ST 3235 (Hints)

67 comments on “ST 3235 (Hints)”

1. Very enjoyable!
   Nothing held me up very long at all but it was good fun throughout with my highlights being 1,15&26a.
   Many thanks to Dada and Senf.

2. Another great puzzle just on the doable side of very tough, last one in for me (8d) took ages to get, but finally got there. Liked 15a, but favourite today was 16d. Ta to our setter today.

   1. Agree with you about 8d, I was digging up the vegetable plot looking for turnips and swedes!

3. Quite challenging, particularly in the SE, which held me up for quite a while. There was some excellent misdirection to keep the solver on their toes and it was much in evidence in three of the best clues (all in the SE strangely), the anagram at 11d and the lego clues at16d and 15a, the latter being my joint COTD’s. Thanks to Senf for the hints and good luck with the white stuff in the weather forecast . Thanks also to Dada for a tricky but doable puzzle.

4. I thought this was fairly light for a SPP. My two fave clues were at the beginning (1a) and the end (27a). Lovely sunshine here in London today so feeling pretty 13a. Thanks to the setter and to Senf for the hints.

5. As usual with Dada, I took a while to get into it but most enjoyable it was once entry had been gained. The military manoeuvres at 11d were clever and the guzzle had a good deal of 27a for me. My COTD is 11a because we had a few such pets when Miss C was a wee lass.

   Thank you, Dada for the fun. Thank you, Senf for the hints and I hope you don’t get too much ❄️❄️!

6. I found that a real challenge thanks and many thanks for the hints. Lots of excellent clues, 7d standing out for me.

7. Some lateral thinking needed and I still can’t quite believe 13a, but if what I have is right, then it’s my favourite.
   Just the right level of difficulty for the long haul between Sunday breakfast and Sunday lunch.
   Thanks to the compiler.

8. A fairly gentle and entertaining Dada puzzle – thanks to him and to Senf.
   Top clues for me were 1a, 15a and 27a.

9. Wow! Printed out this puzzle and The Toughie and thought that I had inadvertently started the latter.

   Favourite 15a with one of my most liked songs at 3d.

   The wind and rain have gone but I needed to scrape the windscreen this sunny morning.

   Now for The Toughie.

   Thanks to Dada and Senf.

10. Very satisfying but quite challenging puzzle for me. I needed the blog hints to complete 1A and a couple of other clues. MER at 15A which is an important and famous city but not a capital city I don’t think. The (political) capital of the relevant country is a smaller city.

    1. My error – I’ve just discovered that the relevant country has two capitals and so the clue is correct. Never too old to learn!

    2. It’s the ‘official’ one, the other, smaller place on the coast is often called the ‘de facto’ one because everything is there. Both nice places btw.

    3. There has been at least one other occasion of a similar discussion on this particular capital city, also on a Sunday if memory serves.

       According to that unimpeachable source Wikipedia, at the present time, there are eight countries with multiple capitals. I use the term multiple because South Africa apparently has three – administrative, legislative, and judicial.

       1. I lived in said country for 10 years. Outside the working Palace is the French Church. on there is an inscription commemorating Napoleon’s stay there in 1813. For 48 hours it was given city status because Napoleon was too important to stay in a town or village. The last time said place applied for city status was in the late 1990s and it was denied.
          The other bone of contention, because of the name of the place, is whether we live “at” there or “in” there.

11. Pleasingly testing with a few clues that needed teasing out to complete the grid. 1 and 27a were my final two entries and potential favourites, with 16d the winner.

    My thanks to Dada and Senf.

12. For once, it was the multi-word answers that put up the most resistance here – they’re usually my way in to a puzzle.
    The 3d gangster sits atop my podium where he’s joined by the mad city and the rubbishy linen.

    Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints and salute to Liszt – I think Robert would have approved of your choice.

13. This was by no means a walk in the park in today’s lovely sunshine but it was rewarding to gradually come to terms with it. Needed help with 1a as I stupidly failed to bring it to mind so it was last to fall in spite of my having all the crossers. Fav 13a. Unusual piano/cello combination for Liebestraum was delightful accompaniment whilst reading through your hints so thank you for both Senf and also thanks to Dada for the puzzle.

14. Nice one! Spent an inordinate amount of time looking at 17a to see where the first part of the (obvious) answer was hidden in the clue until my 27a moment when I realised that the blooming thing was specific rather than generic. So fave has to be 27a, though also liked 13a and 20a.
    I note that one of the words in the Quickie pub also featured in today’s GK. Coincidence?
    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf. (Wrap up Senf and keep safe!)

15. Enjoyable and varied, with a couple of general knowledge clues thrown in. With some of the Lego clues like 1a and 15a, I only “27a” (past tense) after solving the clue.
    I couldn’t find any reference on Google to the use of a single letter for chapter, but accept Senf’s finding it in the BRB
    Maybe someone can post a link.
    Now for the Toughie…
    Appreciation to Dada, Senf and all the commentators here

    1. Probably not the sort of link you were referring to as I don’t use Chambers on-line – Revised 13th Edition, page 213, LH column.

    2. I have been through my electronic version of the BRB and there is no mention of the the abbreviation C for Chapter but I have seen it used in crosswords before. Personally I find it a bit of a sloppy way for a setter to find a way of including a c.

    3. It’s listed in Chris Lancasters telegraph book on cryptic crosswords p168 but that’s not a reference just an aid

       1. As our esteemed editor has included it in the list of single letter abbreviations in his book, it almost certainly means that it is on the list of single letter abbreviations approved for use by DT crossword setters. Pretty close to a reference in my book.

16. Found this one on the gentle side of his Sunday range. No head scratching necessary for a brisk completion in just over 1.5* time. 1,15,17&27a + 11&16d the clues that stood out for me in what was an entertaining solve.
    Thanks as ever to D&S

17. Great puzzle with an interesting balance of more straightforward with some tricky clues.
    My last in was 21d which was odd as it was not a real tricky one. My fav was 16d.
    Thx to Dada for giving us an interesting puzzle which allowed one to start before being challenged.
    Thx for the hints.
    *** /*****

18. 3*/4*. After an alcohol filled, crossword-free day yesterday with a company reunion followed by watching England’s valiant failure to reach the Rugby World Cup Final, this proved to be a very enjoyable return to my cruciverbal routine.

    My podium comprises 1a, 27a & 19d.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.

    1. Given the expectations before the start of the tournament, England definitely had a good run and there’s still the ‘Bronze Final’ to go.

       What chance of Wayne Barnes being the ‘man in the middle’ for the final?

       1. Dear Lord, I do hope so after that total …. yesterday! We need someone who will referee and not try to train the players. Helps if they know the rules too. WB is the best in the world at the moment.

    2. Thought England played really well and it was a solid effort by all, despite the low scoring. Lots of kicking back and forth in the game not to mention Owen Farrell’s 100% success rate for field goals and with a spectacular drop kick goal.
       Will be watching on Friday for the Bronze.

19. Another super guzzle today. The SW corner held out the longest. Once again couldn’t parse some of them until I had finished. Glad the sun is out now but very cold. Thanks to all.

20. For me, and I stress for me { ™ Senf } this was a tricky guzzle indeed. The toast and orange juice with no bits had long been consumed before I popped in 20d as my finale.
    Perhaps it took so long to complete as I was writing through copious tears of angst and frustration after witnessing the mighty Chelsea throw away a two goal lead against the Gooner upstarts yesterday. All very distressing.
    Discomfort guides my tongue and bids me speak of nothing but despair. One day too late, I fear me, noble lord, hath clouded all thy happy days on earth: O, call back yesterday, bid time return so we might go back to being 2-0 ahead with twenty minutes to go, except this time we hold on and don’t gift them two goals.

    Thanks to Da-do-ron-ron and The Man From Manitoba.

    1. 👏👏👏

    2. 🤣

21. Enjoyed this puzzle, SE corner the hardest today and had to come back to it. Appropriately, once I got the answer to 27a across the bottom, was able to work out 16d then all the rest fell into place! Thanks Dada and Senf.

22. No major hold-ups for us this afternoon. No real favourite but we’ll go with 15a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

23. Well. it looks like this Dada puzzle this week is at about the middle of his difficulty spectrum with a little quirkiness thrown in and a couple of words that would seem to come from his own thesaurus. I found a couple of tricky parsings that took some coaxing out to understand … and a couple that I may get when I see the hints and the penny finally drops.

    2.0*/4.5* for me

    Podium contenders today include 1a, 13a, 20a, 24a, 4d, 7d & 11d — with winner 24a

    Thanks to Dada & Senf for blog/hints

24. Great fun but quite tricky in places, I got there in the end thanks to help from the anagrams. The multi words were not as obvious to me today. 15a was my favourite and 3d sent me off down a musical rabbit hole which was fun.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints.

25. Terrific guzzle to return to after three rather trying days, solved sitting in wonderfully sunny conservatory. Great fun, I liked 10a because my grandmother used the word a lot, 11d was very clever as was 24 – lots to like in fact. 8d was my sticky point and last one in. This morning, after church, with three other WI members and a usefully tall husband we erected our poppy installation beneath our village sign. It looks stunning. I would show you a photo except that it has too many gigga things. I know Steve did kindly tell me how to get round that some time ago but I didn’t nite down the formula sadly. I put it on Facebook! As we were all working on it at the cross roads in the centre of the village all the passing cars hooted and cyclists and walkers stopped to talk. Very uplifting. Let’s hope the rain ( and some of the little darlings) don’t spoil it. Many thanks to the brilliant setter and Col Mustard.

    1. DG – are you trying to send the photo via your phone? After you have selected the photo click on Actual Size (2MB) and it will give you the option to click on small which is 29 KB) and this site will accept that photo. Hope this helps. You did manage it the other day with a picture of half a face!

       1. How stupid of me – but then I am an elementary girl. Here goes. We are rather proud of it.

          

          1. Well done! It looks amazing.

             1. It certainly does

             2. Very special! Congrats to you and the other WI ladies, it looks lovely.

          2. Fab! Well done!

          3. Stunning

          4. Oh Daisygirl, it truly looks wonderful. I’m sure a lot of hard work went into it. Wish I lived much nearer so as to pay a visit and fully appreciate the craftsmanship close up. I do hope the weather stays kind. Well done to all involved.

          5. Reminds me of my screensaver – The Tower of London Poppies on tour at the Woodhorn Mining Museum I think yours are prettier

             

          6. Excellent! We have a poppy from the original display at the Tower of London.

       2. Looks super. Well done!

          1. That’s most impressive, Daisy. Well done to all those involved. My usefully tall son, who iis 6ft 4 ins, pruned all the bits I couldn’t reach in the garden this afternoon

    2. Always an elementary mistake to forget to nite down the formula…..😂

26. Strayed into *** time and needed Senf’s help for the last two. Looking at the end result I don’t understand why I found it so taxing becuse all the clues made sense in retrospect (don’t they always?). Many thanks to D and S.

27. Good puzzle in that I managed to finish it and found it very interesting. Loves 13a and thinking what response they might give to a cheery ‘still 13aing away squire?’. 15a reminded me of the children’s joke about jam. My favourite was 7d which took some time to work out.

    Than you to both Senf and Dada for an enjoyable Sunday lunchtime solve.

28. Had to make a visit for help with 10a, the rubbishy linen. Not in my vocab I don’t think and even with all the checkers i was struggling to solve it
    Forgot to cross my fingers before I submitted it so I probably won’t win the prize this week

29. Well, I thought this was pretty tricky whether or not anyone else did –
    It was just about “doable” but much more difficult and I wouldn’t have managed it – my problem, no-one else.
    It’s taken a long time but that doesn’t matter.
    I liked the four long answers round the outside (eventually) and 15 and 20a and 19d.
    My favourite was 13a.
    Thanks to Dada and to Senf.

30. I m definitely in the tricky camp, not finding this fairly light or gentle, and agree with the by no means a walk in the park assessment. I decided to ignore the capital reference in 15a, as I didn’t think it was, but my checkers screamed out at me that it was. Since read comments above about more than one capital. 13a made me smile, but COTD goes to 1a. A tricky week, ending with a tricky Sunday. Can someone please be kind to those of us with somewhat addled and aging brains next week? Thanks to Dada for the challenge and Senf.

31. Light and enjoyable even if far too many anagrams, both full & partial (I counted 9 in total) and rather crowded together as if for company in the S and among the downs. A few good lurkers and some smiles throughout. It didn’t feel particularly Dada-esque to me, but my thanks to Dada/the setter and to Senf for the review.

    1.5 / 2.5

32. I had a late start as an old friend (we went to school together) stayed last night and we were busy chatting before she left this morning. Very tricky in my book, I needed far, far too much ehelp, mainly word search, to call it enjoyable. I did get there in the end, only needing the hints to parse some. I liked the long ‘uns, 1a and 27a best of all, 7d and 8d runners up. The capital also amused, as did 19d, so there was plenty to like. SE was the last in.
    Thank you Dada and Senf for our Sunday fun. I loved the music clip, yes Jane, Robert would have liked that.

33. Found this quite tough but thoroughly enjoyable. Last in was 24A as I just couldn’t get the parsing..until I reached my 27A moment!💡
    All in all, another very fine challenge from Dada and, as always, thanks to Senf for the excellent blog ‘n hints 👍
    Cheers!

34. Unusually for me I managed to complete this guzzle alone and unaided. Hurrah for me!
    I almost always struggle with Dada.
    My favourite was 27a.
    Thanks to Senf and to Dada.

    Peaceful, calm, dry, sunny but cold day today. Thank goodness. The trees did not fall, though there is extensive flooding nearby which will take some time to subside.

35. Nicely came together
    Welding the difficult clues
    To the easier ones.
    Loved 13a, my COTD.
    Sparkling form, Dada,
    Thanks and to Senf.

36. A good level of puzzle today. Thank you Senf for the hints. Couldn’t work out the parsing of 15a until my other half explained it. A duh moment! 13a definitely clue of the day.

37. Managed to finish but I can’t parse 18d. Any ideas?Many thanks to Senf and the setter for a cracking puzzle.

    1. A synonym of the penultimate word contains the final letter of the second defined by the last

       1. Thanks SJB.

38. Late getting round to this one, but pretty plain sailing. Favorite 16d.

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