Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3226 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg, where wild fires continue unabated to the North and West of us and, for example, the entire population of 22,000 of Yellowknife in the North West Territories has been evacuated. Goodness knows what they will go back to, if there is anything to go back to.
For me, and I stress for me, no elephant to eat this week just a Magnum Caramel Duet between solving and hinting! Six anagrams, if the three and four letter ones are counted (three partial), two lurkers, and one homophone, and a copy of Dada’s personal thesaurus would have been handy – all in a symmetric 32 clues; with 16 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.
Candidates for favourite – 16a, 21a, 7d, and 15d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Don’t forget to follow the instructions in RED at the bottom of the hints!
Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.
A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a Fish ultimately filling wet table, all one wants to buy (8,4)
The last letter (ultimately) of fisH inserted into (filling) a synonym of wet and a synonym of table (as in containing data).
9a Hostile to Muslim official, criminal isn’t (7)
A type of Muslim official (as in chief officer) and an anagram (criminal) of ISN’T.
10a Help fool on the phone? (7)
The homophone (on the phone) of a synonym of fool (as in someone who is easily taken in).
16a Novel left in British city (7)
A three letter synonym of novel and maritime left.
21a Praise leaders of urban district brought into fold (7)
The first letters of Urban and District inserted into a synonym of fold – I was able to find this in an on-line thesaurus.
25a Line of soldiers went quickly for more than half a mile? (4)
A three letter term for went quickly (on foot) and a single letter for a (metric) distance that is more than half a mile – I am not sure if the single letter for the distance is an ‘official’ abbreviation.
28a Greek character turning nose up at Italian drink (7)
The Greek character (letter) that is equivalent to X and a four letter term equivalent to turning nose up at.
30a Keeping first bit of garbage, man returned rubbish in drawers, say (12)
An anagram (rubbish) of MAN RETURNED containing (keeping) the first letter (bit) of Garbage.
Down
1d Superficial pig touring large residence (7)
A (female) pig surrounding (touring) a large residence (found in the country or at a university?).
3d Sick person? Obvious one needs tucking in (7)
A synonym of obvious with the Roman numeral for one inserted into it (needs tucking in).
7d Rick, say, tedious person (4,2,3,4)
A double definition where the first refers to a ‘sensation’ above the shoulders.
8d Looking good in huntsman’s outfit? (7,2,4)
Not the specific huntsman I expect that, like me, several of you thought it might be – how one might describe the appearance of ‘any’ huntsman who is about to go and perform his or her designated task?
20d Night on rocks for duck (7)
An anagram (rocks) of NIGHT ON.
22d Face etc rearranged in a manner of speaking (7)
A synonym of face and an anagram(?) (rearranged) of ETC.
26d Queen locked out, entrance and exit barred (4)
A single word term for locked out with the first and last letters removed (entrance and exit barred).
27d Fit, Belgravia guest houses (4)
One of the lurkers (houses) found in two words in the clue.
Quick Crossword Pun:
ELFIN + SAFE + TEE = HEALTH AND SAFETY – the first word is ‘working hard’ to provide the first two words of the pun.
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As the blog is published one hour before the kick-off in a certain ’round ball’ game down under, some encouragement from the Lion King:
For me, Dada on top form with this. Not particularly difficult but quality from first to last.
The device at 26d was smart and there were some neatly disguised anagrams but my podium is 13&25a plus 3d.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
This Dada guzzle was back to his enjoyable best. There was a good variety of clue types and some clever misdirection particularly in the well hidden anagrams. The cryptic definition at 6d was my COTD , followed closely by the concealed anagram at 30a and the misleading homophone at 10a. Rhere were several good lego clues, the bwst of which was 1d. Thanks to Senf for the hints and to Dada for a fine SPP.
Not an easy ride.
Shamefully, took an age
To twig 21d.
Two possible words for the
Last one of 7d.
Luckily chose the politer one.
The excellent 1d my COTD.
In summary, 2.5*/5*
Thanks Dada and Senf.
An enjoyable puzzle from Dada – thanks to him and Senf.
I had lots of ticks including 1a, 29a, 3d, 5d and 26d.
Typical Dada – started slowly, gathered speed only to slow right down towards the end. I could not fathom out where “wet table” came into 1a until I saw the hint when it became obvious. It then became my COTD.
Many thanks, Dada for the fun. Thank you, Senf for the hints. It’s awful about the Canadian fires. I hope you and your family and friends stay safe.
Tried so hard to make an anagram work for 1a, which of course it didn’t, so that one gets a well-deserved podium spot along with 29a & 6d.
Thanks to Dada for an enjoyable Sunday puzzle and to Senf for the hints and music – here’s hoping that the hunt inspires the England team.
I did much better with this today and found I was a bit more on wavelength. Some brilliant clues. My favourite 1a. I am hoping that the lionesses recover….almost resorting to going behind the sofa.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf as ever
4d with this one which I too thought was from the top drawer. On the gentle side but very enjoyable indeed. The answer to 1a came well before the parsing but unusually for a Dada guzzle that was the only real head scratch. I suppose I’d better nominate my outfit at 8d as pick of the bunch
Thanks to D&S
We didn’t enjoy this as much as other Sunday offerings with 4 or 5 we felt were a bit of a stretch. Favourite was 10a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
For me this Dada puzzle was in the middle of his difficulty spectrum. Some quirkiness as well as some well thought out head scratchers for me, that required some thinking to suss out.
For me 2.5*/4* today.
Favourites for me include 16a, 29a, 1d, 7d, 8d, 20d & 22d — with winner 22d
Chuckles elicited from 29a, 2d, 6d, 8d & 20d
Thanks to Dada & Senf for hints/blog
There was 4d in the North but South called for a bit more application. Always satisfying when 1a goes straight in so was off to an encouraging start. Bunged in 30a then tried to parse it using first 3 bits of garbage then realised what was called for. I’m with Huntsman in nominating politically incorrect 8d as my Fav. Unlike Senf I was unable to find 21a fold anywhere. Altogether a lot of fun so thank you Dada and Senf.
Great puzzle, thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks to Dad and Senf
Difficult to believe that this week I have solved a Ray T and a Dada using my own little brain. Did half before going on a 10 mile bike ride on my new bicycle and finished sitting in my favourite chair. Honourable mentions for 10a and 17a, 8d and 22d. Many thanks to Senf and Dada.
I have just heard that the English women’s football team lost but we will not be spared the ridiculous nonsense that has been spouted about how wonderful they are. This is in direct opposition to the reporting of the Vitality Roses who also made a World Cup Final this year playing Netball. My nausea at having to suffer the continual fulsome comments about the Lionesses was the reason for the bike ride.
Good to have a some sarcasm and irony in the south-east. Ron Burgundy would not approve!
Had to give this up as a bad job. Managed about half but far too tough for me I’m afraid. Dada at his most fiendish.
*****/*
Thx for the hints
Enjoyed this more than usual for a Sunday- the 4 longer clues around the perimeter were fun and helpful. 1a especially good.
Some exploration of the outskirts of synonym ranges always useful….
Thanks to Dada and Senf
A good enjoyable puzzle with mostly straightforward clues.
Favourites include 24a, 7d and 15d.
The last time I was in 16a, for payment of 50p, you could ascend the stairs and walk across the gantry to descend at the other end. Astonished that this was permitted in these over cautious times.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
It is the bridge in the picture illustrating the hint for 16a which I am referring to.
3/4. An interesting puzzle with a few pen sucking moments. My favourite from a packed podium was 30a. Thanks to Dada and Senf. The wind’s changed so we’re getting lots of smoky skies from the east. It was heart breaking to watch care homes being evacuated in Yellowknife. To our south the US west coast is expecting a years worth of rain in a matter of days.
I loved this, my second Dada in a row solved with help only for 30a when I used a word search, missed the anagram completely. I thought this a little trickier than last week. I couldn’t get a colour out of my head for 8d, wotta thunk when that penny dropped. Lots of smiles along the way, I can’t help but remember The Vicar of Dibley when I see 10a. Two really stood out, 16a and 7d.
Thank you Dada for our Sunday fun, and, of course, Senf for his hints and pics.
The fires in our world are so distressing, I’m almost scared to watch the news. It’s not that I have no sympathy for the people, I do, very much, but, being me, I weep for the pets and the wildlife. When will it ever end.
I meant to thank Senf, not Dada, for his hints and tips!
I tackled this sitting in the back of the car whilst DD2 drove us to visit DD1 so my writing is very untidy and I don’t think I can submit this for another pen! 1a went in straight away which is always good but I struggled in the south west. Many thanks to Dada and Senf for helping to take my mind off the visit. All the nurses and carers are angels. Another hour and a half’s drive at least until I can have a large gin and tonic 😀 so sorry to hear news of fires and other disasters, there is so much sadness in the world.
Agree all the fires are tragic, and even more tragic is that I suspect many are the work of arsonists. Some accidental and some deliberate. In the 70s we had a woodland fire come right up to the edge of our back garden in Berkshire, thankfully doused by our local fire brigade. Later thought to be careless picnickers.
Not always arson. I spent a month at a farm in the Fraser Valley near Lillooet. On the opposite side of the gorge was a railway line, my hosts would always watch the train and call the forestry people whenever a spark from the wheels started a fire. It took no time for a ‘plane to dump some water on it. They told me people did this all down the line, they were always so concerned for fires.
Oh dear that looks bad / the smiley face is for the gin and tonic. It would be rows of sad ones for the woes of the world.
I guessed 1a from the start but was misled by the clue into thinking it was an anagram, but penned it in anyway, thank goodness. A typical tricky Dada with plenty of potholes. COTD for me definitely 7d, as I used to suffer badly myself, followed closely by 29a. Thanks to Dada and Senf, without whom I would be lost on Sundays.
Here’s hoping that things are improving for Steve Cowling and Mrs. C.
Sorry to hear about Yellowknife Senf; a town I’ve wanted to visit but looks like bad news. Thanks Dada for the usual Sunday treat
Late coming to this as we were watching Worcestershire defeat Sussex in a 50 over match at New Road. Well worth the wait though, as this was a cracking good puzzle with enough tricky clues and clever misdirection to stretch out my solving time. No particular favourite, but 25a kept me guessing the longest so gets the nod. Great entertainment.
My thanks to Dada and Senf.
Well what a complete pig’s ear I’ve made of today’s – should have started again from scratch but didn’t have the sense!!
Think I’ve more or less sorted it all out now, at last!
No, the huntsman’s outfit was nothing to do at all with a colour . . .
I liked 10 and 17a and 5 and 6d. My favourite was 7d (particularly once I’d put it in the right place!
Thanks to Dada and to Senf.
Glad to know someone else was fooled by the colour, I worked so hard with that it held me up on the east side.
Good puzzle with some excellent clues. All went swimmingly until the last clues in the SW. Took ages but in the end, they were obvious. Dooh!
P.S. Just had brilliant roast lunch at 3 Swallows in Cley. Thoroughly recommend.
Dada on top form!
Didn’t think I had a chance in hell of completing this, but with some patience (and some help from Mrs H) I slowly, but surely, unwound the fiendish knots that our Sunday setter likes to tie 😎
Enjoyed them all, but the 4 long uns were the key clues for me!
Thanks to Mr D, and as always to Senf for the blog n’ hints that confirmed a couple of the parsings. 👍
Cheers!
Apropos of absolutely nothing but this tickled me.
I knew our daughter, Faye and her husband, Sami would go places but this is ridiculous!
Rather spooky!
Forgive my ignorance but where on earth are they?
Me too, were an earth … what is it?
They were at an art event at The Melbourne Art Gallery. A kind of Trompe-l’œil where visitors could interact with the exhibits.
Doesn’t it look real! Amazing.
It is rather stunning.
Goodness, that’s quite something!
It is indeed. These pictures never cease to amaze me. I just cannot comprehend how they are produced.
I’ve seen examples of the technique, but never any that had an ‘inter-active’ element.
A tough Dada for me, mainly because I struggled with the long answers….anyway, got there in the end while waiting to get up and enjoy the beautiful (but hot) Douro valley…