DT 30398 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
View closed comments 

DT 30398

by 2Kiwis  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30398

Hints and tips by 2Kiwis

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Kia ora from Aotearoa.
A few showers for us today. One that we did not see coming meant that we arrived home from our morning walk somewhat dampish. Not a problem, and dried in plenty of time to tackle this puzzle.
Lots of portrait possibilities with this one.

Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

Across

1a     Basic facts — hardware outlet should have them (4,3,5)
NUTS AND BOLTS : Two articles that can be purchase from a hardware store.

8a     An American one running round Washington (5)
IOWAN : Roman numeral one, then a two letter word for running or in operation surrounds the abbreviation for Washington State.

9a     Morse perhaps flawed taking female out for time (9)
DETECTIVE : Start with a word meaning flawed or faulty and replace its F(emale) with T(ime).

11a     Prime cut marketed outside hotel entrance (9)
THRESHOLD : A prime number without its last letter, then marketed or vended contains H(otel).

12a     Sacred flower for all to see — in large bunch? (5)
LOTUS : A large bunch or significant amount contains the film classification ‘for all to see’.

13a     Mexican food left in rambling hacienda (9)
ENCHILADA : An anagram (rambling) of HACIENDA includes L(eft).

16a     Active US soldier getting into beer (5)
AGILE : A three letter beer contains an American soldier.

18a     Passage your compiler will read aloud (5)
AISLE : A homophone of how our compiler could say he/she intends to.

19a     Sport‘s cheat list distributed (9)
ATHLETICS : An anagram (distributed) of CHEAT LIST.

20a     Ultimately elegant Celtic language to the point (5)
TERSE : The final letter of elegant and then a Celtic language.

22a     City mayor supporting ULEZ chasing Vauxhall car? (9)
ASTRAKHAN : A model of Vauxhall car and then a mayor who happens to support ULEZ. (A bit of GK required here that most solvers will be more familiar with than we are).

25a     Fascinating sort a Chinese 9 in lodge (9)
ENCHANTER : A fictional Chinese 9a from the mid 20th century is surrounded by lodge or install.

26a     Bread found in trench much appreciated (5)
PITTA : A trench or even a mine and then much appreciated or thanks.

27a     Sinister bananas going into salad for relatives (7-2-3)
SISTERS-IN-LAW : A word for salad borrowed from Dutch surrounds an anagram (bananas) of SINISTER.

Down

1d     Criminal crew skint in retired cop series (3,6)
NEW TRICKS : An anagram (criminal) of CREW SKINT.

2d     Port from India put into casks (5)
TUNIS : Large barrels contain I(ndia).

3d     Car Germans make supplied with old sound system (5)
AUDIO : A German car brand plus O(ld).

4d     Labour excessively — it’s murder! (2,2,5)
DO TO DEATH : A double definition.

5d     Liverpudlian singer in old set revamped for swing? (9)
OSCILLATE : The Liverpudlian singer who did a complete colour change with her name is contained by O(ld) and an anagram (revamped) of SET.

6d     Fool accepting second unexpected development (5)
TWIST : A fool or nitwit contains S(econd).

7d     Abstainer, wearing hat, with story about another? That’s gossip (6-6)
TITTLE-TATTLE : The two letters describing an abstainer are found firstly in a slang word for a hat, and secondly within another word for a story.

10d     Any date’s sure to change for movable feast! (6,6)
EASTER SUNDAY : An anagram (to change) of ANY DATE’S SURE.

14d     Uncultured in lament ignoring Unknown Soldier? (9)
INELEGANT : Start with IN from the clue, then a lament (like the familiar one written in a country churchyard) without its mathematics unknown letter, and finally, a soldier insect.

15d     Smooth and white flower seen after a party (9)
ALABASTER : ‘A’ from the clue and a political party, followed by a type of flower.

17d     Writer Murdoch fell holding stone dish (5,4)
IRISH STEW : The first name of writer Murdoch, then fell or chop down contains ST(one).

21d     Actor Christina loaded leaving hospital on Channel Islands (5)
RICCI : Rich or wealthy with its H(ospital) removed, plus the abbreviation for Channel Islands.

23d     Trunks featuring in elephant or similar (5)
TORSI : A lurker, hiding in the clue.

24d     Dad upset — friend in dismay (5)
APPAL : The reversal of an alternative name for Dad, and then a friend or mate.

7d is our favourite this week.

Quickie pun    current    +    puns    =    currant buns

96 comments on “DT 30398”

  2. Very enjoyable and relatively light with quite a bit of contemporary general knowledge sprinkled around, all of which could be obtained from checkers and wordplay.
    I particularly liked 11&25a plus 5&7d.
    Good stuff.
    Many thanks to the setter and The Ks.

  3. That was fun but based on a comment that Robyn made on Friday it is probably a ‘guess the setter day’ and I will pass on that – **/****

    I didn’t know the 1d ‘retired cop series’ but the answer was pretty obvious from the anagram and the checkers so I still haven’t looked it up. I suppose that it might not be a ‘retired cop series’ at all.

    Candidates for favourite – 9a, 11a, 15d, and 17d – and the winner is 15d.

    Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis.

  4. Thanks for the help with “for all to see” in 12a. I don’t think I’ve come across that before. A fairly quick trot for me, and a nice start to a pleasantly idle Wednesday.

  5. I found this one a lot easier than yesterday, but maybe its just me.
    My two stand out favourites today were 7d and the very clever 26a, many
    thanks to our setter, good honest fun. Off now to hang out the last of the three loads of
    washing to make the most of the currant bun while it lasts.

  6. A swift completion, like yesterday, and enjoyable if undemanding. Some lovely surfaces. Had never heard of the Christina actress until googling her name afterwards. Don’t often select an anagram for mention, but for the second day in a row one gets an Hon Mention – 13a for the combined surface read and answer; joined by 7d, 1a, and COTD 22a.

    1* / 3*

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks

  7. A faiy straightforward guzzle with addded interest from the bits of General Knowledge involved in a fair number of clues. I liked the lego clue 5d and twother clues with GK involved, 15d and 5d. However, my COTD was7d with its clevwr wordplay. Thanks to rge setter, possibly an unfamikiar one, from thestyle of the clues and thanks to the Kiwis for the hints, I did need to check some of the parsing.

  8. This was fairly straightforward though 2D caught me out as there was a valid answer as a lurker in the clue, though in retrospect other parts of the clue would then be meaningless. 5D and 22A my faves.
    Thanks All!

    1. i fell into the same trap which made 11a challenging! Only spotted my mistake when the penny finally dropped re the entrance. Not enough attention paid to the from India bit……C’est la vie.

  9. I really enjoyed this- still have four to go. I put The Sweeny in 1d first which held me up. My favourite is 17d having enjoyed her books years ago. Last night I went to a book signing and interview at Dulwich College with Mick Herron which was an absolute joy. I’d like to say a huge thank you to Corky and Robert for introducing him to me. I hope that you read this and know that I really appreciated your recommendation. And of course many thanks to the Kiwis and the very clever setter.

    1. The Slough House series is a brilliant sent of books. And the adaptation on Apple TV is very well done too

    2. Thanks for that G+H. They really are most enjoyable even with the high death count on likeable characters. Do you know what is happening with Robert?

      1. Hi no I don’t know what’s happening with Robert- think we’re dependent on one of the main bloggers- but I’m hoping there’s good news. Btw Mick Herron is a most interesting person. Hope alls good with you

      2. Think I’m the one who’s been keeping in touch with him most regularly – I know he’s been in rehab since experiencing a few episodes of vertigo but I’m still waiting for further news. I will post a note on the blog as soon as I have any update.

  10. This flowed nicely with a couple of unknowns (22a and 21d) fairly clued. 7d gets my vote. Thanks to the 2Ks and today’s setter.

  11. Just back from getting an MOT done & no advisories so a good start to the day. A wee bit of a parsing head scratch at 11a but an otherwise problem free solve. Very enjoyable if all over a bit too quickly. My ticks the same as Stephen’s with the addition of 22&27a. I’m assuming the mayor is chasing the motor because he’s after it as it’s an across clue?
    Thanks to the setter & to the 2Ks
    Ps at the risk of incurring Corky’s opprobrium today’s Toughie really is very floughie & well worth a look for those who usually don’t venture there.

    1. Lol don’t tempt me I’ve done this pretty swiftly and got jobs to do 🤣🤣
      Note to admin please don’t mis interpret my user name I am actually a pro sax player 🤣🤣

        1. Which is a good excuse for me to post my favourite piece of saxophone playing on the outro to this track:

    2. You escape any negativity from me by associating me with opprobrium. What a wonderful word it is.

  12. This had a very different feel from the usual Wednesday head-scratching fare.
    I sailed through it… and that annoyed me somewhat. Many of the clues seemed to fall short of my cruciverbalist needs.
    I can’t really criticise it for its accessibility. I expect I’m being too harsh because I’m all hot and sweaty after an unsuccessful shopping trip.

  13. Workmanlike progress to
    Completion, marred only by
    Laziness in Googling for the
    Correct spelling of 13a and confirming
    Dear old Sadiq’s surname.
    Framing anagrams assisted greatly.
    Joint COTD 11 and 25a, real gems.
    Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis.

  14. What a great day it is, the sun is out and so is the washing and I have also completed the guzzle. It does not take much to keep me happy…although hubby would probably disagree. Lots of fun with 7d my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2 kiwis for the hints and pics.

  16. No problems with this somewhat chestnut laden puzzle although I did need to verify the name of the actress in 21d. Is she related to Nina of the same name?
    Favourite here was 11a.

    Thanks to our setter and to our 2Ks for the review.

  17. As a “newbie” I really enjoyed that, it was just the right level of difficulty to give a confidence boost!

    I too was caught out by the lurker in 2d, but then the little red lines appeared on the screen to let me know I’d been too hasty.

    Thanks for the hints, 2Kiwis, especially 7d, I just couldn’t see anything in that without the hint. It’s therefore my COTD.
    What will tomorrow bring?

    2. A warm welcome from me as well, Ciaran. This is a great site for learning about cryptics and you will find lots of help. Please return. 👍

      1. Thanks. I will most certainly be back. In fact I joined up quite a few years ago and I traded emails with “BigDave” after he saw that I too worked in the IT field. I still do as the elusive retirement is a few years off yet.

        I wish I had the chance to meet him in person, rest well.

  18. Enjoyable. 7d was my favorite as it was quite amusing and opened up the west. A quick finish leaves time to do the toughie, also easier than normal

  19. That was most excellent: not that challenging but enjoyable, nevertheless (a word that is so often an answer in crosswords)

    Oodles of clues to choose from but I’ll go with 19a for its simplicity, 7d as it’s a splendid expression and 22a as I can now add this place to my geography knowledge.

    Merci beaucoup à Le Touquet et le compilateur.

    2*/4*

  20. Quick start but then slowed a little. Getting the four outside edges in early certainly helped. Thanks to 2 Ks for the review and to our setter for the coffee break entertainment.

  21. Straightforward, in whatever order the clues are tackled. Least favourite was 22 Across, simply because any mention of the London mayor makes my blood boil, as my recent posts testify.

  22. Sailed right through this today. My favorite has to be 1D because I love the series. I’m currently re-watching it on a streaming service. Thanks to the setter and 2Kiwis. Having a go at the Toughie now.

  23. No problems except for last in 25a. Thx for the hint to sort out the wordplay. I wonder how many people under 50 remember Charlie Chan?
    Thx to all
    **/***

  24. A satisfying solve as indeed was the Quickie which today called for just enough GK to add to the fun. Unusually the South was out of the starting-blocks ahead of North. Overlooked the movie classification in 12a and similarly Washington in 8a but both had to be. 1d new one on me. My Fav was chatty 7d. Thank you Mysteron and the 2Kiwis (phew, we could use a drop or two of your showers – I have been watching the New York Open Tennis and they are sweltering too).

    1. I’ve been watching the U.S. Open too, some really good tennis. I just wish the men would wear some clothes and not come on court in their underwear! Tiafoe’s is the worst, but Shelton and Alcaraz are right behind. That Shelton is really good!

      1. Merusa, you’re lucky to be in the same time zone as NY – I am lacking sleep! I agree re the men’s gear which is not only skimpy but horribly multi-coloured in ghastly clingy fabrics which look dreadful when they sweat (or should I more politely say perspire or even glow!). I do prefer watching the men but have tuned into a few women’s games and their outfits are becoming just as bad – Wozniacki for instance wearing a virtual swimming costume. Bring back the good old all white days! Apologies fellow bloggers for all that ranting which has nothing to do with Big Dave’s cruciverbal world.

        1. When I remarked on Wozniacki’s swimsuit, I was told she had a baby only a year ago – what has that to do with the price of apples? There ain’t no respeck anymore! The Big W is right to have a dress code. I like Coco Gauff!

  25. 2*/4*. I enjoyed this a lot except for 22a. That’s not because it’s a poor clue. It isn’t. It’s actually an excellent clue but any mention of that man (and, even worse, seeing a photo of him!) brings me out in spots.

    My podium comprises 9a, 11a & 7d.

    Many thanks to Mr Ron and to the 2Ks.

  26. I loved this although I didn’t find it as easy as everyone else, needless to say.
    A few bits of the general knowledge let me down, as usual – actors, TV programmes (unless it’s John Thaw)!
    I liked all the long answers round the outside and my favourite was 4d.
    Thanks to whoever set this one for the crossword and to the K’s and the hints and the pics too.

  27. Well, well, well, knock me over with a feather. This is the third day in a row that I’ve completed the crossword on the same day. I easily worked my way through today’s only coming to a stop in the south west. By that time the hints were up and I could check 18a which was truly a doh! moment, yup, hung my head in shame at not getting that one straight away. Thereafter the rest fell into place. My podium slot must go to 27a, as I have two (nicknamed by the family as The Simpson Sisters, so that speaks for itself), so had a real chuckle relating sinsister bananas to the answer. Many thanks to the compiler and the two Kiwis for the excellent hints and pictures.

      1. Yes, sorry for causing additional work. My old email address (of 30 years) on the original POP servers, was switched off on 1st Sept and now totally defunct :-(.

  28. Fastest solve yet today so rather pleased. Favourites 13a for its surface read and 7d for being a great expression. 25a was a guess from the checkers – on looking at the clues to parse , am too young to know that detective!

  29. Found this Wednesday puzzle this week quite approachable and I had no real difficulties other than parsing in a couple of clues. Pretty straightforward, a few old chestnuts and i was off to the races.

    1.5*/4* for me

    Favourites today, (and there were many!), include 1a, 9a, 20a, 1d, 5d, 6d & 23d with the two 1’s the favourites. I miss 1d, I like the Liverpudlian singer, and 9a character that also played along side one of 1d actors both in different roles, but partners.

    All in all, I liked this one.

    Thanks to setter (Robyn??) & 2K’s for hints/blog

  30. A lot easier than yesterdays, needed a couple of hints to complete. Never heard of the actress in 21d or the city ? In 22a which I bunged in. Thanks to all.

    1. Yeah I didn’t know the city but the two sections of the clue were obvs so a quick check confirmed

  31. Good fun today and straightforwards it’s a **_*** for me my head scratcher was 14d and 16a the “duh” moment
    East side went in pretty swift I’m usually a south east first solver 🤣

  32. Good afternoon
    A confession first of all: in a multiple word clue, I ink in a line separating the words. When it came to 17d, I made the separation at 4,5 instead of 5,4; thereby presenting a solution of H – T – W for the second word….in my defence, I plead TOGdom; a senior moment, as the great Sir Terry Wogan used to say.
    Other than that, COTD goes to 11a; 7d definitely brought on a “Crikey!”
    I wasn’t 100% sure of the parsing of 14d, so thank you 2Ks for your explanation; my other unsure moment with 25a was resolved the moment I saw the pic in 2Ks’s hint, so thank you again!
    And, naturally, thank you to our setter.

    1. Oh yes – I always ink in lines and, more times than I would like to admit, put one in the wrong place!

  33. 2/3.5. Enjoyable puzzle which was helped by a smattering of anagrams and a lurker. Thanks to the setter and the 2Ks. Went to the Blacksmith Bakery in Langley for an excellent lunch comprising eggs Benedict and a large glass of red wine. Made my day.

  34. Found this an enjoyable puzzle but have never heard of the actress so waited and checked the hints. Nearly misspelt the Mexican food at 13a which would have caused some head-scratching moments. Many thanks to the setter and the 2K’s. It’s really too hot to be out in the garden but being in the NW
    I shouldn’t complain and just make the most of it!

  35. Yep. Agree with nearly all the above. In particular Kath on the actor comment and my new fact today was 22a. I found it all unravelled a little too quickly and am hoping for a classic tough RayT Thursday if we are lucky although no offence to today’s setter as I thought this a solid *** for fun. Thank you to the 2K’s: coincidentally my Wellington based mate has just left a steamy Tavistock for his return via Lyme Regis Canada Vermont Boston NY and Florida. Sounds exhausting. COTD? 17d for me.

  36. 18a as my favourite and guessed the cop series without having heard of it. Thank you setter and 2Ks

  37. I noted the ** on printing the crossword, but I was swimming in molasses again when trying to solve. I couldn’t finish, so went to get a hint and found none of the clues matched what I had! On checking, my puzzle was from November 2020, how on earth did that happen? I printed today’s and sailed through it, enjoying every minute. We’ve been having a good run. I had a hiccup at 26a, we spell it with one “t”. I needed Google to confirm 1d and 21d. There was a lot to like, where can I start? Maybe 5d, she left us far too young. 7d amused.
    Thank you setter for the fun, and the 2Kiwis for unravelling a couple.

  38. Another unaided finish and I did the Toughie! It can’t last. This guzzle was a delight from start to finish but I did get the spelling of 15a wrong, which held me up for a while. I loved the topical 22a but my COTD is lamented 14d.

    Thank you, setter for a fun workout. Thank you 2Ks for the hints. Can you send some of your rain this way? It was 35 degrees in Sainsbury’s car park in Oswestry this afternoon.

    No news about Mrs. C. All I know is they are keeping her in for observation but she was quite chirpy when I visited.

    2. PS – Not that it matters much but there are four letters in the second word of the Quickie bun. :smile:

    3. ‘Chirpy’ is definitely a good sign, Steve. Hope you’re making full use of the stair-lift in her absence!

    4. That is 100F degrees in our money! I do hope the hospital has air conditioning. Glad Mrs. C is keeping her spirits up, but she must be anxious to get home.

      1. No air con in the hospital, Merusa – this is the NHS we’re talking about! Hopefully, Lesley will be home in time for Faye and Sami’s visit. What I didn’t know is that she has had about four blood transfusions. They seem to working though.

  39. A nice crossword today for me.
    Charlie Chan was a bit tough for younger solvers.
    Lots to like.

    Thanks to the setter and to the 2 Kiwis whose help I needed unravelling 11a.

  40. What a pleasant crossword to return to after my fortnight away on a Wine towns of the Rhine Cruise 😎 **/***** Favourites 22a & 17d 🤗 Thanks to the 2 x Ks and to the Compiler 👍 Relieved that we didn’t have these sweltering temperatures whilst on holiday 🥵

  41. Morning all.
    We found 22a a little challenging. It seems the car did make it to NZ but under the Holden and then Opel brands but it had escaped our notice. ULEZ was a new acronym for us too, so a bit of Googling required there. We had met the 1d TV series though.
    More rain here overnight so probably another damp walk today.
    Cheers.

  42. A bit of a rushed solve today, as we had breakfast out, a walk around the Mall in the air conditioning, followed of course by shopping. Mostly enjoyed, but knowing the clock is ticking away, I didn’t have the patience I needed to devote to some of the clues. 1d is one of our favourite TV shows, and loved Dennis Waterman in it. Didn’t know the actress, oops actor, in 21d, nor the Danish salad. Don’t know who can be voting for the mayor in 22a. Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis.

    1. I fell in love with the TV series when I saw the first episode. I will never forget “She shot my dog”!

  43. Strolled through this despite never having heard of the lady in 21d. Favourite was 23a, the hated mayor has not even a peripheral effect on me but I understand the frustration. Thanks to the setter and 2K’s.

  44. Hello everyone.

    Sorry I couldn’t get in yesterday, but I’m attempting to set a competition puzzle for a certain … er, competition, I have a tabloid deadline looming (for 56 puzzles, so no sweat :( ) and I’m also feeling a bit rough. With the (UK’s) advent of summer in autumn, we have winter ailments.

    I blame the Mayor of London, even though it was a certain B. Johnson who instigated the dreaded ULEZ plan. I note Starmer isn’t liking it much, as he thinks it might lose him some votes in London. Hint for Keir: try developing some policies.

    And after that rant, may I thank the 2K for the great blog, and everyone else for kind comments. Back now to rehydration with water and OJ, plus the opposite via Lavazza Rossa.

    Cheers
    NYDK

Comments are closed.