help by giving the medics all the information I could, keep him calm and persuade him to put up with EEG, MRI and CT tests and a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). I have been unable to find either time or concentration for the Crossword I’m afraid Many thanks to Kath for offering help. Jm is now on the mend and home but needs a lot of help soo no crossword yet but I will return

      1. My very best wishes to you both. So good of you to let us know. I hope things continue to improve and you both manage a peaceful Christmas.

      2. So very sorry that you are both having such a tough time. I do hope Jim continues to mend and that you will both have better times ahead of you. Best wishes.

      3. I’m so sorry to hear, ChrisCross. I hope that Jim continues to do well at home and has no more hospital visits. I’ve always said that hospitals are no place for the ill, far too depressing.

      4. What a terribly worrying time for you, ChrisCross, I do hope that being back at home helps Jim and that he regains his stability. Take good care of yourselves.

      5. I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s health problems, Chriscross. I had encephalitis when I went into liver failure and it is not pleasant. I do hope they manage to get things on an even keel for him. My prayers are for you both.

      6. I reiterate what the others have said – such a worry, and you yourself are still recovering from your illness aren’t you? I hope that things improved for you and the new year brings better health for you both. Very best wishes.

      7. Warm get well wishes to Jim and indeed yourself – do hope you will be able to enjoy Christmas and that the New Year will be happy for you both.

      8. Thanks to Merusa who let me know tonight (Thursday) that you had commented, Chris. Jim is so very lucky to have a loving, devoted we like you. My best thoughts are with you.

  4. I felt that there were a few Logmanlike moments in this craftily clued Christmas present by our Wednesday maestro, and the SW quadrant pushed me well into 2.5* time, but I finished quite happily and with a great sense of satisfaction. I especially liked the anagram in 14d, which was my LOI, but my top three are the outstanding 16d, 12a, & 27a. I naturally thought of Chriscross with the geographical clue at 23d. We haven’t heard from her lately, and I hope that she is doing all right. Thanks to the Kiwis, whom I wish a ‘Meri Krithimete’ with a good old Southern (American) flavour. And many thanks and happy holidays to the ever-resourceful and ever-entertaining Jay.

  5. I thought this quite a generous offering for the midweek puzzle.
    Solving was certainly greatly assisted by the sprinkling of anagrams.
    In summary, 1.5*/****
    Many thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis.

  6. More like Jay ‘on his own’ (no, or very little, Logman influence) this week – **/****

    Candidates for favourite – 1a, 21a, and 7d – and, I know it’s and oldie but goodie but it never fails to raise a smile, the winner is 7d.

    Thanks to Jay and the 2Kiwis.

  7. Nope, couldn’t finish it today, beaten by 27a, kicked myself when I saw the answer. Think it does me good to fail once in a while, keeps me keen and my head the right dimension. One up to today’s compiler, roll on tomorrow.

  8. No unknowns today but still a fairly pedestrian solve in just under 2.5* time. Lots of ticks in a thoroughly enjoyable puzzle – 1&27a with 16d will do for my podium.
    Thanks to Jay for all the great Wed puzzles over the year & 2Ks for their reviews.
    Ps Gila Toughie no pushover today.

  9. Our regular Wednesday setter was on top form this morning, with a highly entertaining and enjoyable puzzle. The anagrams gave me a good foothold then I was away into a reasonably speedy solve. 21a and 16d proved to be my favourites among many.

    Many thanks to Jay and the 2Ks.

  10. I enjoyed this opportunity to learn more about the world’s 3rd smallest country. Thanks to today’s setter and the 2Ks.

  11. Festive fun from Mr Wednesday and confess that I took far too long to spot the little lurker in 26d.
    My favourite was 1a’s Aquarius followed by the delicate soul at 27a.

    Many thanks to Jay for another year of great puzzles and to our 2Ks for all their much appreciated reviews. The very best of seasonal wishes to all three of you.

  12. 2*/4.5*. I really enjoyed this. My only minor niggle is that I think “full” is a bit of stretch in 26d as a lurker indicator; “partly full” would work but “full” implies the entire contents.

    My podium comprises 21a, 27a & 16d.

    Many thanks to the three birds.

  13. This was a real head-spinner for me. I need to dab myself all over with a damp flannel.

    23d is way south from here, and I generally fear venturing further south than Guildford as I have heard that beyond there live the unsophisticated and the lower orders. I have been told that cannibalism is legal in Hampshire.

    Thanks to the excellent Jay and the equally delightful TwoKays

    1. I see you are are leaving God’s own country alone today Terence. Cannibalism in Hampshire? More like pony steaks and chips I would think.

      😂

      1. Oh dear. I have just been reading yesterday’s blog (busy day meant I didn’t get round to the crossword until today) I am quivering in my shoes about my flippant remark regarding the beautiful Fens. I am apologising profusely now before someone starts strafing me !

      1. M. I did read your late comment last night re “friends”, but I replied at 9.00 and you might not have seen it. So, I’m reminding you here. Everything is hunky-dory!

  14. A very clever puzzle but way beyond my ability. I solved most of the top half but only few in the bottom half.

    I thought 21a was very clever. Tried to think of a three letter Scottish town but failed despite having bought a very good single malt there a few years ago.

    Thanks to the 2Ks and Jay for a demonstration of setting and solving and season’s greetings to you all.

  15. Meri Kirihimete 2Ks and thank you Jay for a smile-packed puzzle that repaid some concentration. Favourites 27a and 16d

  16. I also found this tougher than 2Ks and didn’t really feel I ever got going here. 1a was a new one for me which really held me up in the NW.

    One to live and learn over

    TY to Jay and 2Ks for the help

  17. Found this puzzle difficult and for me, the toughest for a while, going for a ****/***
    Favourites were 1a, nicely clued and the excellent 27a charade’Thanks to 2K’s for the pics especially 8d ;how did ladies manage to jump fences this way!

  18. I found this way more difficult than the ** rating but it was solvable with patience and industry. Strangely for one so tricky I quite enjoyed it and my fav was definitely 3d.
    Thx to all
    ****/***

  19. A pleasant midweek puzzle – thanks to Jay and 2Ks.
    The clues that I liked best were 1a, 12a and 3d.

  20. A most enjoyable puzzle – glanced at 1a and decided to start in the East instead, from where progress was swift and clockwise. All then straightforward with no obscurities, but plenty of sharp and fair clueing, resulting in smiles throughout. Hon Mentions to 11a and 16a, with COTD to 27a – great surface and a lovely word.

    1.5* / 3.5*

    Many thanks to Jay and to the 2Ks.

  21. Never heard of the shop at 1a and not sure 28a is a dream. A good deal of the rest was somewhat obscure and too much of a struggle to be enjoyable. I also needed too many hints so not my cup of tea today I’m afraid.

    Still, tomorrow is the day after’s yesterday so I will wait and see what that brings.

    Many thanks to Jay for the thrashing. Thank you, 2Ks for the much needed hints.

      1. When I asked Mr G he told me it was an illegal company that buys and sells shares. I think I prefer your definition, Corky.

      1. Thanks RD. I knew that “dream of” was the definition but it doesn’t sit well with me. To 28a something is, to me, to have an unnatural longing for something, such as chocolate, which can only be assuaged by eating said chocolate no matter what it takes. To dream of something is to contemplate in a wistful manner remote yet delightful possibilities such as winning the National Lottery.

        Just my take on it. 😎

  22. I too thought this a stiffer challenge than The Kiwi’s rating. Didn’t know 23d, but was clear from the clue and confirmed by Mr. G.
    NW was last to fall and 16d was my “pick of the pops” with its excellent misdirection.
    Thanks and Season’s Greetings to the 3 birds for the constant high standard of Wednesday fun.

  23. I really enjoyed this although it was by no means a pushover. I didn’t need the hints but thought I might need to, I couldn’t quite believe 1d. There was some nice misdirection with husbands and bread rolls etc. I put daisies by 27a and 14,18 & 25d. Many thanks to the three birds for all their entertainment through the year and seasons greetings etc etc.

  24. With the exception of 10a , I ” found ” this a very good puzzle and particularly liked 1a , which I associate with travel tickets ; dodgy shares are sold by a ” Boiler Room ” . About on a par with the Toughie today , so no serious complaints ! Thanks to all ***/***

  25. A nice Wed puzzle which, for me, was just a tad above average difficulty for a back-pager. Great clues and an enjoyable solve. Fav: 27a. 3*/4*. Here’s some WW2 strafing footage:

  26. Dammit man, I was halfway through my comment and it disappeared into thin air! Here goes again! If I can remember.
    A tricky one for me but doable with some ehelp. It was a DNF as I couldn’t get 26d, another pesky 4-letter answer. What is it they say? Look for a lurker if all else fails. It was in the 60sF when I got up this morning, my brain doesn’t function properly when it’s freezing. I read an airline article the other day and 1a came up, so that was easy peasy! Furthermore, you didn’t fool me at 3d, how many years has it taken to remember that crickety word? Lots to like here, but 27a wins because it sounds like what it means!
    Thanks to Jay and the 2Kiwis, wishing you a Merry Christmas.

  27. Morning all.
    We needed all the checkers in place before we could get 1a. Not something we are familiar with on this side of the world but Google and BRB soon enlightened us. On the other hand 23d was much more in our neck of the woods.
    Cheers.

  28. For whatever reason I just could not get to grips with this puzzle. Nothing was coming and I think I used almost every hint.
    For me today 4*/2*

    Favourites could include 15a, 22a, 27a & 1d but no winner today

    Didn’t know the word/place in 23d
    This puzzle just didn’t click with me today.

    Thanks to the 3 birds … hope next week I’m more in tune.

  29. I found this one difficult today.
    Lots of the clues seemed to take longer than usual – don’t know why but just did. Oh dear!
    Definitely having a dim day – making blinis all day hasn’t helped – every year I forget what a faff they are!
    I liked 11d but I don’t think I’d ever have got 1a.
    I think my favourite might have been 3d – a crickety one that I got one “all my own self!”
    Thanks to Jay and happy Christmas and the same to the K’s too.

  30. I used to get cross when the experts said how easy the puzzle was today. Or words like that.
    However I have to say, with apologies, that I found this one very straightforward. Getting 1a to start with, is usually a good sign and this was no exception. However having finished and read the hints. I realised that I had incorrectly parsed about 4 clues and missed the lurker. So thanks to the 2Ks for putting me right.
    */****

  31. A bit tricky this one. I put the wrong answer on 21d which messed up that area, but now finished. Phew!

  32. Late to this today – solved whilst watching SPOTY. Well done England Lionesses for cleaning up the awards.

    Found this tougher than the 2Kiwis did, but that’s no surprise. Beaten by the parsing of 12a and 16d and of course afterwards felt I shouldn’t have been. Big thanks 2Kiwis for showing me the way and to the setter for some excellent clues. Really liked 1d – great word – and 1a when the penny dropped and I stopped trying to work out why bottle bank didn’t work!

  33. Never heard of a 1a in my life. I normally get on better with Logman toughies than Jay cryptics and this was no exception. I’ve given up on the toughie.

  34. Many thanks to the 2 Kiwis for their patient analysis over the past year, and to all for your comments. Have a great Christmas everybody!

    1. Thank you Jay, that is very much appreciated.
      We regard it as a privilege and a pleasure to write the blogs for your puzzles.
      Warmest regards and best wishes from both of us.
      Colin and Carol.

  35. Phew, that was a real tussle devoid of many lighter moments and I in fact came close early on to calling it a day but pressed on regardless and found there was light at the end of the tunnel. There are numerous cunning clues from which 1a is probably my Fav. Thank you Jay for this challenging cerebral exercise and indeed for all your previous offerings. Thanks also to the 2Kiwis for consistently being on hand in case of need. At least the Quickie was plainer sailing today than several recent ones.

  36. A bucket shop referred to agencies where one could buy cheap air tickets before Ryanair and then the internet came along.

  37. Another hidden toughie on the back page. It was way beyond my pay station and I gave up. Very disappointing. Thanks to all.

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