DT 30259 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30259

by pommers  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30259

Hints and tips by pommers

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****

Hola from Almoradí on a beautiful morning with not a cloud in the sky.  After 10 days of English cold grey drizzle I’m not at all sorry to be back.

As the musical chairs continue I find myself blogging a Tuesday puzzle, perhaps for the very first time. At least I can’t recall ever having been in the chair on a Tuesday before.  It seems I’ve been missing out on some good stuff if this fine puzzle is anything to go by. It’s not too hard and there’s a fair mix of clue types along with some humour. I really enjoyed it and hope you did too.

As usual my podium three are in blue.  The definitions are underlined in the clues and the answers are under the “click here” buttons so don’t click on them unless you really want to see the answer.  Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.

Across

1a           Reveal chap wearing runners on a regular basis (7)
UNCOVER:  An old word for a chap inserted into (wearing) the alternate letters from runners.

5a           Sauce — something sailor may use up (7)
KETCHUP:  A type of sail boat  (something sailor may use) followed by the UP from the clue.

9a           Creating pork pies from fish with unknown filling (5)
LYING:  A fish with a Y (unknown) inserted (filling).

10a         Plan for golf: hit endlessly (9)
PROGRAMME:  A word meaning for followed by G(olf) and the a word meaning hit or crashed into without its last letter (endlessly).

11a         Evidently American father perhaps, is immersed in work (10)
APPARENTLY:   A(merican) with what a father is an example of inserted into a word meaning to word, at one’s trade perhaps.

12a         Genuine regret after act’s conclusion (4)
TRUE:  Act’s conclusion is a T. After it put a word meaning regret.

14a         Reduced rust hadn’t affected what fencer might do (3,3,6)
CUT AND THRUST:  A word meaning reduced followed by an anagram (affected) of RUST HADNT.

18a         Events prevent models working without underwear, ultimately (12)
DEVELOPMENTS:  Underwear ultimately is an R.  So you need an anagram (working) of PREVENT MODELS but without the R (without underwear, ultimately).

21a         Helps servants to remove male (4)
AIDS:  Some female servants without their M (remove Male).

22a         Officer lenient but a criminal scratches bishop (10)
LIEUTENANT:  Anagram (criminal) of  LENIENT BUT A but without the B (scratches Bishop).

25a         Given time, prisoner struggled outside court (9)
CONVICTED:  The usual prisoner and a word meaning struggled or competed placed around (outside) the abbreviation of court.

26a         Picture that is in magazine? The opposite! (5)
IMAGE:  Start with the two letters for that is and insert an abbreviation of magazine.

27a         Small coin Edward picked up (7)
SCENTED:  Picked up as in sensed.  Start with S(mall) and then a small coin, 1/100th of a Euro, and the one of the usual Edwards.

28a         Feels sorry for river birds (7)
REGRETS:  R(iver) followed by some wading birds of which there are thousands around here.

Down

1d           Drop off university student intercepting a don, surprisingly (6)
UNLOAD:  Start with U(niversity) and follow with an L (student) inserted into (intercepting) an anagram (surprisingly) of A DON.

2d           Where one might find fish caught by bohemian (6)
CHIPPY:  C(aught) followed by another word for a bohemian.

3d           At heart, loved girl dancing with you so energetically (10)
VIGOROUSLY: At heart, loved gives a V.  You need an anagram of the V, the GIRL from the clue and YOU SO  (. . . dancing with . . . )

4d           Mature writer supporting conclusion of younger one (5)
RIPEN:  A writer after (supporting in a down clue) an R (conclusion of youngeR) and an I (one)

5d           King and Harry — we longed for information (9)
KNOWLEDGE:  K(ing) followed by an anagram (harry) of WE LONGED.

6d           Rubbish, upsetting year for Matt Hancock? (4)
TORY:  Some rubbish reversed (upsetting) and followed by a Y(ear) gives what Matt Hancock is an example of. Boris would have done just as well.

7d           Funny smell starts to occasionally really overpower us (8)
HUMOROUS:  A slang term for a smell followed by the first letters (starts to) of Occasionally, Really and Overpower and then the US from the clue.

8d           Papa feels bitter about hosts (8)
PRESENTS:  P(apa) followed by a word meaning feels bitter about.

13d         Having a rabbit  making animal noises (10)
CHATTERING:  double definition.

15d         Selected a soft tart (9)
APPOINTED:  A from the clue and the letter for soft in music followed by a word which can mean tart or sharp.

16d         Lends adult balls — around 5 (8)
ADVANCES:  A(dult) and some balls or hops around a V (five in Roman numerals).

17d         Deceive badly, admitting new testimony (8)
EVIDENCE:  Anagram (badly) of DECEIVE and insert (admitting) an N(ew).

19d         Gaff about Andrew’s first royal residence (6)
PALACE:  Gaff as in your pad or abode. Another word for that placed around (about) an A (Andrew’s first).

20d         Pressure from headmistress? Not half! (6)
STRESS:  Remove the first half (not half) of the word headmiSTRESS.

23d         Part of lower steering mechanism on boat with no top (5)
UDDER:  This is part of an animal that lows.  Take the steering mechanism of a boat and remove the first letter (with no top).

24d         Drink some sip in tavern (4)
PINT:  A lurker hiding in (some) the last three words.

Favs today were 5a, 2d and 23d with 23d on the top step for its silly definition.

Quick crossword pun:

OAR     +     SUN     +     WELLS     =     ORSON WELLES

57 comments on “DT 30259”

  1. In spite of some very clever clues eg 25 and 26d, managed * time.
    LOL at 2 and 16d.
    Enjoyable throughout.
    Thanks to the setter and pommers.

  2. 2 and 23d came out on top this morning from this elegantly-clued yet fairly straightforward puzzle. I went through the grid again after completion to fully appreciate some of the clueing. Great fun.

    Thanks to our Tuesday setter and pommers. Send us some of your warmth please!

  3. A pleasant little romp through this today with nothing to hold me up but lots to enjoy. Quite a medley of clue types and not anagram loaded! The synonym for ‘chap’ in 1a was new to me. I wonder, when compilers are looking to clue their answers do they actually know all these oddities or do they go to the BRB (other dictionaries are available) and search for the most obscure meaning? You’re going to tell me now that this is a well known synonym and where have I been all my life! Back to the crossword. No absolute favourite today but I did like 5a, 14a, 7d and 23d. Thanks to our setter and Pommers

    1. The chap in 1a is a bit Bertie Woosterish but is worth remembering as it crops up in crossies from time to time.

    2. I don’t think calling someone a funny old c——— is really archaic tho’ I agree it is not in common usage. But we do live in rural Cambridgeshire!

  4. A very enjoyable workout, perhaps a bit more challenging for me than most Tuesdays are. But I rather breezed through it, once I confirmed just who Matt Hancock is. I thought the top half a bit tougher than the bottom, but it was all a lot of fun, with 5d, 23d, & 14a making my podium. Thanks to pommers (and welcome to Tuesday) and today’s setter. **/****

  5. Light and fun with a few subtler anagrams than we normally expect for a Tuesday. I liked 2d and the topical surfaces of 5d, 6d and 19d. My COTD was the DD in 13d which made me chuckle. */****

    Thanks to the setter and pommers (it remains cold, grey and drizzly in England)

  6. A pleasant breakfast stroll this one at */*** and as highlighted by others as well 2d was my favourite. The six anagram based clues helped a gentle solve for me. I think six anyway unless I have miscounted! Thanks to Pommers and the setter.

  7. Good fun – thanks to our setter and pommers.
    I liked 5d for its apt surface though personally I’d prefer a period of silence. Other clues I enjoyed were 13d, 15d and 23d.

  8. 1.5*/4*. Another light puzzle which was great fun.

    My podium comprises 2d, 5d & 23d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to pommers.

  9. As forecast, rain has arrived in SW London, so stuck inside today with this crossword and Katie Melua’s new album to keep my spirits up. Thought this was going to be tough after my first pass at the NE corner proved fruitless, but then got into the swing of it and managed a finish in reasonable time. I particularly liked the misdirections in many of the clues and COTD for me was the amusing 2d which I only solved after I stopped thinking of words for stretches of water. Thanks to the setter, Pommers and Katie.

  10. A mystery setter for this entertaining and enjoyable Tuesday puzzle, although the quickie grid is, according to Cephas, the only one that Anthony Plumb ever uses – **/****

    Candidates for favourite – 25a, 28a, and 23d – and the winner is 23d.

    Thanks to the setter, is it you Mr Plumb, and thanks to pommers.

    1. You nipped in whilst I was typing! You could well be right about the setter – I never look at the grid layout.

      1. Of course, as we have seen with Mr Plumbs ‘favourite’ cryptic grid, anyone can use any grid so . . .

  11. A topical (Charles, Harry & Matt) gentle puzzle that took a tad longer than yesterday though still done & dusted in just over * time. I see everyone’s fav 6d (now independent) is available at a £1500 hourly rate which surely represents a steal in these straitened times. No particular fav but nicely clued throughout with smooth surfaces
    Thanks to the setter & Pommers
    Ps a fairly accessible Toughie to kick off with &very enjoyable too.

    1. With Mr Hancock offering himself at the bargain rate of £1,500 per hour, I am considering employing him to undertake some window cleaning.

  12. A very pleasant stroll through crosswordland with the medals going to 9a, 5d and 10a which was beautifully constructed. To have three bits of lego with one of them truncated in a five word clue is outstanding.

    1*/4*

  13. Good day for doing crosswords and reading books – that’s the best I can say about it!
    I see that nobody is chancing their arm at setter spotting today, maybe one from NYDK?
    No problems to report from this end and my top two were 25a & 2d.

    Thanks to our setter and to pommers – if nothing else your trip back to the ‘old country’ will have reminded you of why you left in the first place!

    2. It is also why I left my part of SW London after 47 years and relocated to Valencia. An average of 300 days a year of clear blue sky is infinitely more preferable!

          1. Actually I’ve come back from UK with a stonking cold in the nose! Otherwise fine. Hope you are well too.

  14. Another light delight to brighten up a dismal day.

    1*/4*

    Fav 23d LOI 25a.

    Thanks to setter and pommers.

  15. I enjoyed this a lot. The parsing of 19d eluded me as I hadn’t heard of ‘gaff’ in the sense of a house before. I justified it (very poorly) by putting the A into a location.
    I liked 14a. Thanks to the setter and for the hints.

    1. I hadn’t heard of gaff either and it’s not in my dictionary. I’ll just have to file it away for next time.

      1. The term ‘gaff’ for house or home was fairly common in the East End of London, where I lived and taught, Merusa.

  16. This was great fun with smiles throughout the grid. For sheer topicality (as well as being excellent) 5&6d scored highly along with 2&23d but could have chosen several others.
    Many thanks to the setter and to Pommers.

    Ps…for those with the time and inclination the Toughie is accessible and enjoyable.

  17. Another super puzzle, which makes me think we are in for a pounding over the next two days.For some reason, I took ages to get 6d and it was my LOI. I was about to throw in the towel when it suddenly hit me so I have another unaided finish. Lots to like especially 2d and 5d but my COTD is 26a because I just loved the wordplay.

    Many thanks t the setter for the fun and to pommers for the hints.

  18. 6d…4 letters, to describe Matt Hancock…ah, of course.

    Anybody got a rubber…?

    1. I’ve changed the way your name is displayed as, on the internet, anything written in all capital letters is considered to be ‘shouting’

  19. Sailed through this but have to admit to an inordinate number of bung-ins. Wonder how many overseas bloggers know about 2d or even 24d. 6d clever but perhaps rather broad. 23d my Fav smiler. Thank you Mysteron and pommers.

    1. Credit due to all the solvers from abroad. They need extra skill do deal with unfamiliar words and phrases. However, it is to be expected as it’s and English newspaper.

  21. I thought this was fun and very doable, didn’t have to refer to the hints at all – but as always, nice to know they are there and to confirm/agree favourites. 1&5a were mine, and 14a for George as he is a silver medalist, and 1,7 & 23d. Yesterday after I had been to the dentist in Trumpington (what a name!) I popped into Waitrose where horror of horrors, they had only got orange juice sans bits. How do I know it is not just orange coloured water? Still, it goes to prove that With Bits is the most popular 😊 Many thanks to Messes Setter and Pommers-Hinter for all the hard work they have put into our entertainment. I am now off to start building an ark…..

    1. If ever I am forced to consume the appalling ‘orange juice with bits’, I get a sieve out and strain the dregs away, leaving the pure, smooth delight of orange juice as it should be…

  22. A very enjoyable crossword for me today. Solved alone and unaided and managed all the parsings.
    What held me up was 16d when I spent a lot of time staring at my answers for 5a and 5d. Should not it have been written out as ‘five’ ?
    Loved 2d.
    Thanks to the setter and to Pommers.

  23. Sorry but I did not enjoy this crossword very much 😬 albeit filing in all the squares in good time ***/** to me it seemed to lack the usual sparkle Favourites were 14a and 23d. Thanks to Pommers and to the Compiler, perhaps it is the continual 🌧 that has affected me 😟

  24. A very enjoyable puzzle today which I made heavy weather of because of not getting time to have a quick look before breakfast. I am convinced that then lets my brain work out the answers whilst I am busy doing other things. Once back I have completed it and found the hints helpful in confirming how I got a couple of the answers.I particularly liked the anagrams.
    What a different day it is today, back to winter having had a whole day of spring!
    Many thanks to Pommers and to the setter.

  25. A puzzle today that took some head scratching for me. Some convoluted clues and several lego style ones too.
    2*/3.5* for me.

    Favourites include 5a, 9a, 10a, 14a, 5d & 23d with tossup winner 9a/23d

    Thanks to setter and pommers for hints

  26. A slow start for me but picked up speed and then realised just how good these clues are! Thanks setter and Pommers, 2d as my cotd

  27. Not as easy as for some but definitely doable with only ehelp in the NE to get me going again. I had a problem unravelling some, so I just bunged in what I thought it should be, which worked fine except for two. Once I’d revisited those and sorted it out, I did all right. I quite liked 5a and 14a, but I think fave is 2d, clever that. “Gaff”, really??
    Thank you setter, lots of good stuff, and to pommers for unravelling so many.

  28. I had trouble getting on wavelength and found it a bit more challenging that most others. Some answers jumped out at me, but I definitely needed quite a few hints to finish, thanks Pommers. Much too hot here already, with 90F being forecast in our area. Unusual for late March. That coupled with an extremely dry winter is really affecting our sub tropical plants as they wait for the summer rains to start in June.

    1. I thought that they said it would rain today? My poor yard is so parched, watering helps but everything dries out so quickly in this heat.

  29. Very late on parade today due to an nappointment at the local Health Centre and some shopping, which involved my first solo drives since the Opthalmology Clinic at the JR pronounced me competent to resume driving. I enjoyed the puzzle, with a few hold-ups in the NE. favourite clues were 5d, 14a and 18a. Thanks to the compiler and to Pommers for the hints.

    1. That’s good news! I am so pleased for you, I just love being able to jump in my car and buzz off, although I never go
      more than a a 20 mile radius of home really. Today it was the garden centre, bird seed, grass seed
      and runner bean seed !

  30. I made harder work of this than I should have for no reason, the were no obscurities God fun though. I’m pleased I wasn’t the only one trying to fit a more apt word into 6d. Favourite was 28a. Thanks to the street and Pommers.

  32. 1.5* / 3* for me on a late showing.
    I too had never had of the “chap” in 1a – seemed a bit dated …
    Enjoyed the topical clues, although the use of the verb ”Harry” seems to have become a bit over-popular
    5a, 9a and 26a were favourites
    Thanks to setter ( if no-one claims it , I assume it is Mr P on a Tuesday ) – ta too to Pommers

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