DT 30254 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30254

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30254

Hints and tips by 2Kiwis

BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

Kia ora from Aotearoa.

Today our thoughts go back to a day in May 2015. We were visiting the UK and staying in Oxford for a couple of days with our good friend Kath, from the blog. Big Dave and Pam and several others from the blog came to visit and we all had an enjoyable day together. We have put a photo of Pam with Kath, taken on that day, at the end of this blog. It was a joy to meet Pam. She was a lovely person.
So to today’s puzzle. We won’t try to guess the setter but another worthy example of the Wednesday Cryptic. This one all went together smoothly for us.

Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

Across

1a     Giving affection, having a close relationship (4,2,5)
HAND IN GLOVE : A word meaning giving or passing over, plus deep affection.

7a     Feature about American’s restraint (5)
CHAIN : A lower facial feature contains A(merica).

8a     Fruit from two different trees (9)
PINEAPPLE : Paradoxically, this fruit does not grow on trees.

10a     Bank bordering a street is better for consumers (7)
TASTIER : A bank or level contains ‘A’ from the clue and ST(reet).

11a     Dog that is following Antarctic explorer (7)
SCOTTIE : A famous ill-fated explorer and the two letters from the Latin for ‘that is’.

12a     Many sheets of paper are rewritten, as well as manuscript (5)
REAMS : An anagram (rewritten) of ARE plus the abbreviation for manuscript.

13a     Spreadsheet producer, fast and first-rate (9)
EXCELLENT : The Microsoft program that produces spreadsheets, then a pre-Easter fast.

16a     Hints from prisoners about this, oddly (9)
INTIMATES : The first and third letters of ‘this’ are confined by prisoners.

18a     Give name to capital in sheikhdom (5)
DUBAI : A three letter word meaning give name to and then the letter and numeral indicating capital or first class.

19a     Female with pride loses in running (7)
LIONESS : An anagram (running) of LOSES IN.

22a     Press old engineers to show where metal comes from (4,3)
IRON ORE : Press or make wrinkle-free, then O(ld) and army engineers.

23a     Football official earned corrupt votes (9)
REFERENDA : The three letter abbreviation for a football official and an anagram (corrupt) of EARNED.

24a     Fashion line for Cara Delevingne, say (5)
MODEL : A fashion or style and L(ine).

25a     Is one tasked with picking up pork pies? (3,8)
LIE DETECTOR : A cryptic definition for a device or person trying to elicit veracity.

Down

1d     Top teachers with sharp competitive advantage (4,5)
HEAD START : A title given to top teachers and sharp to the taste.

2d     Name Lennox, Hall and Oakley as childminders (7)
NANNIES : The abbreviation for name, then the christian names of the three people listed here.

3d     Tense remark made by a very conceited person! (9)
IMPERFECT : The answer split 1’1, 7 could be a very conceited claim.

4d     Rising star, for example, showing class (5)
GENUS : Our nearest star and the abbreviation for the Latin ‘for example’ are all reversed (rising).

5d     Where I might put butter, having great success (2,1,4)
ON A ROLL : A type of small loaf is involved here.

6d     Former postman, one making a new life abroad (5)
EXPAT : The prefix meaning former and then ‘Greendale’s famous fictional postman.

7d     Provide e.g. food and support for future admiral, say (11)
CATERPILLAR : A word meaning provide food or other requisites and an architectural support.

9d     A shocking swimmer? (8,3)
ELECTRIC EEL : A cryptic definition for a type of fish.

14d     Tick off one in the middle of scandal involving actors? (9)
CASTIGATE : A group of actors, then Roman numeral one are followed by a suffix coined in Nixon’s time for a scandal.

15d     Sew decorations on bride more extravagantly (9)
EMBROIDER : An anagram (extravagantly) of BRIDE MORE.

17d     Criminal once more losing nothing — he often argued with the court’s judges (7)
McENROE : An anagram (criminal) of ONCE M(o)RE, with one of the letters that looks like zero removed.

18d     Unassertive person moving to road round motorway (7)
DOORMAT : An anagram (moving) of TO ROAD contains M(otorway).

20d     Some scoff a liverwurst, or other meat products (5)
OFFAL : A lurker, hiding in the clue.

21d     Seeing that transgression, curate loses heart entirely (5)
SINCE : A transgression or peccadillo and the first and last letters of curate.

Quickie pun    canter    +    berry    +    tails    =    Canterbury Tales

                                                                                                                    Kath with Pam Morton in 2015.

92 comments on “DT 30254

  1. Only just a 2 for difficulty. Paused for a while recalling a past sportsman and again for the name of a piece of software but otherwise all very straightforward.
    Gambling on getting some plant replacements for winter’s losses but am I going too quickly?

  2. Good fun and almost finished before it started, I haven’t had one of those for a while – */****

    Candidates for favourite – 25a, 2d, and 7d – and the winner is 25a.

    Thanks to the setter, I am considering putting my 5 bob on NY Doorknob, and thanks to the 2Kiwis especially for the photo.

  3. A straightforward crossword, which was pleasantly enjoyable.I thought 25a and3d were good clues but COTD for me was 7d becAuse ot was so witty. Thanks to the Kiwis for the hints and to the compiler for an amusing romp. LTHOUGH I never met Pam, my thoughts are with BD and family at this sad time.

  4. This was no more difficult than yesterday but for some reason, for me, a whole lot more enjoyable. It took me a while to get 7d, even though the fodder was very clear, which made it my favourite today. I also liked 1a, 13a, 1d and 14d. Thanks to our setter for the coffee time pleasure and the 2 Kiwis for the wonderful wildlife pics.

  5. Very straightforward indeed but great fun, a really clever and witty puzzle.
    Hard to pick podium contenders but I’ll go for 1&13a plus 3&17d with top spot going to 14d.
    Many thanks to the setter, take a bow, and to the Ks too.

  6. Easiest Wednesday puzzle in jonks by my reckoning, still good fun mind.
    Favourites for me today were 1a and the fantastic 14d. Well done to our setter.

  7. Gently does it.
    Loved 12, 13 and 18a and 7d.
    Many smiles, eg 24 and 25a and, especially, 17d.
    In summary, */4*.
    Many thanks to the setter for an enjoyable mental workout.
    And to the 2Kiwis.

  8. Easiest one for a while. The only pause for thought was 17D, which made my short podium list when solved. And my top pick has to be 6D, naturally. Thanks to the setter and 2Ks.

  9. Fairly raced through this one, 6D raises a smile and 7D (when the penny finally thudded to the floor) was a full laugh. */***

  10. 0.5*/4*. Very light indeed but nevertheless great fun with 14d my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks.

  11. As much as I hate to reward Super Brat with any kind of honour, I have to say that 17d is my COTD in a puzzle that ended almost as soon as it began. This Jeremiah longs for the trickier Wednesdays of quite recent vintage with our JayMaster in charge, but this one was pleasant and even amusing in places (2d, 21a) and I enjoyed the quick solve. Thanks to the Kiwis and today’s setter. */***

    1. Last night, Jimmy (whose mother is Japanese) and I watched Japan beat USA, 3-2, in the World Baseball Classic, and we were both rooting for Japan! Hai !!

      1. I’m very surprised to see that Japan has won that competition more times than any other country – you both evidently have frequent reason for cheering!

    2. Super Brat has had a bum rap. it’s not widely known, mainly because he didn’t tell, that he was heavily involved in a charity he started. He did a lot of good stuff. I believe his first deed was to give a scholarship to his old preppie school for a black kid.

      1. Happy to take your word regarding his charitable work, Merusa, but I don’t think that excuses the behaviour he frequently exhibited on court.

  12. Enjoyable while it lasted, but my quickest filled grid for a long time, and for a mid-week puzzle something with a little more to ‘chew’ on would have been welcome. Some masterful clueing throughout and very smooth surfaces. Hon Mentions to 25a, 17d & 21d, with COTD for me to the delightful 7d.

    0.5 / 3

    Many thanks to the Setter and to the 2Ks – a touching reminiscence.

  13. All over a bit too quickly for a Wednesday but perfectly enjoyable nonetheless. Picks for me – 13&16a plus 3&17d.
    Thanks to the setter & 2 Ks
    Ps looking forward to watching BJ attempting to defend the indefensible this afternoon.

  14. A fun puzzle which I found slightly more tricky than the last two days, but not by much. I got held up on 7d – I took too long to twig the admiral reference – one of those you see straight away or you don’t! And I’m still not sure how 3d ‘tense’ = ‘imperfect’? I liked 11a, 7d but my COTD goes to 17d which made me chuckle **/****

    Thanks to mystery setter and 2Ks

    1. Wiggler, re 3d one of the meanings of “tense” refers to the form of a verb, i.e. past, present, future, etc.

  15. Loved this puzzle, so many clever clues such as 6d, 8a, 11a and my fav 7d.
    No weird words, no religion and no American slang, excellent.
    Thx to all esp the setter.
    **/*****

  16. A wonderful puzzle! Well, I finished unaided so it is bound to be a wonderful puzzle for me. Plenty of smiles and just the right balance of write-ins and ponderables (if that is a word). !a went straight in and immediately became a candidate for COTD. However, others such as 13a, 16a and 5d soon overtook it and I thought I was going to have a hard choice. Then along came 7d and that took the crown. Great misdirection – I spent ages looking for the name of an admiral!

    Thank you to the setter for the fun. Grateful thanks to the 2Ks for the hints, which I will now read.

    Lovely weather here in The Marches and it’s now time for my egg and bacon sarnie. All’s right with my world! (grin)

    1. SC, you can’t be havin’ bacon butties for northern midday dinner (at southern lunchtime) because it’s obligatory to have a proper cooked meal, like meat and two or three veg and gravy. Bacon butties are for teatime, late aft/early eve. All very disappointing, this is … :-).

        1. That was a (belated) jokey reference to SC’s reply to Senf last Sunday, but it was made late a night so most people probably didn’t see it. Actually, for my dinner (at lunchtime) today I had a big grilled oatcake with beans on and a fried egg with two rounds of bread and butter – essential for dipping-in and mopping-up procedures. But I’m classing that as a “proper cooked meal” as it requires a plate to be heated up to eat it off. :-)

      1. Ah, Jose you have now got me going! What I said the other day were from t’days of me Northern upbringing when I twere nobbut a lad!

        These days, I have fallen foul of Southern ways and take lunch at midday followed by dinner in the evening.

        Oh, how I long for me Mam to make me bread a dripping!

        I feel like a traitor to my ancestors!

    2. Funny that, it’s just gone six and I read that as ‘gin’. Taken with a grin as well of course.

  17. Once again I agree with Mhids in that this was for me too a pleasant stroll in the park but this time combined with a host of clever clues which were such fun to fathom. I had a trio of Favs (3d, 19a and 17d), the last of which had a slight edge on the others. TVM Mysteron and the 2 Kiwis.
    💐I was so very sorry to learn of Mrs. BD’s death – may she RIP. I offer my heartfelt sympathies to BD 💐

  18. Once again I agree with Mhids in that this was for me too a pleasant stroll in the park but this time combined with a host of crafty clues which were such fun to fathom. I had a trio of Favs (3d, 19a and 17d), the last of which had a slight edge on the others. TVM Mysteron and the 2 Kiwis.
    💐I was so very sorry to learn of Mrs. BD’s death – may she RIP. I offer my heartfelt sympathies to BD 💐

  19. I agree with earlier commenters that this was very much from the easier end of the setting spectrum, but no less enjoyable for that. Just about right when time is short. The clues were fun, and 14 and 17d were good examples and my co-favourites.

    No idea who the setter might be, but thank you all the same for a delightful puzzle, and thanks, too, to the 2Ks.

  20. Great fun today what a great puzzle. Finally the sun has come out so a better day outside too. There were many clever clues which made me chuckle but my favourite was 7d when the penny finally dropped.
    Many thanks to the setter and the 2 kiwis for the hints and pics.

  21. That seemed much easier than Wednesdays of old, is Jay still the Wednesday setter?
    Over quickly, but lots of nice clues.
    The new DT website is not the easiest to use, is it? The old one was better, is it still accessible?
    Thanks both

    1. Hoofs: Sadly, Jay announced a few weeks ago that he was withdrawing from regular Wednesdays as the principal setter. We hope that didn’t include his occasional appearance on the Toughie side, but so far, nothing.

  22. Great fun with 7d and 14d getting on the podium and 17d standing above them and, yes, I am being serious.

    Re 12a, the roman numerals L and D have always been a problem for me until someone said the following which also helps you remember that a ream is 500 sheets of paper:

    An author DREAMS of having a 500 not 50 page book published (D = 500 + Reams = Dreams)

    Another one was is you drop the vowels of the word MEDICAL, you get M D C L which is 1000, 500, 100, 50

    1*/4*

    1. D:Ream … some great music back in the day. Brian Cox (sciency prof, not actor) was their keyboard player in live performances.

    2. Years ago, I had the same problem with L(50) and D(500) but I never had a problem with any of the others. So, I came up with a mnemonic to remember one of them (the D) and the L looks after itself – which was Cadbury’s Dairy Milk or C,D,M in the correct order.

    3. I love the medical mnemonic. Reminds me of ‘neuter nouns in ‘al, ar, a’ behave in an adjectival way / so in the ablative you see a letter I and not an E’

  23. An easier Wednesday puzzle, but nicely written to my way of thinking. Thanks to the compiler, and to 2K.

  24. Good fun with smiles galore. Thanks to the setter and 2Ks (thanks too for the picture of Mrs Bd and Kath).
    I suppose I’m the only person who’s never heard of Cara Delevingne. Bring back Jean Shrimpton!
    The pick of an excellent crop were, for me: 1a, 7d and 14d.

    1. Gazza,

      Be assured you are not alone. However I can’t remember if I’ve heard of Jean Shrimpton either

      1. Jean Shrimpton was the most famous English model in the early 1960s, before Twiggy. You’re making me feel old!
        I really enjoyed today’s puzzle – probably because, unusually for me, I could do it!

        1. Don’t worry, Jacky, I remember The Shrimp quite clearly – but then I am rather old these days!

  25. lost what I wrote so an abbreviated rewrite. Great puzzle, clue of the day 14d, with a dead heat for second place by 12 and 16a, and 6, and 7d. Thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks. Thanks for naming Kath and Pam but who is the lady in the swimsuit?

  26. A light puzzle according to the bloggers,a straight forward enjoyable romp and a */**** for me
    Favourite was 18a with 11a next with the excellent surface.
    Thanks to setter and 2K’s.
    Just completed the Musaeus Toughie which is of the same ilk.

  27. Another good fun puzzle, we’re doing rather well for those recently.
    So many ticks but I’ll pick out 6&7d for today’s honours.

    Thanks to our setter and to our 2Ks for the review – hard to believe that so many years have passed since you stayed with Kath and Chris in their lovely old farm.

  28. Another Wednesday puzzle with absolutely no clue to the setter, but again I don’t think it is a Jay offering.
    A few head scratchers again today with some really clever clueing involved too.

    2*/4* for me.

    Favourites include 8a, 11a, 25a, 2d, 7d & 18d with co-winners 25a & 7d … both very clever clues that made me laugh out loud when the pennies dropped.

    A fun puzzle and enjoyed this one a lot.

    This is the second time I have printed the crossword from the new site, and although it is better than the first iteration of it when it was first released the puzzle grid could be a tad larger and the the clues in a larger font for those that have less than perfect eyesight.
    Come on DT puzzle editors … give us more font size options … one day you will be in the same boat too … guaranteed.

    Thanks to setter and the 2 Kiwis

  29. Well that was straightforward or I was very much on wavelength, not even time to dunk my biscuit in my morning coffee.

    1*/4*

    Fav 6d LOI 17d

    Thanks to setter and 2Kiwis

  30. Raced through this in, for me, record time and enjoyed every minute. My only hold-up was when I broke my pencil. Favourite was 25a. Thanks to the setter and 2K’s.

  31. I solved this crossword some hours ago as a warm up for the Toughie and really enjoyed it. I’ve been at Wednesday Cinema Club in the meantime watching The Empire of Light which my friend and I thought was wonderful.

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks, especially for the photo of Kath and Pam

    1. Oh, I agree, CSue! Olivia Coleman was so GOOD, an actress I can’t stop watching. The film is exceptional on so many levels, especially to us old cinema buffs.  

      1. I first came across Olivia Coleman in the spoof documentary Twenty Twelve about the BBC’s planning of the television coverage of the London Olympics. Hugh Bonneville was the man in charge and Olivia played his very efficient secretary who had a crush on him but did not know how to handle it. Coleman’s performance of a woman torn between duty and longing was exemplary and I have followed her ever since.

  32. Yet another friendly and amusing puzzle, three in a row, which never happens very often 😃 **/**** Favourites: 13a, 7d & 14d 👍 Thanks to the 2 x Ks for the blog and the photo and to the Compiler and our thoughts are with BD

  33. Pleasant crossword today…though I did not find it as straightforward as some people appear to have.

    Thanks to the setter and to the 2 Kiwis

  34. My goodness, the crossword gods are being kind this week. Another enjoyable solve, with the NW corner holding out the longest. Lots to enjoy and not make one feel quite stupid. Thanks to the setter. And to the 2Kiwis for the lovely picture of Kath and Pam. So sad for poor BD.

  35. Here’s another one who is over the moon, this puzzle can’t be beat! I loved every minute of it, I cannot honestly choose a fave. I did like 17d as I did like him for his good deeds off court. Solid clues, no ambiguity or missing letters or too many letters.
    Who the heck are you setter? Please own up! Thank you. Also thanks to the 2Kiwis for the hints and tips, and the lovely snapshot of Kath and Pam.

  36. Is it really Wednesday? Smoother solve than even Mondays. There were three I didn’t fully parse but I put that down to the speed in which I inserted the answers. Favourites 19 22 and 25a and 1 3 5 and 17d. Thanks Setter and 2Ks. Lovely photo of two lovely ladies.

  37. Good afternoon
    Managed to get this all done in fairly short order this afty, which is rare! Some nice misdirection and humorous touches in 6d, 7d, and 14d most notably, but the “Crikey!” undoubtedly goes to 17d! 🤣
    Thank you to our setter and to 2Ks

  38. Morning all.
    Once again it is good to read such a positive set of comments on this puzzle. It must give the setter a warm glow for their work to be so appreciated.
    Another chilly morning here but the promise of a fine autumn day to follow.
    Cheers.

  39. Another smooth puzzle for making a routine train journey more entertaining – thank you setter and 2Ks and good to be able to put faces to bloggers names!

  40. “Nice and easy does it, does it every time”… 1* / 5* – but so very enjoyable. I never guess the setter, but from the slightly more contemporary content in some of the clues ( ie not 19th century!) and the fact that I seem to latch
    on to his wavelength, my 25p is on NYKD too – am I wrong ?
    Faves were 6d and 25 a

    1. I thought of NYKD too, but as I’m never right in the guess-the-setter game, I assume I’m wrong.

  41. Lovely guzzle, a joy from start to finish which was good as I’ve not had much time today. Daisies for 1,11, 13a and 7 &14d, but there were other delights. It is good to have straightforward days and difficult days, all part of life’s rich pattern. Bring ‘em all on. Many thanks to setter and hinter and deepest sympathy to BD and his family. Remember the good times.

  42. I thought this was a doddle for a Thursday until I realised today is a Wednesday. Senior moment.

    1. Welcome from me as well, SoobieDoobie. Please return and join the fun. 🤩

      Seriously, it would be great to hear your views again. 👍

  43. I found this a quite gentle stroll today,that wouldn’t have been the case before I discovered this wonderful site during first lockdown when I began to devote more time to the crossword. Previous I had often attempted but rarely finished and many of the correct answers I entered I had no idea why they were correct other than they fitted what I assumed to be the definition. Back to today’s crossword, favourite 16a. Thanks to 2kiwis and A Nonymous

  44. Fun puzzle. Very tidy clueing throughout. I don’t usually do the Telegraph but I saw Chris L plugging the new puzzles app on twitter so thought I’d give it a go. Glad I did.

  45. I read through the comments when I go to bed. They can be so enjoyable and I build up a picture of many of the regulars.When I have struggled with the day’s crossword it is a comfort to find others have also been perplexed. Today’s puzzle was indeed a joy especially as it was a busy day and not much time for pondering. Grateful to everyone involved.

  46. Thoroughly enjoyable, many thanks to 2Ks and setter. Don’t normally start this late, so very happy to be able to finish before falling asleep!

  47. 2*/4*….
    liked 21D ” Seeing that transgression, curate loses heart entirely (5)”

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