DT 30433 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30433

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30433

Hints and tips by Senf

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty 2.5* – Enjoyment 4.5*

No – you haven’t overslept by several days.  It seems that Huntsman’s bursitis has put him ‘under the weather’ and I am sure that you will join with me in wishing him well and hoping that he finds some relief soon.  So a very good Tuesday morning from Winnipeg and, once again, I have had to remember to solve and hint all the clues and provide hidden answers instead of just solving and hinting half of the clues as I do on a Sunday  :wink:

For me, and I stress for me (I have to put that in for Terence), not Typically Tuesdayish and the indications are that this is not an Anthony Plumb production – grids used for this back pager and the Quickie and double unches.  I have no idea who the setter is but I do vaguely recognise the style.  So, thanks to her or him for an enjoyable challenge and please claim ownership.

Candidates for favourite – 1a, 16a, 7d, 12d, and 14d.

In the hints below, the definitions are underlined. The answers are hidden under the Click here! buttons, so don’t click if you don’t want to see them.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.

Across

1a Paper that comes out after the match? (8)
CONFETTI: Paper that becomes litter when a happy couple emerges into a churchyard?

9a Being able to take everything in? (8)
OMNIVORE: A person or animal that has no ‘hang ups’ about what they eat.

10a List of options in June, maybe travelling west (4)
MENU: A reversed lurker (in . . . travelling west) found in the words ‘sandwiched’ by the indicator.

11a Regret returning after training a true star as chef, perhaps (12)
RESTAURATEUR: The reversal (returning) of a three letter synonym of regret placed after an anagram (training) of A TRUE STAR.

13a Male pride and the speed of sound upset some briefly (8)
MACHISMO: The speed of sound (including a number) and an anagram (upset) of SOMe with last letter removed (briefly).

15a Good knock dad! That’s the spirit (6)
GRAPPA: Three pieces of Lego in six letters – the single letter for Good, a three letter synonym of knock (on a door?), and a childish or familiar synonym of dad.

16a Charges time lost by carnivals (4)
FEES: The plural of a type of carnival (usually held in a village?) with the single letter for Time removed (time lost).

17a Praise the French, occupying Brussels after evacuation (5)
BLESS: One of the variations of THE in French inserted into (occupying) BrusselS with the interior letters removed (after evacuation).

18a Only painful if changing sides (4)
SOLE: a synonym of painful with its letter indicating a side changed to the other side.

20a Poor delivery from posh type — a couple of lines (2-4)
NO-BALL: An informal synonym for a posh type (of person), A from the clue, and the single letter for Line repeated (a couple of).

21a Poets needing English, for example in schedules (8
ELEGISTS: The single letter for English, followed by the Latin abbreviation of for example inserted into (in) a synonym of schedules.

23a Republican always criticises and produces repercussions (12)
REVERBERATES: The single letter for Republican, a synonym of always, and a synonym of criticises.

26a Unprotected firm with a question for nation (4)
IRAQ: fIRm with the outer letters removed (unprotected) and (with) A from the clue and a single letter for Question.

27a Height of talent with student in place of power (8)
ALTITUDE: A synonym of talent with the letter that indicate a student (driver for instance) replacing the single letter for Power (in place of).

28a Daughter had dinner after school and set off (8)
DETONATE: The single letter for Daughter followed by a three letter term for had dinner placed after that school across the Thames from Windsor.

Down

2d Exposed lovers steal pass (8)
OVERTAKE: lOVERs with the outer letters removed (exposed) and a synonym for steal.

3d Newspapers, on behalf of the nation, will take on university (6,6)
FOURTH ESTATE: A (3,3,5) phrase equivalent to on behalf of the nation contains (will take on) the single letter for University.

4d Seethes, essentially stifling proposals (6)
THESES: A lurker (stifling) found in two words in the clue.

5d Area to the south of Channel Island state (4)
IOWA: The single letter for Area placed after (to the south of) the abbreviated form of an Island in the English Channel (which is approximately 45 minutes away from Portsmouth by ferry).

6d Neon, perhaps, damaged granite top of structure (5,3)
INERT GAS: An anagram (damaged) of GRANITE and the first letter (top) of Structure.

7d Most of jurors perhaps sleep (4)
DOZE: A term that can be used for the number of jurors in a court room with the last letter removed (most of) – repetition radar – third use of ‘perhaps’ (second in successive clues) indicating definition by example.

8d Reduction of French credit facility (8)
DECREASE: The French for OF, the two letter abbreviation for CRedit, and a synonym of facility.

12d Broadcast from coaches with no international assignment (12)
TRANSMISSION: A verbal synonym of coaches with the single letter for International removed and a type of assignment (which Mr Cruise always finds impossible).

14d Neat look at wild flower (2-3)
OX-EYE: A synonym of neat (in farm animals) and a three letter term for look at.

16d Slow and enjoyable breakfast dish (not cold) (8)
FUNEREAL: A three letter synonym of enjoyable and a type of breakfast dish with the single letter for Cold deleted.

17d British European party argue excessively (8)
BELABOUR: The single letters for British and European and a political party.

19d One puts one’s suit in a case (8)
LITIGANT: A single word term for the plaintiff in a civil law suit?

22d Film about Times worker still living (6)
EXTANT: Our favourite two letter film containing (about) all of the letter used for Times arithmetically and a type of worker (insect).

24d Rule out Doctor Who at last (4)
VETO: The three letter abbreviated form of a type of doctor and the last letter of whO.

25d Ruminants may go north for grass (4)
REED: The reversal (may go north) of a class of ruminants.


Quick Crossword Pun:

SQUIRM + AISLE = SQUARE MILE


 

53 comments on “DT 30433

  1. Got a distinct German feeling about this one today, wonder if anyone else felt that?
    Really enjoyable fare with some great clueing with far too many favourites to mention them all. Had to look up 14d in the LBB to check if it was right as had never heard of it before. Top two today for me were 1a and 9a. Many thanks to our setter.

  2. It rook me a while to get on the setter’s wave-length but once I did, the bottom half of the grid filled up quickly and the top half followed. This was my kind of crossqord with a variety of clue types and elements of GK to spice tings up. I lijed the anagram at 11a, the lego clues at 3d and 16d. Howwever my COTD was little7d, a wily cryptic definition if ever I saw one thanks ro the setter and to Senf for doing the hints. Bestwishes tto Huntsman , I hoe hhis bursitis clears up soon

  3. I enjoyed this amusing and gentle challenge, which had much wit and sparkle on display. Very clever clueing, and two almighty groans when twigging 9a and 19d. I was evidently fortunate to have tuned-in to the setter’s wavelength (Chalicea with the double unches?) quite swiftly, and found most of this pretty straightforward. Hon Mentions to 23a, 3d, 6d, 8d & 24d.

    1.5 / 3.5

    Many thanks to the setter and to Senf. Commiserations & much sympathy to Huntsman, and best wishes for a speedy & full recovery to crossword & golf course alike!

  4. Enjoyably tuesday(ish) with a couple in the NE that held out until first coffee break,
    Thanks to Senf and setter? And a get well soon to Huntsman

  5. One of 4 guzzles solved overnight as 💤 proving problematic. Didn’t feel at all like AP to me either & wonder if it might be one by our old Tuesday blogger. A pretty straightforward solve though I did need to confirm the speed of sound & neat post solve & resist the urge to stick an N into 11a – a word I’d never had occasion to spell & realised some time ago (probably from crosswords) I’d been mispronouncing. Really enjoyed the guzzle with ticks aplenty – 9,15&20a + 3,12&22d particular likes.
    Thanks to the setter & of course to Senf for stepping in at short notice – disappointed to have missed blogging this one but I make enough mistakes with 2 hands after a decent night’s kip so dread to think what you might have got.
    Ps – for fans of Django Toughies he has a cracking one in the Graun today.

  6. Brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed all of it. The clueing throughout was inspired. Ox as a synonym of neat was new to me and, note to myself, if in doubt it’ll be cricket, since 20a was my LOI. I’ve got far too many ticks on my paper to mention them all but I liked 1a, 9a, 13a, 3d, 5d, 22d and 24d. Thanks to our setter for the absolute pleasure and Senf for helping me out with 20a. ( Please can we have some netball or hockey clues?!!)

  7. That was a barrowload of fun with just enough food for thought. Have to admit 14d and 22d were unparsed bung-ins
    – d’oh. Fav 15a. Look forward to identification of the setter – more of the same please. Thank you Mysteron and Senf. All good wishes Huntsman for a speedy delivery from your wretched pain.

  8. Very entertaining – thanks to the setter (like Huntsman I thought it might be the work of our erstwhile Tuesday blogger but I may be way off target) and to Senf for stepping in so competently. Best wishes to Huntsman for a swift recovery.
    For my podium I’ve chosen 3 top-notch cryptic definitions (1a, 9a and 19d). Cryptic definitions are, in my opinion, the purest form of clue (and are the most difficult to write well).

  9. For three quarters I was fast and furious- but then? The bottom half was really quick but the top right brought me back to earth.
    Very enjoyable puzzle and thanks to the compiler!

    1. That’s a good shout. The Quickie was a J shy of a pangram too & the puzzle had his trademark letter swap wordplay at 27a.

  10. This was more like an early week puzzle than yesterdays, not easy but enjoyable. I had trouble with 11a as I had too many letters in at first, 15a went in straight away as I’ve had the awful stuff before, and 21a I got by shuffling the letters around a few time, never heard of it. Thanks to all.

  11. 1a, 9a and 19d were also my top three from this highly entertaining puzzle. I thought the whole grid was very nicely put together with a good clue mix, which always enhances the enjoyment. Great stuff.

    My thanks to our setter and Huntsman.

  12. Top draw cluing throughout, favourite was 19d ,great surface;
    Last in was 4d-D’oh!
    Really enjoyed this puzzle,thanks to Setter and Senf.

  13. Must be the cold weather slowing down the brain! Found this really hard going – 2 meals worth, brekkie and lunch! I joined the clan having an extraneous n in 11a – and not noticing the missing t for a while. Was just coming here to find out where the first 2 letters of 14d came from when I suddenly saw the clue was kine (sic) of neat!
    Liked 1a, 13a, 21a (lovely word), 8d and 14d.
    Many thanks to whosoever and to Senf.
    Best wishes to Huntsman for a speedy recovery.

      1. I can imagine. Though sometimes just takes a while for all the strange synonyms to surface. As it did here second time around, along with the lovely biblical? kine.

  14. Solved this one in the luxury of my bed this morning as our long hot summer came to an end overnight with cool air and rain. Temperatures half of what we are used to at 17C as I write.

    So no work today!:-)

    I enjoyed this crossword with the only hold up at 9, my LOI.

    Thanks to the setter and of course to Senf.

    If you’re wondering what work is here are some pictures of work that I did last week in preparing for the olive harvest. The first picture is of a 5m tree that was cut 2 from 7m two years ago. In the last two years it has sprouted suckers up to 2m long throughiout the whole tree:

    1. That was meant to be ” a 5m tree that was cut from 7m two years ago” … cut trees regrow vigourously!

    2. Good to see you, Stone Waller, and to hear that you’re gearing up for harvest time. Hope the fruits are abundant this year?

      1. Hi Jane, yes I should start next week. Not so abundant but sufficient for a hobby farmer. It’s a strange year in that there are individual trees that are loaded but surrounded by virtually empty ones. I put this down to a very wet May (flowering time). May also did for the grape harvest (even the professional cantinas)

        But, we are lucky enough to have pockets of the region that were unaffected so I was able to buy grapes and now have 250 litres fermenting in the grotta😎🍷🍷🍷

  15. Enjoyable Tuesday fare but don’t think I’ll be risking any of my half-crowns with the bookies in the ‘name the setter’ game.
    Top clues here were 9&15a plus 16&17d.

    Thanks to our setter and to Senf for once again stepping into the breach.

    1. Thanks for those. They say that pruning fruit trees encourages more fruit. They really trim our citrus trees here, they look more like hedges when they’re done.

      1. You’re welcome. In general pruning trees promotes better fruit. These olive trees were huge when I inherited them 20 years ago, but the fruits were small and more difficult to harvest. Now as I annually bring them under control the harvest is relatively easy and the fruits speak for themselves.😎

      2. We have citrus trees as well: oranges, clementines, lemons, lime and have recently introduced finger lime (or caviar lime). The latter when sliced in half and squeezed over oysters resembles caviar and is delicious. We also have loquats, pomegranates, sweet lemons (nice in beer) and so many things.

        Yes they need pruning and cleaning all the time, but strangely not the pomegranates.

        1. That sounds like a slice of heaven! I’ve never heard of finger lime – I don’t like oysters except when used to stuff chicken!

  16. A terrific puzzle with 1a as my favourite but the ‘suit in a case’ annswer evaded me so a big thank you to Senf for the explanation and of course to our setter. Stone Waller we planted an olive tree years back and it flourished but alas no fruit – so frustrating

  17. What a super little puzzle, imaginatively and amusingly clued throughout.
    I liked lots but will single out 1&26a plus 19d. Great stuff.
    Many thanks to the setter and Senf.

  18. I found this Tuesday puzzle easier than the Campbell Monday offering. I, like many others, thought this was going to be a pangram but there is one letter missing, so not to be.
    Several words in this one that are not or weren’t in my vocabulary … but should be now.

    2.5*/4* for me

    Favourites include 1a, 9a, 28a, 3d & 24d — with winner 28a

    Thanks to setter and Senf for hints/blog

  19. 1.5*/4*. What a lovely puzzle – light but great fun. My podium choices are 15a, 23a & 5d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to super-sub Senf.

  20. For me, and I stress for me { ™ Senf } this was an enjoyable guzzle to solve. I needed Senf’s help with 21a which helped me solve 14d as they were my only two glues outstanding.

    A few weeks ago it seemed like a pleasant prospect to spend this evening in London at an ‘event’. Now, several few weeks on we discover it is much colder and (appalling lack of checking before booking) we find we will miss the England v Italy football match. We are making Likely Lads style plans to avoid all media and then watch it on our return home. Chances of remaining unaware of the score in this modern age? Zero, I suspect.

    *Best wishes to Andy – very much not on the first tee at the moment.

    Thanks to the setter and The Man From Manitoba (if one is to have a substitute, there is no finer)

  21. Didn’t read the preamble. Hope the shoulder gets better soon Huntsman. In my experience the only cure for sporting injuries is rest.

  22. I found this a bit tricky but I did solve with ehelp in the SW. As I knew less about gasses than I do about cricket, I googled 6d and it told me it was a noble gas, so I wrote that in. I should have noted the “damaged”, alas, I missed that. I had my “road to Damascus” moment for 9a, so I changed the gas. I thought there was an “n” in 11a, but bells rang in distant brain, I think we had that before. There was some good stuff, how clever was 7d? 15a and 14d amused, either could be fave.
    Thank you setter, I did get on wavelength eventually, and to Senf for unravelling so much. Get better soon Huntsman, it must be so frustrating not to be able to golf regularly.

  23. Can’t say I enjoyed this despite filling in 60% sans help. Never could spell 11a, and 14d was a mystery. But we are having our second and last day of a short cold spell (73F) so I’m off to work in the garden before it gets all hot and sticky again. Might have another shot at completing later. Thanks to setter and Senf.

  24. I found this quite tricky in places ie 2 & 4 down. But some excellent clues 😃 ***/*** 1a, 15a, 5d & 7d 👍 Thanks to Senf and to the unknown Compiler

  25. That was a bit of a shock – not what I was expecting at all on a Tuesday!
    Not only was it a surprise it was jolly tricky too.
    I have no ideas about any possible setters so a complete blank.
    I liked 9a (I was thinking more about brain power) and 23a and 14d (I know them – like them) and 17d. My favourite was 15a even though it’s ghastly stuff!
    Thanks to our mystery setter and to Senf for the hints.

  26. I found this easier than yesterday and a completely different style to what i was expecting so it did take a while to get in tune. I finished in the end with 1a my favourite and with not knowing the synonym for the first part of 14d but I did know the flower so I guessed the answer.

    I do hope the bursitis improves soon Huntsman

    Many thanks to the mystery setter and to Senf for the hints

  27. Good evening
    I thought at first this was going to defeat me; I gradually wormed my way in, with 19d the last to fall. Favourites today: 1a and 15a; a new synonym to learn in 14d.
    Get well soon Huntsman, and thanks to Senf for stepping in. Thank you also to our compiler.

  28. Tricky in places and was led up the garden path a few times, but all in all enjoyable. Where does the English Channel end and the Atlantic Ocean begin I ask myself, I really must find out, unless the Solent is the channel and I was led up the garden path again. Any road up favourite was 22d. Thanks to the setter and Senf. Get well soon Huntsman.

  29. Roll on being able to print out and do these blasted things again, but have to pop by and say how brilliant are 1a, 5d and 7d, cracking clues and very ‘un-wordy’ 🤩

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