DT 30534 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30534

by Falcon  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30534

Hints and tips by Falcon

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Ottawa, where the weather continues to be unseasonably mild. We are midway through Winterlude, our annual winter carnival and the Rideau Canal skateway, undoubtedly the major attraction of the festival, has been closed for the duration of the event due to unsafe ice conditions.

I found today’s puzzle from Campbell to lie toward the gentler end of the difficulty scale. While the clues were all well-crafted, nothing really stood out as exceptional in my mind. I do expect some gripes though about the legendary American sportsman and possibly one or two other clues. However, I expect few will will object to the thinly vieled references to a certain American politician who was In the news today for a campaign speech urging Russia to attack America’s NATO allies.

In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

9a   Cryptic clue about Republican devoid of pity (5)
CRUEL — an anagram (cryptic) of CLUE containing (about) the single letter representing a Republican

10a   Weird email describing the Parisian, unknown old novelist (5,4)
EMILE ZOLA — an anagram (weird) of EMAIL containing (describing) the linked combination of a French definite article (the Parisian), a mathematical unknown and O(ld)

11a   Love court work for powerful organisation (7)
OCTOPUS — line up the usual nil tennis score, the street sign abbreviation for court and a musical work

12a   Racecourse that may provide a popular service for one (7)
AINTREE — add together the A from the clue, the usual popular or trendy and the plant of which a service is an example (for one)

13a   Picked up money in store (5)
CACHE — sounds like (picked up by the ear) money

14a   Noteworthy article describing male railway worker (9)
SIGNALMAN — noteworthy or conspicuous and a grammatical article bookend the genealogical abbreviation for male

16a   Tunes do so much if adapted properly for film (3,5,2,5)
THE SOUND OF MUSIC — an anagram (adapted properly) of the first five words of the clue

19a   A red iron pot in ground (5,4)
PINOT NOIR — an anagram (ground) of the three words preceding the indicator

21a   Glass initially embedded in bare elbow (5)
NUDGE — place the first letter of GLASS into a synonym for bare or unclothed

23a   Wealthiest heading off to find flightless bird? (7)
OSTRICH — remove the initial letter (heading off) from a (4,4) phrase denoting wealthiest

25a   Pressing part of leg nipped by boxer (7)
PUSHING — insert (nipped by) part of a lower limb into a slangy shortened version of a rather old-fashioned name for a prize fighter

27a   Good runs seen before if following this extraordinary snooker champion (9)
GRIFFITHS — form a charade of the numismatic symbol for good, the cricket abbreviation for runs, IF from the clue, the footnote abbreviation for following, and an anagram (extraordinary) of THIS

28a   Hostile force some cavalrymen eventually repelled (5)
ENEMY — we end the across clues with a reverse lurker (some … repelled) hiding in two words of the clue …

Down

1d   Code word used in part of speech — Oscar (4)
ECHO — … and start the down clues with an unreversed lurker (part of) concealed in the final two words of the clue

2d   Hillbilly‘s endless criticism following game (6)
RUSTIC — a synonym for criticism with its final letter removed (endless) following the abbreviation for a fifteen a side game

3d   Exhausted, exited to prolonged applause (7-3)
CLAPPED-OUT — this colloquial term for exhausted might also be interpreted to mean exited to prolonged applause

4d   Count made by Church of England over North and South America (6)
CENSUS — concatenate the abbreviation for Church of England, N(orth), S(outh) and the two-letter abbreviation for America

5d   Recalled papers and periodical having go about one baseball legend (8)
DIMAGGIO — reverse the papers a young person might be required to show in a pub, add to it a colloquial term for a periodical, and append GO from the clue wrapped around a Roman one

6d   Piercing wail (4)
KEEN — double definition

7d   Bid to run off with members (2-6)
NO TRUMPS — an anagram (off) of the TO RUN followed by some abbreviated political members

8d   Place of worship moving a celebrant (10)
TABERNACLE — an anagram (moving) of the final two words of the clue

13d   Become angry — some poor golfers no doubt do (3,2,5)
CUT UP ROUGH — this phrase could describe what golfers who avoid the groomed portions of a golf course might do (they’re not known as hackers for no reason)

15d   Manage a day with head of government department (10)
ADMINISTER — the A from the clue, D(ay) and the head of a government department

17d   A German beer mug for eminent scientist (8)
EINSTEIN — a German indefinite article and a beer mug

18d   Novitiate, one they ordered to keep quiet (8)
NEOPHYTE — an anagram (ordered) of ONE THEY encircles (to keep) the shortened musical notation for quiet

20d   Meal about finished (6)
REPAST — about or concerning and finished or done

22d   Golf club‘s chauffeur (6)
DRIVER — double definition

24d   Uncertain moment heading off (4)
IFFY — a moment or short period of time with its initial letter removed (heading off)

26d   Artist, Hockney, ultimately shown in Indian state (4)
GOYA — the final letter (ultimately) of HOCKNEY contained in (shown in) India’s smallest state by area

While structurally a pretty basic clue, I will go with 9a as my clue of the day strictly for the sentiment it expresses.

Quickie Pun (Top Row): TACKS + BRAKES = TAX BREAKS

Quickie Pun (Bottom Row) : HOARSE + CHOUX = HORSESHOE

132 comments on “DT 30534”

  1. It took me a while to get into today’s offering by Campbell with only half a dozen solved after the first pass. However, it soon began to reveal itself once I sorted out 16a, which gave me some checkers to work with. I’m not sure I have the correct solution to 6d but I could not get anything else to fit. I liked running away with members at 7d and the red iron pot at 19a but I have to award COTD to the wealthy bird at 23a.

    My thanks to Campbell for the fun and giving us a great start to the week. Thank you, Falcon for the hints which I will now read.

    Bright and chilly in The Marches.

      1. Thank you, Manders. I’m fine but trying to work out the logistics of marking essay, taking Hudson for his walk and travelling to Ludlow to see Mrs C. I also have to fit in meals somewhere. No doubt it will sort itself out. 😳

        1. Nice to see you popping up, we miss you. It is proving a long haul with Mrs C, a friend of mine is in the same boat in Addenbrookes but she’s not allowed visitors. Disappointing as I have an appointment there this afternoon but cannot see her- seven weeks now! Good thing you have Hudson and the marking to keep you out of mischief.

        2. My best wishes to you both ; for Mrs C to recover quickly and come home, and for you to manage the difficult situation without getting ill yourself.

        3. Steve sorry to hear that Mrs C is still in hospital and you have been busy with marking, walking Hudson and visiting Mrs C. I was interested to read that she is in Ludlow hospital as we regularly stay at Ashford Carbonell just 3 miles out. We know the cottage hospital from when Bill had to be seen there after suffering a nasty fall the week before our visit. They did a good job of taking the stitches out! Hope Mrs C is recovering well and back home soon. Take good care yourself.

    2. Great to see you, I am glad you are able to have a little time off from your work, all the best to you both.

    3. Lovely to see you again….but so sorry to hear that your wife is back in hospital. You both have had a hard time of it lately.
      Hoping that things improve for you soon.

    4. Very happy to see you back again, and will be even happier when you tell us Mrs C is home again and back in charge 😊.

    5. Thank you all for your kind comments. I visited Lesley today but she was very tired. She was moved from Shrewsbury hospital to Ludlow during the night and the journey was in a rickety old vehicle that shook her to bits. Took me an hour to get to Ludlow but she was so tired I decided to leave and let her sleep.
      There was a slight upside, though. I had time to pop into the Ludlow Food Centre where I picked up a fidget pie for dinner! 😊

  2. Can’t see how 12a works, so will see the hints. Last one for me was 6d, always find this a strange word.
    All in all pretty straightforward, no real favourites today.

    1. Read the clue for 12a, still none the wiser, maybe I’ve got some kind of block here, can anyone explain?

        1. Thanks for that RD. I did toy with the thought that it may be an actual tree, but a completely new bit of learning for me.

        2. Thanks RD, would that I had a BRB (well, actually I have, but it’s about classic cars), so I’ll try my LBB that thankfully is a dictionary, failing that, the mystery called google.

          1. I had the same problem even after reading the other comments re 12a. After research I have found that there is a ‘Wild Servive Tree’, Sorbus Torminalis. Rather obscure, but it fits the definition..

  4. 1*/3*. Very light but all good fun.

    All British Simon and Garfunkel fans will have heard of 5d!

    Many thanks to Campbell and to Falcon.

    PS. I wondered if there might be a middle Quickie pun today but after trying various pronunciations decided not. However replacing the first word with “wee” would have just about worked.

    2. 5d also features in a well-known Madonna song (from 3 min 40):

      Greta Garbo, and Monroe
      Dietrich and [3-down]
      Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean
      On the cover of a magazine

      Whether somebody gets a first name or is just a surname seems to be based on the scansion rather than their fame or what they’re known as.




      1. Thanks for posting that link, Franco – hadn’t seen that one before. A great track, a great film.

        1. Thanks from me too Franco because Simon (& Garfunkel) and “Here’s to you Mrs. Robinson” brings back many happy memories of the New York Yankies from when I lived in the city in the late sixties and of course heard lots about 5d.

  5. Lovely start to the crosswording week and a fairly rapid solve before a delightful walk in the sunshine. 16a was a clever and well-phrased anagram and was a favourite alongside 9a.

    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  6. Benign Monday puzzle from Campbell which grew on me the further I got into it, and even more so on reviewing it afterwards. A little anagram-heavy, but there were some cracking ones there (16a, 8d), so I’m not whining about it today for once! Lots of super surface reads, some excellent craftsmanship. For me 7d is not so much a bid as a desperate prayer and heartfelt entreaty to US voters! Podium places to the very clever 12a, amusing 23a, & superb 5d.

    1* / 3.5*

    Many thanks to Campbell and to Falcon

  7. The usual splendid fare from Campbell who has assumed Rufus’ ‘Monday maestro’ role very nicely.

    We love a bit of ‘wey hey!’ knowledge which 27a very much is. I’m sure there will be a few harrumphs.

    My LOI was 6d which took a while. That one still isn’t embedded. I was surprised to see ‘heading off’ appear twice.

    My podium is 10a (for effort), 16a (a splendid anagram) and 2d.

    Many thanks to the aforementioned and Falcon.

    2*/3*

    1. I was really chuffed to be able work out 27a from the clue as I certainly would not have known him, I also got the baseball and golf is ones – I think I might be getting sporty!

      1. Nah, no chance, Day Zee. You just got lucky…..and you know it.

        Stick to your splitzerooze as it’s all your good for.

        1. ‘You’re’ not ‘Your’.

          Doh!

          I am hanging my head.

          Probably the most annoying boo-boo out there along with ‘could of’ and a rogue apostrophe in a plural.

          I never fail to disappoint.

            1. ….not destruction (another classic)

              ‘Myself’ is my wife’s no 1 ‘grrrr’.

              1. I’m 110pc (ugh, that’s another horror) with you chaps. “Myself” and rogue apostrophes are even worse than indirect anagrams! And let’s not mention “centred around”. Tsk.

                3. Teacher reading a pupil’s plans for the future.

                  “You’re getting a job, innit?”
                  “Yeah.”
                  “Good grief! You should just say you’re going to get a job!”
                  “I am going to get a job. In IT.”

  8. An enjoyable start to the week – thanks to Campbell and Falcon.
    My podium selections were 23a, 3d and 6d.

  9. I dont know how many times the trees alluded to in12 across have been ‘planted’ in Telegraph cryptic puzzles, but that is most certainly where I first heard of them. A gentle Monday solve, I thought with nothing too outlandish in it. Only 6d held me up and that was purely down to me misreading wail for wall, oh and I did also misspell 13a which also threw me for a mo.
    No real favourites today, but a pleasant comfortable solve. Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  10. It’s Monday :good: It’s Campbell :good: **/****

    I didn’t know the 27a snooker champion but the Lego instructions were fairly clued and with a couple of checkers the name could be written in without e-confirmation.

    Like RD, I tried to make something of the middle line in the Quickie puzzle even, based on the third word, e-researching fictional drinking establishments (. . . S INN), which was surprisingly easy.

    Candidates for favourite – 13a, 21a, 2d, 3d, 20d, and 26d – and the winner is 3d.

    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  11. Anyone else having trouble with the new puzzles website using Firefox please ?
    Letters refuse to be input into the grid, but pop up in a box in the lower left part of the screen;
    Firefox works fine on the old website, whilst Chrome & Edge are OK on the new website I find.

    1. I’m a Firefox user and don’t have any problems on the new site. Hope it gets fixed for you, Robin.

    2. I used to curse the new website using safari , and reported issues to the devs who advised me to download the app instead. Don’t know if that’s an option for you but no issues since I went down that route.

    1. I rarely complete a Herculis 100% without reference to the ‘great authority Google’. Today I managed all but six before resorting to the big G. I’m quietly content with that, plus I have gained half a dozen more bits of useless knowledge, given that they do remain in my head, like ‘service’ has. 😀😃

  13. 6d my LOI and don’t really understand it, the word doesn’t seem to cover piercing or wail. Otherwise an enjoyable guzzle and managed to work out the snooker player. Lovely sunny but cold day here and opened the curtains to a ‘herd’ of muntjac in the garden, well 6, does that constitute a herd? At least they don’t seem to like snowdrops but chomp everything else. Thanks to Campbell for the fun and Falcon for telling me how I guessed 6d

  14. Didn’t know that service was a type of tree (thanks RD – to be filed away & added to plane) & a brief head scratch at last in 6d but otherwise straightforward & a brisk solve. I well remember Terry winning the World Championship in 1979 as a qualifier for his first ever ranking final & beating Dennis Taylor in the final. His semi final against Eddie Charlton finished at some ungodly hour in the morning & was about as exciting as watching paint dry slowly – the general standard & depth of professional snooker far superior nowadays. No surprises that 13d was my favourite with podium places for 3d&25a
    Thanks to Campbell & to Falcon.

  15. A fairly gentle solve today, even though my GK concerning sportsmen is underdeveloped. It is down to the skill of the setter that in each case the answer was so well clued that no confirmatory Google was necessary. For me a little anagram heavy, but that’s OK for a Monday. Podium places today for 3d, 6d and 13d . Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  16. A nice start to the non-work week. Thought this at the easier end of the spectrum in all, but two clues where I had never heard of the people involved. However I managed to figure them out with Mr G’s help though. The rest of the puzzle was great and fun to work through.

    2*/3.5* for me

    Favourites include 9a, 12a, 16a, 21a, 3d & 7d — with winner 3d
    Chuckles with 19a, 21a, 3d & 17d

    Thanks to Campbell & Falcon for hints/blog

  17. What a lovely start to the week. The GK required was fair (Simon & Garfunkel as previously mentioned or a list of Marilyn Monroe’s husbands) and although the service was new to me in this context, the first three letters were enough.
    Must have a long stroll in the sunshine with the Border Terrorist so 19a time comes round sooner.
    Many thanks Campbell & Falcon.

  18. Owing to various interruptions this guzzle overflowed breakfast into lunchtime, but remains on the doable scale of difficulty. Most remarkable was 16a, for which I wrote in the answer before reading the clue! For long ones on paper I mark the word lengths first and with a couple of checkers the answer just wrote itself!
    For 12a, not being an arboriculturist, didn’t know the service variety, but instead assumed that ‘may’ referred to a variety of hawthorn.
    Also much liked 7 and 12d, but will stick with 16a as prizewinner!
    Many thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

    1. One muntjac is more than enough for any garden. I also have to mark out the lengths of the words and the good old favourite jumped out at me.

      1. Talking of muntjac, does anyone know when they became a real item in (East) Suffolk, if indeed they are? I haven’t been back since my parent’s died 30 years ago, and if I recall they were just starting to be talked about then, not having heard of them in the 60s and 70s.

          1. Thanks. Where we were near the coast there didn’t seem to be much woodland/deer type cover; lots of fields round us. Lots more suitable country inland. I seem to remember reports of sightings around Bury St Edmonds, which would confirm your observation.

  19. A pleasant fairly straightforward puzzle for achanhe and it was very enjoyable too. I lijed the double definition at 14a, my COTD, together with the 18d anagram and 25a lwgo clue. Thanks to Falcon for the hints and to Campbell for a fine Monday guzzle

  20. Had something of a problem finding the boxer in 25a and am eternally grateful to Simon & Garfunkel for 5d, otherwise a fairly straightforward solve with rosettes handed out to 16a plus 3&13d.

    Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon for the review.

  21. A couple of clues made me pause for thought overly long, 11a being a case in point, but otherwise an enjoyable puzzle to start the week. Cotd for me is 10a. Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  22. Why do we have to put up with political comment on this site? This is not a democratic organ. Found today more challenging than recent Mondays but a plethora of interesting clues. 16,19 and 22a to name a few.
    12a last one in the saddle. Still don’t understand it.
    Thanks to all.

  24. I dug up 6d from the
    Nether regions of p
    Puzzle, very 2.5* ish.
    Loved 27a.
    Big smile at 13d.
    12 and 14a
    And 7d worthy Podium
    Attendees.
    Winner 7d.
    Many thanks Campbell
    And Falcon.

    1. Correction ‘Nether regions of my subconscious. Apart, found this pleasant puzzle very 2.5 ish’

  25. Lovely start to the week, scrumptious anagrams to wrestle with, right up my street. Duly chastened/ admonished by a comment above I shall restrain from making a crack about 7d. !
    10,11,13,19 – oh it’s no good Campbell, you have given me far too many favourites and that upsets Kath, which we must avoid at all costs as she is a very nice lady! Many thanks indeed to Messrs Campbell & Falcon, purveyors of fine soups. Now I have to gird my loins and drive into Addenbrooke ‘s for an appointment. Adieu.

    2. If your comment links to a clue and as wittily as yours there’s no reason to feel chastened by the comment. Frantic criticism is not welcome on this site.

      2. You’ve lost me there, Corks.

        Apologies if I’m being slow out of the traps.

    4. À propos nothing DG but picture on DT page 10 today brought your avatar to mind – nearly as impressive!

      1. Don’t think I could quite manage that any more Angel! I still do the splits every morning though as part of my exercises 😌

  26. I too really enjoyed this one having no issues with completing the grid but had to check the hints to work out the parsing on a couple. 7d was my last in and favourite having checked the hint. I completely missed the anagram – not sure why , it’s so obvious 😳 and was I convinced arms or legs were in there somewhere having fallen for members misdirects many times in the past.
    Thanks Campbell and Falcon.

      1. I think Brian is becoming or even has become quite paranoid over anything he regards as remotely religious, Corky.

      2. Me too BL. It is unfair to the Fairer Sex to have all those footbally, boxingy, crickety clues. Plus too many classical and arty references, and too much geography and science, too many anagrams and lurkers. Let’s just have a blank grid and no clues then everyone will stop moaning.

    3. How on earth can you call 4d and 8d too churchy ??? … and 4d only has the word in there and the answer is anything but …

      1. Don’t worry about Brother Ian, PCQLC (not sure if that’s the right abbreviation).

        If the answer was Charlotte he’d say it was too churchy.

  28. What a great puzzle that was, even though I thought I wouldn’t know the sporty one’s but inspiration came and I managed it all. I did not know the service tree in 12a and had 7d as my favourite, it took far too long to see the anagram.

    Many thanks to Campbell and to Falcon for the hints.

  29. Escaped from clearing the garage to spend time enjoying this pleasant challenge, whilst taking a well earned lunch break.
    Following the house move (many months ago) it was time to make garage space so that more rubbish can be stored there. In the meantime the hall is now full! Anybody read ‘What-a-Mess’ by Frank Muir?
    Stop waffling, Pip. The crossword was fun. Thank you setter and Falcon.

    1. Damn it, Pip! You’ve just reminded me I have to clear the garage out and we moved into Holly Cottage sixteen years ago! 😳

  30. Such a fine start to the week . Loved 19a and 13d. One of my favourite books is Nana by the writer at 10 a. Gave me the get up and go to book our own holiday and also to book Christ’s Hospital visit for our Art’s society. We are so fortunate to have this site, this insight plus Campbell and Falcon today.

  31. Got there in the end with a guess at the piercing wail thank you bloggers for explaining why and thank you Campbell and Falcon

  32. Lovely puzzle. Even though there.were a few sporting references I got there in the end unaided. I knew the tree from previous puzzles and actually remembered it. Last one in was 6d.
    Favourite was 19a although I rarely drink alcohol.
    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  34. I can’t say I enjoyed this. Too much Gk. Griffiths is really a blast from the past and Joe DiMaggio is better known for his marriage to Marilyn Monroe. I expected Babe Ruth. Then we have the scientist, the author and the racecourse…and don’t forget the 2 golfing clues. Too much.
    After that slog I think a glass of 19a is in order!

    1. I absolutely agree with the “too much GK” comment since this is one of my pet peeves. That being said, i enjoyed this puzzle and managed to complete it fairly swiftly without electronic help, only held up slightly by putting “barge” into 21a, which I though (and still think) makes perfect sense. So **/*** for me – thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

    2. The trouble with GK clues is that they are fine if you know them but “too many” if you don’t.

  35. I’m commenting before reading the hints or other comments, mainly because of 7d. I want to be the first to say that I applaud 7d but fear that others may not. After his announcement yesterday, or was it the day before, which has shaken me to the core. I’m so appalled, I’m not sure I’ll get over it.
    Back to the guzzle; on the trickier side for me, I needed ehelp, mainly in the NE. Took me a while to remember the “service” at 12a, it came to me just in time. I’m going to need the hints to get the “why” for a few, 13d and 3d for example. Slang? Of course, I may have them wrong. I didn’t know 27a but I just followed the instructions. Lots to like, hard to pick a fave, 19a? 16a? I dunno, I liked both.
    Thank you Campbell for the fun and Falcon for helping me along. Sorry about the rant but I’m hot under the collar.

    1. Saw the clip on the news last night, and just about fell off my dining chair…. Is that what we can look forward to for the next four years. Oh dear.

  36. Well Falcon, you are quite right about the sports related clues. I have three sad faces in the margin each for 27a, 5d and 13d. Do have one smiley face by 19a however. Quite proud of myself in that I remembered 10a, but wasted time trying to remember Hockney’s first name, which was irrelevant. I am at a loss to understand why 11a is a powerful organization. Never heard it used thus. I did pen it in on first pass as it was clear what the necessary answer was, just didn’t understand why. Otherwise a pleasant solve and now I can’t put off any longer getting on with my chores. Thanks to setter and Falcon.

      1. I buy my power via them but I presume that is not the powerful organisation in question in 11a!

  37. Managed to ‘complete’ moderately easily, but struggled with rationale for 6d, not appreciating the second definition, and 12a, which was a new tree for me. So two extensions to knowledge today!

    1. You’ve shortened your usual alias so this needed moderation. Both versions will work from now on.

  38. For some reason I seem to have mislaid Campbell’s wavelength and, as per today, find his exercises a tussle. Tuesday is usually more forgiving so fingers crossed for that. South came in ahead of top. Am well acquainted with service in 12a but overlooked the reference in 12a so bunged in. 6d wail a new one on me so thanks MrG and also for 18d meaning. 7d my Fav. Thanks Campbell and Falcon.

  39. Completed this one unaided …but with a few bung-ins….11a, 12a, 27a ….for the same reasons as other folks.

    Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon for the help in unravelling.

  40. I enjoyed today’s puzzle but don’t like most sporting clues. Having said that, I got 27a mostly from the checkers and the little grey cells. Despite 4 checkers, 5d eluded me. Looked for a 3rd pun in the Quickie but couldn’t find one as has been confirmed. Many thanks to Campbell for the challenge and to Falcon for the hints.

  41. Nice crossword 😃 ***/*** I am afraid I didn’t know the snooker champion 😬 Favourites were 13,17 and 24 down, late on task today as I had to make the most of the 🌞 and blue skies here in the East thanks to Campbell and the Falcon 👍

    2. Hi Lloyd

      I don’t mind if there are two legitimate answers as long as the checkers aren’t all the same which is the case with ‘barge’ though having ‘bare’ in the clue isn’t that cryptic for a Telegraph crossy.

      If they were the same checkers then I’d have a problem with it.

  43. After a morning touring the Alhambra and a couple of tapas bars sampling vino tinto and sherry this was bang on my radar/level and very enjoyable. Some blasts from the past regarding snooker and baseball.
    Best clues for me 19a and 7d. 11a a little strange…tentacles reaching out into various areas perhaps but where is the powerful aspect ? Thanks to all.

  44. I frequently don’t ‘get’ Campbell, today was not one of those days however and I fairly raced through this at breakneck speed and thoroughly enjoyed the journey. More of the same please. I liked the sporty theme. Favourite was 13d. Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  45. A dnf with 5 clues needing the hints or answer.

    6d has probably come up before but didn’t register. 7d is something to do with cards I presume. 13d is a new term for me.

    For a wine hound I should have got 19a but, without the initial checker, I was stumped.

    Not heard of the sportsperson in 27a but was straightforward from the clue.

    Thanks to all.

  46. Good evening

    Pen down after a pleasant Monday crozzie.

    I can add the tree in 12a to my stock of GK; I particularly enjoyed the wit deployed in the clueing of 10a and of my COTD, 16a.

    Many thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  47. Lots of fun for me and a relatively quick solve with the exception of the tree, which was new to me, and 7d which was my last in. Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon for the hints.

  48. Did not parse 12a. Last one in 6d and had to check synonyms to be sure. Otherwise tickety boo. 19 and 21 a and 3 and 4d favourites. I know I’m a day late but someone has to be. Busy booking an Easter holiday in Porto yesterday. Thanks Campbell and Falcon.

  49. Crickey Corky, ! you must use the two club convention. Frantic and Brian criticised in the same blog. PS this is not a forcing pass.

  50. Day late as usual for me.

    Found this quite pleasant on the whole. Last one in was 10a due to thinking it must be an Emily, but 6d then made it obvious.

    GK was acceptable, particularly because I hail from the same nation as 27a, and like most Brits have only heard of two baseball legends.

  51. I can’t resist showing you the telegraph pole with the ‘danger of death’ warning, so that my 90 year old neighbour won’t be tempted to climb it.

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