DT 30446

71 comments on “DT 30446”

1. Another wonderful Wednesday with lots to like. Mind you, putting “eviction” in at 7d held me up for ages in Northumberland. Silly, really, because it made no sense but the word lodged itself in my mind at the expense of all other considerations. I did not know the game at 6d but it was quite gettable from the clue. It was good to see our favourite inspector getting a look in at 24d and this was a favourite clue. I had two contenders for COTD with the cold island at 9a and the lunching colonialist at 17d. After deliberation I have awarded the prize to 9a.

   Thank you, Miss Treesetter for the fun. Thank you 2Ks for the hints.

   A bit breezy in The Marches but I don’t think Storm Ciaran will trouble us much.

   1. I made a mess of 9a because I put Iscia so I really struggled with 2d my last one in. Silly me. Speaking of April, we are having heavy showers and then warm sunshine. Very odd.

2. Superb puzzle!
   So many great clues but I’ll mention 12,14(lol the surface read)&22a plus 5& the excellent 17d.
   Take a bow setter and many thanks. Thanks too to the Ks for their usual top blog.

3. Fabulous.

   Many excellent clues with lots of clever misdirection. The briliant use of ‘Sports Day’ completely threw me off the scent. Big tick.

   Extremely difficult to pick the top 3 but I’ll go with 5d, 22a and 25a (I loved ‘Note seen in bar’).

   Many thanks to the 2 Ks and the midweek master, whoever it may be.

   3*/5*

4. Nice puzzle – never heard of 6d nor 4d but what matter!
   The rest was straightforward enough. Only just a 3 maybe?
   Favourite 17d.
   Thanks compiler and team Telegraph!

5. Enjoyable midweek puzzle for yet another day confined indoors by the weather.

   Favourites – the clever 12a, 16d and the amusing 17d.

   Thanks to the setter and the 2Ks

6. A very enjoyable and not too challenging midweek interlude – **/****

   I did stumble momentarily over 5a, choosing a two letter synonym for current instead of the physics symbol but quickly resolved when I couldn’t insert 8 letters in 7 lights.

   Candidates for favourite – 1a, 13d, 19d, and 20d – and the winner is 20d.

   Thanks to whomsoever and to 2Kiwis – I share your pain over clocks springing forward and falling back but I think you suffer more than I do.

7. This is about as good as it gets, fantastic fun.
   Great mix of every type of clue there is, with some very clever ones throughout. 1d always conjures up a floppy eared dog rather than the hero in question for me. If pushed for a couple of favourites, I’d go for 22a and the brilliant 9a. Well done the our setter today, top class!

8. 2*/4.5*. This was an excellent midweek puzzle with plenty of contenders for favouritism. I’m in no doubt that Kath will opt for 24d, but my selection of top picks is 9a, 14a, 5d & 17d.

   Many thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks.

9. Great fun, some head scratching and a few I guessed eg 6d. My favourite was 22a which was last in. Travelling to see relatives today on the circular car park, already encountered several very heavy bouts of rain.

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

10. Loved it all. Some head scratching in the top half while the bottom went in more easily. I’d never heard of the game at 6d and I needed all the checkers before my memory was sufficiently jogged to solve 1d. Favourite today was the lego type 22a, supported by two little ones in 12a and 24d. Thanks to today’s setter for the enjoyment and the 2 Kiwis, whose help I didn’t need but whose illustrated blog I enjoyed reading.

11. Another vote for 17d from me. I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent midweek offering that was a joy from first clue to last, full of bright and inventive clueing. A real gem.

    Thanks to our Wednesday setter and the 2Ks.

12. Excellent puzzle!

    The two I liked the most were 14a, and 5d.

    Thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks.

13. Top drawer & a very enjoyable solve despite being slow to twig a number of ‘em. 17d was last in & added 50% to the solve time so it’ll have to get a podium spot alongside 14a, my fav, & 5d. Plenty of ticks elsewhere too numerous to mention.
    Thanks to the setter (I’ll reinvest last Wednesday’s winnings on a repeat Robyn) & to the 2Ks – great pic choice at 25a.
    Ps Can’t see this week’s Toughie setters displayed – who is it today?

    1. Stick insect today, Kcit tomorrow and Elgar on Friday

       1. Thanks Sue

14. This was the most enjoyable guzzle that I have done for a few weeks now. It had a good variety of clue types, a suitable range of difficulty for a backpager, it had humour, there was an element of GK. More please. I liked the lego clue at 1d, the charade at 14a, the anagram at 25a and COTD, the cryptic definition at 17d. Many thanks to the compiler and to the Kiwis for the hints

15. Most enjoyable and light Wednesday fun. Nothing to scare the equines, a steady solve from S to N, finishing with 1a. Highlights the wonderful surface of 14a (though we’ve been rather spoiled for choice of late when it comes to idiotic former PMs), 5d (again, good surface), 13d and 17d.

    1* / 3*

    Many thanks to the setter and to the Kiwis – on a bright & chilly morning before the impending storm I rather envy you your summer!

16. A very enjoyable midweek puzzle – thanks to our setter and 2Kiwis.
    The cream of the crop for me were 2d, 17d and 20d.

17. After getting the first four across clues right away, I thought this was going to be an easy one. Turns out it was a challenging puzzle for my level of ability, but very enjoyable all the same. Currently recovering after an op last week, so I’ve been going through the puzzles archive doing as many as I can and it’s great practice for getting the old grey cells tuned into the cryptic way of thinking.

    Storm “me” seems to have passed us by over in NI as well and I was pleased to see that the BBC spelt it correctly with a “fada” over the second a, or maybe that was just BBC NI.

    The podium clue for me was 22a, had a groan when that revealed itself.

    Thanks to all behind the scenes who compose, hint and keep this blog up and running! It’s a fantastic resource.

    1. Your name is carrying more than a ‘fada’ here on Anglesey at the moment – nice to have ‘real’ person to blame it on!

    2. Ctrl Alt á if you want to add your own fada Ciarán

18. Plenty to enjoy in this one, even though my GK did let me down where 4d was concerned. Top three here were 22a plus 17&24d.

    Thanks to our setter (Robyn?) and to our 2Ks for the nicely illustrated review.

19. Fab puzzle! Favourite was 17d but all great clues. Last one in 2d. Thanks to the setter and 2Ks.

20. Agree with all the comments – sometimes a puzzle just clicks right and it is very enjoyable and clever. Thoroughly enjoyed it after a very wet cycle into work in Edinburgh today.

21. So, I have learnt two new words. Not being of a mathematical or sweet eating disposition I had never experienced that doughnut before (unless I have erased it from my memory cells). I do have a slight inkling that the card game lurked somewhere in my mind, but it only emerged after deep thought (not easy in the earlyish morning).
    Kiwis – whenever I read your blog I am reminded of a lovely walk with my NZ cousin, dogs, grandson and my good lady (not Estella), from Foxton to the mouth of Manawatu River.
    I love your country and was bitterly disappointed with the World Cup final.
    My NZ daughter is married to a South African, who was at the final. He’s a happy chappie.

    1. It’s not that sort of doughnut, think physics, I think the LHC is one huge torus.

       1. Brian, in my mind thinking and physics do not mix. I had worked out the answer, but had to check it and may have misled people with my attempt at humour.
          By the way, our visit to your part of the world was all too brief, but we had a wonderful stay for one night at Weldon Bridge. We will return some day.

       2. I had to look it up, science never my strong point but When in Doubt, look for a Lurker.

          1. Exactly, Daisy, that’s how I got 4d.

    2. Pip. The walk you describe is exactly the one that we do as our daily constitutional. You probably walked in front of our house and might even have passed us on the way. We were the couple who did not have a dog with them.

       1. Sorry I didn’t recognise you, but at that time I hadn’t discovered this wonderful site.
          We were the people with two hairy white dogs. I would include a photograph, but don’t know how to.
          Next time perhaps we should warn you in advance.

          

          1. Crikey, I did manage to include a photograph of Pipette.
             As it was taken in NZ I would have expected it to be upside down.
             There may be another picture here- your beach.

             

             1. Yes that is definitely our beach.
                Let us know on here if you come back as we’d love to meet you.

                1. We will let you know when we come again, but it may be in a couple of years. Can’t wait, as my children used to say.

22. Excellent puzzle except for 2d which I thought poor. My favs were 14a and esp 17d.
    Bit of a nothing day weather wise in Northumberland, like most just waiting for the next storm. Golf course shut so getting under Mrs Bs feet.
    ***/****
    Thx to all

23. This Wednesday puzzle was definitely different as some of the clues were way out in left field, at least from my POV. Even when solved made no sense to me.

    3*/2.5* for me on this Hallowe’en night.

    Favourites include 1a, 10a, 21a, 25a, 6d, 13d & 24d — with winner today 24d

    Thanks to setter and 2K’s

24. Quite 28a for a Wednesday, I liked 17d too as he popped up as a definition in the recent EV, and 22a joins it on the podium
    Thanks to the Kiwis whise weather is looking a lot better than ours
    I like to think that the pic for 25a is a self portrait😉

25. The sort of crossword which felt more difficult than it really was at the time, if that makes sense.
    A couple of words that I haven’t met before or have forgotten – probably the latter – 4d and the game at 6d.
    I thought we were short on anagrams today but have counted and I think about average – six ?.
    I needed the K’s hint for 5a – can’t ‘do’ football stuff!
    I liked 9 and 14a and 5 and 20d. My favourite is 25d (and, of course, 24d because of John Thaw!)
    Thanks to whoever set this one and to the K’s.

    1. is that 2 favourites Kath? Tut-tut….

       1. As my mother used to say, Don’t do as I do, do as I say !

       2. Only a little bit – it’s always different when it’s John Thaw – SO lovely. :cry:

26. I thought this was going to be too hard for me. In fact it wasn’t and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some super clues. The answer to 17d came to me straightaway but I had to wait for all the across clues to confirm it. Loved 22a, very clever and 5d and 20d, these are my COTDs. ‘Chapeau’ to the setter.

27. Great Guzzle, with a good spread of clue types. George knew the name of the Liverpool ground , which is a miracle as he does not follow football only rugby. I think our friend Ciaran had better keep his head down for a couple of days if this storm causes havoc – we have already had some torrential showers. The Xword had a bishop, a priest, a cleric and a service today – very appropriate as Bishop Dagmar is coming tonight to induct our new vicar, who has just moved into the vicarage with his husband. It is going to be a very damp congregation methinks, especially with the two leaks in the roof. He will be our sixth incumbent since we moved here in 1964. Back to business, 5d was my favourite, with 22a as runner up. Many thanks to the setter and the Two Kays. 1st November, eh? How time flies.

28. Gerrific guzzle. Card game was new to me but it had to be what it is.

    We went to a book launch in Soho, a week or so ago. Unusual for us to venture thus in midweek but the book is written by a friend so orf we went. We parked, having pre-paid, in a car park in Holborn about a five minute walk away. In today’s post – a parking charge notice for failing to pay in said car park. I have evidence we paid but I just know I am going to be caught up in a web of bureaucracy in challenging this. Most tiresome.

    No thyme toulouse as we are orf to Stamford Bridge to see our mighty Chelsea get biffed out (no doubt) of the League Cup by Blackburn Rovers.

    Thanks to the setter ‘n’ The TwoKays

29. If there was a wrong fork in the road available, I took it. I was quite silly and read 01/04 in the US way, as January 4, lost track of UK PMs, tried to make a fabric out of 3d, and never heard of 4d or 6d. Also being sports indifferent, I was never going to get 5a. So not my best effort, all down to me. Thanks to the setter and 2Kiwis. A mild cold front today and tomorrow here so need to take the opportunity to get outside and finish the winter planting.

    1. I had a problem initially with the UK date at 9a, but soon tumbled. It might be a “cold” front, but the skies are cobalt blue and not a cloud!

    2. I knew 6d from being an avid reader of Georgette Heyer in my youth, a very underrated author often unfairly bracketed with Barbara Cartland. GH’s research was impressive.

       1. Anecdote – many, many years ago Barbara Cartland came to speak to the Royston Ladies Luncheon Club of which I am a member. She was utterly charming and brought with her little bags of vitamin pills and jars of her own honey got everyone! One of our ex Parish Clerks worked for her publisher and spoke very highly of her kindness and consideration. Most people only remember the pink clothes and the rouged cheeks which is rather sad.

30. Very late this morning, so I’ll read the hints and comments later, I must get my routine going or I lose the impetus. Nicely progressive in trickiest for the week, needing a lot of thought without the agony. I didn’t know a couple but well clued and google confirmed, e.g. 4d. I needed a little ehelp at 22a, wouldn’t have got that on my own. I think 14a has to be right, but isn’t he American? Lots amused, 9a, 14a, 1d among others, but I think 17d gets the gold.
    Thank you setter and the 2Kiwis, I’ll come back later to read the blog and add my tuppence worth.

    1. A right charlie and Gordon brown,but you are right the answer is an American cartoon character .

31. 2/4. Very enjoyable puzzle with 14,18&22a and 13d on the podium. Thanks to the setter and the 2Ks.

32. The only one I’ve completed unaided this week, a couple of words I’ve never heard of, I think🤔. I did know the card game from films not from experience. Too many good clues to pick a favourite so I won’t. Thanks to all

33. Morning all.
    Being from the other side of the world and not followers of football added an extra challenge to 5a for us. We got it by guessing a possible answer and then InvestiGoogling to confirm. For some reason it took a while to twig how the wordplay for 2d worked. These two probably account for one more difficulty star than we usually give on a Wednesday.
    A thoroughly enjoyable solve though with lots of chuckles along the way.
    Thanks setter.

    1. And there was me thinking it was a cricketing term, in fact I’m positive that it is. :-)

       1. :yes:

34. Excellent clues and the doughnut goes into my words-I-must-learn list. Thanks compiler and 2Ks

35. Much to admire in
    This gem of a puzzle.
    Steady progress to an
    Unaided conclusion
    Apart from checking, last
    In, 6d, was a game.
    New word for me.
    Many thanks to the setter
    And to the 2Kiwis.

36. This was a real treat. What a super puzzle!
    There are many gems among the clues. My fave is 14a, followed by 17d, 5a, 12a and 14a.
    Many thanks to the setter for a superb puzzle. Many thanks to the 2Kiwis for an excellent review which I didn’t need but enjoyed reading. Lovely illustrations enhanced the whole.

37. Good evening
    Technically a DNF today, on account of never having heard of the game 6d. I have to say that I found today’s clues hugely entertaining; plenty to chuckle at! Difficult to single one out, but if I’m pressed, 22a takes COTD, with an hon mensh apiece for 3d, 16d, and 17d.
    Incidentally, I notice that nobody yet has identified, or attempted to identify today’s compiler. My thanks to him/her and to 2Ks.

    1. I think a couple of us have hazarded a guess at this being another run-out for Robyn but nobody’s made a positive ID.

38. Really enjoyable and challenging solve.

    4d and 6d were new to me, but good clues enabled me to get both. LOI was 4d.

    I don’t normally select a favourite clue, but today, as there are many candidates (and to prevent me getting in trouble by picking more than one), I will pick 22a.

    Thanks to all.

39. Hi ShangaJi,
    If I construct a word correctly from the clues which I did in 6d, I do not regard it as a DNF.

40. Didn’t we have the game in the quickie earlier in the week?
    Something like town in Portugal: game?

41. No real problems this evening, all pretty straightforward and enjoyable. Another vote for 17d as favourite. Thanks to the setter and 2K’s. Re 01/04 I’m always mystified how some nations put mm/dd/yyyy as opposed to the more logical dd/mm/yyyy. If one is going to reverse the first two why not reverse all of them yyyy/mm/dd? It makes no sense to me. 🤔

42. As so often happens finished puzzle before hints appeared then forgot to go back and comment later in the day. Anyway it was an enjoyable solve. 4d shape new one on me as is 6d. Like SC eviction for 7d complicated matters particularly as 12a had to be. Joint Favs 16d and 17d. Quiclie punwas fun too. Listening to beginnings of Ciaran on conservatory roof and wondering what is in store for us overnight and into a.m. especially as my septic tank is flooding neighbour’s greenhouse with rainwater and I can’t get drainage seen to for a month. Thank you Mysteron and 2Kiwis.

    1. Sorry meant to say soakaway rather than septic tank!

43. Another very enjoyable Wednesday puzzle. Last one in being the Russian painter, although I first thought that the answer was the old initials for the Soviet Union looking at the checking letters, swiftly corrected when re-reading the clue. Favourite was the popular 17d, closely followed by 20d.

    Thanks to the mystery setter and the 2 K’s for the hints.

    Now waiting for the wind to pick up, although being in NW Kent we hopefully will miss the brunt of it.

44. Late to the party as usual, but huge thanks as ever to the 2Ks for the excellent blog and to everyone dropping by to comment – and it looks like Huntsman’s getting richer by the week!

    1. Really enjoyed this, thank you!

45. 3*/5* …
    liked 25A “Funny pub’s motto is something drinkers say (7,2)” & the pic in the hint thereto.

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