DT 30536

126 comments on “DT 30536”

1. Difficulty 1 or 2 and enjoyment 2.

2. Greetings from a grim and wet Sandhurst, can’t wait for some drier weather so a least I can do a bit in the garden again.
   Fairly kind offering for a midweeker, albeit having to do it a bit A about F, starting in the SE and working up and left.
   The only trouble was the misdirection at 16a, I was convinced something had to fit into ‘animation’, hence 16a must start with an A. This was solved when 13d fell in and a rethink was now on the cards.
   Two favourites today are 19a ( love anything to do with space, astronomy etc) and the related 14a. Great crossword, great fun.

3. I might have 19A as my favourite in this super-smooth run-out. I found it very easy, but also very nicely written.

   Thanks Le Touquet (sorry Tom!) and the setter.

   1. Don’t apologize, ‘Sweet’ (a tad laboured). I’m flattered!

   2. Now why didn’t I think of that? Brilliant. 👏

      1. Thanking you, pardner. 😉

4. 2*/4.5*. What a delightful midweek back-pager, with great clues and smooth surfaces throughout.

   I don’t much like the politically correct terminology in 8d which, after 69 years of playing cricket, feels to me like an unsuitable compromise. In fact, the clue would have worked just as well by simply omitting the word.

   Unusually an anagram, 16a, makes it onto my crowded podium alongside 14a, 23a, 3d & 17d.

   Many thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks.

   1. I’m totally with you on the word in 8d, I cringe every time it’s used on the radio or television, I equally don’t like ‘actor’ for both (yes, both) sexes. It begs the question why do we still have Princes and Princesses?

   2. RD, RE 8d, don’t get me started. I hate it too

      Similarly in male football football and rugby we now have to have a “player of the match” award

   3. The others got in ahead of me, but I agree completely.

   4. Putting the wokery aside (and I do agree) one could at least argue that batter has more cryptic possibility in terms of misdirect and definition than the more limiting batsman, no? So, on that basis, I can see why a setter might use it.

      1. Yes, ALP, you are logically correct. However, I am being emotional and would infinitely prefer it if setters were to avoid this particular can of worms.

         In this specific case, I think the clue would have been absolutely fine without it as the unqualified “period at the crease” tells you all you need to know to solve the clue.

         1. I applaud your emotion! Obviously, cricket isn’t a matter of life and death – it’s much more important. And you’re right, this batter could happily have been dropped.

         2. I must have been living under a rock all this time. I never knew that “batter” was a no-no, I’ll try to remember that, you hear it all the time. Is batsman OK?

            1. Merusa,

               I think it is batsman that is the no no these days. Batter is the 21st century answer to the alleged problem.

   5. Agree, as I find totally unnecessary the change from batsman to batter, actress to actor, chairman to chairperson etc. etc. Showing my age I guess.

      1. Nope, showing common sense!

         1. I don’t think we’re allowed to use ‘common sense’ any more, it’s probably viewed as being discriminatory!

            1. is pleb nous ok?

               1. Who knows………

                  1. A interesting discussion thread I have to say. Whilst it all seems a bit bonkers I think it’s so we don’t discriminate against people who are non binary/ gender neutral. I’m not sure if those terms have the same meaning 🤔.

   6. I was proud to be ‘ chairman’ of our parish council three times and would have gone ballistic if anyone had called me a Chair. I just do not understand all this – too old I guess

      1. Batter implies a male. A female at the crease should be a battress. Anyone who does not fit into either of these categories is a batten.

5. Loved it.

   Lots of concise constructions with not a word wasted. Top notch. Saying that, I am struggling to connect of ”The Telegraph’s” with the small word in 5d?

   Re 20d, someone told me this brilliant observation a while ago:

   York has 4 letters = 1400s
   ***** has 5 = 1500s
   Stuart has 6 = 1600s
   Hanover 7 = 1700s

   Admittedly, it’s not exact and William of Orange had a brief stint. But, I’ve found it extremely useful over the years.

   My podium are all anagrams due to their excellent surfaces: 16a, 19a and 18d which is more like a story than a clue but I love it.

   Many thanks to the setter and Le Touquet

   2*/4*

   1. TD

      that’s very clever ….and useful.

      Just replied to your post yesterday. I wasn’t trying to suggest you should change old horse. why would you listen to me anyway ?

      Excellent crossword and thanks as usual to the 2K’s. and happy birthday. hope you have far more noughts to come

      1. No problem, Banksie baby. I was replying to Philbert’s comment.

         Glad you like the historical connection.

   2. Thinking more about 5d….if they allow ‘I’ or ‘my’ for the setter, then I suppose ”The Telegraph’s” could pass for the possessive pronoun though I think it’s pushing it a tad. A rookie would think…….what?????

      One to note for future use.

   3. Really cool about the Dates! Thank you. My history is rubbish.
      Is it me, but I’m finding this Grid easier than yesterday’s?
      Thank you Kia Ora 🩷

      1. I love the relevance of your initials and the dates trick, April.

         I agree, it is a nice grid. It definitely plays its part in a crossy.

   4. Another gem to be written down in my Commonplace Book (Great Aunt Florence’s term) kept by the side of my bed, full of special sayings, names of Santa’s reindeer and Snow Whites dwarves etc. (oh Lordy, just thought that is not politically correct – sorry Doc)

      1. Yep der best, Day Zee.

         Will you be my Valentine?

         1. 🥰

6. A most enjoyable guzzle with just the right amoubt of challenge for a backpager and some clever clue. Since I wnjoy anagrams there were quite a few to make solving enjoyable.16a and25a were particularly good. 5d was a dood geographical lego clue too but my COTD was the ceyptic definition at 14a. Thanks to the Kiwis for the hints and congratulations on the significant birthday. Thanks to the compiler.

   1. Who else learned ‘Mrs M, Mrs I, Mrs SSI, Mrs P, Mrs I, Mrs SSI. ‘?

      1. A belter.

         How’s this?

         On a field trip to America, MISS IS SIPPIng some water from the Mississippi river.

      2. Missipissi?, have you been on the G&Ts DG

         1. Oh gosh. I missed that or should that be…..Mississippied that.

            You’re on fire tonight, DG2. But, the audience at this time of day is tiny.

            Get your sweet derrière on the dayshift so your funnies can get to a bigger audience.

            I don’t care what you’re doing during the day, Deej. Find the time.

         2. Doh. I missed a Mrs.

         3. Sounds like something from The Fast Show…
            Missipissi beer 🍺Missipissi beer 🍺 Scorchio! 🌞🌞

      3. I used to skip to it, didn’t you?

7. This was a gentle and toothsome treat with little gems all over the shop. Immaculate surfaces in 19a and 18d, loved the misleading suggestion of Bart in 23a and 25a was clever. My only stumble was briefly thinking that 10a’s “youngsters from Washington” could be “bairns”. Er, no. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Many thanks to setter and the 2Ks. And a belated, very happy birthday to Colin – 80’s the new 50!

   1. That would be your inner Geordie showing,
      Or woe betide your inner Mackem.

      1. Hehe, indeed. I love Newcastle, Sunderland not so much and Washington not at all. Heather Mills grew up there. Need one say more?!

         1. Born in Gosforth – first 5 years in Chester-le-Street before moving to Yorkshire here.
            Washington Services is about the dreariest place I know! But Mama Bee is one of The Folk from ‘Shields (North) and I will be visiting relatives in Sunderland when I go to see Bruce at the Stadium of Light in May

            1. Gosforth? So, you’re proper posh then! Ye gods, what is the Boss thinking of, going to Sunderland? But I suppose it is rather like New Jersey. Very jealous about Bruce.

            2. And I meant to say … yes, Washington Services is grim. But NOWHERE is as grim as Peterlee. Makes North Shields look like Vegas!

               1. Have you been to Preston?

                  1. I have. Peterlee’s way worse. I’m praying you’re not from there – I’m not looking for another fatwah. I’ve already been banned from Truro!

                     1. no you’re ok . i thought i was opening myself up to trouble there too.

                        ( What’s wrong with truro?)

                        1. Phew. Well, I wrote a less than complimentary piece about the place a few years ago and the tourist board went nuclear. But, as a parent, it was just a very depressing spectacle to witness. I’m actually quite fond of Preston, though!

                           1. oh the tourist board. of course

                              I must have been to preston on a bad day

                           2. Have either of you read the article in today’s paper about Falmouth being Britain’s most depressing place to live?

                              Here’s the brutal bit….

                              ‘The most bland, boring, soulless, uncultured middle-England municipalities of mediocrity that imbue the inhabitants with an almost terminal case of ennui.’

                              Have it!

                              It’s nice to see the word ennui in print other than in a crossword.

            3. SJB – Didn’t know Steve Bruce was now managing Sunderland 🤔🤣

               1. Ha ha I have never actually been to a football stadium to watch football but have seen some cracking concerts, Elland Road, Old Trafford, and St James Park amongst others but I haven’t been to Sunderland since Roker Park was demolished

8. Blimey O’Reilly
   That was quick.
   Smiled a lot, at
   eg 10, 14 and 23a
   And a big one at
   22d
   Thoroughly enjoyable
   Even with some regulars.
   Thanks to the setter
   And to the 2Kiwis.

9. No need to say more than good Wednesday fun – 2*/4.5*

   Candidates for favourite – 9a, 14a, 20d, and 22d – and the winner is 14a.

   Thanks to whomsoever, probably not Robyn as he is on Toughie duty today, and thanks to the 2Kiwis.

10. What fun that was, so much to enjoy that I can’t pick a favourite, 14a was my last in. The anagrams were all top notch today.

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2 kiwis for the hints and many congratulations on the significant birthday.

11. What a cracking Wednesday puzzle to cheer up a damp and overcast Shropshire morning. So many superb clues from which to pick a favourite, but that accolade goes to the excellent 14a. Great fun.

    My thanks to our setter and of course the 2Ks.

12. Not really one for me, I don’t particularly enjoy this setter’s style. Ah well – I’ll get on with putting stuff softly into a pie and designing a manlier top to improve my jumping!

    Thanks to our setter for his efforts and to our 2Ks for the review – belated happy birthday to Colin and please don’t dwell too much on your brother’s observation!

13. 19a was so very clever it has to be my COTD

14. A very enjoyable puzzle – thanks to the setter. Congratulations to Colin on achieving his significant milestone – onwards and upwards!
    The clues I liked best were 14a, 5d (is this a reference to the imminent takeover of the Telegraph by an Abu Dhabi consortium?) and 13d.

15. The difficulty rating always baffles me. Yesterday * today *** but for me easier than yesterday by a country mile. Not to worry since it’s the fun and pleasure of doing the crosswords. Hat Tips to the anagrams especially 16a, and honourable mentions to 5 and 25d.

    Many thanks to the 2Ks and a belated Happy Birthday to Colin(will have to check my non rights for papal voting). The setter also gets many thanks for such a well composed and excellent crossword.

    And by the way, what is woke about 8d?

    1. I think they prefer batsman to batter!

       1. Ah, thank you for explaining that!

       2. So would they call a female batter a batsman too? Or aren’t women allowed to play the sacred game …..

    2. I guess it’s just a reflection of the reviewer’s hunch & solving experience Corky. Yesterday it just clicked for me & solved the lot in order so just assumed it must have been as easy as it gets hence my * rating. Today’s solve took me more than twice as long even though the puzzle probably wasn’t twice as difficult.

16. So many brilliant clues today with some lovely surface reads, even in the anagrams, which must sometimes be difficult to achieve. I liked the long one at 16a – one of those top notch words. Favourite today was 10a sharing the podium with 3d and 4d. Special mention for the quickie pun. Thanks to our setter and the 2 Kiwis. ( I’m going to try the Robyn toughie now – one of my favourite setters)

17. Congratulations to 1Kiwi on reaching 80, “ingravescente aetate” is presumably better than the alternative.
    COTD 15d, the answer just leaped out at me and I’m pleased to report that the neighbour’s one has remained on the correct side of the fence despite the recent strong winds.
    27a … not much of a guide in New Zealand though!

    1. Yes congratulations… but could be 70?!

18. I agree with Corky regarding the relative difficulty of yesterday’s and today’s puzzles.
    I enjoyed my run through today and as others have observed the anagrams were unusually well crafted. None the less my fotd is 14a which I thought very clever when I twigged it.
    My thanks to the mystery setter and to the spritely 2Ks.

19. Lots to like in a thoroughly enjoyable guzzle & with a host of podium contenders. 10,16&23a along with 3,13&17d particular likes.
    Thanks to the setter & to 2Ks – belated birthday/significant milestone congratulations to Colin. My best mate celebrated his 86th last week & is still walking/playing a round of golf on an undulating course in well under 4 hours at least twice a week when weather allows.

20. After yesterday’s fun-time today was another cushy job with a collection of nicely crafty clues from which I select 3d as Fav. Thank you Mysteryone and the 2Kiwis. Felicitations and Many Happy Returns of the Day Colin. 🍾🎈 🍀🌈.

21. Smooth sailing and smooth clues today. **/**** for me. Thanks to the setter, and to 2Kiwis for the mercifully unneeded hints.

22. Really enjoyable puzzle today. Ticks all over the place with the top ones 19a, 25a and 16a.
    Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis. Happy belated birthday Colin.

23. Today in The Cotswolds it’s gloomy
    My body is feeling so rheumy
    So thanks to the setter
    Who’s made me feel better
    And the Kiwis, although nothing threw me.

    1. Splendid, P cubed.

       I have to give that a 3*/5*

       1. We cannot pip that!

          1. Wey hey!

             (Bin the exclamation mark next time, Day Zee. Let us decide if it’s funny or not which, with you, more often that not, it is. You know the rules of humour)

24. Trouble sleeping sent me to this in the wee small…
    Minutes as it didnt take long, I finally slipped into the land of nod about halfway through the Robyn Toughie and looking again I don’t know where my mind was
    Anyway I enjoyed this and also wish Colin a Happy Birthday🎂

    1. I too turn to cruciverbal challenges when faced with my habitual insomnia but I in fact believe that is probably counterproductive as the solvng stimulates the brain. 🤞 😴.

       1. Well, it works for me….

       2. Missed your reply as I was determined to sleep tonight so a warm bath with lavender bubbles sent me to sleep
          Zzz
          Apparently listening to classical music is supposed to aid concentration for puzzles Bach’s Goldberg Variations being one of the best I’ll try it next time

25. Straightforward and a pleasant accompaniment for the coffee earlier this morning. Just a smidge of a tad more challenging than yesterday’s, but good surface reads, nice variety and balance of clues, all very concisely written. Podium places to 10a (for my sardonic smile on reading it), the clever anagrams in 16a & 19a, and 3d.

    1.5* / 3*

    Thank you to the setter, also to the 2Ks and many happy returns to ColinK

26. For me this week a much easier Wednesday puzzle than the last few. Solving for me was for the most part in a R&W fashion, with a couple of tricky clues thrown in there too.

    1.5*/4* for me

    Favourites include 16a, 27a, 2d, 5d, 7d & 20d — with winner a toss-up between 20d & 27a
    Smiles for 1a, 25a, 2d & 5d

    Thanks to setter and 2K’s

27. Didn’t anyone else wonder why Maserati didn’t fit into 7 down????

    1. No, but if you would care to pass me a 3500 GT Sebring or Spyder I’ll see if I can fit just one of me into it, Pammy …

28. 2/4. Very enjoyable puzzle for a midweeker. My favourite from a packed podium was, unusually for me, the anagram at 16a. Thanks to the setter and the 2Ks – and happy birthday Colin.

29. I’m in the easier than yesterdays camp, last in were 4d and 10a. A delightful puzzle. Thanks to all.

30. Late on parade, not due to 16a, but other jobs fired in my direction by Mrs P. Once sat with a coffee this fair flew in, the only parsing problem being 5d. Liz and Hal’s party at 20d is my cotd. Thanks to compiler and 2K’s. Happy birthday Colin 🎂

31. I was dead on wavelength, much easier for me than yesterday. Lots to like, 16a was one of my first in, “waste of time” did it for me. I did need ehelp to get 14a, I have no idea why, it wasn’t difficult.
    Thank you setter for the fun, and to the 2Kiwis for the hints and pics. That milestone isn’t that terrible Colin, I’m more than halfway to the next milestone and life is still good!

32. I too found this a straightforward solve, easiest one for me this week . Very enjoyable though. Thanks setter and 2Ks

33. Lovely, straightforward, witty and solvable this is the stuff to give the troops (or if you prefer the legion of back pagers)👍 Favourites 14 & 21a and 6 & 22d 😃 Many thanks to the Compiler and Happy Birthdays to the 2 x Ks 🥂 Oh that I were that age again 😬

34. Looks like we found this one a little trickier than most people are reporting. Perhaps starting off by putting 1d the wrong way round had something to do with it. Oh well, that happens. General agreement on the enjoyment though, which we think is much more important as that what keeps us coming back.
    Cheers.

    1. Much enjoyed both the guzzle and the blog!
       Happy Birthdsy, Colin!

35. Many thanks indeed to the 2Ks for a spiffing blog – and a very happy significant birthday to Colin!
    As the great Silvanus has said on these pages, it’s a rare honour to be entrusted with the back-page / Toughie duo, so many thanks to our illustrious editor for that.
    Hope everyone has a really good week!

    1. Great crossword, ‘Rob? Y/N’

       The anagrams were some of the best I’ve ever seen. Bravo!

       I mentioned in a post further up that I hadn’t seen the ‘Telegraph/Our’ one before. I wonder if it’s one of yours.

       Thanks again.

    2. Had an inkling it was one of yours. Good of you to pop in & confirm. Loved the Toughie too. Did you set last Wednesday’s back-pager by any chance?

       1. If memory serves, I had one of my rare sorties on a Thursday last week. Still never had a Tuesday when you’re on hinting duties though – maybe one day!

          1. Thank you, Robyn, I’ve been looking for someone to pin that on for days!

    3. A very nice distraction just completed after a day at the funeral of an old friend. I loved the anagram at 15a. Thank you.

36. Found this easier than yesterday, so a bit mystified re the difficulty rating for both days, but of course that is subjective. I am not saying easy as I think it is very offputting for any newbies out there. This was a very enjoyable Wednesday, enough tricky clues throw into the mix, but nothing too daunting. COTD goes to 25a. Thanks to setter and thanks plus Happy Birthday to Colin 🎂🎁😊.

37. Very pleased with myself for solving a 15 letter anagram from scratch! Thank you compiler and 2Ks

38. Completely off piste here, but I’m hoping an IT-er can tell me why.
    I use an iPad Shuffle for my music when I do my exercises in the pool. Every now and then, not often, a man’s voice breaks in, I think it’s saying “brotherly love” but it’s very fast so not sure. It’s never the same song, I’ve tried playing the song again immediately after and it doesn’t happen, it’s most mysterious. Today I turned off the Shuffle before taking it off, and as I was about to remove the earphones it happened again. I know I’m at the age when senility creeps in but I don’t think this is imagination.
    Is it duppy? Any way to stop it?

    1. Oh Merusa, there are more things in heaven and earth, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

       I have a similar mystery. During Zoom meetings with fellow trustees of a charity a still photograph of an acquaintance appears in the centre of my screen from time to time. I have never taken a photograph of him and never Zoomed him. It’s very strange.

39. Another enjoyable puzzle completed late afternoon after a busy morning out shopping and then needing to renew insurance and book car in for a service and MOT. At least the breaks this afternoon gave me fresh inspiration and a couple of doh, moments. Many thanks to the setter and the 2 Kiwis. Belated birthday congratulations to Colin!

40. Sorry I cannot help Merusa, I am an IT philistine. I enjoyed this, a very satisfying solve. I didn’t get round to yesterday’s guzzle as Physics teacher grandson turned up to see us during his half term and we went to a Valentines dinner. Yes, I know it was the 13th but it was Rotary! But this was a joy. When I saw 9a my first thought was “Oh my, Brian will not like this!” Birthday wishes to Colin, and thanks for the hints which I needed for 14a LOI and to Robyn.

41. Two on the bounce completed and this one allegedly weighing in at 3 stars. Maybe a Premier Inn yardstick ? Enjoyed solving this, favourite clues- 2d, 4d and the long anagram. The raging debate on 8d a rather sad sign of the times for us older folk. At least bat-person hasn’t entered the vernacular yet…but give it time.

42. Late showing for me- I am definitely in the “easiest of the week” camp, but **** for enjoyment. Many favourites incl 13d and the half pint that was 26d . However 8d wins top ranking mainly for riling the ‘not in my day’ brigade!

43. Good evening

    Rather like yesterday, I went steaming into today’s crozzie and then came to a juddering halt with five solutions left to go. 8d took forever to come up my back; 16a was, I knew, an anagram, but it would only become apparent after the tried and tested method of putting the crozzie down, putting the pen away, and walking off to do something else while allowing the subconscious to get to work.

    14a was the last to fall, if only because I couldn’t get COURTROOM out of my head!

    Some excellent clueing; today’s anagrams were particularly good; for COTD, I’m going to plump (provided, of course, that plumping is allowed) for 16a.

    Many thanks to Robyn and to 2Ks.

44. Right from the start it had the feel of a different setter and this made it the more interesting , Most enjoyable, Is the setter Robyn or Touquet ? Many thanks to our setter and the 2 Ks

    1. The setter is Robyn. Touquets is just an invented way of saying 2Ks.

    2. I’m to blame for Le Touquet, Dyslex.

       Le 2 K

45. What’s wrong with batter. After all the compiler is not a setsman.

    1. Hi WW

       Batter, like footballer, is fine. It’s the reason why batter has appeared is the issue.

       Many women who bat would, understandably, prefer not to be called a batsman.

       So, the powers that be had a dilemma: should they be called a batswoman, which absolutely works for me, or batter and sacrifice batsman?

       They have not chosen wisely.

       It really is a shocking decision.

       1. But batter is something that comes round your fish from the chip shop!

          1. Good shout, Jane.

             Even more reason to consign it to Room 101 or should that be….10Juanita?

             Oh, that’s enough wordplay for the day, Tom.

             Goodnight!

       2. I’d have thought Robyn would use Batman🤔

          1. Top shout, DG ‘The Less’!

             Now, I’m off to Snoresville, Arizona.

46. Well I did it again! 2 days in succession completed without help. However, Pride goes before etc
    Loved that long anagram at 16a.
    Congrats to the birthday boy but you can look forward – life is still fun- I passed that birthday a long time ago.
    Thanks to the setter and the blogger, although I did not need the help today

47. Excellent and no hold ups for me. Everything parsed. 10 14 and 25a and 4 13 and 22d the favourites. Thank you Robyn and 2Ks. Happy belated birthday Colin.

48. I’m afraid I fell asleep halfway through this, woke up and finished it. Hey ho. Favourite was 27a thanks to the setter and 2K’s.

49. Can someone please explain how Soho is ‘in the Westminster area’?

    1. They do seem to be adjacent, you can’t get much nearer than that

       

    2. You need to think of it as the City of Westminster, then Soho falls within.

50. Very late on this, but I was busy on Wednesday. Thank you to Robyn for the fun, and to Jane for recommending it. (I appreciate, Jane, that — technically — you didn’t actually recommend it, but my tastes in crosswords somehow seem to be the opposite to yours, so I find comments like yours above to be most helpful when I’m deciding whether to do a puzzle.)

    Following struggling so much and failing to finish Tuesday’s *-difficulty puzzle, I found this ***-difficulty puzzle the easiest to complete of any I can remember, finishing in about half my typical time, with everything parsed. My favourite was either 21a’s smoked pastry items or 25a’s heroine with the backwards hat.

    ‘Batter’ sounded odd to me 5 years ago (and it was a struggle to remember to say it), but it seems natural now. Nobody says ‘fieldsman’ any more, nor objects to ‘fielder’ as being “woke”! Language always changes, gradually. Girls should be able to choose to play cricket just as much as boys do, without having to overcome the friction of language which suggests otherwise. It’s a trivial change, and really, it’s the least we could do. (Sorting out all the other issues of sexism in sport is going to take much more effort.)

    I started school with a headmaster, but at some point got a (male) headteacher. For my children (and their teachers), ‘headteacher’ is now just the normal word; nobody has to think about it any more. Similarly, ‘firefighter’ has, since my childhood, taken over as the everyday term. Bowler, keeper, fielder, batter — a set of matching -er agent nouns, each describing a person doing something.Yes, it’s a change; yes, it sounds weird at first, but we’ll all get used to it, and it really isn’t worth objecting to.

51. 3*/3* …..
    liked 19A “Long-distance traveller turns to AA, breaking down (9)”

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