DT 30573

92 comments on “DT 30573”

1. 2.5*/4.5*. It’s always a pleasure to see all the open space on the back-page on a Thursday that indicates that the master of brevity is on duty.

   Sadly, unless I am missing something, 16d is a flawed clue as the L doesn’t appear to be part of the wordplay.

   That aside, I had a lot of ticks with the sardonic political commentary in 11a & 13a worthy of specific mention.

   Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo.

   1. Ah! I’ve just seen Shabbo’s comment about 16d and he is solving a different clue, presumably a correction from the one in the paper: “Scout keeping fit and active”

      1. I see that, while I was sleeping, 16d changed from ‘Scout . . .’ to ‘Shrewd . . .’ on the ‘old’ web site; although I have to admit that I did not notice the missing ‘L’ in the former when I solved it.

         1. I looked up sply which apparently is a term for soft and pliable – an apt term for my willpower.

      2. I too had the same problem parsing the answer from the clue as presented and was then surprised to see Shabbo was working from a different clue…

   2. I could only see the alternative spelling, which clearly didn’t fit and hence was last one in. 15a isn’t very cryptic.

   3. Thought it was me being dim.

   4. With most of the crossers in place I didn’t notice the absence of an “L”.

   5. Thought I was going mad with my bloody ‘L

2. A nicely flowing puzzle although I did find the NW a little troublesome so a **/**** for me. 3d was a new one on me and my favourite was 10a which I though well constructed. Thanks the Boss and Shabbo.

3. Really enjoyed this one, with Ray T becoming my favourite setter. The East side went in silkily, but the West needed a lot more thinking time. Last one in was 1d after I’d spent a long time thinking about physical property (houses, assets, etc). Serves me right. Also very pleased to get the loincloth, which was a new word to me, purely through the wordplay (and the same for 3d!).

   No particular favourite, or perhaps too many to list. ***/****

   [As an aside, why are the setters not named? I thought doing so was fairly conventional.]

   1. On your aside – DT policy on back pagers although we know who most of them are and the days on which their puzzles appear for one of two reasons:

      1. They post comments on the blog – Silvanus, Ray T, and Zandio for example.

      2. There has been an article in the newspaper, authored by CL, when a new setter has been ‘taken on’ – for example and if memory serves Campbell, the Monday setter, was the subject of such an article.

      Then, perhaps perversely, setters of other puzzles, Toughie, etc, are named.

      1. Perhaps I’m misremembering, and there’s a gap of 40 years between when I looked at the Telegraph crossword when my father did it, and when I started again last year, but I thought they used to put the setter’s name there. Looking at the Times, it seems they don’t add the name to the back pager either, so maybe I’m just plain wrong!

         1. It’s an oddity, largely peculiar to the Tel and the Times. Even they differ. The former’s Toughie is bylined but only the latter’s Quiptic is. But the Sunday Times names their setters, as do most other papers. I’ve never got it, never will. But I guess s spot of tradition can be quite charming. Certainly, I’ve never read of a setter complaining but, personally, I’d be a tad disgruntled. Press photographers, for instance, are always most put out when they don’t get a credit. And most journalists will kill for a byline!

            1. Interesting. I would hazard that snappers and hacks are someone keener on the limelight than a cryptic crossword setter, and more dependent on it for progression, but perhaps that’s just unfair stereotyping!

               1. Perhaps. But I don’t think setters are invariably shrinking violets – they seem pretty colourful characters to me! And I suspect they are (particularly when they’re first starting out) just as keen on progression. Who isn’t?

         2. That’s my (40 year) recollection too….

            1. Welcome to the blog, HC.

      2. Is there a DT crossword blog? Thanks

         1. Welcome to the blog, Stu.
            I’m confused by your comment since you’ve written it on what is the crossword blog. Could you explain further?

   2. Silkily eh? Don’t remember that coming up before! Hmmmm.

   3. Legend has it that Ghandi gave Princess Eliz a 23d, hand woven by him, on the occasion of her wedding. The Queen Mum, just Queen Eliz at that time, was not amused. Apocryphal?

      1. I looked it up … nearly true. He spun a shawl for her Coronation, but Queen Mary thought it was a dhoti and called it an indelicate gift.

4. Trying to be as brief as our setter – a joy to solve, with a 0.5* deduction for the Oops on the 16d ‘L’ – 2*/4.5*

   Candidates for favourite – 9a, 26a, 8d, and 23d – and the winner is 26a.

   Thanks to Mr T and Shabbo.

5. A quick breeze through other than fearing I was losing the plot with the parsing of 16d but, like RD, I was solving the digital edition clue. I too smiled at 11&13a but the top 3 for me were 9a plus 1&23d. As ever with a Ray T guzzle a pleasure to solve.
   Thanks to him & to Shabbo.
   Ps finding Firefy’s Toughie an arduous solve journeying south to north.

6. Very enjoyable. Hopefully a good Friday tomorrow

7. Thank goodness for that. A gentle ‘Milk Tray’ crossy to give us a day off from the bruising week of challenges.

   Lots of great clues with my LOI being 3d.

   My podium is 10a for its purity, 11a and 6d (a nice lurker)

   Many thanks to RayT and Shabbo.

   2*/4*

8. A very gentle but enjoyable puzzle today.
   I thought 15a was a little weak; although my first thought was skittles, with the checking letters in place, the answer was obvious. I can only assume there was an intended misdirection along the lines of cricket.
   1*/4*
   Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo.

9. 16d aside, this was the usual delight to solve, with perhaps the emphasis being on the light this week. Good fun as always with a generous number of clues from which to pick a favourite, with 11a taking that honour.

   Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

10. A gentle and enjoyable outing for Ray T. Thanks to him and Shabbo.
    By the time I printed it off the 16d clue was fine so no problems there.
    My ticks went to 10a, 22d and 23d.

11. What a joy to work on this fun puzzle after yesterday’s less than entertaining offering. 3d remained blank until revealed by hint as stupidly did 15a. 28a parsed nicely. Thank you RayT and Shabbo.

12. Good afternoon

    A day off, a dental appointment, and a crack at the crozzie on the way there and back. And a tussle with the Mighty Mr T!

    All done, although not without some pauses and second thoughts.

    Incidentally, I read Rabbit Dave’s comment ref 16d. I am a confirmed subscriber to the dead-tree version of the Telegraph, so I went back to the clue, and sure enough, there is no part of the clue indicating the use of the letter L in the solution. Yet that didn’t trouble me when I wrote the answer in! Just goes to show how thoroughly unobservant I am…

    Many thanks to the Mighty Mr T for the challenge, and of course to Shabbo.

13. I must firstly acknowledge all loincloth wearing solvers, and apologise for any distress this causes them, but the committee has decided that 23d is a nailed on entry for THE LIST.
    Lest there be any misinterpretation, the committee has also asked me to advise that loincloths are not affixed by using nails. That would be foolish, but the Health and Safety sub-committee insist that the advice is added.

    How freeing it must be to wander through life wearing only a loincloth. I may try this over the weekend.

    Thanks to Ray T and Shabba-dabba-doo

    1. If you are going to try that this weekend Terence then I sincerely hope the weather is warmer wherever you are than it is in Bristol!

    2. The terraces at Stamford Bridge may be shocked by such attire but St James Park is used to less than normal attire

       

    3. Would the lovely H walk out with you in a loincloth? There are limits.

14. OK but shame about 16d. Thanks to today’s setter and Shabbo.

15. For our fortnightly visit from RayT, I must say for a good portion of the puzzle solve it felt like Beam was at the helm. Once I had foot hold, things gradually fell into place. Never heard of 23d though.

    3*/3.5* for me today

    Favourites include 1a, 20a, 23a, 28a, 1d & 17d — with winner — a smile for finally twigging to the obvious in 20a

    Thanks to RayT & Shabbo for hints/blog

16. Our sweetheart setter in benevolent mood today and even making mention of Kath’s heartthrob!
    Like RD, I particularly enjoyed the political mentions at 11&13a and also smiled at the unfeeling husband and the impatient streaker.

    Devotions as ever to Mr T and many thanks to Shabbo for the review – I do hope some of our number find time for your Indy puzzle on Sunday.

    1. Thanks for the tip off

       I might dig deep and buy Sunday’s paper to have a go👍

       1. It’s free on line. There’s a link to the Indy, Graun and FT puzzles on 15sq under Today’s Puzzles

          1. Thanks, Sue!

          2. I just can’t do puzzles online I’m afraid

             It’s an age thing😳

             Happy to pay for a quality Shabbo production though👍

             1. Easy to print off

                1. Sadly I don’t possess a printer. A hopeless case😳

    2. Thank you, Jane

17. A nice puzzle with 3d being a new word for me but gettable from the clues.
    No particular favourite for me today.
    Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

18. Most enjoyable despite the rain slashing own on a whirly line full of wet towels. Really enjoyed this although somewhat stuck on 16d but I am not alone. Very busy week so have missed two guzzles, and dashing off now to a Rotary ladies do. Daisies by 3,7&27 d and 27a. Many thanks to Raytee & Shabbo, long established purveyors of something I am sure. I can see the sign in gold on a bottle green background. Oh dear, I am wandering.

19. No wonder that I could not parse the 16d with the wandering L to boot!
    Anyway an enjoyable puzzle for a Thursday, nicely clued .
    Favourites were12a and 28a, remembered the rigging in 3d.
    Going for a ***/****- floods in deepest Cheshire.

20. OMG, walking on air today! After this week’s offerings so far, what an absolute pleasure. It’s a RayT, natch I was DNF with two, but that was the number I solved yesterday. I didn’t get 24a, no big deal! I knew 3d and 23d, maybe I’m not that untutored after all! How can a girl choose a fave with these options? Maybe I’ll pick 28a in honour of Kath!
    Thank you RayT, I’m over the moon. Much appreciation Shabbo for your help to the finish.

    1. You see, Merusa the doldrums do go away! 😁

21. Never thought it would be a relief to have a RayT puzzle, but here we after two days making me question my DT subscription. I can’t claim to have found this easy, and 15a defeated me for ages because it is called something different over here. The game called 15a was apparently banned in the 19th century and renamed. 3d was new to me, and while I would not deny to being impatient, I would not describe myself as 29a. Thanks to RayT for not making me feel as thick as two planks and to Shabbo.

22. One thing I like about Ray T is that he always lets you in with something rather easier like 11a or 25d. This encourages poor solvers like me like mice into his trap. And then this mouse just has to finish (after a doze from this mornings gym session) and find the fuel in 18a or struggle with “struggles” in 13a. Very enjoyable and tight wording in a good way. Thanks also to Shabbo for enlightening 16d – my paper version had scout as first word.

23. What a relief after some of the problems I’ve had this week.
    Not that I haven’t had a few troubles today – don’t ask!!
    I particularly liked 4 and 27a and 1 and 6d. My favourite was 28a – how couldn’t it be!!
    Thanks to RayT for the crossword and to Shabbo for the hints.
    Awful afternoon in Oxford – torrential rain and freezing cold but don’t care – off to spend the weekend with our Elder Lamb and her family!

    1. PS Given in – just lit the fire!!

       1. A wise decision, Kath. We Cotswolders are just sending over a lot more rain and loads of blustery stuff.
          At least I don’t have to water my new lawn.
          3C here yesterday, but the winds have brought a slight increase in temperature.

24. After yesterday this felt relatively straightforward. I had a couple in the north which held out till the end and I had to check 23d as I did not know the word, which I see will be joining the list de Terence. Trying to give the napper a mattress didn’t help with initial progress! 16d also caused me some consternation as I also had the wrong version.

    Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo for the hints

25. As a big Ray T fan it was a most pleasant start to the day to see one of his signatures in the very first clue.
    As with Rabbit Dave above I was phlummoxed by the original clue for 16D.
    I found lots to like in the rest of the puzzle though, and find 10 ticks on my page. Of note was the surface reading of 28a and the two lurkers (one reverse) in 6D and 16D, both of which I found well hidden by the misdirections, the word breaks and the line breaks – bravo!
    Thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo

26. 15a. Looking at my dictionary, I see there are also fivepins as well as nine. Nothing to tell us which we want

27. Cometh the hour, cometh the setter: by a considerable margin the best and most enjoyable backpager of the week so far, from the master of succinct precision. So much fun while it lasted. MrT seems rather taken with sailors & the sea today, a theme trés maritime. Being a digital puzzles-only subscriber and printing the puzzles at about 0630, 16d needed no correction. So many great clues, so let’s go for 9a, 11a & 14d.

    2 / 4

    Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo.

28. Still getting used to the new digital format; not happy with automatically being given time taken to solve once finished as I prefer not to be competitive with cryptics – any advice welcome. Thanks RayT (with the note being my favourite) and thanks as always to Shabbo

29. So finally less busy so back to the crossie as normal . That said I did make slight heavy weather of this , I think as my mind is slightly distracted with other things. At least I managed to complete before bedtime. Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

30. RayT’s a master of brevity,
    Most give him praise with sincerity,
    But in addition to praise
    He gives others dismay
    When they would prefer some levity.

    Yes another RayT DNF in line with my usual dismal performance. Thanks to Shabbo and RayT for their efforts. I will now go and read The Brothers Karamazov to cheer myself up.

    1. Ay up, posh poet Pip. You’ve got competition!

       Excellent work, Limericky.

       1. Fee fie fo fum,
          I smell the blood of a Corcoran.

          1. Don’t mess with the best, Corks, as the best don’t mess.

31. Feel that we were given a respite today. It’s Thursday, so was expecting to wrestle after the battles earlier in the week. All our married life apart from when he was on call or out with the accident group he would bring me up a cup of tea in bed. Today , as usual but now with a print out of our dear crossword. Such a joyful way to start the day. Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo and now off to Knitter Natter.

32. Defeated by this today, ground to a halt with about three-quarters solved. Suspect I’ll be kicking myself when I look at some of the hints above in a few moments

    1. Don’t be down hearted, I am also a relative newcomer and I find Ray T particularly hard as the short clues give you little to work with. Using the hints for the ones you can’t get will help you learn how to tackle his puzzles and also you will spot his trademarks which usually appear. I rarely get any clues the first read through but he usually gives us some anagrams and a lurker or two which often help you get going.

       1. Thank you for the encouragement and advice. Definitely useful to see the little hints that I missed

          1. I didn’t get on with Ray T at first but now he’s one of my favourite setters. Keep at it, MSW it eventually all drops into place.

             1. Seconded Steve. I used to dread RayT, now he’s a real pleasure, especially when compared …

                1. Me too

    2. Ok a mixture of a few I could/should have spotted and a few that I wouldn’t have got if I’d spent all day on it, some words I didn’t know or alternative definitions I was unfamiliar with

33. Excellent, as usual, from Ray T. Great clues, a reasonable challenge and much enjoyment. Lots of top-notch clues, impossible to isolate a favourite. 3*/4.5*.

34. Never understood the love for RayT. Find it stretched and old fashioned and it’s just not my cup of tea. More modern setters are much more fun. Two star difficulty and 1 for enjoyment I’m afraid

35. Wonderful guzzle from Ray T and much more fun than yesterday’s offering (apologies to our Welsh Hill) with lots to like. Getting 1a and 2a immediately set the tone and I had a fair number entered after the first pass. Mind you, putting “skittles” in at 15a held me up until the down checkers showed me the error of my ways. I had a similar experience with 17d when I thought the answer had to be “mattress”. My COTD is the English loving sailor at 3d.

    Thank you, Ray T for a great guzzle. Thank you, Shabbo for the hints.

36. Evening all. As always, my thanks to Shabbo for the analysis and to everybody who left a comment.

    RayT

    1. A pleasure, Ray.
       Thanks for dropping in.

       1. Hi Ray!
          I’ll make this short and sweet.. Thank you very much!

    2. Great guzzle, Ray T. Thank you for it and for popping in. 👍

    3. J’espère qu’il ne pleut pas si fort là-bas!

       Merci monsieur.

       1. On dirait qu’il pleut partout! 😒

37. Despite spotting 1a toot sweet, couldn’t confirm it and generally didn’t see anything much on the lhs, but started making progress down the right. Unfortunately didn’t see much linking the two halves.
    I’m the end though it all came together nicely, I was just having a ‘senior’ morning. (I lost a lot of time this AM looking for my glasses all over the place until I spotted them in a mirror – wearing them! Ouch!)
    Lots to like, but I’ll plump for 17d as fave, as I lost far too much time having entered mattress!
    Many thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo.

38. Re 19d and speaking on behalf of all who like me are well on in years, I wish to protest that “age” and “decline” are not necessarily synonymous!

39. Hi folks, I enjoyed this one today. Managed to solve 6 on my own, 5 with hints and 4 for which I’d solved but needed the confirmation of the hint reveal for certainty. Most of the others I was able to work backwards with help from Shabbo’s hints – thank you.
    One that I couldn’t manage was 4a. I got the H but can’t see the abbreviation for ‘base’. Help please!

    In 24a when looking for the Def, is there a way of know when a phrase e.g. ‘setting forth strongly’ is the def as opposed to some of the words being part of the wordplay? I was trying to work out whether ‘ordinary’ or ‘strongly’ was the Def, of course it was neither!

    My favourite and chuff moments were 21d enamour and 6d Asteroid 😁

    25d was quick as it takes one to know one 😉

    1. In 4a the e is the symbol used in maths for the base of the natural system of logarithms.

    2. Hi Sam, if you haven’t got the Chambers app (hard copies are also available, of course!) on your phone, I can highly recommend it. It’s only a few quid and it has all the abbreviations, etc, that you will need.

    3. Hi Sam
       Good to see you making progress and not being afraid to ask questions.
       As regards 24a, you are right to look at the beginning or the end of the clue for the definition element. It is never in the middle.
       As you probably know, there are several abbreviations and synonyms for sailor, so that makes this clue somewhat trickier.
       With a few checking letters things get a bit easier. If you get the initial letter O from 22d, that will help. O is often “ordinary” so then you have six letters for the sailor. Once you have got that, the last three words must all be the definition (as shown underlined in my hints above).
       I hope that helps a bit.

40. Probably the most enjoyable crossword since…..the last Ray T production! It’s a shame it’s not Ray T Thursday every Thursday. Thanks to Mr T and to Shabbo for explaining base in 4a, I’ll remember it one day!

41. Pretty straightforward for the most part with a few head scratchers on the way. Obviously I couldn’t justify the ‘L’ in 16d but bunged it in anyway knowing others would have commented on it. 23d wasn’t a problem to me as my father was in the RAF in India during the war so I grew up with a lot of Indian words that he brought back with him, dhobi, wallah, jildi to name but a few. Always known 15a as skittles, I’ve played both versions, table and long alley, for various teams over the years, neither played with a round ball in Leicestershire. Cheese shaped and barrel shaped respectively. Enough rambling. Favourite was 4a. Thanks to Rayt and Shabbo.

42. 2*/5* ….
    liked 23D “Admit occasionally purchasing sexy loincloth (5)”

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