DT 30242

91 comments on “DT 30242”

1. This was a good straightforward puzzle for me on a Wednesday which is normally the day of the week when I start to take much longer to solve, with the grid surrounded with scribbles, anagram circles, possible alternatives, etc. (I took a bit of time to finish on Monday – it almost feels as if the Monday and Wednesday puzzles have been transposed this week!)

   LOI was 27a where I fell into the trap of looking for an anagram of the first three words until this was ruled out by the checkers. Lots of other favourites included 11a and 21d which is how I sometimes deliberately mispronounce the word.

   Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis for giving me a warm glow of satisfaction on this cold, frosty morning.

2. Although not at all difficult I thought this was a charming puzzle, clever, witty and mildly cryptic throughout with smooth surface reads to boot.
   My big ticks go to 1&8a plus16d with my favourite the super smart 25a.
   Many thanks indeed to the setter (my “punt” is Robyn) and to the Ks.

3. Although I don’t make a habit of timing myself this has to have been my quickest solve ever. Whoever the setter is I was definitely on their wavelength. I do hope that those who are newer to the crossword and sometimes feel out of their depth enjoyed this one. No really stand out clues but I did enjoy 1a and 1d. Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis.

4. This was quite a straightforward puzzle but there was some clever misdirection in some of the clues, which added to the enjoyment. I thought 4d, 11a and 6d wereparticularly good. I also liked the 27a literary clue. Thanks to the compiler and to the Kiwis for the hints. You are right about time flying as you get older. Chriistmas doesn’t seem very long ago and already my mobile phone App is teminding me that it is time to organise a celebration for my husband’s birthday next week.

5. I agree with my fellow contributors that this was fun and easier than usual for a Weds at */****. My favourites were 18&21d both equally excellent. Thanks to our setter and our autumnal Antipodean friends.

6. Like some of the other commenters, this was my fastest solve ever. Clearly it was the easiest puzzle for a good while (imo), but there was still some clever stuff like 1d. Great fun and a bit thinky in the lower half which is where my blistering cruciverbal romp came to a juddering halt ha. 21d raised a chuckle ;)

7. Brrr! …. great to have something entertaining to do in the warm. This perpetuated a so far lenient cruciverbal week. North was gentlest half. Some quite unusual cluing with great surfaces. A trio of Favs were 11a, 27a and 21d. Thank you Mysteron and 2Kiwis. 👍.

   1. The sun is out in Plymouth – you need to move south!!

      1. Yes, I am just a bit further North in West Sussex where it’s cold, dull and rainy but certainly no sign of sunshine! 🌧

         1. My 92 year old mum lives in Horsham and says there is a blanket there too!

8. A mixed bag for me in terms of difficulty but the whole thing was very enjoyable. The first three quarters went in very smoothly, on course for my 2* time, but the SW corner was much more challenging. My overall rating is 3*/4.5*.

   11a was my favourite.

   Many thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks.

9. Back from holidaying in sunny climes to a layer of overnight snow quickly turning to slush in the morning rain. England’s way of welcoming me home! At least today’s crossword was fun. As with other BD contributors, I found this reasonably straightforward – COTD for me was 21d, closely followed by 5d. Roll on warmer weather – seems hard to believe that the cricket season starts in a month’s time.

10. Yes, charming is the word for this one, which was certainly my fastest-ever Wednesday solve, but I did enjoy it. I liked 1a, 17a, and 27a (whose David Copperfield I was writing about last night, re Demon Copperhead). If I say that I miss our ‘old’ Wednesday maestro, it’s mainly to wish him well and hope that he visits us occasionally. Thanks to the Kiwis and today’s setter. */****

    Another excellent and assessible Toughie today.

    1. I meant accessible, of course!

11. Very enjoyable while this super puzzle lasted, ideal for the coffeebreak. Was just about to exceed 1* time as I looked at 21d, my LOI, when the light dawned with a groan – phew! Not entirely convinced that a ‘small town’ is a ******* – the whole point is that a ******* is not a town, even a small one, and the BRB describes a ******* as being “smaller than a town”, not a small town. Harrumph.

    Anyway, laughed out loud at the beautifully constructed surface of 20d and the straight-out-of-ISIHAC answer to 18d, both sharing top step on my podium; runners-up included 8a, 17a in conjunction with 15d, 1d & 16d.

    1 / 4

    Many thanks to the Setter and of course to the 2Ks

    1. Interesting that every small town, and even village, has or had a legend in their football, rugby, or cricket dressing rooms and some left a very distinctive smell.

    2. You are absolutely right about 2d but I think compilers ask for a bit of latitude from time to time.

       Replacing ‘small town’ with ‘settlement’ (the only one word description that I can think of) affects the surface which may prompt you to think that they should go back to the drawing board.

       ‘Harrumph’ (an excellent word) seems a tad harsh but you are, of course, allowed to say what you want.

    3. I think it’s OK, MG – certainly for a crossword. Based just on population, the Parliament website features villages with up to 7500 residents and the classification becoming town over that. Bradfield (pop. over 17100) is the biggest “village”, so would be classified (by size/pop.) as a town , or at least a “small town”. Not sure if that will convince you, though …

       1. The town on the outskirts of which I live has a population of about 9,000, and I always struggle to think of anywhere with a population greater than a few thousand at most as being anything other than at least a small town.

          Ach, it’s not worth losing sleep over, especially given how good was the rest of the puzzle!

12. Light but immensely enjoyable. I especially liked 21d as it made me laugh.
    Thx to all
    */****

13. The last two Wednesdays have been very enjoyable with honest clueing which at times needed some thought, so NOT a write in for me. Plenty of stars on my paper but my very honourable mentions go to 25 and 27a, and 1, 15, and 21d.

    Very many thanks to the setter and may you long continue in this role and vein.

    Thanks to the 2Ks who are thinking of getting warmer clothing for the winter. I don’t know what some of our postmen will do when it gets warmer here as many of them have worn shorts all though the winter. Perhaps they will become 15 downs.

14. A very enjoyable and gentle guess the setter Wednesday with what seemed to be more than a sprinkling of oldies but goodies – 1.5*/4*

    Candidates for favourite – 1a, 9a, 25a, 1d, and 21d – and the winner is 1a..

    Thanks to whomsoever, my five bob is staying in my pocket, and thanks to the 2Kiwis.

15. An excellent crossword week continues but the thought of tomorrow makes me tense.
    1a and d kickstarted a steady solve to completion.
    Sheer brilliant constructions and great surfaces in many eg 25 and 27a.
    So, **/5*
    Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis, nicely illustrated review.

    1. Hmm, tomorrow, it will not be a Ray T Thursday as his alter ego Beam is on Toughie Duty. So who will it be? Another guess the setter day?

16. I enjoyed this puzzle. The brain fog caused by an ongoing back injury lifted enough for me to solve it.
    COTD has to be 14a

    1. As one of the newer solvers I enjoyed this quite alot. Needed a few of the hints to finish in the SW corner but on the whole quite pleased with myself.

17. Enjoyed today’s puzzle, somewhat on the straightforward side. Favourite clue has to be 27a

18. A gentle, joyful jaunt.

    20d sits on top of the podium with 3d and 27a claiming the lesser spoils.

    I was thinking how much will crosswords suffer with Betty no longer being ‘The Boss’ but, clearly, it’s hardly at all.

    1*/5*

19. Stephen’s comment @2 summed up my thoughts precisely. Ticks in abundance & a real pleasure to solve.
    Thanks to the setter & 2Ks
    Ps The Stick Insect Toughie is also good fun & decidedly floughie

20. It’s always a sign of a much-enjoyed puzzle when there are so many different choices for favourite clue from the commentariat. 11 and 27a were my top two. I thought this was a nicely weighted grid with some good misdirection, just right for a cold and miserable Wednesday morning.

    My thanks to our setter and the 2 Ks.

21. A very entertaining puzzle which produced lots of smiles. Some of the clues (e.g. 11a) reminded me of Rufus. Thanks to our setter and 2Ks.
    Difficult to select a podium from such a galaxy of stars but I’ll plump for 8a, 11a and 4d.

22. Reasonably straightforward today although I did suffer from a temporary blind spot where 11a & 5d were concerned. Nothing stood out as being ‘the one’ but I did have plenty of ticks including 1,25&27a plus 1,16&21d.

    Thanks to our setter Robyn(?) and to our 2Ks for the review.
    Hard to believe that British Summertime starts in a couple of weeks given the amount of snow we’ve got on the mountains!

23. Here’s a puzzle done and dusted by lunchtime and sans alcohol ! Some clever wordplay and elegant thinking by the setter.
    My favourites- 11a, 17a, 25a. Last one in 21d, once penny dropped.
    Thanks for the midweek fun, now all downhill.

24. Thought this Wednesday puzzle was superb and a lot of fun and laughs along the way. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

    2*/5* for me today

    Favourites were numerous for cleverness as well as humour and smiles elicited. Lots of great misdirection to be had too.
    My picks are 1a, 9a, 25a, 27a, 5d 16d & 21d
    So many to choose from so I pick two winners today … 1a and 27a

    Thanks to setter (whomever it may be) and the 2K’s

25. A lovely well clued Wednesday puzzle and although I can’t remember in detail Rufus’s style of clueing, it did put me in mind of Mondays of old. Lots to enjoy and a number of chuckles along the way. Favourites included, 1a, 27a, 21d & 18d – I think that one gets my top vote. Cold with wet snow here in the land of Sabrina, so I’m cheering myself by making a batch of steak and kidney pies to freeze. Thanks to our setter and the 2Ks, as they step into autumn.

26. Wonderful crossword, very enjoyable to solve with a few laughs on the way. Favourite was 18d – and I agree with Mustafa G, could hear the late lamented Barry Cryer defining it!

    Thanks to 2Ks and setter.

27. Lovely crossword. Held myself up by becoming obsessed that (in 4d) ‘new heart’ meant an anagram of ‘heart’ plus ‘e’. Solving 9a as my penultimate entry ensured I was shoved in the right direction. So, cheers and bravo to 4d for making me work hard.

    I woke up very late due to our attendance at one of those wonderful European nights at Stamford Bridge. There is something quite magical about playing (and beating) ‘exotic’ opposition on a chilly midweek evening at the home of football. Hats off to all concerned including Messrs Potter and Cucurella in whom I never had any doubt (cough cough).

    Thanks to the setter and The TwoKays

    

    1. Floodlit, and indeed floodlit European midweek nights, are indeed the best. The pre covid 4-4 vs Ajax springs to mind as a fine example of the genre. 😊

       1. Rog – We were there for the 4-4. What a night! I’m not sure I have ever recovered…

    2. Cucurella, a real Don Juan type. I don’t know how he plays with all that hair, but then there are many strange hairstyles in the Premier League. I thought Dortmund were quite poor. I’m hoping for success tomorrow evening after the unmentionable result at the weekend!
       Really enjoyed the crossword today, so many great clues 21d made me laugh. Thankyou setter and 2 Ks

28. A nice smooth finish interrupted by a trip to the town centre for shopping and lunch. 2d was a new word for me but easily worked out from the clue. I liked 18d and 5d although I put in the wrong preposition twice before finding the best (and most logical) one.

    1. I assume you mean the ‘big village’ centre?

       1. When does a big hamlet become a small village? :-)

          1. More than a half-dozen properties? We lived in a ‘settlement’ with about two dozen houses, one of which used to have a shop & post office in its front room – everyone considered it a good-sized village, and certainly not a hamlet! Nearest pub 3/4 mile and nearest church 3 miles. Thank heavens it wasn’t the other way around.

             1. I’m sure some of you know this but the rule of thumb in The UK is that a village has a church though it’s obviously a bit grey….the definition that is not the church.

                1. While a hamlet lacks a church (or does it? See below) a village need not have a church but is smaller than a town. As religious faith dwindles churches close their doors – and get converted into houses and apartments, among other things, if not demolished. Lacking then a church, a village of say 2,000 people would not then become a hamlet.

                   There are a couple of interesting (yes, ok, define interesting …) examples in east Cornwall: the hamlet of Bolventor has a population of c.170, a pub (Jamaica Inn) and an ex-church (Holy Trinity) that closed its doors in 1981; the parish of Advent has a population of about 190, four hamlets, no village and no pub, but it does have a church (St Adwen’s).

                   Rules of thumbs are both liable to breaking!

                   1. Absolutely and that’s why we love it!

                      Advent – what a superb name for a place. It would be great if the River Ure ran through the parish.

                      Thanks for the info, MG.

                      1. Or if Midge lived there, then he would be, to paraphrase an Ultravox song, the “Great Advent Ure”

                         1. You’ve used a different email address to your usual one so this comment needed moderation. Both email addresses will work from now on.

                      2. Very witty!

             2. My comment there was decidedly tongue-in-cheek and merely a humorous riposte – I didn’t really expect a response. But it just shows how people regard/judge things quite differently. According to my research, a hamlet has a tiny population (fewer than 100) and a small number of buildings – but that could easily be up to 30 houses!

                Chinley, in Derbyshire, is a fairly typical “village” but it does have a population of over 2800 – maybe a “small town”?

                All a bit subjective, I guess …

          2. No idea but where we live there are six houses. Are we a hamlet?

       2. No, I meant the preposition in the middle of 5d. I tried ‘on’ then ‘to’ and finally realised it should by ‘by’.

29. Such a neat puzzle, thank you setter whoever you are ( our editor perhaps?) and also 2Ks for pointing out the misdirection in 5d. Terrific clues include 27a 21d 25a

30. Another cruciverbal delight, completed fairly swiftly after writing in both the long ones at 1a & 1d, with the SW holding out the longest.

    1*/4*

    Fav 21d LOI 18d

    Thanks to the setter and 2Kiwis.

31. Good fun. Certainly not normal Wednesday fare as went in very quickly. I did not hesitate over the very famous person as I’ve seen this before. I’m not sure why I didn’t circle more favourites but may be that I was going too fast. At first I looked for the name of a small town ending with ing for 3 down. Luckily I got the checkers and quickly discounted that. No objection to it but agree that it is definitely not a small town. I had the last letter for 19a so did not have to go beyond the first word of the clue to find the answer. If I paused at all it was in the SW. I also did of course wonder what 5d had to do with 11a. Please come out of the closet Mr, Mrs, or Ms Tyron. Rings round 1, 11, 14, 27a and 22d

32. How different it feels when the tiny brain goes through this like a hot knife through butter! It makes up for all the times I’ve sat staring at the crossword and not able to make sense of anything. I had two hesitations, 23a wasn’t sure of “wound”, and 26a, I didn’t think an abbreviation like that would be allowed, but it appears it is. I so enjoyed this I can’t single out a single fave, did like 1a and 27a, but so much good stuff here. I’m on cloud nine,
    Thank you setter, please, please, more like this, and thanks 2Kiwis for the hints and pics.

33. Excellent puzzle, 21 made me laugh, 4d last one in. More like this please. Thanks to all

34. Very, very enjoyable puzzle. Methinks it might be Chalicea, but I am rubbish when it comes to recognizing setters. Being able to solve each and every clue does wonders my self esteem, and helps make up for the days when I feel quite thick. Can’t help but feel this should have been scheduled last Monday. Too many great clues to pick one. 21d was my LI, and then I laughed. So happy to have a puzzle for those of us not in the upper echelon of solving brains ☺️. Huge thank you to the setter.

    1. Whenever I solve a puzzle that I like and where everything falls into place, I immediately think it’s by Chalicea!

35. A quick solve before the first cup of tea was finished, so only * from us. But there were some lovely clues that we enjoyed very much – the best one was 1ac, our first one in but such a good clue. **** for enjoyment.

36. Cucurella, a real Don Juan type. I don’t know how he plays with all that hair, but then there are many strange hairstyles in the Premier League. I thought Dortmund were quite poor. I’m hoping for success tomorrow evening after the unmentionable result at the weekend!
    Really enjoyed the crossword today, so many great clues 21d made me laugh. Thankyou setter and 2 Ks

    1. This was a response to Terence!

       1. :good:

          1. Somehow I managed to post twice 🙄

37. Morning all.
    Good to wake up this morning and read so many positive comments about the puzzle. It must be very satisfying to be a setter and have this happen.
    A few spots of rain pattering on the roof this morning but these are expected to disappear by daybreak.
    Cheers.

38. I have now finished, although I started quickly it took a while for the my brain to tune in to the clever misdirections and stop pulling for anagrams that did not exist. I think this was a really elegant puzzle but for me was trickier than yesterday. 21d and 27a were my favourites once the penny dropped.

    Many thanks to the mystery setter and the 2kiwis

    1. Pulling should have been looking …..not sure how that happened!

39. Really enjoyed this little jewel.
    Ticked quite a few clues, even the chestnut in 21d.
    Thanks to the setter and to 2kiwis for the review.

40. Just thought I’d drop in to own up to this one – and of course to say thanks to the 2Ks for the super blog and to everyone popping in to comment.
    Have a great – and hopefully not too snowy – week!

    1. This was perfect for us senior citizens who are not Mensa members! I loved every bit of it, I’ve been spending so many days staring at a bit of paper and not knowing what the heck was required of me! I love you so much, keep coming back.

       1. I applied to join Mensa back in the 80s. To me it was a bit of a laugh but the seriousness of the other candidates amazed me. It was as though their whole lives depended on being a member.

          The results of my test were that I missed membership by two points.

          I can’t say it bothers me! 😡

    2. Thanks Robyn, a fun and excellent puzzle.

    3. Thanks for popping in Robyn. Can only marvel at your ability to set lovely gentle gems like this then up the ante with apparent ease. Keep producing ones like this & I reckon those mourning the departure of Jay from the regular Wed slot will soon get over it.

    4. Thank you from me too Robyn, a red letter day did me in crossword land. Hope to see you more on here.

    5. Thought it might be you. Nice one!

    6. Very late in today thanks to meetings but managed to do the crossword whilst making supper. Great enjoyment, I liked 14a and 21d both made me laugh. Many thanks to you Robyn and to the Two Kiwis for taking my mind off the weather!

    7. Aha! I thought so. Thank you for the delightful puzzle, Robyn, and if you turn out to be our regular Wednesday setter, I’ll be over the moon.

    8. Thank you, Robyn for a great puzzle. As I say below, circumstances prevented my full enjoyment but what I did manage to complete was a joy.

    9. I loved this puzzle – best one for me for ages and very amusing, so thank you Robyn. Thanks too to the 2Ks, whose hints I didn’t need for once.

    10. Thank you Robyn for a wonderful puzzle which was full of good clues. I wonder if you will be the regular Wednesday setter to bring obvious pleasure to all on this blog. I certainly hope so.

41. Lovely witty crossword to cheer one up on a cold sleety day 😃 **/**** Favourites are the Compiler + 5d, 7d, & 14d 🤗 Thanks to the 2x Ks as Winter Draws on 😬

42. Not sure about 9a, but apart from that excellent. Stopped snowing here just now in Leicestershire. Favourite was 11a and the quickie pun, the king was a local lad. Thanks to Robyn and 2K’s.

43. Absolutely loved this –
    A puzzle that made me laugh out loud -18d and 21d both brilliant. Also loved 11a
    2*/5* rating and I echo the “more like this “ plea-
    wonderful!
    Thanks to the admirable, reliable Robyn and the 2K’s

44. Everything has already been said about this enjoyable puzzle, I liked the well disguised (for me anyway) 3d. Thanks to the 2kiwis and Robyn

45. 21 on first pass, and the rest followed smartly with just a slight pause at 4 and 21. Enjoyable, and surprised to see it was by Robyn as his toughies might as well be written in Mandarin for all the sense they make!!

46. Yet again, work and hospital visits for Mrs. C got in the way of the puzzle today. That is annoying because I got on really well over the morning coffee. Unfortunately, the deadline for the Diploma essays I’m marking is tomorrow so I had to get a move on. I have just finished and am now brain dead. The upside is I have submitted my invoice! 😎

    Now enjoying a Grouse – don’t tell my consultant but I think I’ve earned it – and looking through the comments before visiting The Irish Country Doctor.

    1. Where are my manners? Thank you to the 2Ks for the hints.

47. Good evening
    Just coming to the end of today’s work (I start in the afternoon and finish late at night) and just finishing off today’s back pager. Must put a word in for 21d which did make me laugh! And I must slap my own forehead à la Homer Simpson and cry “D’ohh!” for thinking 4d was e + an anagram of heart!
    Thanks to our compiler and to 2Ks

48. Looking at the snowy cold weather outside, I really enjoyed this gentle warm puzzle.

49. 2*/4*…..
    liked 20D “Drunk owes me a grand (7)”

Comments are closed.