Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30607
Hints and tips by Huntsman
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***/****
The sun is shining gloriously here in Harpenden but still no sticks with which to spoil a good walk. They have arrived in Blighty but are currently in a Parcel Force depot in Acton having been slapped with a Border Force demand for £206 of import charges even though a cursory examination of the contents would have told them they were not newly purchased. No option but to pay & then take it up with HMRC which will no doubt be a long winded nightmare.
I enjoyed today’s puzzle rather more than last week’s production. I assume it’s one by Anthony Plumb & as ever there were some neat surfaces & flashes of humour. I suspect most will find it pretty straightforward & won’t need the hints.
In the following hints, definitions are underlined, indicators are mostly in parentheses, and answers are revealed by clicking where shown as usual. Please leave a comment below on how you got on with the puzzle.
Across
1a Robbery involved most of smart handbags (5-3-4)
SMASH AND GRAB: an anagram (involved/mostly) of SMAR(t) HANDBAGS.
9a Looks back on religious education with people in a club (9)
REMEMBERS: the abbreviation for religious education + a term for people belonging to a club.
10a Not a sausage with grim smell (5)
ODOUR: the letter that represents the meaning of the idiom not a sausage + a synonym for grim or gloomy.
11a Return from unfashionable place (6)
OUTPUT: link synonyms for unfashionable & for place (verb).
12a Many think about helpful piece of advice by European (8)
MULTIPLE: insert a word meaning a helpful piece of advice into a synonym for think. Append the single letter for European at the end.
13a Vehicle for snow and ice in America by the sound of it (6)
SLEIGH: a homophone (by the sound of it) of a synonym for ice – note in America tells you ice has an over the pond context. Good clue.
15a Something in the ocean sank with ease unfortunately (3,5)
SEA SNAKE: an anagram (unfortunately) of SANK+EASE.
18a Evident dad backed mum? (8)
APPARENT: reverse (backed) another word for dad + what mum is (one of two).
19a One scrounging cake, perhaps (6)
SPONGE: a cryptic or a double definition take your pick. My coin toss landed on the latter.
h
21a Lawsuit following rude, vacuous response (8)
REACTION: the outside letters (vacuous) of rude + the usual word for a lawsuit.
23a Delinquent regularly fears resistance with social worker? (6)
ERRANT: the alternate (regularly) letters of f(E)a(R)s + the single letter for Resistance + a social worker who lives in a colony.
26a Inflict a blow on a small arachnid (5)
SMITE: (S)mall + a name for a minute arachnid related to ticks.
27a Some codger playing golf is abandoned – this includes dash for the tee (5,4)
MORSE CODE: an anagram (playing) of SOME COD(g)ER (golf abandoned). Tee here isn’t the spot from where I invariably mishit my opening shot. Great surface.
28a First crossing out any video game (6,6)
MAIDEN VOYAGE: an anagram (out) of ANY VIDEO GAME.
Down
1d Solemn person from Belgrade maybe reduced debts (7)
SERIOUS : how you may describe someone from Belgrade less the final letter (reduced) + a homophonic acronym for debts.
2d Grant a day with German (5)
ADMIT: A from the clue + the single letter for Day + the German for with.
3d Food turned up in hamper leaving papa something to eat (9)
HAMBURGER: insert a reversed (turned up in) synonym for food into HAM(p)ER from the clue ignoring the letter papa represents (NATO phonetic alphabet).
4d Want trade entrance covered up? (4)
NEED: hidden in reverse (covered up).
5d Doctor greets us giving signals (8)
GESTURES: an anagram (doctor) of GREETS US.
6d A fight is concerning (5)
ABOUT: A from the clue + a term for a fight (in boxing for example).
7d Caught nothing before minute unattractive carp (8)
COMPLAIN: the single letters for Caught (cricket), nothing & Minute + a synonym for unattractive or ordinary. Nowt to do with fish.
8d Piece of cake? Cheeses, we’re told (6)
BREEZE: a homophone (we’re told) of the plural of a soft cheese.
14d English politician has one singular accent (8)
EMPHASIS: a bit of lego with this one – (E)nglish + the abbreviation for a parliamentary politician + HAS in the clue + the letter for one + the letter for (S)ingular.
16d One fighting evil criminal group here’s no good (9)
SUPERHERO: an anagram (criminal) of (g)ROUP HERES (no good).
17d Told where pupils might be before education (8)
INFORMED: the possible location of students who bother to attend (think 2,4) + an abbreviation for education.
18d A mad type of crossword clue? (6)
ACROSS: A from the clue + a synonym of mad or angry.
20d Radical former lover getting married in Aspen?
EXTREME: the usual former lover + what aspen is an example of (as indicated by ?) into which you insert the single letter for Married.
22d Greek character upset he tasted sandwiches (5)
THETA: hidden (sandwiches) in the words between definition & indicator.
24d A reason one initially put on mother’s perfume (5)
AROMA: link the first letter (initially) of the opening three words in the clue + an abbreviation for mother.
25d I fled country (4)
IRAN: I in the clue + a synonym for fled.
Lots to like today but I’ll selected the homophones at 8d & 13a as my picks of the clues. 27a has to make it onto the podium. Please tell us which ones you liked.
Today’s blogging music was Joan Osborne’s 1995 album Relish. I’m looking forward to seeing her at the Union Chapel. This track is my favourite off the album
Today’s Quick Crossword pun: RUG + BEE + TEEMS = RUGBY TEAMS
I don’t really get the US of synonym in 13a!
Really enjoyed the puzzle today though.
From the BRB – to ice is US criminal slang for kill.
Thanks, S.
I’ve just seen that to sledge can mean to spear or stab. So, that answer almost works.
Almost – close but no cigar?
Yup! Spent a lot of time wondering about that, before travelling way down memory lane to my Mickey Spillane/Mike Hammer days!
Not a lot of people know that!
I have led a sheltered life.
I always like the American slang to “off” someone. The verb features regularly in Jonathan Kellerman’s great Los Angeles crime novels.
AP is in fine form today: a gentle but very enjoyable crossy with plenty of good surfaces.
I too am struggling with the synonym in 13a.
My podium is 27a, 3d and 16d.
Many thanks to the aforementioned and Hoots Mon!
1*/4*
Enjoyed this slightly-more-challenging-than-usual-for-a-Tuesday puzzle, which did feel rather AP-ish, so I’m probably wrong. Did not instantly see 1a so started in the SE and made steady progress northwards. Some lovely clues with 27a my COTD, joined on the podium by 18a and the lurker in 22d.
2 / 3
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman – particularly for the Joan Osborne
Lovely puzzle today.
Favourite 13a but many other good clues.
Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.
I hope you can sort out your problem with the golf sticks and HMRC sometime soon…..is there nobody left with any common sense ?
Still struggling with this stinker of a cold. Good job I was kind to Mr Meringue when he had it…….payback time….
You had a typo in your e-mail address – ‘f’ instead of ‘r’ in your surname(?) – which I have taken the liberty of correcting.
Thank you Senf….blame it on the lurgi
I do t know where I would be without George. But I do know he would be completely lost without me🥰
So would we, Daisygirl.
Yay! Finished without hints. Not bragging. It’s not an every day occurence.
Like Paul Gowans I don’t understand the US reference in 13a unless it relates to some sort of ‘Sopranos’ or ‘Godfather’ method of finishing some poor soul off.
I’m going to Brentford to show some documents to a solicitor (nothing to be worried about; just some inconsequential matter) and I’m hoping the M25 and M4 will be kinder than of late.
Thanks to the setter and Hintsman, still without his putter but clubbed by a hefty wedge demand.
Typically Tuesdayish with both grids indicating that this is an Anthony Plumb production – 2.5*/3.5*
Candidates for favourite – 12a, 8d, and 20d – and the winner is 8d.
Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.
Really nice puzzle though I was defeated by 28a and spent far too long looking for a game to fit the letters.
Struggled to pars 13a even with the hint but now I understand that in US English ‘to ice’ is slang for to kill ie to slay. Tricky even with the generous cluing.
Agree with Paul above re 13a,the checking letters allowed the sleigh or sledge definition, good fun everywhere else.
Favourites were 19a 27a and 28a
Going for a **/****-thanks setter
I was a bit slow to twig ice despite being fully au fait with the term over the pond so also considered sledge.
I didn’t have any problem with 13a. Slay/sleigh seemed obvious to me at the time.
My last one in was 26a.
I have never been keen on the synonym in 7d – seems a little offensive to me.
Thanks to the setter, and to Huntsman
Offensive to the fish do you mean?
I often hear someone described as being very plain. In my opinion that does not mean that they are unattractive…
…and yes, before anyone jumps, it depends on the context.
Plain – what the French very nicely call belle- laide (if I remember rightly. Someone will correct my spelling I am sure). I know ‘plain’ or unremarkable people who are nevertheless fascinating. It is in the eye of the beholder!
everything is offensive these days
You’ve got that right.
1*/4*. This was light and good fun.
A gold star to the setter for the necessary American indicator in 13a, which was my favourite.
Many thanks presumably to Mr Plumb and to Hintsman.
An enjoyable breakfast romp. Liked both 8d and 13a, but
am half way through a Camembert and some Basque cheeses so will lump for 13a as it reminds me of my Mickey Spillane days.r
Many thanks to Mr Setter and to Huntsman.
Thanks for updating us with your missing clubs story, Huntsman. At least you and they are in the same country now. Would you like us to have a whip round or organise a flag day on your behalf?! We would like to see you reunited in the near future.
The crossword was just right for a Tuesday, and apart from 13a, fairly straightforward. A trilogy of down clues share the podium today, 14, 18 and 20. Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.
My mate has confirmed they’ve arrived at his address in the last hour & he’s bringing them round later – remember only half of them are actually mine & the other half belong to my chum (having lost mine in the River Ver – the electric trolley hasn’t survived the dip either but may be repairable). Comical really.
For 13 across I went for sledge. Refused to check on Google because unaided has to be unaided – so I got it wrong. Otherwise a pleasant puzzle. Ticks for 28 across and 20 d. Visitors left and am on the 4 th wash load. If this post is less than enthusiastic it’s the washing that done it. Thanks all round.
A nice puzzle today. I wasn’t bothered by the ice but had to check my arachnid was one.
Top picks for me today are 10a, 27a and 28a.
Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.
Now I remember that I had to check that technical included creatures other than the namesake of superheroes!
Arachnida!
An entertaining puzzle just right for a sunny Tuesday – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
I liked 10a, 13a and 3d but my favourite has to be 27a.
Another 27A fan here. Entertaining stuff indeed, so many thanks AP (?) and to Huntsman for the blogging.
Got this puzzle a few minutes ahead of time … !!!
Last area finished was the SE.
2*/3* today
Favourites include 1a, 18a, 8d 18d & 19d — with winner 8d
Thanks to AP & Huntsman for blog/hints
Lovely light fare from our Tuesday man, just a brief moment of panic when I thought I needed to know a video game – think my knowledge only extends to Sonic the Hedgehog and the Mario Brothers! Rosettes awarded to 1,27&28a.
Thanks to Mr Plumb and to Huntsman for the review – good luck with tackling HMRC!
Me too with the video game. I did solve it but missed the anagram, I think I must be regressing!
Four loads of washing? Golly gosh, what did your visitors get up to Dyslex? Very much enjoyed this, sun on our backs in the conservatory, salad with leaves from the garden and thou beside me in the wilderness – a rural idyll. 1a went in straight away which is always a boost, I liked the misdirection in 37a as I thought oh no, not a golfy one. 8d was neat and 23a. Many thanks to the setter & Hinter – I think it is very unfair that you are having all this hassle to retrieve your sticks. I believe there are a couple of hickory (?) clubs in the garage if you are really stuck. Took George to have his dressing changed this morning- the tiniest little mark 1/8” across yet all that blood came out of it. Amazing.
Take care of your hickory clubs DG. I inherited some which unfortunately had been shortened by a family member to enable use by a child hence ruining their value.
What has George done DG and how are your fingers?
It’s no wonder I didn’t get 13a because I entered “sledge”! 😳 I have never heard of “ice” being used in this manner.
The rest of the guzzle was okay but, once again, it didn’t give a great deal of enjoyment for me. I don’t think it’s the puzzles – I’m just going through an off period. Roll on The Kinnerley Beer Festival! That will put pep in my step. 😁
I do, however, have a COTD and that is the old codger playing golf at 27a. I never did get the hang of the code during my radio ham days but I did know what tee was.
Thank you, Mr. Plumb for the guzzle. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts. Like DG, I have a hickory putter if you’re desperate.
In the late 1950s, radio operators on flights were phased out and engineers took on those duties. We had some ex-radio operators in BEA and they would “chatter” to each other in Morse, tapping a pencil on the desk. I always thought they were so clever.
Show offs! 🤣🤣
Always such a pleasure to find AP’s wavelength and the Tuesday fun waiting there. 1a of course went straight in and then steady progress ensued. SE was most challenging corner. I too toyed with sledge for 13a mainly as ice didn’t ring a bell for correct answer plus 27a was not fully parsed. Thank you, as always, MrP and Hintsman (good news about your clubs and good luck with your fight with grabbing HMRC).
Cracking puzzle today that was teasing without being particularly testing. I thought the clues were excellent, with a nice balance between the easy and the more thoughtful. 13a was the pick of the crop.
My thanks to Mr P and The Hintsman.
A nice trip down crosswordland today! I did need the hints to understand a couple, eg 4d; why do I always miss those darned lurkers? So much to like, my top three are 13a, 8d and 27a, in that order.
Thank you Mr. Plumb for the fun, and Hintsman for unravelling some for me.
As an erstwhile member of this esteemed blog used to say, “If all else fails, look for a lurker!” 😊
I enjoyed this a lot and originally sledge in before changing it. What a difference a day makes – yesterday hot sunshine and 20C, today miserable, cold with a sea fret that has last all day and a mere 10C and DG sitting in a sunlit conservatory about 60 miles away. Hordes of pigeons are now eating my wisteria flowers. Well at least the guzzle was fun while it lasted.
Might have a bash at the Toughie now if I can access the Puzzles Site. At least the main cryptic is still in the original place on my device and easily accessible. Thanks to the setter and Hintsman.
Oh dear, sorry about your fret, Manders. We are thinking of having our six o’clock on the terrace. 😌
I enjoyed Mr P’s visit to Cory
Cory? Cley!
27a -.-. — – -..
Very good, J.
Oops should be:
-.-. — – -..
Dash it!
2/4. Very enjoyable puzzle with 27a the star clue. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
Took me longer than it should, but enjoyable nonetheless, with no sad faces in the margin. I too tried to make sledge fit in 13a at first. Kudos to 13a, 8d and 14d. Thanks to setter and Huntsman. Sorry to hear about the rip off duty on the golf clubs. I recently painted a watercolor and mailed to a relative in Berkshire as a surprise gift. I was relieved to hear she received it ok, and that it wasn’t spoilt by some arbitrary tax.
Our daughter, who lives in Melbourne, sent two Jiffy bags with little gifts for Christmas. The total value of the contents came to £20.
Customs and Excise declared each bag to be worth £500 and charged an import fee of £180.
We now arrange Christmas deliveries on line by ordering from stores in Oz and UK.
That is bizarre!
Now that is what a Tuesday puzzle should be like amusing and solvable 😃 **/***** my favourites were 19, 21 & 28a 🤗 Many thanks to AP and to the Huntsman
Great fun for a beautiful sunny Tuesday. So many excellent clues but my favourite was 13a once I twigged, I also thought 27 a was brilliant.
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the clues, you will be relieved to have your clubs back in your grasp, I hope you manage to win the battle with HMRC- I won’t hold my breath!
Somehow I always find Tuesday’s offering difficult. Today is no different so I’m putting down my biro and opening the bar!
Mine’s a Famous Grouse please JB! 🥃 👍
So’s mine! We are burning the midnight oil.
As a treat we have a Shackleton which has been created from a stash found where Shackleton left it for Capt Scott. In the Antarctic. Nostalgic as we once poured a libation on Shackleton’s grave in Grytvikenon, South Georgia. “To the boss”!
I hope you and Mrs C are coping well and can read this in comfort in the morning
After visiting my poorly sister in Kent we probably passed Terence on the M4. There was a long delay on the M25, so we drove “inland”, and lo and behold, passed the first two marital homes (1970s).
After taking photographs we continued to The Cotswolds where a late tackle of the crossword was rewarded by a hasty completion. Loved it.
Many thanks to setter and Huntsman.
Really enjoyed that one! Lots of great clues but I thought 27a was dashed good, so that’s my clue of the day.
Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
Good luck with HMRC. I’ve had cause to speak with them a few times this year and they have been extremely helpful!
Initially I thought this was going to be harder than it actually turned out to be. I also feel into the sledge trap but couldn’t parse it, then the penny dropped. Lots to like. Favourite was 8d. Back to doing battle with the toughie which I’m finding harder than the BD rating. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
Fell
Good evening
All done! Some excellent witticisms and misdirection in today’s clueing; having read your comments so far today, chums, I must confess to having almost entered SLEDGE for 13a before twigging on just as Parker Blue was poised over the grid.
12a and 28a are joint runners-up; 16d takes COTD. Many thanks to Mr P (?) and to Huntsman.
A bit late making a comment but I just wanted to say I thought that it was a very enjoyable puzzle today. I have not yet completed it as I do not usually start until the sun is over the yardarm but it was part of a nice relaxing evening. Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman. Douglas
A very clever crossword. 27 my favourite. Many thanks.
2*/4* ……
liked 1A “Robbery involved most of smart handbags (5-3-4)”