Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3263 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where the ‘gentle soaking’ rain has continued. It ought to make the farmers happy but that would be a first and I am not going to put a Toonie, not even a Loonie, on it.
For me, and I stress for me, Dada quite friendly with eight anagrams (two partials), two lurkers, and no homophones all in a symmetric 30 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 8a, 12a, 14a, 9d, and 17d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Don’t forget to follow the instructions in RED at the bottom of the hints!
Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.
A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Some hints follow:
Across
7a Alive and kicking? (2,3,4)
A double definition(?) to start – the second might refer to a player in a game.
11a Last song played for late Soviet policy (8)
An anagram (played) of LAST SONG.
14a Straw on roof in yonder church (6)
A synonym of yonder and the abbreviated form of CHurch.
17a Spud sampler spits out last of chips (5)
A synonym of sampler (related to food) with the last letter of chipS removed (spits out).
21a Meeting captive, I’m amazed! (6)
The abbreviation for a captive (taken during hostilities) and an interjection for I’m amazed.
24a Change only soft fabric (8)
A term for (monetary) change and a synonym of only.
28a New, albeit rotten drink (5,4)
An anagram (rotten) of NEW, ALBEIT.
Down
1d Link kitchen fitment and end of pipE (5)
A term for a kitchen fitment and the last letter (end) of pipE.
4d Standard base on roof cover (4)
The last letter of (base on) rooF and a term for cover (as in protection against freezing?).
6d Icky paste ruined confection (5,4)
An anagram (ruined) of ICKY PASTE.
13d Build – or 12 Across? (3,2)
A term that is often combined with 12 Across.
17d On a particular subject, sea? (6)
Written as (3,3) an abbreviated form of a sea.
18d Display feathers for big fight (8)
A synonym of display and a term for a type of feathers (found in a duvet?).
23d 28 Across, perhaps, put down (5)
A double definition – the first is an originally Australian slang term for low quality 28 Across.
25d Partially cooked, a macaroni cheese (4)
One of the lurkers (partially) found in three words in the clue.
Quick Crossword Pun:
PENN + SILLS = PENCILS
Or, see Comment 3:
PENN + SILLS + CURT = PENCIL SKIRT
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Manfred Mann had a number one for three weeks starting on this day in 1966 with ‘Pretty Flamingo.’ This video, the best I could find, is by ‘The Manfreds,’ everyone except Manfred Mann himself, reunited in 1991 to help promote a television-marketed compilation of the old group’s 1960’s hits:
Friendliest Dada for some time (perhaps he felt guilty about last weeks tough one!) but very enjoyable for all that. My COTD was 19a even if it was my last in.
**/*****
Thx to all
Excellent puzzle and so much better than yesterday. Thanks
ditto Jacquie B
Senf, could the quickie pun include the third word too?
Thanks for the hints and all you do behind the scenes.
You’ve expanded your usual alias so this needed moderation. Both versions will work in future.
I think that you’re right although only the first two clues are italicised on the Puzzles site.
Yes, accidentally.
As Gazza says, only the first two Quickie clues are italicised on the web site. Now, if someone can tell us what is in the paper or the app?
But, I do like it with the third clue included – more ‘complete’ – so I will add it as an alternative.
The paper (in PressReader) has the first 3 clues italicised.
Thanks stanXYZ – I should remember that I can access PressReader through the Winnipeg Library.
1*/4*. I thought this was very light and a lot of fun. Shame about 9d which after playing cricket for 70 years raises my hackles.
Great to hear Pretty Flamingo again. Mrs RD had a big crush on Paul Jones and I took her to see The Blues Band for our second date. I must have done something right!
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
😍
9d was a bung in, then I thought, oh dear, if that’s right, RD will be upset!
I’m not a cricketer (just 2nd XXI at school more than 70 years ago!) but I thought the same as you RD re 9d. Presumably it’s not PC to refer to batsman these days!
NW corner seemed impenetrable at first so started in the SE with my favourite Dutch cheese. Then everything fell into place as I worked my way round. Some fun clues with my favourite being 23d. Plenty of that drunk in our house. Thanks to the setter and to Senf. Gorgeous weather here so I have finally dragged out the garden furniture. Rain in the forecast so I will have to haul it back in again later, but it’s worth the effort to enjoy the sunshine today. Happy Sunday.
Have you ever tried Old Amsterdam. There’s a cheese to have on your favourites list.
Reading that gave rise to an immediate ear worm, so I’ll let everyone share it by asking ‘wasn’t that where the little mice with clogs on lived’ in the old Ronnie Hilton song
Well I declare!
There on the stair!
Right there
A little mouse with clogs on
Love Old Amsterdam cheese!
Baron Bigot every time, yumptious! Best cheese ever!
No requirement to be especially 7a to tackle this one. Pleasantly Quiptic with 17&21a my picks of the clues.
Thanks to D&G
A most gentle puzzle, and a welcome relief not to have to refer to google this morning!
1*/4*. Many thanks to Dada for the enjoyment.
Came for hint for 20d and there was none. But this in itself WAS a hint, as realised it must be easy. DONE. Thank you.
20d is still foxing us… send help. Victoria sponge on the naughty step if you need some motivation.
Mr & Mrs T
20d is one of the two partial anagrams.
And, my ‘electronic blue pencil’ is ready if anyone else thinks about ‘jumping in.’
Thanks, got it! Wow, that took me forever.
Very enjoyable Sunday fare even though it did take a while for me to alight on the correct phrase for 1a – should have realised it would be sport related! Top clues for me were the linked 12a/13d and 28a/23d with a nod to the 21a meeting.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints – hope Kath pops in to enjoy hearing Paul Jones again.
Light, lacked sparkle, too many anagrams. And it’s cold, grey, and raining. Again. Which probably explains my mood.
1* / 2*
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Very much enjoyed today’s crossword as it had some lovely penny-drop moments for me. LOI 23D, which became my favourite clue.
Both fun and educational! Often more difficult I parse than to solve.
I never knew, back in my cooking days, that the dessert for which I was renowned was a 6d! (Drivers always tasted in moderation!) Fave du jour!
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
A nice treat for a Sunday. For me it was the easiest Dada in a while but perhaps all my cogs were turning well after a good sleep! No particular favourite today. I did for a moment wonder if indeed it was Dada given that I got on wavelength so easily, as so often I struggle. It was a beautifully sunny day but is now clouding over and looks like rain may follow, so I will head to the garden.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints.
After getting the puzzle over 30 minutes late Saturday afternoon, I was pleasantly rewarded with an easy end spectrum of a Dada puzzle.
Seamless and a dream to do.
1*/5* for me
Favourites include 7a, 12a, 14a, 24a, 9d & 17d — with winner 14a.
Good laugh with 12a as well as 24a, 2d & 9d
Thanks to Dada & Senf for hints/blog
Pleasant and doable without any hints, though it did take me almost twice as long as each of Thursday’s and Friday’s backpagers. 4d was my last in.
14a made me smile, 11a is impressive, I loved the definition in 20d, and my favourite is 17d. Thank you to Dada for the fun, Miles for pointing out the enhanced pun, and Senf for the blog and the music.
For anybody wanting to see the current incarnation of The Manfreds, they’re playing in Ilkley in September (and presumably on tour elsewhere as well).
A beautiful day meant that today’s Dada had to play second fiddle to jobs outside. But it was great fun when I got round to it. 9d is sure to get some cricket aficionados hot under the collar, but it’s a great clue as is the 12a/13d combo. Clue or rather clues of the day must go to the 28a/23d combo. Excellent. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
A lovely puzzle today. 7a and 4d held out the longest.
Top picks for me were 17a, 24a, 13d and 17d.
Thanks to Senf and Dada.
All pretty straightforward with not much head scratching but some enjoyable clues. Favourite was 23d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Not too tricky today but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless👍
Thanks, as ever, to Dada for the challenge and to Senf for the blog ‘n hints.
Cheers!
A gentle but satisfying solve , especially after yesterday’s that I found hard and , as I was going out did not complete – I’ll revisit that now with renewed optimism. Thanks to Dada and Senf
What a delight, particularly after my dismal failure yesterday. I was nearly a DNF in the SW, then had my epiphany at 24a, and a bung in at 20d, which I now see is correct. This was so satisfying, loved it. I didn’t know that 6d looked like that, I’ve never seen one, only read about it. Two stood out for me, the meeting at 21a, and the put down at 23d … chateau Thames embankment.
Thank you Dada, I do love you, reely, reely. Thanks Senf for unravelling some, particularly 20d!
P.S. May I say something nice about the new site? The Codewords grid is HUGE, even I, with my arthritic fingers, can write the letters in with ease. Oh joy, joy, joy!
Yes, it is a huge relief. Big enough boxes and clues in a readable font.
A very clever puzzle, makes you think but not at all impossible. It was enjoyable from start to finish, with 19a being LI. Like some others, I think I was chasing the wrong definition, like trying to remember famous Yorkshire cricketers for a while. Thanks to Dada for a providing a huge relief after yesterday, and to Senf.
Reassuring to gather that others found yesterday challenging but for me today was a lot more enjoyably doable. It was certainly an anagramfest even though perhaps concealed by innovative indicators. I didn’t regard 22d as a breakfast food prior to spending time in USA. Can’t believe 17a is a dictionary word. No special Favs. Thank you to the well-established D and S pairing.
B
A pleasant solve while watching the snooker. Managed to enjoy both
Does 17a go on “ the list”? I feel it should
My COTD has to be 21a
Finished this with a glass of chianti, overlooking Rome from our holiday apartment. Glorious sunshine, too. My happy place.
2*/4* with the vino-related clues the mandatory favourites. Ciao!
1/4. Probably the most accessible Dada puzzle I can remember and probably so because of the anagrams. Favourites were 21a & 18d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Very late for me today, having been out all morning then back in time to watch the Quins game from Toulouse. I found this very comfortable, hated 9d with a passion, loved the rest of it especially 18d.
Belated thanks to Dada and Senf.
21a was my favourite too – but I also liked 18a as it made me think of this
Thanks to Dada and Senf
A very enjoyable puzzle from Dada, lots that made me smile like 17a, 23d and the 12a and 13d combo.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Liked the puzzle. Thanks to Dada and Senf
In the no news letter it says you can get rid of crosswords to be continued by clicking on the X
…of course there’s no X
Hi, Toni. I now get a cross on each puzzle in the ‘Continue Playing’ section — and pressing it does indeed disappear the puzzle from there. Is this missing for you?
Yes i don’t have that
Very late on parade today. Here in The Marches, Brave Helios brought forth his steeds to bathe the land in warmth so I mowed grass, put up bean poles and planted this year’s dahlia collection.
All of which means I just had time to solve the guzzle and fire my Golden Arrow* to pierce The Mythical but, as I have thrown out the paper, I do not have the grid before me in order to comment.
Thank you, Dada for the fun. Thank you, Senf for the hints.
* There is a legend in these parts about a golden arrow.
Have you been checking the toughie, there are loads of Greeks there, and one of them may even be bearing a Mythical(tm) gift. I think Robyn has been celebrating the Orthodox Easter
V straightforward.