DT 30461 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30461 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30461 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

Wet and windy again but hopefully you will have enjoyed being indoors in the warm solving this crossword as much as I did, which is probably a good thing because once I’ve scheduled these hints, I’ve got to type the full review!

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, an assortment of clues, including some of the more difficult ones, have been selected and hints provided for them.

Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.

A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.

Some hints follow.

Across

1a    Debauched rag do at uni — students looking forward to it? (10)
An anagram (debauched) of RAG DO AT UNI

6a    Where you may see Victoria and Mike crawl? (4)
The London postal area where Victoria is found and the letter represented by Mike in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet

13a    One to settle scores opposing Spain in rage (7)
The abbreviation for opposing, often used in a list of football matches and the IVR Code for Spain inserted into some rage

14a    This attained, so: can one get involved, cuddling female? (3,2,7)
Once you worked out the anagram (involved) of SO CAN ONE GET and inserted the abbreviation for Female, did the clue make you smile?

18a    I’m surprised: is brown sauce put into horrible local dish? (7,5)
An interjection of surprise, IS (from the clue) and the brand name of some brown sauce, all inserted into an adjective meaning horrible

23a    James Bond for one recalled mark given by Scotsman (7)
I didn’t know this fact about James Bond – a reversal of a mark followed by a man’s name associated with Scotland

27a    Below zero inside so like stormy weather? (10)
A synonym for below and the letter representing zero go inside an adverb meaning so

Down

1d    Chronic complainer in great cry of pain (6)
An abbreviation for great and a cry of pain

4d    Insect one bug found in baby hospital? (5,4)
The letter representing one and a [harmful] bug inserted (found) between a small child (baby) and the abbreviation for Hospital

5d    Last symbol of resistance? (5)
The last letter of the Greek alphabet or the symbol for the SI Unit of Electrical Resistance

9d    Neat trio playing in pub with beer and song (14)
A Communist song – an anagram (playing) of NEAT TRIO inserted into a pub, some beer being added at the end

19d    One’s capacity for it? (6)
A cryptic definition – if you’ve done enough crosswords, you’ll know which definition of ‘it’ you require ;)

20d    What zombie does? Unmentionable things! (6)
What a zombie does can also be an informal term for your unmentionables

22d    In sea was Hesperus flooded? (5)
Hidden in the clue

Could new readers please read the Welcome post and the FAQ before posting comments or asking questions about the site.

As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out!

Please read these instructions carefully – they are not subject to debate or discussion. Offending comments may be redacted or, in extreme cases, deleted. In all cases the administrator’s decision is final.

If you don’t understand, or don’t wish to comply with, the conventions for commenting on weekend prize puzzles then save yourself (and me) a lot of trouble and don’t leave a comment.


The Quick Crossword pun: CONSENT + RICK = CONCENTRIC

127 comments on “DT 30461 (Hints)”

  2. I enjoyed this moderately tricky SPP, which seemed to me to be well judged for the back page, compared to yesterday’s over-complex challenge. There was some good misdirection in the long anagrams and lwgo clues. I particularly liked 17a, my COTD, 9d and 3d. The geographical clue, 11a was also much appreciated . Thanks to the compiler and to CS for rhe hints. A wet and windy start here in Oxfordshire certainly mademe glad to stray insoors in the warm with the crossword.

  3. Nice.

    If people are still standing from the battering in the last 48 hours, they will enjoy this.

    Nearly all of the clues are in reach though a bit of lateral thinking is required for a couple of them which is always a hoot.

    9d has been duly noted as I hadn’t heard of it.

    Some excellent clues with 15d (love energy-filled), 19d (hilaire) & 20d (brilliant) getting the spoils.

    Many thanks to CS and the setter.

    2*/4*

    1. Hi…loved this one…Victoria…xxx…?
      Still not sure what the connection is…xxxxxxx is it ?

      1. Hi Smithy.

        The redaction has made this a cryptic clue that Zandio woukd be proud of.

        Care to run it by me again?

  4. Great crossword for a wet Saturday. Dog pleased by early completion.
    My favourites are already above.
    Many thanks to the compiler.

  5. A very pleasant, steady solve which should please most people after yesterday’s puzzles. It was interesting to note that there were over 150 comments yesterday on a puzzle 90% of those responding either didn’t like or found too difficult. We will undoubtedly get a lot less for a crossword that the majority will enjoy.

    19 and 20d will share my gold medal this morning.

    My thanks to our setter and CS.

      1. Fair comment. It was very much an approximation based on a quick scan of all of the comments.

      2. Oh Tom, you “clever clogs”! Still laughing about that exchange from yesterday which you handled brilliantly, by the way. Funniest BD moment since Disappointing-gate!
        Well quite. I can’t see how anyone could grumble at this simply delightful puzzle. Fizzy and fun, dotted with cleverness but nothing to scare the horses. Ticks right across the board for me.
        I’m utterly hopeless at guessing the setter but this has to be one of my faves, surely?
        Many thanks to this peerless setter and CS, of course.

        1. Thanks ALP.

          Anyone who calls me a smart a**e is welcome into my inner sanctum without having to do the usual initiation ceremony that Fifi oversees.

          We love Doug but not as much as the term Disappointinggate!

          I did roar when I saw my boo-boo.

          1. “I did roar when I saw my boo-boo.”

            What have I told you before about putting mirrors on the floor?!

            1. Ha, I thought AB might pop up! Seriously, you two should have your own podcast – Not a Cross Word Spoken, or some such. We’d all listen..

              1. 🤣 I can see it now:

                “In half an hour on Radio Four, Eddie’s in a spot of bother in The Archers. First though, hilarity ensues in a new series of The Two Disappointments“

                  1. Sign me up!

                    We need to be careful though, AB.

                    We can’t help being slap-my-thigh punmeisters and I know there are people who hate puns and a play on words and a few could well be commenters here.

                    We do encourage each other, which I thoroughly enjoy, but we’re not the only ones in this online playground.

                    God, that was dull.

                    Back to the puns….

                    2. No. Looking at people’s comments, I think we’re good

                      It’s just that we could easily get carried away. So, we need to keep the laughter and levity at our current high-level.

                      Ahem.

                    3. Yes, people do get annoyed! To the point that some of the longest serving blog members are considering leaving!

                    5. Don’t worry about it, AB. You crack on.

                      It’s very apparent from people’s comments that you bring lots of fun to the blog.

                      It’s not all about critiquing crosswords. It’s a place to share thoughts on life, e.g animals, WI, the weather, people’s aches and pains, family occasions and last but no means least, funny comments and anecdotes.

                      Many people thrown in a witty remark. I’m just aware that, very much like Dopey, us two queue up in the line more than once when they hand out the daily quotas.

                      Frankly, if people want to leave, that’s their problem.

                    6. I’ve sent a message to admin. I’m done here, Tom. I’ve asked for my future puzzles to be withdrawn, and I won’t post again. I double-checked the comment etiquette and we haven’t broken any rules. I have suggested a new rule is added which explains what might annoy ‘the elders’, so commentators are enlightened thusly.

                      So much for being an inclusive site! The veterans may remain in peace.

                      Best wishes all.

                2. Good grief AB just read your post about leaving, that’s the last thing we need , there’s room for a bit of light hearted banter here, some people need a sense of humour implant. I’ve been on the receiving end a few times on this site,deservedly so ,but never take it seriously . Besides you can’t leave TDS65 to run amok on his own🤪

                  1. It’s a very good point, DG2 (I think Day Zee will be okay with that one).

                    To quote Maximus Decimus Meridius Caractacus Pottyous….he has unleashed hell.

                  2. Talking of DG….

                    She, too, is a long-standing contributor but clearly likes AB as she regularly bounces off him. (stop it)

                    So, I understand why she has taken the fifth.

          2. I can’t lose my partner-in-crime and a future Telegraph compiler! (yes, you really are that good. I love your humorous clues)

            If 90% of the commenters had a problem then you’d know about it.

            Let it go. It’s just wind.

            1. Please listen to Tom, AB. He’s right. I really didn’t see this coming. Dear oh dear. Inclusion is all, surely. And presumably everyone here loves wordplay – that’s why we all do crosswords, no? Chins up, fella.

              1. Agreed, ALP.

                Senf, if you don’t like a commenter’s thoughts then don’t read them. Scroll straight past them.

                That’s what I do.

                1. For me, and that’s the only person I can speak for, the charm of this site as opposed to FifteenSquared is that it isn’t just strictly crossword related. I enjoy the banter & what people reveal about themselves. I’ve never met DG & George & probably never will but almost feel I know them & I’d love a game of golf with Brian.
                  I hope Agent B reconsiders

                  1. Brilliantly said, Huntsman. I’m so glad you popped in with a voice of reason and weight. I was, in fact, thinking of DG too. I love the gentle insights into her life that she offers and the flashes of characters from many others, too. And absolutely, re Brian. He jumped immediately to mind. I know he’s not perhaps everyone’s cup of tea (very much mine, however) but, truly, this site would be – in my very humble opinion – the poorer without his candour. Not to mention Agent B’s wit, Tom’s kindness and MG’s cleverness. Etc, etc, etc. PS – oh do try and play golf with Brian, that would be a fantastic post in its own right!

                    1. If nothing else he could explain yesterday’s Elgar Toughie to me – gave up a few answers in 😀

                    2. As a veteran myself – I turned 80 in the summer, I’m struggling to understand what this is all about – are some folk losing their sense of fun and humour on here. With no reply available to Senf’s comment, I’ve struggled to understand quite what he is implying further back in this thread – I don’t always take a huge part in things on here, because I have other stuff to occupy my time,but leaving is furthermost from my thoughts. Yes, there are comments that wind me up, but at the end of the day there are more things worthy of getting uptight about than a crossword puzzle or the comments made about it. I think it needs to become a matter of perspective.

            2. Goodness me. There are times when a thread goes on about something I’m not interested in, for whatever reason, and I just scroll past it.

              It would be a shame to lose long serving members, but equally a shame to lose AgentB.

              I hope this gets resolved amicably.

            3. Yesterday I spent a good hour reading everyone else’s contributions and the thoughts on the crossword itself are only a part of the entertainment. I love the banter and the insights into people’s characters… and long may it continue. AgentB and the Disappointment Meister make my day. Take no notice of the nay-sayers.

              1. Thank you for those nice words, Philbert (and SB).

                It’s so sad that Agent B has left us, it really is. I don’t know him from Adam, which should be the case with all secret agents, but he seems such a fun person who clearly adores all things crosswordy. Big Dave would have loved his witty contributions in Rookie Corner.

                This blog is like a pub where you can take part in, or listen to, many conversations. If a certain crowd or topic isn’t for you then choose another one in the room.

                I just don’t get some people, I really don’t.

                I do hope that he is currently lurking and returns to the fold soon to rejoin Dickie Disappointment and his Bantz of Brothers.

                1. Oi, come back ‘ere will yer! You’re one of the ‘New Kidz on the Blog’.

                  I am very aware that my humour isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but, to quote Catherine Tate….am I bovvered?

                  A big fat ‘Nah’ comes to mind.

                  1. Ditto! Go on AB, you know you want to. Someone told me I needed to see a doctor the other day – it’s all just water off a rhino’s back..

                    1. See. The standard has already dropped though some of the village elders will argue that it’s not possible for it to go any lower.

                      This is why you mustn’t leave us.

                2. I’m very sorry to see all this, AgentB. Please, won’t you reconsider? Your decision may have been a bit hasty. Have you thought it through and are still determined to leave?
                  You have made excellent progress in the Rookie Corner. I think it would be a great pity for you to throw away the opportunity of receiving the best guidance available. The Rookie Corner is very special. Could you not think about resubmitting your puzzles?
                  Finally, I would like to thank you for the kind comments you have made to me.

  6. I loved this but have not finished. I just have one left 20d. I’ve looked at the hints and haven’t a clue – oh dear, just had the PDM! My favourites are 19d and 25a. My dry fried egg on marmite toast delicious this morning. Horrible day here so thanks to the setter and CS for sorting out 19d for me.

    1. Bravo for the fried egg on Marmite toast. I find it too much of a faff after cooking (bedridden) madame’s brekkie to do the same, so it’s just a slice of ham and cheese on the Marmite toast sandwich!

    2. I have just had an air fryer delivered from J L and now am wondering what I am going to do with it?

      1. You could try frying air, DG, but I don’t think that would be either tasty or nutritious. :wink:

      2. It will probably end up at the back of a cupboard next to the fondue set with the George Foreman grill, sandwich toaster and other so-called useful kitchenalia

  7. Unlike others, I struggled with today’s SPP. It must be the medication I’m on for the shingles making me feel somewhat spaced out. I couldn’t get my grey cells to work but perseverance eventually paid off.

    Thank you to our Saturday Setter for the guzzle and CS for the hints.

  8. I probably made heavier weather of this than I should have done but it was still enjoyable.

    Standout favourite – 20d!

    So thanks to Cephas, Chalicea, NY Doorknob, X-Type, or whomsoever and to CS.

      1. If you’ve been missing the opportunity to solve a Chalicea crossword, why not have a go at today’s NTSPP

          1. Me too! BTW, I wanted to hold your hand above but (a) there was no reply button, and (b) I’m scared of getting a target on my back, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.

  9. Satisfyingly Saturdayish, we had a brief power cut while solving and 2nd day running lost all progress, resumption of electricity and coffee pot led to a successful conclusion I imagine those west of the Tamar will be bristling at their delicacy being described as nasty
    I will join the chorus for 19 and 20d
    7 octans of cloud cover here but the occasional shaft of golden light looks pretty from indoors by the fire

    1. Sloop John Bee what are these “octans” of which you speak? I do vaguely remember something about eighths of the sky but consulting the BRB and Mr Google suggests that it is a false memory. The only reference to Octans that I can find is a constellation which is the home of Sigma Octantis the southern pole star.

      1. I am misremembering geography lessons and my long-neglected meteorology, but octans were always the eighth divisions of cloud cover, consulting the BRB and my ancient Observer Book of the Weather confirms they should be referred to as Okta or Octa – without the enn, A unit equal to one-eighth of the sky area, used in specifying cloud cover for airfield condition reports

        1. Thank you, it all makes sense now. I did see “octa see okta” in the BRB but my brain rejected it as being too different and so I didn’t follow it up.

  10. A brilliant puzzle full of clever and elegant clues. My fav was 20d but not overly sure about 19d.
    A great end to the week after the trials and tribulations and disappointments of Thursday and Friday.
    ***/*****
    Thx to all

  11. This wasn’t a barrowload of fun for me however did manage the North but needed a prompt or two from crossword genius in the SE. Suppose 9d is a song rather than anthem. Forgot JB was 23a but hadn’t been there for long. 1a is hardly the students themselves although they do obviously look forward to it. Thank you Mysteron and CS.

  12. 2*/3.5* from me today providing some light relief after yesterday’s back-pager and also what was for me a ruined evening. I was driving to our annual cricket dinner, which I was looking forward to, when I had an argument with a pothole completely shredding one of my tyres. The AA finally turned up to put me out of my misery 2 hours 40 minutes later by which time I was miserable, cold, hungry, and in great need of a different sort of relief.

    Back to the puzzle …

    I obviously didn’t like the American answer to 7d (the BRB agrees!) and I thought 8d was a bit weak. Other than that, there were some unusual and interesting clues to be found. 20d was a LOL moment and my favourite.

    My money today is on X-Type so many thanks to him or whomsoever, and thanks too to the indefatigable CS.

    1. Oh dear oh dear. Damned potholes. We have a plethora of them just a few metres from our drive on a sharp bend – try to avoid them and you hit oncoming traffic. Disaster. I hope you had a large whiskey when you reached civilisation!

            2. My fave too, alas, I no longer fly all over the place so unable to get it duty free! My libation is now Famous Grouse.

            3. Worked at Glenfiddich in my youth and later at Glenlivet. My first job in the morning at Glenfiddich was to empty the ashes with an ancient dumper. I was filthy within ten minutes of starting every morning.

    2. Oh RD, I’m so sorry, what a disappointment. Potholes are part of life in Jamaica but I don’t think I’ve seen one in England! The roads are so good there, even better than here.

      1. My goodness Merusa? The roads in England are notoriously full of potholes. I almost wrecked on Mini hitting one on a dark country lane. When we arrived here we were so impressed with the roads. Mind you, in recent years around here they have taken to setting manhole covers a couple of inches above the level of the tarmac, or below depending on how they feel, and Peter is constantly choosing different lanes to avoid them.

  13. If only I had solved it in the warmth of indoors rather than on a wet & windy first tee where a few hardy souls are venturing out. A welcome respite after the demands of yesterday. Yes please to an 18a with a big mug of coffee.
    Thanks to the setter for an enjoyable guzzle & of course to CS

    1. What exactly do you do at the first tee? I thought golfers just let themselves onto the course and bash away. Do you have to log them in? I should have thought you could do that in the clubhouse. I am just thinking of your well being!

      1. Not much in all honesty – dispense tees, cards & a pencil, confirm that they’re on the tee sheet, amateur photographer & occasional dispenser of champagne to the ladies if there’s a birthday girl, minder of excitable 🐕 s impatient to get going & of course a bit of hopefully witty banter – all part of the service for a nigh on 5K annual subscription. If it’s a comp they get announced – quite a challenge recently when I had to discreetly check with the caddie that I had the correct pronunciation of a number of the European Ladies Tour professionals that I wasn’t familiar with.
        Keeps me off the streets

          1. Centurion Golf Club – strictly members & their guests with no green fees & venue for the inaugural LIV tournament. Super course but very tough for hackers like me – Hammonds End isn’t particularly pricey believe it or not.

            1. Ah, Centurian. That explains the fees. Well I probably won’t bump into you there.

              Went to Hammonds End last month and it was lovely. think it might be a bit wet by now though

  14. A work of cruciverbal genius.

    I really enjoyed 14 & 18A, but I have to agree with Brian @ #10. Chapeau setter, and thanks as ever to CS for her hints.

    YS and Tom keep it up, it’s very amusing!

  15. A tricky one today and I struggled to separate the definition and the wordplay for quite a few but this is part of the challenge which I enjoy.

    Favourites include the amusing 25a and even funnier 20d.

    Like Rabbit Dave, I thought 8d was not up to the standard of the other clues and could easily have been worded better.

    Foul weather here again in NE Scotland so no excuse for not doing any of the indoor jobs which I have been avoiding.

    Thanks to the setter for the excellent mix of clues and to crypticsue.

  16. Quite a lot to enjoy in this one and rosettes going to the playful animal, the horrible dish and the unmentionables.
    I think RD could well be correct in his setter guess so thanks to X-Type if it is indeed one of his and also to CS for the hints ‘n’ pics.

  17. Excellent puzzle. Didn’t like use of horrible in 18a, one of my favorite dishes, not nasty at all. 20d my cotd but so many other contentors

  18. Oh what a relief after yesterday! Very enjoyable and a steady solve for me, ***/*****
    Thanks to the setter, and to crypticsue for the hints, which were unneeded but a pleasant diversion after the fact.

  19. Didn’t find this particulary difficult, but ended up having a very long breakfast to finish it. Hmm.
    Lots of lovely stuff, including 6a and 18a, where it took a while to parse having forgotten the sauce. Lovely pdm! All in all have to put 19&20d as joint faves.
    V many thanks to the setter and especially to the v busy bee CS. (Didn’t know JB’s school either!)

  20. Normal service is resumed thank goodness! Yesterday’s was beyond me. Favourites today were 6a, 16d and 17d all of which took some extra time to unravel the meaning. Also liked the silly 20d. Thanks to todays setter and to CS for taking the time to provide the hints.

      1. 14a Did indeed make me smile. I like clues of that nature and wish I could write them. Favourites were 10 and 21a.
        Don’t like 12a as I wouldn’t describe the container as a House or rather it’s pretty niche if you ask me especially with the penultimate word causing confusion.

        1. That house comes up a lot in crosswordland. I’ve been fooled by it so often, I’m glad that I’ve finally got it to sink into my brain.

  24. Well, once again this week, an enjoyable solve for me. Seems like a Cephas offering again to me this week. Also, no parsing issues for this puzzle today.

    2*/4* for me today.

    I found lots of clues I liked in this puzzle and favourites are hard to pick. My list includes 14a, 4d, 5d, 9d, 15d & 20d with winner 20d
    Got lots of chuckles from 10a, 27a, 15d & 17d

    Thanks to Cephas & CS for hints/blog

  25. It seems as though, despite it only being just after two, most people have polished off the guzzle and said all the complimentary things I was going to say. Delightful brain teasing, agree with all the plaudits, just need to add my thanks to Mr/Ms Setter and the indefatigable CS.

  26. Hello. Glad you liked it. Thanks for all the comments (still listening to them) and thanks to Sue for the hints.

    Cheers
    NYDK

    1. Thanks for the puzzle, It seems as though some setter radars need retuning, either that or the Saturday setters are playing with us
      Thanks to CS too

  27. Scrolling through yesterday’s comments I was absolutely appalled to see that a number of people doubted whether Brian had completed the Toughie.
    Shameful and utterly de haut en bas presumptuous behaviour.
    Judging from Brian’s postings, he is refreshingly frank and candid, and appears to be honest to a fault and nobody has any right whatsoever to question his integrity.

    1. I suggest you read comments at 6 on yesterday’s Toughie. It’s all good natured banter amongst blogging pals.

  28. Tricky – I’m quite happy now that we know it’s NYDK – I’ve had trouble with him (or Miss, Mrs or Ms) before so at least I know it’s a wavelength thing rather than the marbles getting worse!
    I got stuck with 12a (oh, that kind of house) and the last word of 14a.
    I liked 18 and 25a and 19 and 20d. I think my favourite was probably 15d.
    Thank you to NYDK for the crossword and, of course again, CS for the hints.

  29. What a relief after the last couple of days
    Does it put me on the naughty step to say I thought 7 d were xxxxx? Apologies if I’ve overstepped the mark!

  30. I loved this from start to finish, I don’t know if that’s because of the disastrous last two days. I only needed ehelp for 9d, even the anagrams fell into place nicely. And the fun! Two real snickers, 19d and 20d, and a guffaw at 17d. Fave? I don’t know, stick a pin in, any one would qualify.
    Thank you NY Doorknob, maybe I’ll keep on trying to solve these guzzles after all, and to the very busy CrypticSue for your hints and tips. Keep warm!

  33. Another sigh of relief after the last two days. Got off to a good start, got a bit further with a few hints and helpful checkers, but did have to seek out my friend Dan to finish. LI was 15d because I thought the definition was fruit… I often have trouble defining definitions. Printed up the Chalicea to save for when we get another stinker day. Thanks to setter and CrypticSue.

  34. Finished with some help from the hints as my brain is far too preoccupied at the moment to do the puzzles justice. I enjoyed it very much and with more time I would have done better.

    Many thanks to NYDK and to CS for the hints.

  35. Some of Thomas Hood’s poem:

    No sun—no moon!
    No morn—no noon—
    No dawn— no sky—no earthly view—
    No distance looking blue
    …
    No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds,
    November!

    But we DO have a very good Prize Crossword. Thanks to all.

  36. Skimming through earlier coments, I reckon I’m in a vast minority here, but I was frankly disappointed inthis composition. Sure, a couple of clues needed some thought; (but most not).

    Sorry, not looking to criticize (the seting is way beyond anything I could do, I’m sure); just offering a balancing persepctive.

  37. Enjoyable solve that certainly gave me a bit of a workout.

    LOI was 6a. I used to live in the area too, so certainly kicking myself.

    Thanks to all.

  39. Good Saturday fun indeed. It was a pleasant challenge – which suited me nicely this evening after a day working outside among my plants and planters down at the railway station. Yes it was a pleasant change if you like, from the past couple of days, but variety is the spice of life. I wouldn’t care for a Christmas dinner every day any more than I’d want a beef stew too often, but a varied menu suits me fine. Crossword puzzles in varying difficulty similarly so. Lots to like today, but with not stand out favourites, although 19 & 20d made me chuckle. As for 18a? I can assure rp1428 and the use of the word horrible, that I have consumed some of the most disgusting items as per 18d in the South-west of England as I have ever tasted – and I too love a ‘good hot and tasty one’. Thanks as ever to our setter and also CS.

  40. Yesterday I was at my dissectology meeting in Normandy. Actually it was doing jigsaws just outside Guildford . Crossword today and much enjoyment to be had.Lots of ticks, so many thanks to the setter. If I use the hints it means that I cannot post the prize puzzle because that seems unfair but it is good to have them when a clue is driving one mad.Can someone tell me why I am offered the chance to win £50 and not the chance to win the pen ?

  41. Well what a fun fab guzzle sorry I’m a day late as always chuckle was 20d had to look up the song new to me …pretty much a read and write for me otherwise! dank up here in the land of the castles but off to cheer myself up going through yet more Xmas tunes on the sax 🎷
    Thank to the setter for a swift solve and what a hoot above with comments .. I agree it’s as much about the banter!

  42. What’s not to like about this fine crossword? I very much enjoy NYDK’s puzzles, this one no less than others.
    I have ticks beside a good number of clues, including: 6a and 18a (joint faves (apologies to Kath)), 15d, 16d and 17d. 23a was my last in. I didn’t know that about James Bond either.
    Many thanks to NYDK for a most entertaining puzzle. And my appreciation to crypticsue for the beautifully done hints which I have enjoyed reading but did not need.

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