DT 30445

96 comments on “DT 30445”

1. Light and breezy.
   Lots to smile even if nothing really jumped out as favourite though the fodder at 26a was good and the definition in 5a well concealed.
   Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.
   Ps….for those who like to do the Toughies that aren’t so tough I can highly recommend today Dada.

   1. Todada?

      1. I’ve only just seen your splendid ‘Todada’ comment. That, plus Hintsman…..you’re on fire!

   2. You’re dead right about the Toughie, it wasn’t.

      1. I’ll tackle it later!

   3. Thanks for the tip!

   4. Oh yes. Doable for my aged brain. I particularly liked 4d and the interesting anagram at 23.

2. Found this one more annoying than amusing, might just be me, but it never felt quite right. Last in was 1d, really had to cast the memory back for that one, Thanks to our compiler today, just not my thing.

3. Nothing to dislike here, just straightforward clueing and some good misdirection. Like our blogger, 10 and 26a were particularly handy to get early, but my favourite was 4d.

   My thanks to our Tuesday setter and Huntsman.

4. I knew the score on finishing as 2/3 and somit was.
   Pretty straightforward and getting 10a and 26a during first pass was a help.
   Thanks to the compiler and others here.

   1. I couldn’t parse 4d without the hint… which is quite irritating given Mrs D and I visited her house in Paris a few years ago! Definitely a senior moment.

      Otherwise quite enjoyable.

5. 1d A Good red herring with the party. Need a good memory too!

6. Another goodie to keep the momentum going. Concise, accurate clues with no words wasted.

   I didn’t know the Baroness’ constituency. So, that was a new one on me. I only found out a few years ago that vertigo is dizziness not a fear of heights (I suppose vertiginous makes sense). There are two phobias for height: ALTophobia (ALTitude) and the first four letters of 20a ****phobia which, again, makes sense.

   My podium is 2d, 6d (love the political ones, me) and 25a.

   Many thanks to Huntsman and compiler.

   2*/3*

   1. They reckon there are only two innate fears/phobias that every human is born with: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds. The rest are learned. Just thought I’d mention it as a bit of incidental trivia.

      1. Duly noted, Jose.

         Thank you.

      2. Well that explains my recently acquired phobia of not using down escalators, I’m fine with going up, but just cannot get on them going down any more. Probably not a bad thing when you’re no longer a spring chicken.

         1. Hmm, interesting.

            I suppose, if heights is not your ‘thang’, going down an escalator could be an issue.

            I’d never thought of that.

7. Sort of Typically Tuesdayish and the the Quickie grid would suggest that this is an Anthony Plumb production – **/****

   I did have to e-confirm that 1d had indeed been or was the MP for Blackburn.

   Candidates for favourite – 10a, 14d, and 17d – and the winner is 17d.

   Thanks to Mr Plumb, or whomsoever if it is not he, and thanks to Huntsman.

   P.S. For me, etc, Dada unusually Floughie in the first Toughie of the week.

8. Nothing too tricksy here, except trying to spell 26a. I liked 15a best. Thank you whomever set it and Hintsman (that was a typo but it’s quite appropriate). Off to the White Horse at Harpenden for lunch now.

   1. Celia that’s literally just up the road from me & until recently a regular pit stop for a pint & a bite to eat while out walking around Harpenden Common & Rothamsted. We popped in a couple of weeks ago & were told no food orders were possible for 30 mins or so as the restaurant was busy which was fair enough so we sat & had a pint in a our fav spot in the bar (the 2 old fogey seats next to the fire). After about 40 mins we asked for a menu to see what we may like to order when able to do so only to be told they weren’t giving any out. When I gently suggested that surely we could be trusted to at least survey the bar food options it was a blank refusal. I shall needless to say not be back which is a shame as it’s otherwise good. The Silver Cup down the road is excellent food albeit very expensive.

   2. Hintsman it will be, going forward.

      Love it!

9. A decent puzzle but one without a great deal of sparkle – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
   My box was ticked by 10a.

10. If it’s not writers it’s novelists.

    Thanks to today’s setter and Huntsman.

    1. Just a random thought, Jonners, apropos of nothing. All novelists are writers, but not all writers are novelists.

       1. Amen to that!

11. This was pretty straightforward until it wasn’t and I spent as long on 3 clues in the NE corner as I did on the rest of the puzzle. There was a fair amount of General Knowledge involved, which made things a bit more interesting and Mr Google came in useful, as did the Thesaurus. I liked the misdirection in the 18d anagram which was my COTD and the GK element made the 1d anagr and 4d leg fun. 20a was another good lego clue. Thanks to Huntsman for rhe hints and to the compiler.

12. Enjoyable and mostly straightforward. Got stuck trying to force mitre into 16d. 23a seemed a bit of a stretch

13. I enjoyed this much more than yesterday’s guzzle (I am learning 😀). It was right up my street.
    I too liked 5a and 26a. The surface of 10a works well although it does make that type of school seem……inferior. I would like to stick up for mine: it served me well.
    Thanks to the setter and for the hints.

    1. I’m out of touch with English schools now, what is a secondary modern? What does it replace, assuming it replaces something?

       1. Merusa, when children sat an 11 plus exam at the end of primRy school, thoe who passed went to grammar school (with a more academically orientated curriculum) an if they didnt pass they went to a secondary modern (where there might be a mix of practical courses and academic subjects). This replaced the old pre-war Elementary schools in which you left achool at 14, awith a system in which you lwft at 15 or 16. There were also Technical Schools, a sort of middle layer emphasising subjects leading to apprenticeships ( I taught at a boys Technical School in Canning Townn, East London until it was all swept away by Comprehensive, all in one, schools,n 1972)
          Ntary

          1. I like the idea of technical schools. When I come back I want to be a builder of some sort, carpenter, plumber, you name it. I love to watch TV renovation shows. At the same time, then I would miss all the loverly history, geography and English Lit lessons (note, I omitted English Grammar!). When doing the crosswords, I bring back all sorts of strange things learnt a lifetime ago. Knowledge is never wasted.

             1. I agree knowledge is never wasted, Merusa but these days the problem is remembering it. 😏

14. Typically Tuesdayish. I found this an enjoyable solve with a good variety of clues, if a little anagram heavy for my liking. That said the anagram fodder at 26a led to a very clever surface read. Favourite today was the double definition at 15a which managed to hold me up momentarily. I also liked 10a and 12a for the misleading simplicity of the clueing. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.

15. OK Tuesday puzzle, enjoyably filled in the time, thought the MP was the fortress!
    Run of the mill clues nothing obscure,favourite was 15a, took a while to parse last in 5d going for a **/*** as per our blogger

16. Another competent offering from our Tuesday setter containing little likely to cause controversy. It was interesting to read just how much of the legislation introduced by 1d remains in force today.
    Top clues for me were 10&26a with a smile and a prayer for 6d.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb, I assume, and to Huntsman for the review – hope your injury is slowly healing?

    1. I did wonder if 1d was responsible for 10a but apparently not, 10a schools started just after the war, before my time if not hers
       Otherwise a fine Tuesday teaser Thanks to Andy and MrP

17. 2*/3*. I think Jane’s “competent” sums this up and I can’t disagree with her choice of 10a, 26a & 6d as the top clues.

    Many thanks to the setter and to the newly christened Hintsman.

18. Just a slow and steady slog for me with no particular highlights, no particular difficulties and no particular bright spots. Got there in the end, but ***/**. Thanks to all concerned…

19. Despite needing e-help for a couple this was most enjoyable. I’m not sure about 12a. Where does the major come into it and is the second part really a synonym for stiff? Unusually, the BRB is not to hand so I can’t check. I liked the tearing dog at 25a and the criminal food at 21d but my COTD is the inferior school at 10a.

    Many thanks to the setter for the fun. Thank you Hintsman for explaining the couple I struggled with.

    Sunny at the moment in The Marches with a mild 15 degrees. When is winter going to arrive?

    I agree that the Toughie is friendly today – Dada in his Sunday mode.

    1. Enjoy the mild autumn weather; the official/astronomical winter doesn’t even start till December 22nd!

       1. Or 1st December if you go by the Meteorological Calendar. My father was a weather man, so it’s always the 1st December for us!
          https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/seasons/winter/when-does-winter-start

          1. That’s true, but in my book the seasons are governed only by the exact astronomical position/timing of the sun in relation to the Earth’s equator not by the weather/climate.

    2. Hi SC

       I’m also struggling with the second half meaning ‘stiff’. In the dicko, it says ‘awkward’ but I can’t think of an example. I can see that it means tough, e.g tough opposition. In fact, I can’t really see the answer meaning ‘major’. He was under huge/major/******* pressure…possibly?

       Hmm…..

       Can anyone help with either?

       1. TD65. I assume it’s tense = stiff in the sense of rigid. As in: the plastic material was too tense/stiff/rigid and not suitable in that situation.

       2. I think it’s ******* = major in the sense of significant/great/serious. As in: an *******/major bombardment commenced at midnight. Or your example, too.

          1. ‘Fairy nuff’ to both your replies.

             Thanking you 👍

          2. ‘Fairy nuff’ to both your replies, J.

             Thanking you.

       3. All this stiff talk has reminded me it’s time to crack open the stiff drinks and crack into the crossword. Decided to avoid all smutty jokes relating to the above topic which isn’t easy, but I figured Halloween has enough horrors as it is 🎃😱

          1. Wise

20. For the most part this was a relatively easy Tuesday puzzle for me. However there were a couple of clues/answers that make absolutely no sense to me at all. Can’t figure out the parsing on them, but they have to be what they are. Will be interested to review the hints in the morning as I did this on Monday night in B.C.

    1.5*/ 3* for me

    Favourites include 1a, 10a, 11a, 25a, 28a & no down clues I’m afraid — so winner is 10a

    Thanks to setter and Huntsman for hints/blog

21. Super puzzle, really enjoyed this one. The top was a little tricky but the bottom half got one going.
    Thx to all
    **/****

22. Light,breezy and straight forward are not how I would describe this puzzle. Far to many bung ins and stretchy synonyms for me, but I seem to be the only one to think so. Thanks as always to the setter ,and to Huntsman for the much needed hints.

23. Enjoyable guzzle. I was held up in the Lindisfarne area where 5a, 12a, and 6d were my last entries. I convinced myself, without any evidence at all, that ‘rubber’ was the clue for 5a, so I was trying to squeeze ‘dorm’ around ‘gloves idiot initially’, manufacturing a new product – ‘dorgim’. What an eejit.

    When I was a child I was rather terrified of 1d whenever she appeared on television. She had the qualities of Bertie Wooster’s Aunt Agatha, except BC was the ‘up the workers’ version.

    Thanks to the setter and Hintsman On The First Tee.

24. For the cricketing fans on this bloggy bloggy…just a quick doff of the cap to Indian cricketing legend Bishan Bedi who went to the pavilion in the sky last week. He was one of life’s gentlemen who was often heard saying ‘Well played’ when he was hit through the covers for four.

    I’ve just ordered a recently published book about him called ‘The Sardar of Spin’ that contains detailed tributes from 30 leading cricketing figures.

    Talking of figures, here are a couple of great stats:

    Against England in Delhi in ’72, he returned figures of 5 for 109 in 86 overs and vs East Africa in the 1975 World cup, his figures were 12-8-6-1.

    The last statistic reminds me of Somerset spinner, Brian Langford’s, outrageous figures against Essex at Yeovil in 1969 in the augural John Player League which were 8-8-0-0!

    Marvellous parvellous tarvellous.

    I do hope it was televised and that John Arlott was in the commentary box.

    RIP Bishan

    1. I know absolutely nothing about cricket except that they wear white and look nice on a village green. But very sweet to read that tribute, you are obviously a fan and everyone should have a passion.

       1. Cricket and crosswords, baby!

          Did I just type that?

       2. You said it so well Daisy, thank you!

       3. But, for a number of years, there has ‘pyjama cricket’ (the various limited over varieties) where they wear anything but white and have the audacity to play with a white ball!

    2. Top tribute, Tom. I’m not old enough to remember Bishan’s career (before my Bedi-time, one might say), but 109 off eighty-blooming-six overs, wow, that must have taken quite some focus! I love it when you see bowling figures all in singles… PIN bowlers rather than spin bowlers!

       1. Some good shouts there, AB, especially beditime 👏👏

25. It’s been a year since I bought my house, which was probably lived in by a latter day Miss Havisham. Renovation has taken far longer than expected, but I have now moved in and enjoyed today’s puzzle with the usual cup of tea in a warm bed. Bliss.
    Now sitting in the dining room admiring the sunlit Cotswold fields and reading Big Dave. I agree that it was a straightforward solve, and remember when 1d came to Any Questions in Stow-on-the-Wold. She charmed us in the pub afterwards, without any of the fiery talk I had expected.

    1. What a great post, Pip! 👏👏

       Your mention of Miss Havisham makes me think that your alias is a nod to Dickens’ masterpiece or is it a mere coincidence?

       1. Yes, Tom, you are quite right.
          For years I studied to become a gentleman under the guidance of my friend Herbert Pocket. I am ashamed to say that I became an unbearable snob until I met my true benefactor. Hopefully I have now learned to respect people of all backgrounds. But Estella is still out of reach and can be as cruel as she was when we were children.
          When I first posted on Big Dave I said I had no great expectations of crossword success, but I have learned much, thanks to this site.

          1. No great expectations?

             You can’t help yourself.

             I love your use of the word ‘Hopefully’.

             Very, very funny.

             Apologies for my tardy reply, btw. I’ve just caught up with an old mucker, downing a couple of sherbets (this is where predictive text earns its money….hic!)

             Isn’t it great when you haven’t seen someone in yonks and you talk solidly for three hours?

             Sweet dreams to anyone who’s still out there.

             1. Sounds like a great night, cheers 🥃🥃 (and potentially, 💊)

                1. Nah. I’m nails, son.

26. I am feeling a bit mongy today and somehow this didn’t excite me, although I did like 26a. I needed Hintsmans hunts for a couple. The sun is shining now but my sheets have been out and in twice so I have given up. A better day tomorrow hopefully.

27. I enjoyed this very much, only a couple in the NE corner held me up but otherwise great fun. I helped pull the ivy off the walls of one of our lokes in the village on Saturday. I would have worn gloves and taken more care as I had no idea that the sap from ivy is very poisonous. One large piece hit me across the face as I pulled it off and now my face is huge and puffy, just right for Halloween. The itching is awful and I’m not really sure what to do about it, I look a sight! Anyway this was a pleasant distraction so thanks to the setter and Huntsman

    1. I sympathise with you Manders re poisoning from ivy – I have a similar long-standing problem to my fingers from exposure to a toxic silver cleaner- it seems there is no cure.

       1. I’m allergic to all sorts of things Manders and even the hand soap in the dispenser in public loos can bring up a spectvular rash. Anthisan cream from Boots helps it a lot. I always have some to hand (boom boom).

    2. Oh dear, Manders. Poison ivy is not nice. I find Eurex cream is good for itching. I hope you get better soon. 🌹

    3. “You’re going to need an ocean of calamine lotion!”

       Sorry, Manders I couldn’t resist but I hope it raises a smile. 😌

       1. 😁😁. Thanks everyone for the support!

       2. Major earworm! Loved the Manfreds cover of that song. Thanks very much Steve, I’ll wake up singing that for the next week 😅👍

          Get well soon Manders. I hear brandy helps – not medically, just makes you forget all about it!

          1. Try piriton. At least it will give you a good sleep.
             You can get it from supermarkets I think…and certainly from Boots etc.

             Many sympathies .

28. That was good fun and more like Monday fare than yesterday’s puzzle. Was off to a good start with a cruise around NW corner then the rest was reasonably straightforward. IMHO anagram indicators continue to become increasingly far-fetched. In absence of much canine knowledge 25a was a bung-in – cruel! I reckon 13a wine “synonym” is a cop out as is 25d abbreviation. Thank you Mysteron and Huntsman (aka Hintsman).

29. Yesterday’s puzzle was *** and bloggers said it was harder than the usual Monday puzzles which I found surprising. Today’s crossword is classified as ** but I would definitely make it *** and I didn’t finish it. It was unexciting so I expect I gave up without making took much of an effort. Still thanks to whoever was responsible for it and to Huntsman for the hints which enabled me to finish.

    Apropos the lady from Blackburn who produced the White Paper ‘In Place of Strife’ she was attacked by the trade unionists in the Cabinet who worked together led by James Callaghan. If the paper had become law then the tribulations of 1979 would not have happened. I was very pleased that Callaghan was seen off even it did bring in the dreadful roofer of country cottages.

30. It took a while to get on wavelength but it was enjoyable once the brain got itself in gear. The French writer at 4d has put in an appearance so many times, she’s almost a resident. Even I’ve heard of 1d! Last in was 15a, wotta clunk when the penny dropped, I can’t decide if that’s my fave. I also liked 26a and 21d.
    Thank you setter and Hintsman for the hunts (thank you Daisy, couldn’t resist a bit of plagiarism).

31. A steady solve with only a pause at 5a and 19d. Many thanks to the setter and Huntsman. Sympathy to Manders and I do hope the itching and puffiness abate asap. I’m sure we have a fellow blogger who is medic?

    1. Yes, sympathy to Manders for her itches.
       I don’t think me have a medic on the blog but we have a dentist. We also have me and I’m a nurse (was) so maybe I’d do!!

       1. You would do nicely Kath😊. The swellings are slowly receding but itchiness continues!

32. All completed before my volunteer cafe shift so I must have been able to get on wavelength quicker today, unlike yesterday. Some clever clues and a few bits of guesswork in terms of general knowledge that paid off. 26a was my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints

33. Far less trouble than yesterday – thank goodness for that – I really thought the marbles had gone for ever!
    Most things seem to have been said already so I’ll just keep it short.
    I liked 11 and 15a and 3 and 17d. My favourite was 20a.
    Thanks to whoever set today’s crossword and thanks too to Huntsman for the hints.

    1. I like to think the marbles are still there, they just hide away some days 😊.

       1. Mine have rolled under the Sofa

          1. But Mr K’s Cats bat them out occasionally when I need one

             1. I think my marbles have gone to Sami, my Son-in-Law. He’s Greek.

                1. Now, that was funny!!

                2. Very good 😂

34. Having totally exhausted ourselves getting everything off our patio on Sunday, furniture and many pots etc, ready for the patio cleaner man on Monday, and then today having to put it all back again, it was quite a relief to sit down with this puzzle. 1a went straight in, I did know the French lady in 4d, and despite taking ages for the penny to drop, 15a gets my vote for COTD. Thanks to setter and Huntsman.

35. Good evening
    I found today’s crozzie a darn’ sight easier than yesterday’s, although a couple of the solutions were correct guesses and the help of the Hintsman was needed with the parsing (5a and 4d.) 26a takes COTD.
    Thanks to our compiler and to Huntsman

36. Needed the hints to parse 15a, I’m still not convinced, and 1d, where there was no suggestion it was a former MP, plus never heard of the writer in 4d. So all in all a little unsatisfactory. Nothing stood out as favourite. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.

37. Not for me. South went in ok but North a struggle. Maybe I’m too young (humble brag!). But 10a, 1d before my time, 9a induced brain seizure at potential obscure engine knowledge requirement, 4d never heard of. But even with all the anagram letters and the checkers I still didnt get 2d so it’s probably my brain not firing on all 9ds today. Thanks setter and hintmaster anyway!

38. Slow and steady for me today.
    Thought having to remember/know Barbara Castle was a bit unfair.

    Thanks to the setter and to Hintsman.

39. A pleasant and very traditional DT backpager that almost could’ve been recycled from the 90’s. Haven’t seen the old chestnut ‘cur’ for a long time!

40. 3*/4* …
    liked 17D “Daughter is sitting on flower? Catastrophe! (8)”

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