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DT 30060

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30060

Hints and tips by Falcon

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Ottawa, where the heat wave seems to be coming to an end with scorching temperatures replaced by merely hot temperatures.

I found today’s puzzle from Campbell to lie near the easier end of his spectrum.

In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

1a   Picture of Italian’s house, first in block by untidy canal (10)
CASABLANCA — string together the Italian word for house, the first letter of block and an anagram (untidy) of CANAL

6a   Notice // heads turning (4)
SPOT — reverse (turning) another word for heads

10a   Signs in old bishop, then priest (5)
OBELI — a charade of the single letter for old, the chess notation for bishop and the priest who taught Samuel

11a   Last drink? Cheerio (7,2)
BOTTOMS UP — split the answer (6,3) to get last (as in league standings) and a dialect word for drink

12a   Check on Gloria, new member of ruling clique (8)
OLIGARCH — the chess notation for check following (on in an across clue) an anagram (new) of GLORIA

13a   Gather a crowd (5)
AMASS — the A from the clue and another word for crowd or large number

15a   Complaint made by each girl left out (7)
EARACHE — the abbreviation for each followed by a girl’s name without the abbreviation for left; the girl you are looking for was Jacob’s favourite wife and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin (Jacob’s favourite sons)

17a   Royal Engineers handle withdrawal (7)
RETREAT — the usual shortened form of the engineering corps and handle or deal with

19a   Passenger ship hit it, an iceberg partially concealed (7)
TITANIC — hidden (partially concealed) in the four middle words of the clue; the entire clue can serve as the definition

21a   Tree worship? (7)
SERVICE — double definition, both nouns

22a   Page member of the clergy abridged (5)
RECTO — remove the final letter (abridged) from a cleric

24a   Acting so unpredictably, lacking faith (8)
AGNOSTIC — anagram (unpredictably) of the first two words in the clue

27a   Two MAs blocking reform in one’s old college (4,5)
ALMA MATER — insert two instances of MA in a word meaning reform or change

28a   Get to a church, after religious education (5)
REACH — the A from the clue and a cartographer’s church follow the usual shortened form of religious education

29a   Sign made by female convict (4)
FLAG — the single letter for female and a colloquial term for a convict

30a   Share a meal using holiday money (5,5)
BREAK BREAD — another name for holiday and a hippy term for money

Down

1d   Dog caught — by what means? (4)
CHOW — cricket notation for caught and a shorter way of saying ‘by what means’

2d   Me included in all-star cast? Suspect something’s wrong (5,1,3)
SMELL A RAT — ME from the clue inserted into an anagram (cast) of ALL STAR

3d   Fetch book on band (5)
BRING — the single letter for book atop (on in a down clue) a band that might be placed on a finger

4d   Vegetable that’s given away in French hostel (7)
AUBERGE — remove (given away) IN from a purple vegetable

5d   Baseball player about to return after snag (7)
CATCHER — reverse (to return) the usual Latin word for on or ‘in the matter of’ and place it following a snag or hidden problem

7d   Italian food: finished last of pizza (5)
PASTA — another word for finished or over and the last letter of pizza

8d   Comp — kind crossword compiler produces? (10)
TYPESETTER — string together other words for kind or sort and a crossword compiler

9d   Gossip about doctor turning up? It’s not important (2,6)
NO MATTER — another word for gossip or talk casually wrapped around (about) the reversal of (turning up in a down clue) an army doctor

14d   Partner improved, to tie (6,4)
BETTER HALF — improved in health and match an opponents score in golf which I think, as a verb, should be spelt HALVE

16d   Cold working, so madame makes soup (8)
CONSOMME — a charade of the single letter for cold, working or functioning, SO from the clue and the abbreviation for madame

18d   Put out, the Spanish by Italy at home in match (9)
ELIMINATE — link together a Spanish definite article, the IVR code for Italy and the result of injecting the usual term for ‘at home’ into a word meaning one of a pair of matching items

20d   Idle talk about milliner (7)
CHATTER — the single-letter shortened Latin term denoting about or approximately (in reference to a date) precedes another name for a milliner

21d   Celebrated Irish uprising with a drink (7)
SANGRIA — join together a word meaning celebrated vocally in a musical way, the reversal (uprising) of the abbreviation for Irish and the A from the clue

23d   Not rare, though missing on a butterfly (5)
COMMA — remove ON from a word meaning not rare and append the A from the clue to the result

25d   Clean brush (5)
SCRUB — double definition, a verb and a noun

26d   The woman and daughter in outhouse (4)
SHED — a pronoun denoting the woman and the abbreviation for daughter

Despite the answer being blantently obvious, I thought 19a was a very well-constructed semi-all-in-one and so am awarding it my clue of the day vote.


Quickie Pun (Top Row): WHIN + DOE + PAIN = WINDOW PANE

Quickie Pun (Bottom Row) : JAIN + SEE + MORE = JANE SEYMOUR


84 comments on “DT 30060

  1. A typical start to the week from Campbell with plenty to please. I had not heard of 10a but it could be nothing else if the clue were obeyed. I thought the surface of 19a terrific and the lurker well hidden. 22a held me up for a while because I couldn’t get “reverend” out of my mind. My COTD is 30a, which also had a great surface.

    Many thanks to Campbell for the fun and Falcon for the hints.

    I liked the Quickie puns. I got 1a in the quickie because there is an area in Shropshire called the Stiperstones where gorse abounds and whinberries can be picked for a delicious pie.

    1. I can see the ridge from our upstairs windows. Very dramatic as you get closer to them.

      1. A strange place that has been mined since Roman times and, possibly, before. There are so many old mine shafts that people have gone missing up there. It is, as you say, YS, a dramatic landscape.

    2. Whinberries is a new one to me (though I don’t dispute it). Round here (in Derbyshire) we call them wimberries or bilberries. The stuff you learn on here!

      1. We have the various spellings here in Shropshire, as well, Jose. I chose “whinberries” because it fits the clue.

  2. For me had a slightly dated feel but very enjoyable all the same. Always think Campbell makes setting look so easy which of course it isn’t.
    Top two for me the super clever 2&23d.
    Thanks to the aforementioned setter and Falcon

    1. Forgive me, once more (!), SL but I’d love to know what clues you feel are dated as I’m struggling to think which could fall into that category? ‘Comp’ possibly?

      As always, you don’t have to reply whatsoever as, frankly, it’s none of my bee’s wax.

      1. I must admit, I can’t find anything remotely “dated” about this puzzle but perhaps it’s the “style” of the clues that SL is referring to, or maybe he’s a very young person?

        1. I’ve always felt that a lot of answers in crosswords are old words, outdated etc.
          I thought that was part of the fun! I don’t get the complaint either.

          1. Not sure what you don’t get about the complaint. Perhaps I’m wrong but it could refer to a complaint – ie something we may have that hurts or giving someone (the answer)is making a complaint

              1. Innoculated with two Ns, Cardinal Jo?

                I know you like your cardinal points but there’s no need to throw them in willy-nilly.

                (great expression)

                    1. Some years ago, I introduced a new type of clue on here – the “Malapropism” clue. Naturally, it didn’t go down very well! I have searched for it using the Google Search this Site facility at the top of the Home Page, but can’t remember the exact wording so haven’t found it. Maybe somebody’s deleted it …

  3. Much enjoyed this gentle, decidedly Monday puzzle.
    Met some old friends eg 13 and 17a and 26d and liked the clever 1 and 4 and 18d.
    So, */****
    Many thanks, Campbell and Falcon.

  4. Afun crossword, more straightforward than average for monday, which I really enjoyed. I liked 1a, ine of my old favourites from the mid-20th century, 27a and 12a. COTD, was 21a, an old chestnut, which we’ve had befor, qhich, nevertheless, always gives me pause for thought. Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon for the hints.

  5. Took a while to work out 12a, 15a and the bottom “half” of 14d still eludes me despite Falcon’s hint otherwise good fun. Thankyou Campbell for this and 720 and Falcon.

    1. Re 14d….Maybe because there’s a typo in the hint, should read “match” not “march” .

  6. It’s Monday, it’s Campbell, what’s not to like? 19a was very neat, but my favourite was 23d.

    Thanks to the aforementioned and Falcon.

  7. An interesting Campbell which was mainly straightforward but with 3 new eminently guessable newbies for me in 21a, 22a and 23d all of which caused me some head scratching and pushed me into ** time. For some reason I particularly enjoyed 14d so that gets my COTD. Thanks Falcon and Campbell for a solid start to the week.

    1. You asked, here we go. The fount of all knowledge, a.k.a. the BRB, says that it is a Eurasian tree, similar to the Rowan, with apple or pear-shaped fruits used since Roman times to make an alcoholic drink. There is also a wild variety, somewhat like a maple, with clusters of round fruits used to make a cider like drink.

      It is a bit of an oldie but goodie so worth trying to remember.

    2. Also hope someone can throw light on the ‘tree’ part, or it’ll niggle all day! Apart from that, a nice gentle accompaniment to coffee after a busy weekend – many thanks!

  8. It’s Monday :good: It’s Campbell :good: 1.5*/4.5*

    Our Monday setter being quite straightforward in this and the OLPP. Candidates for favourite – 1a, 22a, 30a, 4d, and 21d – and the winner is 4d.

    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

    1. The best L’Auberge I know is in the French sector of La Suisse in our favourite relatively quiet ski and summer walking resort of Les Diablerets. I recommend to all.

      1. Visited les diableret when I was 14 as part of my French educational school visit 62years ago. It was very hot. I failed French. The school was All Saints Clifton if anyone can remember it.

    2. I agree with about the OLPP, Senf. I’ve just finished it and it is enjoyable and quite straightforward.

  9. Nothing to stretch the grey cells too far today, fun to solve in the Kent Sahara this morning.
    Thanks to Campbell for the action and Falcon for the review.

  10. Many thanks Falcon for some helpful unwinding in a couple of places; and Campbell for 4 down, a wonderful, woody word. And I learned a new tree. **/***.

  11. Lots of new words, new to me anyway such as Service tree, obelus, recto .They were fairly clued.
    Auberge was my last one in.
    1a is my favourite.
    Thanks to Falcon and Campbell.

  12. Mostly straightforward with just four giving pause for thought, 4d a new word for me spent some time trying to remove the “g” but bunged in the correct answer,21a had to be what it was but had to confirm it was a tree,14d wasn’t sure about the second part not being a golfie person,and finally 23d which I got from the word play but had to confirm with mr G. More like this would suit me down to the ground. Thanks to all.

  13. Forgot to mention 10a which brought back memories of asterix the Gaul comics I read in my misspent youth😊.

      1. M. Were you getting mixed up with Castor and Pollux, the twins from Greek myth and also the two bright stars in the Gemini constellation?

  14. Another nice Monday puzzle to start the non-work week. The only one I had trouble with was 22a, but I figured it out eventually. It was a new word for me.
    1.5*/3.5* for me today (or rather on a very warm Sunday night)

    Favourites include 11a, 21a, 1d, 3d & 23d

    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon

  15. Lots to enjoy here, all so fairly and tightly clued, nothing to alarm the equines, plenty of smiles throughout. I’ll go for 1a, 4d and 23d as my podium places today, a most enjoyable puzzle.

    1.5* / 3.5*

    Many thanks indeed to Campbell, and of course also to Falcon.

  16. A fairly gentle Monday offering, but some really clever clues.
    I think 2d is quite brilliant.
    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  17. Although both of Campbell’s cryptics today took me almost exactly the same time to complete, the one online #720 again wins the weekly ‘Campbellton’ Derby by a hair. Both, though, were enjoyable solves, with 1a, 14d, & 4d taking the backpage medals (and, for the online awards: 11a, 8d, & 6d). Thanks to Falcon and Campbell. ** / ***

      1. Of course! But am I that predictable? Now that I’ve had a chance to re-think my choices for the backpager, I really must add 2d to my list of awardees.

  18. Must have been a bit easier than normal today as I usually struggle a bit with Campbell’s puzzles.
    Didn’t know the tree and couldn’t parse 14d, so not bad for me.

    Thanks to Falcon and to Campbell.

  19. Late in today – ‘super’ gardeners came over and grandchildren were on Skype so time ran away with me.
    Another enjoyable Campbell Monday and my podium hosts 30a along with 2,4,16&23d.

    Thanks to the afore-mentioned Campbell and to a slightly cooler Falcon.

  20. 2/3.5. Enjoyable start to the week. Favourites were 4d&19a. Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  21. After 2 weeks on holiday and completing the crossword on an iPad I’m delighted to get back to paper and pen. I know that makes me a Luddite but it definitely makes me a better solver for some reason.
    Good fun today and relatively straightforward. Who knew that a service was a tree and a comma a butterfly? Not me.
    My favourite was 19a, very clever I thought.
    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon

  22. Very pleasant puzzle with two new words but I cannot for the life of me see the association of the answer to 21a to a tree!
    Got me stumped and Mrs B was no help nor the BRB.
    Thx to all
    **/***

    1. Good old Google to the rescue, apparently there is a Service Tree Sorbus domestica, who knew!

      1. And me! I first came across that particular tree in a cryptic puzzle about 50 years ago and have seen it umpteen times since.

  23. I fairly flew through today’s puzzle and enjoyed every moment. So many great clues spoilt for choice.
    Many thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  24. Good Campbellso tjahanks to you and Falcon. All completed . If this does not make sense I can’t read the screen on a sunny beach. Favourites 1 19 and 30a and 4 and 9d.

  25. At last a Monday puzzle on a Monday despite 10a but it was fairly clued, and not my last in. I rather enjoyed this. Favourite was 21d. Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  26. A dnf due to 21a. Never heard of the tree and doubt I ever will again. Not seen it in crosswordland before either. Such a daft name for a tree would be difficult to forget.

    Never heard of 30 across but I only go in churches for weddings and funerals. Or to get out of the sun.

    Quite a challenge for a Monday, but no doubt a wavelength thing.

    Thanks to all.

  27. A very educational crossword in that I learnt 3 new words, 10a, 21a and 22a. I’ll probably have forgotten them by tomorrow though. Rather enjoyed the tussle despite chasing some wrong definitions, which is not unusual for me. Thanks to Falcon and Campbell.

  28. 4d my fav in the back-pager. Pretty straightforward though never heard of the tree. Thought his online prize puzzle just had the edge. Both of the first words in the Quickie puns were also new to me & required looking up.
    Thanks all.

  29. Coped with this early a.m. prior to a busy day en famille so am now trying to to recall how the solve went. Seem to think it was relatively pain free with North coming home first. My Fav was 3d with 30a running up. Thank you Campbell and Falcon.

  30. Ref: 8d, unless I’m mistaken, no one has commented upon the ‘Comp -‘. Is this not a synonym of typesetter, that is Compositor?

    1. You are right.I was surprised to see the abbreviation Comp and not Compositor in the clue
      However our eminently wise blogger has underlined Comp as the definition

  31. As a cryptic novice could someone explain the tree worship answer please

  32. 2*/5*…..
    liked19A “Passenger ship hit it, an iceberg partially concealed (7)”

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