Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29063
Hints and tips by 2Kiwis
BD Rating – Difficulty **– Enjoyment ****
Kia ora from Aotearoa.
We’re ‘girding our loins’ for an invasion tomorrow. 15yr old granddaughter Alice is bringing six of her school friends to stay at our place for a couple of days. They won’t actually be staying in our house but in a holiday bach on the property and plan to be fully self-catering. Looking forward to having them here.
We finished this Jay puzzle within our 2 star time but there are some trickier bits here and we did consider putting 3 stars for difficulty.
Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.
Across
1a Agreement from politician blocking company law (7)
COMPACT : Start with the abbreviation for company, then a member of parliament and finally, what a bill becomes when it is passed by parliament.
9a Minister’s place of sin probed by a tabloid (8)
VICARAGE : ‘A’ from the clue and an informal word for a tabloid newspaper are inside another word for sin.
10a Code will be broken with strange behaviour (7)
DECORUM : An anagram (will be broken) of CODE plus strange or odd.
11a Not one of the favourites is rude to eccentric (8)
OUTSIDER : An anagram (eccentric) of IS RUDE TO.
12a Caution mostly needed with favourite blanket (6)
CARPET : A synonym for caution loses its last letter and then favourite or cherished.
13a Anomaly of hesitation by sailor with allowance (10)
ABERRATION : An able-bodied seaman (sailor) then a two letter hesitation sound and an allowance or allotted portion.
15a Choker‘s speech in audition (4)
TORC : A homophone of a word for speech or verbal communication. (The answer is an alternate spelling of a somewhat obscure word.)
16a Incisive Tory, oddly with charm (9)
TRENCHANT : The first and third letters (oddly) of TORY and then charm or captivate.
21a Defeat, being exposed on east of border (4)
ROUT : The final letter (east) of border and then exposed or in the open.
22a Commission centre-page spread (10)
PERCENTAGE : An anagram (spread) of CENTRE-PAGE.
24a Sort of person found in advertising legacies (6)
SINGLE : A lurker, hiding in the clue.
25a Turns aside, seeing weaknesses across line (8)
DEFLECTS : The abbreviation for line is inside weaknesses or flaws.
27a A name adopted by players before a game (7)
CANASTA : Put ‘A’ from the clue and the abbreviation for name inside a group of theatrical players and finally, the other ‘A’ from the clue.
28a Downgrade emissary on outskirts of Rome (8)
RELEGATE : The first and last letters (outskirts) of Rome plus an emissary or envoy.
29a Right about man being rejected for acceptance (7)
RECEIPT : The two letter abbreviation for right surrounds the reversal of a man found on a chessboard.
Down
2d Person running a business exercise welcomed by speaker (8)
OPERATOR : A person delivering a speech encloses physical exercise.
3d The chances of a view (8)
PROSPECT : A double definition.
4d Can’t care about eating American lobster perhaps? (10)
CRUSTACEAN : An anagram (about) of CAN’T CARE includes the United States.
5d Place of army officer after evicting tenant (4)
LIEU : Remove the word ‘tenant’ from a junior army officer.
6d Sickness that’s a value in North America (6)
NAUSEA : Inside the abbreviation for North America place ‘A’ from the clue and value or purpose.
7d Smooth Italian supporting quiet area for kids to play in (7)
SANDPIT : Smooth by rubbing with abrasive paper, the musical letter for quiet, and lastly, the abbreviation for Italian.
8d Relevance of demeanour? (7)
BEARING : A double definition.
11d Complete musical about love finding things to wear (9)
OVERCOATS : Complete or finished, and then the feline musical contains the tennis score love.
14d Property of beer in a setter upset (4,6)
REAL ESTATE : An anagram (upset) of A SETTER contains a synonym for beer.
17d Case to be heard before tea out will be cut short (8)
TRUNCATE : What sounds like a large travelling case and then an anagram (out) of TEA.
18d Point, satisfied with small blouse? (4,4)
FULL STOP : Satisfied or replete, then the abbreviation for small and what a blouse or even a tee shirt could be called.
19d Rests having broken pride on board ship (7)
SPIDERS : The abbreviation for a steamship encloses an anagram (broken) of PRIDE.
20d Academic priest set up outline (7)
PROFILE : An academic head of department and the reversal of crosswordland’s favourite high priest.
23d Join in support of European issue (6)
EMERGE : Firstly, the abbreviation for European, then join or come together.
26d Gallery‘s last debt regularly rescheduled (4)
TATE : A two step process here. Take alternate letters from ‘last debt’ and form an anagram with these.
We couldn’t choose between 7d and 18d for favourite today and the surface reading of 9a had real appeal.
Quickie pun poor + keep + highs = porky pies (lies)
2*/4*. I found this to be a puzzle of graduated difficulty. The top half was completed in line with my 1* time, the SE was more like 2.5* for difficulty and the SW was very challenging at around 4* level, so about 2* overall.
We had all the usual fun for a Wednesday although 15a seemed a bit of a strange one for Jay – very obscure and perhaps a case of putting in the only word that would fit?
My joint favourites were 9a & 7d.
Many thanks to Jay and the 2Ks.
Like RD says, a mixture of difficulty averaging out at 2* time. The usual enjoyment factor we expect on a Wednesday – I did know both spellings of 15a but did take a moment to wonder about whether everyone would say the homophone in the same way. I’m sure there’ll be comments thereon later.
Thanks to Jay and the 2Ks – have fun with the visitors
Yes, the homophone, I have (vague) memories of a previous discussion on the ‘choker’ and the synonym of speech.
The lobster had me drooling for shellfish but the arachnid had me running away screaming. Fortunately I had played a bit of snooker in my youth so i was able to regain my composure and finish this excellent puzzle before mowing the field this morning. Great clues from Mr Mutch so thanks to him. Another lovely review from the 2Ks so thank you to them, especially for the lobster (St Mawes next week so it is likely to be on the menu along with Oysters Crab and Mussels). The piccie at 9ac took some working out. It was nearly as cryptic as the puzzle to me. Then I spotted dear old Dawn and all became clear. Have fun looking after the girls. I am sure that if you leave them alone they will be fine.
Enjoy St Mawes Miffypops. Fish curry in the Watch House very good.
Cracking one today with lots of clever misleading clues giving plenty of enjoyment with 15A being a new word for me .
Will pick 18D as my COTD only just ahead of a few others .
Thanks to everyone .
As usual, a great puzzle from Jay, ** for difficulty and **** for enjoyment. There were a couple of clues which were difficult to parse, so thanks to the two Kiwis and good luck with the hordes of adolescents. It brings back memories of all the geography and geology trips that I have ‘organised’ over the years. My favourite clues were 7d and 19d.
Great fun with a mixture of difficulties. I hadn’t heard of 15a before, but it was the only word I could make up. Needed the dictionary to confirm. I thought 26d was clever but I will make 7d my favourite.
This followed what has become a regular pattern for me on Wednesday in that I struggle to get a start but once I do it all comes together quite quickly. Too many good clues to choose a favourite, even the anagrams were excellent. My only problem was parsing 26d, though 15a was an educated guess. 3*/4*
Many thanks to Jay and to the 2Ks for the excellent review.
Excellence comes as standard on Wednesdays from Jay, and this relatively straightforward puzzle was a delight from start to finish. I cannot see beyond the terrific 9a for a COTD although there were many worthy contenders.
Many thanks to all three birds involved in today’s production.
Mostly unchallenging with only NW hanging fire for a little while. Thanks to my late Father’s passion for snooker I had no hesitation over 19d but wonder if that will be the case for everyone although the 2Kiwis illustrated hint should help. Liked the surfaces of 9a, 27a and 7d. Thank you Jay and the 2Kiwis.
My usual struggle with Jay puzzles. I can normally get the answer from part of the clue but fully parsing clues such as 11d, 27a, 29a, 23d and 5d always gives me trouble.
Did like 18a and learnt a new word in 16a which I needed to look up in the BRB.
Having said all that i did enjoy the solve.
Thx to all
***/***
Thanks to Jay for one of his very typical Wednesday puzzles started much later than usual. past my usual lights out time, but still completed at a gallop – **/****.
Candidates for favourite – 9a, 16a, and 6d – and the winner is 6d.
Thanks again to Jay and to the 2Ks.
Another excellent Wednesday puzzle with just 26d giving pause for thought on the parsing front. Fortunately, the answer to 19d occurred very quickly so I was spared any other difficulty in the SW corner.
The Quickie pun made me smile but my favourite has to be 9a – hope Prolixic spots it!
Many thanks to Jay and to our 2Ks – best of luck with the gang of girls!
Going to agree with the 2k ‘s on a **/****., a nice mix of clues today .
Last in was 29a which took a while to parse, liked the surface of 19d which brought a snigger,
Like Jane a smile tor the quickie pun.
Thanks to Jay and 2K,s for the pics.
Mostly done at a decent speed but SW corner was hardest.
I didn’t understand 19d until seeing 2K’s picture when the penny dropped.
Re 29a, Is an item on a modern chessboard usually called a man? Or is that only in Crosswordland?
Thanks to setter and 2Ks.
Debbie, chess pieces are collectively known as chessmen. The singular “chessman” is not particularly common but can be used and is in the BRB.
Pretty enjoyable for me as I usually struggle with Jay puzzles, 16a held me up for a bit but finally got it sorted. I quite liked 9a.
Thanks to the 2Ks and to Jay.
Another Wednesday delight from Mr Mutch! The top half was a breeze, the lower section required a bit more effort from the grey cells. 22a was my favourite simply because I didn’t spot the anagram for ages! Oh dear….
Thanks to Jay, and to the 2K’s for the review.
The usual treat from Jay but I thought it trickier than usual.
Who knew there were so many meanings for 19d? I knew it had to be right but the “rests” had me fooled.
Fave? I dunno, too many choices, but 9a and 7d stood out.
Thanks to Jay and the 2Kiwis – imagine the fun and giggles with all those girls!
Off piste – isn’t Federer brilliant!
**/****. Lovely puzzle with a real mix of difficulty. My favourites were 5&18d as the pennies dropped with a clang. Thanks to Jay and the 2Ks. Enjoy the visitors. We will be baby sitting our 5y and 18m grandsons for 6 weeks this summer before taking them back to the UK – 9 hour flight and 4 hour drive will be “fun”.
Really struggled with today’s offering and couldn’t get going. Once I’d twigged with one or two clues things slotted into place. Thanks to the setter and hinter for a great puzzle
15a was a new word for me, but got it eventually through the wordplay. For some reason I couldn’t see the wood for the trees for 29a and that one was the last to go in. ***/****.
Another Jay cracker which was very enjoyable.
Took me a little longer than the majority 2.5*/4*
Favourites are 16ac & 11d.
Nothing else to say except ,,,, thanks to Jay & 2KWs for the review.
Morning all.
Looks like everyone appreciated this puzzle much as we did.
Our Thursday weather here is clear at the moment but is not forecast to stay that way. Never mind.
Cheers.
** for difficulty sounds about right, with a nice mixture of easy clues and a couple to get your teeth into. Last in 29ac which took an age to spot.
I’m back up to date with my crosswords now, or at least completing them on the same day at a time worth posting. As usual I didn’t start until I’d fed the dogs and put my dinner in the oven and managed to finish before the football started. I did know that 15a could be a choker as well as a bracelet. Favourite 16a. Many thanks to Jay and 2K’s. Any road up the match is about to start.
Humph. I’ve just realised it’s not on council tele.
Found this tougher than recent Jay puzzles, not being familiar with 15a and 19d. So kept me busy for a while. Thanks to 2Kiwis for hints which I needed to help me when I stalled.
Most enjoyable. I must have been on right wavelength as much quicker for me than a usual Jay. Clues were so good that many came straightaway. Did know the word in 15a but not the spelling so checked on google. Similarly 19d had to be what it was but I had forgotten that use of the word. Slight pause for thought in SW and 25a and 23d last two in. Have circled four each way from which I shall choose 22a and 7d
Difficult start then everything flowed nicely. Still puzzled over 29 across…bit of a stretch for me.
Torc is a variant spelling of torque which is perhaps not so obscure if you are a mechanic or need to tighten a nut to a prescribed pressure
Welcome to the blog Philip
3*/3*……
liked 9A (minister’s place of sin probed by a tabloid).