Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30395 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)
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A sunny and misty autumnal morning – the cyclists and runners were out early this morning, I wonder if the tortoise I’m in charge of until next Wednesday will agree with them that it is a good day to be out and about, but hopefully not too far!
A fairly typical Saturday Prize puzzle with several anagrams and hidden words – I’ll be interested to see who turns up to admit they are the setter
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, an assortment of clues, including some of the more difficult ones, have been selected and hints provided for them.
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 After spring, linked together having friends in high places (4-9)
A spring or source of water followed by part of a verb meaning linked together
12a A reduced ticket price is some way off (4)
A (from the clue) and a ticket prize without its last letter (reduced)
17a Worry briefly after worker’s tracked vehicle in America (7)
A truncated (briefly) worry goes after a worker
20a Cry endlessly when framing one politician, Republican (7)
WHEn (without its last letter (endlessly) going round (framing) the letter representing one and an abbreviated politician; the result finished with the abbreviation for Republican
21a Run back? That’s wrong! (4)
A reversal (back) of a synonym for run
22a Half of referees love sport (4)
Half of some referees and the letter representing love
26a Pass on stretch of canal? (5)
A mountain pass and ON (from the clue) combine to give a section of the alimentary canal
28a Lost to the elements? (7-6)
A cryptic definition that might describe something or someone who has lost the battle against the elements
Down
1d Darkest day, maybe, with client stories condemned (6,8)
The abbreviation for with and an anagram (condemned) of CLIENT STORIES
3d Felix perhaps let out who’s performing in exhibition (6,4)
A feline who might (perhaps) be called Felix followed by an anagram (out) of LET and another (performing) of WHOS
7d Something that might go to the head of a slow learner? (6,3)
A cryptic definition of something that these days would be considered an infringement of the human rights of a slow learner
14d Worker with ice I included put this in radiator (10)
I (from the clue) included or inserted between one of Crosswordland’s workers and a verb meaning to ice
16d Impression of past brilliance, but not before sunset? (9)
The clue suggests that this impression of past brilliance couldn’t happen until the sun has set
20d One striking something uncommonly large (7)
An informal term for someone striking something hard or anything very large
24d Poorest field sat empty (5)
A field and the outside (empty) letters of SaT
25d Old Peruvian elected czar, oddly (4)
Elected to office and the odd letters of CzAr
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The Quick Crossword pun: WREN + OVATE + SHUN = RENOVATION
Straightforward fun. 8d and 28a get my vote. Thanks to CS and today’s setter
have done all except 8 d . can u help
Welcome to the blog – if Big Dave was still with us, he ask you not to ask another commenter for help, but to ask the question in yhour own separate comment.
The solution to 8d is formed from synonyms of rude and a small part of something
Pleasant diversion. 26a made me wince – I have a semi.
28a and 5d get my vote.
Thanks to setter.
I had a semi in 8d until I grew up
I meant that I have a semi 28a – post bowel cancer. Still better than a full stop.
Indeed a full stop. Is so terminal. Excuse my flippancy and stay healthy
Strange but I never thought of that canal, I had a totally different one!
Somehow this had an unfamiliar ring about it so I will be fascinated to know who the setter is. Somehow it wasn’t a very satisfying solve. 27a showmen only solved thanks to rearrangement. Suppose I had heard of 17a. Now I know the difference between rude and proper for 8d. Thank you Mysteron and CS.
I worked out 17a from the clue but I think we’ve had it before, not sure.
Great fun crossword, off like a longdog to start, then gradually slowed towards the SE corner. Last one in for me was 8d, which was not helped by me convincing myself that the second part was something else entirely (even if it was a bit risque for the average DT puzzle) Anyway, got the right answer eventually and wondered how I’d ever thought otherwise. Many thanks to our setter today.
Me too with the second word for 8d! Couldn’t believe it.
Thirded. It would have actually been funner if it had been, mind!
Careful, Jane will reprimand you for your lavatorial humour! 🧏🏻♂️🤣
1.5*/3.5*. A light and pleasant SPP with 8d my favourite.
According to the BRB, 13a is a South African word.
Many thanks to the setter and to the hardworking CS.
Yes, RD, my Collins too. I looked it up as I’d never heard the hill version.
I knew it as a German word but as SA, Dutch and German share common roots I live and learn
Some old faves and a few that needed a bit more thought, thanks to CS and Setter, 5d is my favourite today.
I have rather neglected cycling as I look after Mama Bee but 4 days into cyclo commuting I am literally and metaphorically back in the saddle.
Don’t think I’ve ever seen the plural used in 27a before today and I did feel the need to check out both 13&17a so that’s my learning curve for today!
Favourite was 8d with a mention for 5d.
Thanks to our setter (Chalicea?) and to CS for the hints.
Unlike Tipcat, I found it difficult to get a start in this SPP but ,once a few checkers went in, finished at a rapid pace, clues coming faster than I could write. I learnt a new plural and thoroughly enjoyed this guzzle. The best clues for me were two cryptic definitions, 28a and 8d but I also liked two of the lego clues, 5d and 20a. Thanks to the compiler (I’ll be interested to see who it is too)and to CS for the hints. Just harvested the first two sweet corn cobs of the season in time for lunch. They are so much more delicious fresh from the garden
Polar opposites you and me it seems.
It’s always interesting to see how differently each member of the blog community reacts to each puzzle
This had a very pleasant flow to it, clue after clue, with no real delays in completing it in good time. Most enjoyable, light and entertaining with 8d my favourite.
My thanks to our Saturday setter and CS.
Enjoyable but I did struggle with the last two 8d and 13a, just couldn’t see them esp 13a. When I eventually got 13a (never heard of this term for a xxxx before) then 8d became obvious (clever clue).
Thx to all
***/****
You would have heard of it Brian. [redacted !]
Ooh, sorry CS, thought I’d been obscure enough to avoid the naughty step! There’s no lemon drizzle here either.
Same problem with 13a, and 8d.
Me too. Got the bird eventually but hadn’t come across the term at 8d before & more embarrassingly got impatient, cheated & looked up synonyms for the first word. Shame as enjoyed the puzzle. No issueselsewhere
Thanks to Cephas &to CS
Even after I had 8d 13a took about as long as the rest of the puzzle, my other major struggle was 28a, had the first but couldn’t see the rest for some time. Thanks to CS and setter
Good SPP fun and, based on the strength of 20d which was probably dictionary verified, two half-crowns on this being a Floughie Lady production – 2*/4.5*
Candidates for favourite – 10a, 26a, 6d, 8d, and 20d – and the winner is the aforementioned 20d.
Thanks to Chalicea, or whomsoever if my five bob goes down the drain (again), and thanks to CS.
You should have gone with my hunch yesterday Senf 😉. I see our esteemed setter has just confirmed it.
Oh dear Senf – not I – your five bob lost again – I see that Cephas has come in later to thank folk for their comments.
Nicely doable
And enjoyable.
Like John, above, 26a made me
Wince.
Big smiles for 28a and 8d.
Thanks to the setter and
CS.
Thank goodness today’s puzzle fell into place because I struggled yesterday and then saw that the majority of the comments rated it as a breeze. Obviously one man’s/ woman’s breeze is another puzzler’s gale . Definitely lost my footing. Now to try for that elusive pen.
A typo in your email address sent you into moderation
Likewise, as I didn’t find yesterday a breeze either.
It must have been very gentle since for once I finished in time to post while the comments section is still active. I did like17A because it took me back to those old silent movie clips where the heroine is desperately trying to escape the baddie who is trying to tie her to the railway tracks. 26A also gets a tick from me. Thanks to the setter and CS.
Always a pleasure to see you, Pat.
Very enjoyable. 8d reminded me of my days teaching and 16d of an old song which I now see is also a newish one. I had the wrong answer to 21a. I knew it was wrong and needed the hint…..grrrr!
But, for me, it was a nice, reasonably short interlude before I fix a curtain pole which fell down this morning.
Thanks to the setter and for the hints.
Found this an interesting Saturday puzzle. Wasn’t too difficult, but not really sure of the setter again this week. Thought for a while it might have been a pangram, but several letters were missing, so not to be.
2.5*/4* for me
Favourites include 1a, 9a, 18a, 22a, 26a, 3d & 8d with winner 8d
Chuckles had with 9a, 18a, 25a & 3d
Thanks to setter and CS for hints/blog
A bit of a struggle in the east 20 a and d and I so wanted a double ‘s’ in 27. But we got there. The sun is beating down on my back, sitting post-lunch in the conservatory- but I have to rouse myself to go into Cambridge. I really don’t want to go, I would rather get out a reclining chair and go to sleep. Duty calls. Many thanks to Mr Ron and to CS who didn’t pick the clues I was stuck on – but such is life. Was it a pangram? Almost maybe.
No K Q X. Maybe setter gave up?
Read and write until ESE. Never heard of a 17a. Gentle nudge from Ross unlocked the rest of the grid
Had to remind myself what a 7d was
Pretty sure one of those letters in there & another absent.
All completed although it took some time to figure out 8d and 13a, and I held myself up by putting the wrong 3 letter word in 7d which definitely did not help. A nice sunny afternoon now so a walk is in order.
Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints.
Completed most of the crossword and referred to big Dave to direct my thoughts and to confirm my answers.
A change in your email address sent you into moderation
Straightforward and enjoyable with nothing holding us up for long. Favourite was 8d. Thanks to the setter and CS.
First, May we have a minute’s silence for that wonderful ray of sunshine, Jimmy Buffet. Who is now going to remind me that it’s five o’clock somewhere?
Loved the guzzle, right up my straße! I only had to look up two in the dictionary and lots of laughs along the way. So much good stuff I find it hard to choose a fave; 28a did amuse, as did 3d. I won’t tell you what I wanted to put in 20a on first read; a dirty word, off to go and wash my mouth out now.
Thank you setter, loved this offering, appreciated your hints and pics CS.
Better have some Boat Drinks then…
Thank you. What a gem, he will be missed!
Thank you for your kind comments.
Thank you for the fun, you’re a star!
Thank you Cephas and apologies for not recognising this as one of your products but I see I wasn’t alone in feeling this had an unfamiliar ring – perhaps you were adopting a different style.
Still can’t get 13a with two checkers and a visit to a crossword solver which offers only 5 possible words, none of which seem to make sense!!!
Look them up in the dictionary, you’ll be surprised!
Hmmm. Pretty awful clue in my opinion but Sunderland thrashed traitor Ross Stewart’s side 5-0 earlier so I suppose I’ll let it slide 🤣
I enjoyed this crossword – enough to make think properly but without nearly wearing out completely.
Not a clue as to the setter but, like an earlier commentator said, that it doesn’t feel very familiar.
It took me ages to work out the second word of 1a.
I liked 10 and 20a and 5 and 19d. My favourite was 28a.
Thanks to whoever set this one and to CS for her hints.
I managed to do the guzzle and sent it in for The Mythical but, yet again, no acknowledgment email.
Mrs. C. back in hospital. Started vomiting blood.
Oh no, I am so sorry to hear this. You are both having a very tough time and I do hope the doctors can quickly find the cause and send her home again.
Oh no – poor both of you. I do hope everything gets sorted out quickly – it’s always trickier at weekends.
Steve so sorry to hear your latest news about Mrs C. Sending best wishes for a speedy diagnosis and recovery. Thinking of you as I’m sure many of my fellow bloggers will be doing. Stay strong.
So sorry Steve, hope she gets better soon.
Oh no, Steve, just when we thought she was on the mend. Please give her lots of love from us all. I hope they can sort out what’s wrong and she comes home again soon.
Very sorry to hear this, Steve.
Hope Mrs C feels better very soon.
My thoughts are with you.
How frightening for you both. My husband did It once in the middle of the night. It was terrifying. However, in those days we had a proper family doctor who saw us through. My husband survived for another 30 years so I do hope Mrs C does as well . Very many best wishes
How disappointing for you both, you are on an awful emotional rollercoaster at the moment. I hope Mrs C improves quickly and gets back home to you soon.
Oh no – how frightening for both of you. I do hope the hospital medics can come up with some answers this time – everything seemed to be going so well.
Sorry to hear, especially since she had just got home. Hope for a speedy recovery.
Very sorry to hear this Steve. I hope the hospital finds the solution soon.
So sorry to hear this. I hope that her recovery and return home is swift.
Thank you all for your good wishes. There’s no news yet because tests are ongoing. I remain hopeful that it is something like an ulcer but in the back of my mind, Lesley has had two attacks of cancer.
I won’t dwell on things overmuch because there are friends on this blog who have problems just as worrying.
I thank you all for your support. This blog is amazing!
Oh dear. I am so sorry. I have you both in my thoughts.
All the very best to you both Steve, keeping everything crossed 🤞
Best wishes to you both Steve
Every good wish to you both Steve x
Just about right for a Saturday prize puzzle, doable with little GK needed (except 13a), and enough tricky clues sprinkled throughout to keep the clever people happy. I’m always happy with a puzzle I can solve with very little help, including just a couple of hints. Most needed some thought so quite satisfying. Thanks to Cephas and CrypticSue.
I enjoyed todays puzzle and it is so satisfying when one gets 1a and 1d immediately. Usually bodes well! I spent a bit of time on 8d until the penny dropped and 17a. Nearly went astray on 20a. Many thanks to Cephas and Crypticsue. Have a nice weekend everyone. If the weather forecast is correct we should be in for a nice few days of sunshine.
A pleasant afternoon’s solve
I see I’m not alone when comes to commenting on 8d. It’s my COTD
A pleasant solve for me too.
Thanks to the setter and to crypticsue.
V straightforward. Favorite 8d with 9a a good second.
Enjoyed the work out for the grey cells today. A Couple of quick anagrams and old favourites to get started. Eventually ground to a halt, and checked the blog to find none of the clues I was stuck on was hinted! Persevered and got there – last one in 13a, needed the checkers to get it, and the penny took a while to drop for 8d. COTD 5d – hadn’t come across the answer before, but so clear to work out from the clueing. Thanks CS and Cephas
Thanks to setter for a guzzle that was completed unaided. A good assortment of clues that needed some head scratching. LOI was 26a which is my COTD. Thanks to CS for hints which I will now enjoy reading.