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DT 30558

by Falcon  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30558

Hints and tips by Falcon

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Ottawa, where we switched to Daylight Saving Time on the weekend, meaning the puzzle will be available one hour later than usual until Britain makes the shift to summer time. Ironically, I lose an hour both in the spring (because we switch first) and in the autumn (because you switch first)!

On my first read through, I thought today’s puzzle from Campbell was going to be difficult but it quickly fell into place and in the end turned out to be rather gentle.

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

1a   Close to four, old boy elected to prepare vestry (6,4)
ROBING ROOM — string together the final letter of (close to) FOUR, an abbreviated old boy, an informal term for elected, and to prepare or make suitable or presentable

6a   Benefit of luxurious hotel overlooked (4)
PLUS — a word meaning luxurious after removing the letter represented by hotel in the phonetic alphabet

9a   Historical object held by derelict (5)
RELIC — a lurker hiding somewhere in the clue

10a   Welsh chieftain‘s scowl accepting death (9)
GLENDOWER — a synonym for scowl containing (accepting) another word for death; the Welsh chieftain features in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1

12a   Campaigns of British PM almost succeeded (7)
BATTLES — abbreviation for British, all but the final letter of a post-war British Prime Minister, and the genealogical abbreviation for succeeded

13a   Winning group’s surprise result (5)
UPSET — synonyms for winning or ahead and group or collection

15a   Tool — second one missing from saddlebag (7)
SPANNER — the single letter for second and a bicycle saddlebag with the Roman one removed

16a   Copy includes the Spanish name and rank (7)
ECHELON — an audible copy containing a Spanish definite article, all followed by the single letter for name

18a   Detailed batting strength (2-5)
IN-DEPTH — a cricket term for batting and strength arising from reserves of resources

20a   Sweet children with her, surrounded by cheeky young boys? (7)
CHERUBS — the HER from the clue embraced by cheeky young boys; the question mark may be a recognition that the term can apply to children of either gender

21a   Sailor away, here and there (5)
ABOUT — the usual able bodied sailor and away from one’s home or normal place of work

23a   Picks up supporters by end of pier (7)
RALLIES — supporters following (by in an across clue) the final letter of PIER

25a   Tries his cooking before wife produces a traditional dish (5,4)
IRISH STEW — an anagram (cooking) of the first two words in the clue followed by the genealogical abbreviation for wife

26a   Monk after large pack animal (5)
LLAMA — a Tibetan monk following the clothing symbol for large

27a   Number taking part in Pygmalion, in earnest (4)
NINE — another lurker, this time concealed in the final three words of the clue

28a   Helper swam out to see sea creature (5,5)
SPERM WHALE — an anagram (out) of the first two words in the clue

Down

1d   Excellent artist, extremely reasonable (4)
RARE — the usual two letters for artist and the initial and final letters (extremely) of REASONABLE

2d   Invoice committee for hoarding (9)
BILLBOARD — an invoice and a senior management committee

3d   Top technician prepared something for an addict? (8,5)
NICOTINE PATCH — an anagram (prepared) of the first two words in the clue

4d   Normal uniform (7)
REGULAR — double definition

5d   Supervise across diocese (7)
OVERSEE — link together synonyms for across and diocese

7d   Left sheep in East Sussex location (5)
LEWES — the single letter for left and some female sheep

8d   Closely examine small vessel during holiday at sea (10)
SCRUTINISE — start with the clothing symbol for small, then append a vessel found on a supermarket shelf that might contain baked beans inserted in a shipboard holiday

11d   Relative‘s hurting a lad, we suspect (8-2-3)
DAUGHTER-IN-LAW — an anagram (suspect) of the four words preceding the indicator

14d   Hope to have most of jelly with helping (10)
ASPIRATION — all but the final letter of a savoury jelly and a limited share or helping

17d   Girl touring island, an American state (9)
LOUISIANA — find the correct girl’s name and insert the mapmaker’s abbreviation for island and the AN from the clue

19d   Type of car difficult to park, at first (7)
HARDTOP — string together another word for difficult, TO from the clue, and the initial letter of PARK

20d   London initially in dispute with Reykjavik leads to an international conflict (4,3)
COLD WAR — insert the initial letter of LONDON into a (3,3) mid-twentieth century dispute with Iceland over resources harvested from the sea

22d   It may bring tears to your eyes about India (cricket side) (5)
ONION — line up another word for about or concerning, the letter represented by India in the phonetic alphabet, and one of the sides of a cricket field

24d   Loud, a church clock (4)
FACE — the shortened musical notation for loud, the A from the clue, and the abbreviation for the English state church

I had no particular favourite today so maybe I’ll go with the top pun in the Quickie. What was your pick of the lot?

Quickie Pun (Top Row): EYE + SOCK + QUAY = ICE HOCKEY

Quickie Pun (Bottom Row) : PACE + TREE + DOE = PASTRY DOUGH

111 comments on “DT 30558”

  1. What a great start to the week! I loved this one despite struggling with the across clues at first. The downs, however, fell regularly and gave many checkers for the across clues to also fall. Living in The Marches I had to get 10a or I would be pilloried by my Welsh friends. My favourite and COTD is the old boy in the vestry at 1a.

    Thank you to Campbell for the fun and the top pun in The Quickie. Thank you, Falcon for the hints,

    Thank you all for the good wishes you sent for Mrs. C. We both appreciated them very much. Mrs. C is now home and is doing well. There is a long way to go yet but we are working on it with the help of the carers who come in four times a day.

    2. That’s excellent news about Mrs C, Steve. Here’s hoping she continues to progress well,

    3. Great to see you again and to hear that you have your wife home. Best wishes to you both.

    4. Continuing thoughts and prayers for you and yours and all other blog members and their family members who are not 100%.

      1. Thank you, Senf. Yes, let us not forget others of our happy group who are going through rough times.

    7. Good news and best wishes, Steve – still tough but at least Mrs C is home & you no longer have the hospital commute: so much better for you both.

      1. Thank you, LnL. In the Cowling household we say “Fongers Chrissed!” In the style of Gregorian chant. Sounds very much like 12C monastic monks at vespers! 🤣

    10. Good to see you at the top of the blog again. Good to hear that Mrs C is doing well. Thoughts and prayers for you both.

    15. At first go I wanted to put “Pendragon”, I had the death but couldn’t get the scowl!

    16. Excellent news Steve, glad to see your back at the top with the comments! All the best to you both.

    17. Holding you both in the light as Quakers say and hoping Mrs C continues to improve and you can rest more easily.

      1. Thank you. A good friend of mine at uni was a Quaker, Corky and he would often say that to me.

    18. Good news to hear that Mrs C is safely back home with you Steve. Relief to know that you have the back up of regular carers and wishing Mrs C well going forward. Take good care yourself.

    19. Brilliant news Steve. Great to hear that she looks to finally be on the mend, and good to see you back too.

    22. Mrs C has never used the internet. She has never sent an email. The one time she tried she put the whole message in the subject box. She doesn’t understand social media and, despite my efforts at showing her, she doesn’t even know how to turn a computer on.
      Mrs. C writes letters and uses the landline for her communication.
      Today was the first time she told me that she wished she could use the internet.
      She is so overwhelmed by the good wishes you all sent that she wanted to thank you all.
      Unfortunately, her letter writing skills are somewhat curtailed in that she cannot post letters to the interweb. 😊
      So, on behalf of Mrs C, I am passing on her thanks to you all.

        1. Thank you, CS. I know what you meant 😊
          Damn typos!
          Ah! You saw it! 👍👍

  2. A very gentle start to the crosswording week that was nonetheless very entertaining while it lasted. The top pun was excellent, but my favourite this morning was 25a.

    My thanks to our double punner and Falcon.

  3. It’s Monday (at least I think it is after ‘springing forward’) :good: It’s Campbell :good: – 1.5*/4.5*

    Candidates for favourite – 1a, 10a, 22a, and 22d – and the winner is 22d.

    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  4. 1*/3.5*. This made a light and very nice start to the crosswording week (apart from having to guess a girl in 17d!)

    I didn’t know the cheeky young boys in 20a so this needed a quick BRB check for verification.

    My top picks were 1a, 1d & 20d.

    Many thanks to Campbell and to Falcon.

    P.S. Crosswordland’s favourite African plain cropped up again in another puzzle somewhere else today.

  5. Like Steve I struggled initially with the clues across but I went on to enjoy the whole crossword. Thanks to setter and Falcon

  6. A great start to the week, like others the downs were for me easier to get first but then they all started to fall into place, the anagrams also helped get a toe hold. 1a was my favourite.

    Many thanks to Campbell and to Falcon for the hints

  7. 16a halted the rush to completion but much fun was had on the way
    20a got the nod dyb, dyb, dyb…
    Short of an A in 17d but I found it eventually
    Thanks to Falcon and Campbell

  8. Like others I found this a very gentle but pleasing start to the week.
    The Welsh Chieftan was new to me and took a little research but other than that I enjoyed the Reykjavik dispute (20d) and the double ons in 22d.
    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon

  9. Pure unadulterated
    wavelength gave me
    My, probably, fastest
    Completion.
    Thanks Campbell for
    The terrific confidence
    Builder.
    And thanks Falcon for
    The colourful review.

  10. A cracking start to the puzzling week. I was on wavelength from the off – you know I’m a happy soul if 1a falls first. Lots to like today, even the anagram at 3d for the surface read. Favourite was 14d, cleverly succinct, joined on the podium by the Welsh prince at 10a and the addict’s friend at 2d. Thanks to Campbell for the enjoyment and Falcon whose help was not needéd today but whose illustrated blog I appreciated. I love the sad little girl with the llama.

  11. Fun whilst it lasted. 10a gets my vote, with not so fond memories of Henry IV part 1 as an O-Level text.

    Thanks to Falcon and today’s setter.

  12. Like Hrothgar I was happily on wavelength from the off for a swift completion in just over * time with unusually no parsing head scratches. Favourite was 10a (recalled from Henry IV Part 1) & with ✅s also for 1a along with 3,8&20d. Very enjoyable.
    Thanks to Campbell & to Falcon.

  13. Enjoyable coffee-break challenge, completion briefly delayed by having initially biffed an incorrect answer at 16a and then not being able to read my handwriting after I’d corrected myself. Polished clues, basic GK, good surfaces. Podium occupied by 6a, 15a and 8d with runner-up 25a.

    1.5 / 3

    Thank you to Campbell and Falcon

  14. Hurrah, an unaided finish in quick time as still relatively new to cryptics.Some clever clueing, particularly liked 16a and 3d. 19d a rather strange one word term, not often heard but being a soft top owner maybe I’m biased. Thanks to all and hoping for further completions to come this week.

  16. Very enjoyable start to the week, held up only by getting the answer to 6a but having no idea how to parse it.

    Favourite was 20d which I was pleased to get as the Icelandic skirmishes occurred when I was but a gleam in my father’s eye!

    **/****

  17. Was in a real hurry this morning so was v surprised to finish at all, including time to research 10a both with Google and with the Welsh wife!
    Didn’t even have time to annotate the puzzle so would will have to vote for the Welshman, hoping that will partially erase the shame of yesterday’s hammering by the French.
    Many thanks to Campbell and to Falcon.

  18. Very satisfying example of compiling from our Monday man, cheered up another morning of dismal weather.
    Favourite here was the clever 20d with a nod to the top Quickie pun.

    Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon for the review.

  19. I usually find Tuesdays marginally easier than Mondays but can’t believe tomorrow will be gentler than today. No queries from me and Fav probably 26a for the overall parsing. TVM Campbell and Senf.

  20. A splendid start to the wordy week.

    Campbell is so consistent, pitching it perfectly for a Monday.

    16a is one of those words that I like pronouncing. My favourite one is ‘halcyon’ for three reasons: its pronunciation, meaning and etymology https://www.etymonline.com/word/halcyon

    My podium is 10a, 3d (brilliant anagram) and 8d.

    Many thanks to the aforementioned and Falcon.

    2*/4*

    1. My favourite word is fetid (foetid) which goes well with the following words in whatever order you find makes sense : a, are, backside, excrescence, humanity, of, on, the, you.

      1. Good shout, Corks.

        Such a grim word that’s almost onomatopoeic.

  21. Campbell consistently gives us gentle and enjoyable puzzles which are ideal for Monday – thanks to him and Falcon.
    My podium consists of 10a, 20d and the very topical 22d.

  22. Rather a jolly start to the week, I thought. Like the African plain and the band of musicians, the South American camelid at 26a is also, increasingly, a favourite with setters.

    Slept in disgracefully late this morning, and also snoozed during Match Of The Day last night, following our splendid Mothers’ Day luncheon at Harry’s Dolce Vita yesterday. Since The Wolseley changed ownership, Harry’s is now our favourite restaurant. Wonderful Italian food, with splendid service. That’s all you need.

    Off to Stamford Bridge tonight to watch The MIghty Chelsea take on the equally inconsistent Magpies from ‘up north’.

    Thanks to Campbell and The Bird Of Prey.

  23. Another very pleasant Monday puzzle from Campbell in my estimation. Some clever clues I liked and some almost R&W.
    Good start to the non-work week.

    1.5*/3.5*

    Favourites include 12a, 15a, 20a, 14d, 19d & 20d — with winner 12a with 20a close second.

    Thanks to Campbell & Falcon for hints/blog

  24. Enjoyed this one very much. Completed in a (redacted – we ask that commenters don’t include solving times as this might discourage others who take longer) with no aids.

    1. Very uplifting puzzle as nearly every clue went in on first glance … very unusual for me even on a Monday. Last in was 6 across where I was looking for flas to be some kind of acronym for a UK benefit scheme. But then the penny dropped. Managed to guess the welsh chieftain without the benefit of the Bard. Thanks to setter and Falcon and a very best start-of-the-week to all. 😄

  25. 10a was last one in as I’ve never heard of him, and not being a Shakespeare fan would have remained that way if not for this puzzle, I was about to google it when the penny dropped. Needed the hint to explain 16a which I had bunged in. An interesting puzzle with a good mix of easy and head scratching clues. Thanks to all.

  26. 2/3. Pleasant start to the week with some very neat clues. My favourites were 10 & 15a and 20d. Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  27. Not difficult but too many iffy clues. Still have no idea what a genealogical succession is. Typical Campbell!
    Needed the hints to explain too many answers.
    **/**
    Thx for the hints

    1. King Charles III succeeded Queen Elizabeth II. In accounts of royal lineages, ‘succeeded’ is abbreviated as ‘s.’.

  28. Like Steve, I started with the acrosses without much success, then the downs went in rapidly. I loved it, unaided and I could understand all the answers. A most satisfying solve, nothing obscure or esoteric. The anagrams almost solved themselves! I’m choosing fave as 10a, no problem with that!
    Thank you Campbell, that one was a winner. Thank you for your hints and tips, Falcon.

  29. I didn’t find this the easiest of guzzles but with the assistance of Falcon I found success. 15a was favourite.
    Thanks to both setter and hinter.

  30. Nice cheerful start to the week on a grey day here in the East (but dry after a day of rain) 😃 **/**** Favourites 6, 10, 12 across and 20d 🤗

  31. Good afternoon all. I’ve been an avid follower of this excellent and entertaining blog for a few years now but never felt I possessed the cruciverbalist skills to contribute. However, today I feel compelled. 10a, left me bewildered until it dawned on me that the last true Prince of Wales’s name had been horribly butchered. Despite the Bard’s mangled spelling, his name was Owain Glyndwr. Please, with our recent rugby results, please take pity on a lowly Welshman! 😁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

    1. Croeso i’r blog, Cymru Am Byth.
      Now that you’ve de-lurked I hope that you’ll become a regular commenter.

    2. Welcome CAB. I’m still fairly new to this blog having lurked for several years , but it’s great to feel connected to people all over the world tackling the same challenge.

  32. Good afternoon all. I’ve been an avid follower of this excellent and entertaining blog for a few years now but never felt I possessed the cruciverbalist skills to contribute. However, today I feel compelled. 10a, left me bewildered until it dawned on me that the last true Prince of Wales’s name had been horribly butchered. Despite the Bard’s mangled spelling, his name was Owain Glyndwr. Please, with our recent rugby results, please take pity on a lowly Welshman! 😁

  34. Wonderful start to the week. Makes up for this truly depressing weather. Thanks to all. We were thrilled to find two real ducks dabbling on our pond, will try and attach a poor photo Why is there all this fuss about a mum photoshopping a picture of her own children, completely bonkers?!

    2. Right, Manders. There’s so much wrong with this world but they raise such a brouhaha about a Mum being a Mum. I despair.

    3. They make a fuss because they are republicans and criticize anything to do with the Royal Family and/or they are from Montecito 😊.

  36. 16a was my favourite by a long way from many other good clues. Thanks to Falcon and Campbell for a good start to the week.

  37. That was a clean run for me and it really lifted my spirits after an afternoon at a funeral of a close friend.We need these events but they don’t get any easier however old you get. Now with the cup of tea I am settled again
    The down clues got me going and the across ones slipped in neatly. 8d my favourite because I like the word which fits the activity especially if you are an ‘r’ roller. Thanks to the compiler and I enjoyed the tips even though I did not need them

  38. Another enjoyable puzzle from Campbell. It’s lovely to start the week with one nicely completed and under one belt. Helps the self-confidence no end. I did have to check 10a and smiled at 20d. The latter brought back some memories of news bulletins from the 1970’s. Many thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  39. Left the house before breakfast this morning so was relieved to find a friendly Campbell waiting for me on return. Have to confess there were a few where I needed the hints to verify my answer, but a real pleasure to solve. Thanks to Falcon and Campbell.

  41. I’m new to this crossword and I’m enjoying so much. Today’s was the first I’ve completely finished on my own without help from Bob my husband .
    Either I’m getting better or this was an easy one!

    2. Congratulations, Una. As TDS65 says, as did an erstwhile member of this blog, “A completed grid is a completed grid no matter how you got there”.

      Whether a puzzle is simple or not is neither here nor there. What is difficult now will not be after a while, especially if you use this blog. Until I joined Big Dave I solved very few puzzles. I now solve the majority and have even completed a few Toughies.

      It is a wonderful feeling to complete a guzzle unaided. Stick with us, ask your questions and you’ll be solving even more on your own. 👍

  42. A day of puzzles. Came back from the jigsaw convention with some gems . Starting with our guzzle that was fun and was able to workout the Welsh chieftain and the rest in reasonable time. Then on to 3 super jigsaws. One was just under a century old . Such a delight. No housework done and now just off to History Society. Many thanks to all . It does improve our quality of life.

    1. That is indeed a great way to start the week, D.

      Has the century-old puzzle been in the family that long? If so then you’d better not lose a piece! Oh, the responsibility.

      Fancy sending a pic of it?

  43. As usual I’m afraid I wasn’t on wavelength with Campbell, most of it was straightforward but the rest wasn’t, for me anyway. My fault not his. At least I had a favourite this week which was 12a. Thanks to Campbell and Falcon

  44. Started earlier but then got interrupted so a late finish for me. A gentle and enjoyable start to the week from Campbell. Thanks so much and to Falcon .

  45. 2*/4* ….
    liked 20D “London initially in dispute with Reykjavik leads to an international conflict (4,3)”

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