DT 30405

131 comments on “DT 30405”

1. 2*/4.5*. Two words – brevity and joy!

   I couldn’t parse my answer to 19a and I am ashamed to admit the reason was that I had “bunged in” the wrong answer (meteors) based on the wrong definition (satellites). :oops:

   With ticks aplenty, my podium choice is 22a, 4d & 8d – Kath will love the 17d picture!

   Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo.

   1. Me too!!! 🙈

   2. I also did exactly the same thing!

   3. Add me to this list, glad to see I am in good company

   4. Meteor too!

   5. And me and of course didn’t realise my error until looking at hints.

2. Very enjoyable with just a couple in Devon and Cornwall holding me up a tad.
   Mr T throwing a bit of a curve ball with two acrostics, don’t think I’ve seen that before.
   In a strong field my ticks go to 19a plus 7&8d with top spot to the lol 5d.
   Many thanks to RayT and Shabbo.

3. No doubt about the identity of today’s setter, in a very generous mood, just about all the usual indicators including our favourite Oxford policeman – 1.5*/4.5*

   Candidates for favourite – 10a, 22a, 8d, and 17d – and the winner is 17d.

   Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

4. Do puzzles come any more
   Brilliant?
   Took an age to get started
   But ploughed on unaided to
   The last in, 14d, certainly my COTD.
   The juicy anagrams 1 and 27a
   Helped considerably.
   So, in summary, 2.5*/5*.
   Thanks, indeed, RayT and Shabbo

   1. You really are good at this!

      1. Thanks DG, I am racking my brains to compose a suitable phrase or word from the first letter of each line.

5. I loved every minute of this Ray T offering. The succinctness of the clueing leading to answers which do not require the use of overstretched synonyms and obscure knowledge is always refreshing. Can you tell he’s a favourite of mine?!
   It’s almost impossible to choose a favourite clue today. There’s barely one on my paper that isn’t marked but I’ll go for 6d for sheer ingenuity supported by 10a and 22a. Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo. I didn’t need your help today but enjoyed the illustrations.

6. Sound backpage fare, pretty straightforward, with the two long anagrams at the top and bottom providing plenty of good entry points. 16a was a bit left-field – every farmer I know would refer to “second cut”, “third cut” (in a good summer!) etc, rather than the required synonym. Hon Mention to 14d, which raised a broad smile.

   1.5* / 2.5*

   Thanks to RayT and to Shabbo

   1. One would have to presume that farmers do not have a copy of the BRB close at hand :wink:

      1. With robot-driven AI-equipped tractors these days, Senf, who knows? They may even be doing the DT crossword! :)

7. An enjoyable puzzle from Ray T – thanks to him and to Shabbo.
   I can’t see how ‘another’ contributes to 14d.
   The clues I liked best were 19a, 5d and 17d.

   1. Gazza, I took it that “another” was there because Little Boy is also a weapon.

      1. Yes, a very clever clue!

      2. Thanks, RD. I didn’t know that.

      3. Fat boy was the code name for the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki and Little Boy for the one dropped on Hiroshima at the end of World War Two.

         1. Who is it who says “every day is a school day”? Never knew that.

8. Usual great performance by the master of brevity although I did have a couple of problems in the lower reaches – tried the same route as RD in 19a and didn’t know the name of the weapon in 14d.
   Masses of ticks with podium places finally going to 11&22a plus 17&20d with a nod of appreciation for the Quickie pun.

   Devotions as always to Mr T and many thanks to Shabbo for an excellent review – didn’t take you long to become an old hand at this lark!

9. Another solid crossword from RayT who never fails to disappoint.

   I rarely see a 2 or 1 star from commenters for the enjoyment of his work. It’s probably because the constructions are very easy to work out, without any dark alleys to wander down, due to the brevity of the clues. A lot of Friday’s clues are a lego fest which can lead to all sorts of frustration. The only real challenge I face, when trying to solve his masterpieces, is working out the synonyms.

   This is why it’s a perfect formula: basic construction for the newbies but some tricky synonyms for the senior pros. That, plus some excellent wordplay and smooth surfaces, makes it a joy to solve.

   My podium is 9a, 18d with the gold going to 3d.

   Many thanks to Shabbo and RayT.

   2*/4*

   1. Except, predictably(?), for the author of Comment 11.

      1. How can I forget Brother Ian!

         Most remiss.

         He is a conundrum is our Brian. He is clearly an accomplished solver because he often loves the Friday challenges that evoke comments from others like…..’What the?’….’How the?’…’Yikes!’….’Jeepers!…’Hellllllllp!’. He’s not a fan of today’s offering which, having reread the clues, seems pretty straightforward and, for me, not too challenging. The surfaces read well and the constructions aren’t complicated.

         Maybe he’s a synonym-hater which I get.

         They are probably my least favourite technique as it’s a case of working your way through a list of five, sometimes, ten words.

         1. A variety of synonyms is essential to cryptic crosswords, of course. I can’t think of any that I’ve seen in the DT that couldn’t be justified by a reputable dictionary/thesaurus (or the addition of a question mark!).
            As for the commenter in question, I suspect any newbie who made similar negative remarks about individual setters would be given pretty short shrift here.

            1. You’re not wrong.

               It doesn’t seem right that he can call someone’s work dreadful and get away with it. But, get away with it, he does. It is most odd.

               I completely agree with your synonym comment.

            2. And unfortunately recent newbies have been given exactly that short shrift and have not returned!

               1. Very true. I felt rather sorry for that chap yesterday – didn’t seem that disparaging to me. But as someone said (AgentB?) tone doesn’t always translate in black and white. More the merrier, I reckon. And I have to say, Brian rarely fails to make me smile!

                  1. Thanks ALP! Yeah, I do wonder for newbies as even though the blogs are superb, it can feel a little clique-y in here at first. But well worth sticking around as I’ve learned a huge amount and become better at the puzzles. Some comments really make me laugh – Tom and Daisygirl are especially good fun 🎈🎉 I will say though that it’s always worth giving any and every person the benefit of the doubt, crosswords are supposed to be light entertainment but if for example someone is going through a stressful time and can’t finish it one day it might be the last straw for them. I remember when I was (a lot) younger tearing up the paper in exasperation when I couldn’t do a single clue!! So if Brian hates a puzzle, well that’s just another opinion for the melting pot so why shouldn’t he say so – I’m not going to judge. There are a couple of setters I absolutely can’t stand but I’m far too diplomatic to mention that 😇 It’s probably psychological anyway – what a strange hobby this is eh 😅

                     1. It is certainly a strange hobby, yes. The very definition of time-wasting, but such fun! I’m intrigued to hear you say there are some setters that you “absolutely can’t stand”! I’d love to know who they are but, of course, your very correct diplomacy renders that impossible. I have my favourites, for sure. But I enjoy them all, to be honest. Even Elgar, although he sadly remains way too clever for me!

   2. Too late to edit your opening sentence? :-)

   3. I have read – and re-read – your opening line with a furrowed brow, Tom, being quite certain that is not at all what you meant to say!

      Similarly, sports commentators / reporters in particular seem to be programmed to say of a result “I cannot underestimate how exciting/thrilling etc that game was” (not even getting it properly wrong!), and news reporters likewise in a breathlessly given news story, “one cannot understate the importance of this”.

      There must be a word or phrase that describes the unconscious use of the opposite of what one intended to convey!

      1. A Colemanballs, surely?

         1. Good heavens, yes – I’d quite forgotten those!

         2. Sounds like a rather painful way to use mustard 🤣

            But yes those books were fab!

      2. Stop press! Our Yorkshire correspondent has just reported that Tom is hiding behind the sofa with a red face! His opening line should have read: …… who never disappoints. :-)

         1. Doh!

            Oops!

            Nooooooooo!

            I hang my head.

            I, of course, meant to say he never disappoints. A triple negative can never be positive.

            I am so sorry one and all.

            1. Dinna worry. It was the best line of the day!

               1. This one will haunt me.

                  Cue, enormous amounts of teasing from all directions in the ensuing blogs.

                  As Muttley used to say……Shicken, Ricken, Micken, Shticken.

                  1. Yes, I fear that line won’t be forgotten in a hurry … but it’s up there with guzzle. You should be proud!

                     1. I love your spin on that.

                        Are you Alastair Campbell or just a good old-fashioned salesman?

                        Now there’s someone who never fails to disappoint.

                        1. Blimey, I’ve certainly never been compared to Campbell before – don’t know quite how to take that! I still remember him coming to my sister’s wedding many years ago – he’d only just quit drinking. The poor chap was utterly miserable – and terrifying!

                           1. Love it!

                     2. I suspect it will become a synonym (with a question mark of course! ) for “a really good puzzle”. I knew what you meant. It’s threads like this that make my day. Thanks Tom!

                        1. A pleasure, PB.

                           Is your alias a play on words of Filbert Street? Are you a fox?

                           1. No. I’m a Red, born in Anfield. I’m Phil… My boss is a Dilbert fan and he often doctors the cartoons, renaming to Philbert when he thinks it chimes with something I do in the office.. so it sort of stuck. 🙄

                        2. That’s great.

                           The blog should compile a list of the funny/random stories behind our aliases.

                           Yours is a goodie whereas mine is a tad dull.

10. I had trouble getting started, anagrams welded me for a while. Once started though I found it fairly straightforward and enjoyable

    1. Yes, that made me chuckle too. But we knew what he meant!

       1. Sorry, that popped up in the wrong spot. Twas meant as a reply to Twm and Tom. Utterly nonsensical otherwise!

          1. I don’t think Tom’s noticed yet, but yes, a good thing he didn’t leave the post at that!

             1. So when can we expect one from you? As you also “never fail to disappoint”!

                1. Thank you. The next one’s not far off but don’t build your hopes up!
                   Just to be clear, I think it’s okay for anyone to say they didn’t particularly take to a crossword – it’s a discussion forum after all, and it’s a rare puzzle that doesn’t have any dissenters. But there are ways to say it that don’t transgress points 2 and 3 in the site’s Comment Etiquette.

                   Comment Etiquette

                   1. Well that is very true, of course. There is absolutely a way – and a way not –  to do it. I’ve certainly inadvertently broken some etiquette rules in my time but I have to say if I ever did come across a crossword that I thought was awful – I never have and don’t expect to – I would just keep shtoom. But each to their own. And the love-hate ‘relationship’ between Brian and Silvanus is rather marvellous, no? Though I’m pretty sure Silvanus doesn’t think so!
                      PS – my hopes are very much up! Your crosswords are always a joy.

                      1. Here’s hoping that one day they set a puzzle together under the pseudonym Brianus 🤣

                         1. Well, if there’s any justice in the world, Brian will have a crack at setting a NTSPP. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? I think that actually might break the internet!

                            1. Absolutely! It’s brave to put that head over the parapet but so much fun. Have you had a go, ALP?

                         2. I think there’s more chance of Hell freezing over first ;-)

                            1. Ha, shame – silbrinus has such a ring to it!!

11. Typical Ray T, almost entirely unintelligible. Managed 5 clues, the rest could have been in Japanese for all they meant to me.
    For me a dreadful puzzle.
    *****/0

    1. Thanks Brian, I managed just 6 at first pass…

12. A game of two halves for me, the rop half of the puzzle being relatively straightforward and the bottom half, especially the SW corner much more difficult. Clue of the day for me was the very clever 14d, a sort of cryptic definition with aGeneral Knowledge element to spice things up. 19d was a good lurkeer, 27a a great anagram and 18d a ckeverly hidden lurker Thanks to Mr T for an enjoyable challenge and to Shabbo for the hints

13. Enjoyed that. 22A was my clue of the day – can’t remember seeing Victorian used in that context in a clue before.

14. Great puzzle as usual from Ray T. If anything a little easier than normal. 14d was favourite 3d and 17d were brilliant.
    Thanks Ray T and Shabbo.

15. Sorry Brian. I loved it although as I have said I got tied up with meteors. George was brought up in NI and did City& Guilds in spinning & weaving but never heard linen referred to as 12a – it was a colour. How many men remember Steegan? Anyway, those I did not know were easy to build from the clue, 14d for instance. The good old anagrams got me a foothold. Many thanks to the Brevity Man and to Shabbo, sorry that Brian did not like it. I have almost finished last nights toughie which was great – why am I always behind?

    1. I agree about 12a – it’s a colour, the colour of unbleached linen. I bunged it in anyway, what else could it be?

       1. I hesitated to put it in as well, because I only know if as a color.

          1. Me too re it being a colour….usually for crochet cotton….

          2. I agree with you on 12a too. By the way BL I have to tell you that my annual display of mass planted New Guinea BLs has been fabulous this year and is still going strong – combination of sunshine and showers obviously pleased them.

16. Quite a nice one. Got caught out by the ‘meteors’ thing mentioned above, and then had to resort to adding a letter or two on the app to crack the final few. Still enjoyed this one very much.

    [also agree with Daisygirl about ecru being a colour not a material (the colour of unbleached linen, I believe).]

    1. Sorry, didn’t see this before I posted a reply to Daisy!

17. Well it’s a RayT Thursday puzzle and I found this one very manageable and had few troubles working through it. Lots of good parsing with several clues that took some lateral thinking too.

    1.5*/4* for me

    Favourites include 10a, 14d, 7d, 16d & 17d —with winner 17d
    A new word for me in 12a, but worked it out. 7d made me laugh … that was funny!

    Nice puzzle … thanks RayT & Shabbo for hints/blog

18. We have been treated to some great puzzles this week and this Ray T offering is equally high calibre. Just the right amount of deviousness to cause a few head scratches and not a word wasted. Favourite clues, 22a
    and the cheeky 5d from many contenders.

    Thank you Ray and Shabbo (and Brian for making me smile 😁)

19. I asked a question on solving times a couple of days ago. I tried to reply but the website was unresponsive. So, I’ll try again:-

    Thank you all for replying.

    I have noticed over the years that actual times are never mentioned. I understand that a crossword puzzle is a personal battle: person vs. puzzle. Much like golf is person vs. course.

    This is something I like about this forum as it is completely non-competitive. I have never looked at ‘The TImes’ equivalent – but I can imagine it would be different!

    Until about a year ago I very rarely completed a puzzle. Then something clicked. I still don’t finish all of them and it is usually Thursday’s that confuse me the most (but not today!).

    I don’t post often but read this forum most days. Thanks to all who contribute. It gives me a laugh when everyone fails on the same clue(s) I do.

    1. The Times version is indeed very different. They’re obsessed with times over there!

       1. Interesting comment re non competitive. There are lots on here who delight in proclaiming a finished guzzle to show their prowess, yet I expect many of those also use Google and other aids, which in my mind means an aided solve.

          1. Agree.
             Any reference to outside sources eg Google is not, in my view, unaided.

             1. An old friend of mine said he belonged to SECS. I think it is fictitious, but stands for the Society for Ethical Crossword Solving. In essence the BRB is the only allowed help.

                I also delight in finishing a guzzle. However, it does not make a difference to me if I take 45 minutes and someone else can do it in 12. Like I said before; this is person vs. puzzle, and long may that continue…

                1. I was taught from an early age by my mother that anything other than the noggin for the Telegraph crossword is the foul and unworthy behaviour of a cheat! So even now, revealing a hint here is abject failure for me, albeit still good fun. As I got out of the habit of cryptics I now allow myself to Google only only ONLY if I know the answer has to be a particular word but I’ve not heard of it and need to confirm.

                   I suppose there are many ways to pin a skuzzle as the good doctor might say. Would be very interested to hear what others allow and/or don’t allow themselves to do when solving a puzzle!

                   1. Just a dictionary to check spelling.

                   2. Crikey, you’ll clearly all way nobler than me! I’ll certainly cheat on an anagram if it’s taking too long, with no shame whatsoever. As for the BRB being the only legitimate reference, what about 14d, for example? If one didn’t know the GK, a dictionary wouldn’t really help. I do rather like Miles’ reference to the SECS, though. What a tremendous notion!

                      1. It’s not really noble, just means I fail more often 🤣

                      2. I shamelessly admit to using ehelp when I do. I do try to solve anagrams by writing circles, only resorting to an anagram solver when stuck or, like today, needing help getting into the puzzle. I’m not competing against anyone, I don’t care how many know that I use help. Call me a cheat if you want, life still goes on!

                         1. I’m with you, all the way! Life’s too short. I saw you mention circles the other day – I was baffled then, and I’m baffled now. How do circles help?

                            1. I write all the consonants randomly in a circle with the vowels inside. I just find it easier than writing them in a row.

                            2. I think circles means putting the letters of the anagram in a circle. Your brain then sees it differently and it can make it easier to solve.
                               Personally, I just stare at the letters and they rearrange themselves. Weird I know but someone else on here does that

                            3. For anagrams I start writing out a third of it in a line, with double spaces between the letters, then move in reverse filling the gaps then again forwards until the letters are done. Usually I can see it instantly then, I have no idea why

                            4. There are times like in todays toughie where there were a total of 6 words/things/places that I has just never heard of so a little investigating on Google is justified but I had given up on an unaided solve anyway as I needed the hints for nearly half the clues.

                         2. Definitely not cheating! I just had strange parents 😁

                            1. Ha, didn’t we all?! Re methods, I’m with Toni. Not weird at all, albeit easier said than done. I just stare at the letters too, waiting for them to rearrange themselves. And when they don’t, which is often, I cheat! I still don’t really get the circles. But I’ll give it a bash.

                   3. I personally don’t think using help is cheating unless you proudly tell everyone you finished unaided.

                      I checked that 16d meant second crop prior to writing it in, but mainly because I do the physical crossword and I hate writing in the wrong answer. I always use pen. I feel checking like this would not stop me regarding it as an unaided solve.

                      19a stopped me solving unaided today though.

                      1. Glad to meet another pen and paper solver! There does come a point when one thinks “oh I’ve just made a colossal mess now” and rip goes the paper until tomorrow 😅🙄

                         1. My worst crime is confidently writing in the full answer and then realising I have written it in the wrong place!

                            I am also glad to meet another pen and paper solver. We must be a rare breed nowadays…

                            1. Hahaha! Yes the air does turn blue doesn’t it

                            2. It’s the only way to solve a crossword

          2. If I state I have finished a puzzle unaided, as with Ray T today, then it is simply that. I have solved it with no aids at all. To use aids and declare an unaided finish is dishonest as far as I am concerned. 😌

    2. I am so pleased that my inane ramblings of a few days ago has brought about such a conversation/debate.

       I will be sure to try it again some time soon…

       1. Please do! I love hearing how other people go about solving a crossword, what they like and don’t, what’s acceptable and what’s not 😊

20. I always find RayT difficult so nothing new, but I did finish with copious ehelp. I used an anagram solver for 1a, getting those starting letters was a huge help. Some good stuff here, 5d was a big giggle, but I also liked 17d and 3d.
    Thank you RayT and Shabbo for unravelling so much.

21. First time I’ve managed an unaided solve for a Ray T puzzle in over 3 years of trying
    Sometimes it takes me all day to finish a puzzle so this would be a ***/***** for me
    Something clicked for me as well today so my next challenge is to complete 5 weekdays in a row
    Thanks to Ray T for a consistent , enjoyable challenge and to Shabbo for explaining how the clues work

22. 14d was a bung-in and Google as I’d never heard of it. 12a I thought was a colour ( of paint in my house) rather than a material. Otherwise I’m amazed I had a straight run through of a RayT puzzle. Thanks to the setter and to Shabba.

23. Enjoyed this very much – as well as reading all the above comments. Bob I have never managed 5 weekdays in a row but did achieve Saturday – Wednesday last month! Thank you RayT and Shabbo.

24. A brilliant crossword, as usual on alternate Thursdays.
    I’ve loved all of it although I don’t agree anyone who said it was on the easy side today.
    Far too many clues to pick any particular ones apart from the wonderful 5d – how is anyone who could have any favourite but that one?
    Thanks to Shabbo for the hints and pics (specially John Thaw, even if I’ve seen nicer photos) and to Ray T for the crossword.

25. The bottom half fell easily and I struggled with the top until I realized that 1a was an anagram after that it was relatively plain sailing except for 8d .
    Not particularly enjoyable but it is satisfying to finish. Thanks to Shabbo and setter

26. All good fun today until the last three needing reveals 22a, 1d, 9a. Now have a bruised shin from kicking myself too hard.
    Love the brevity of the clues (I take it this is a RayT trademark?), just personal preference but right up my street.

    1. RayT has quite a few trademarks – short clues and one word clues to the quickie crossword, usually mention to the Queen, first letter answers, the “sweetheart” – a while ago also we used to expect some risquéness (is that a word?) although that’s less so now. I’ve probably left out others . . .

       1. Thanks!! I’ll have to start looking out for things like this, I love secret patterns and messages 😎🕵️

          1. Hi AgentB, I was just trying to reply to you above re the NTSPP but the reply button’s vanished – I’ve probably set off some windbag alarm today! But what else is one supposed to do while waiting for the rugby? Re Ray T, as Kath say, the Queen and sweetheart are givens. So too, brevity. And she’s right – the ever-so-slightly risque quotient has certainly tailed off a tad of late. But back to the NTSPP, I loved your recent addition – excellent. And no, I haven’t dared yet but I would love to have a bash at some point. But I’m not there yet. I’ve had the odd go behind closed doors and it is, as I expected, a very different skill to that of solving. And much, much more difficult than perhaps some people realise.

             1. Will definitely look forward to it in due course! I think at first setting is a phase or mood you need to be in, sometimes it flows and sometimes not, but absolutely worth a go, get that baby out there 👍😊

       2. I agree. I used to struggle with RayT crosswords, but have come to appreciate his particular clueing skill and style, even if they are sometimes quite the challenge. Today was a delight.

27. Another excellent puzzle from from the very reliable Ray T. Usual concise clues, a middling-ish challenge and an enjoyable solve. My favourite could be any one of half a dozen; I’ll arbitrarily pick 5d. 3*/4.5*.

28. A DNF for me but I’ve had so much fun reading the above blog I don’t care!

29. You’re probably not going to see a rapturous comment on here from me on a Ray T day. I’ve come to the conclusion that Ray is from Mars and I am from Venus… or something. When I take the time go look at a lot hints I’ll admit that there is no reason why I shouldn’t get the answers unaided, I’m just on a different wavelength and my mind just does not travel in the same direction as himself. Finished over lunch, with too many across hints, which gave me sufficient checkers to fill in all the down clues. Clearly his are not particularly difficult puzzles, it is just me. I’ll keep trying but you know what they saying about teaching an old dog new tricks. Thanks to RayT for the challenge, and to Shabbo for being unable to unravel it all.

    1. BL – I’m with you on RayT, not usually my scene either.

30. Excellent again from Rayt and not as testing as some of his. Favourite was 2d thanks to Rayt and Shabbo.

31. Really enjoyed this solve today, despite making a Horlicks of 19a!

    As others have said, when reviewing, you wonder why you made such hard work of it.

    16d was a new meaning of the word for me, but had to be that word, so a great clue.

    Penultimate one in was 14d. Kicked myself when the penny dropped. That made my LOI, 25a, a doddle.

    Many thanks to all. Especially Tom for making my day with his faux pas and everyone’s hilarious replies and comments. I was LOL in the literal sense. I look forward to the continued banter surrounding this…!

32. A great guzzle today.
    I needed a break after my first go but it all came together after I’d gone for some shopping.
    I toyed with Meteors but couldn’t parse it and eventually got to Motions.

    When I started following this blog I could not do RayT’s at all….I am now a total convert and look forward to them.

    Thanks to Shabbo and to RayT.

    (And to Brian.)

33. It’s been a while since I finished a Ray T unaided so this was a welcome guzzle. Loved it! “Hearing things” – how delightfully precise and what a great lurker at 19d. My COTD is 22a and the Victorian gold rings.

    Thank you, Ray T for a wonderful challenge and you, Shabbo for the hints.

    Wonderful lunch today at The Red Lion in Myddle with the family. Mrs. C is coming on in leaps and bounds! 👍

    1. That’s truly very good news Steve 🥳

    2. Great news Steve & a nice end to a helluva lot of comments

    3. great to hear she is getting along well and has been able to enjoy having family visit.

    4. Thank you all for your good wishes and support. 👍

    5. Just read this now, I’m so happy to hear Mrs C is doing well. You must be very relieved.

34. I finished this this morning with some e help to check a couple. What a great puzzle, so many clever clues, 5d being my favourite.

    We have been out all day so I have only just had chance to read the blog and the hints….the blog has proved to be an excellent and entertaining bedtime read! Thank you all.

    Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo for the explanations

35. Very late to this. Quite gentle I thought but typically entertaining (‘never fails to disappoint’ indeed) & excellently clued. The wordplay at 14d rendered the answer fairly obvious but it required some research as I only knew the militia context & wasn’t aware it is an ICBM & the WW2 atom bomb subtlety of Little Boy passed me by. Interestingly also discovered it’s a term for a chap who doesn’t last long in the sack. Top clue for me, like Steve, was 22a though not being a word I’m overly familiar with I did check in the BRB that it meant what I thought it did.
    Thanks to Ray T & to Shabbo for another excellent review – completely agree with the point you made about blogging the guzzle making you analyse the clue construction in much more depth & now find myself thinking how would I try to hint that one.
    Ps wasn’t expecting a 100 + comments but very entertaining – thought Brian relatively restrained on the Silvanus scale of destructive criticism & to be fair to him today I don’t think he was saying the clueing was dreadful rather his experience in trying & failing to solve it was.

36. Afternoon all. My apologies for being late on parade but my thanks to Shabbo for the review and to all who commented.

    RayT

    1. Good afternoon, Mr T. This tardiness is becoming a habit, surely you’re not ageing like the rest of us!

       1. Hi Jane,

          For some reason I keep thinking that Friday is Thursday!

          RayT

          1. That proves it – I do the same thing, in fact sometimes I couldn’t tell you which week it is! One of the delights of being retired.

37. 3*/4* …
    liked 25A “Mug men with pistol loaded (9)”

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