DT 30631

79 comments on “DT 30631”

1. I found this a strange one. I didn’t think I was going to get anywhere with it at all. After the first pass I had solved just four. I then sat looking at it with no lights coming on. I was about to give up when the flood gates opened and I cruised to an unaided finish. I have never experienced such a solve before.

   No matter, it was fun once it got going with my COTD being the heartless spy at 21d.

   Many thanks, setter for the eventual fun. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts and Joe Bonamassa.

   1. When the floodgates have opened do you cruise or get swept away?

      1. Oh I was most definitely swept away, Corky! 👍

   2. Floodgates were a little rusty over here 😊.

   3. A similar experience today…I started thinking ‘crumbs, this is hard’ and the next I knew, ‘twas all done!
      Thanks to the setter and Huntsman

2. Nice crossword for me today.
   Lots of good clues, though I took a while to get 9a.
   Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman

   And the crosswords are back in my digital edition today!
   Hurrah!
   Checked back and they are still missing from yesterday’s.
   Hm.

   Heavy showers here in Angus and definitely cooler than of late.

   1. Hurrah indeed. Thank you Telegraph Towers. Next question – why is the Toughie also not there? One battle at a time I guess.

      Nice gentle fare today. 27a took too long to unravel. Thank you to all involved.
      May your balls fly straight and true Huntsman

3. last in was 27a. I failed to interpret the second word as an instruction!
   Enjoyable. Thanks Mr Plumb & Huntsman

   1. Me too initially which is why it was my pick.

4. A steady solve today for me. Top picks were 1a, 28a and 4d.
   Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.

5. A rather cracking puzzle I thought, and proof that a very enjoyable, satisfying, polished, and smoothly crafted grid does not need to be particularly challenging. Great surfaces throughout, not a word or letter out of place, good variety of clues with no one type in excess. COTD for me 27a, with runners-up 10a and 8d – the surface of which I am quite sure resounds with pretty much all crossword setters!

   1* / 4*

   Many thanks indeed to AP, presumably (and whomsoever else it was if not) and to Huntsman. Enjoyed the Joe Bonamassa and I think his music will accompany me through much of the day – he’s compares very favourably with the great blues guitarists of the last century, IMV, possibly quite near the top of any list.

6. I’m still a little bit scared of Tuesday puzzles, but I cautiously attempted this one, and it turned out to be fine. Thank you to the setter, and to Huntsman for providing a safety net just in case.

   I particularly liked 22a’s bit of a looker and 7d’s homophone.

   Tonight John Halpern (Dada) is running his 100th crossword Zoom call, started back in one of the lockdowns, where to mark the occasion everybody there will be collaboratively creating a cryptic crossword in a couple of hours. I hope to be there, but escorting one child to Scouts for 19:30, collecting t’other from Cubs at 20:30 (from up a big hill), and then back to Scouts for 21:00 might rather get in the way …

   1. Hello Smylers Did you see John Halpern’s 100th show ?
      If you did , do you remember/know the name of the guy who acted as John’s right hand man during the live compilation of the crossword ?
      His tag which I failed to note could have been an anagram of his name.

      Regards Colin Joyce

7. LOVE the Joe Bonamassa track. Great choice.

   A guzzle that fits into my (and I stress for me, TM Senf) recent pattern of reacting “Wah!” and then steadily solving glue by glue. Enjoyable crossword indeed.

   We were in a pub yesterday afternoon and I heard the very young barman telling another customer he was on a gap year before going to drama school in the autumn. Almost went over to offer him counsel form my years of experience in TV and film, but restrained myself because I always want to say, “Run in the opposite direction while you still can!” which is the last thing any person wishes to hear. I wish him well, but so many young people now try to follow this dream.
   A study by Queen Mary University showed only 2% of actors make a living from the profession and that 90% are out of work at any one time. Two-thirds of actors leave the profession after their first year of acting.
   Good luck, young man. You will need it.

   Thanks to the setter and Hintsman.

   1. Just arrived at the club & glanced at the comments. As students we had wannabes at RADA in the flat above us – Janet McTeer, Melanie Hill & her fella (later husband now divorced) Sean Bean. They were 3 that made it from that year’s strong intake but many didn’t

   2. Glad to see that the puzzle has reappeared in the digital edition of the paper after its absence yesterday.

8. Perfect to cheer up a soggy Tuesday morning in my part of the world, with everything fairly clued and with some great surfaces. My last one to parse was the excellent 27a and that was my favourite. Great misdirection.

   My thanks to, presumably, Mr P and to The Hintsman.

9. I use my iPad
   I downloaded the Telegraph Puzzles App and I pay a subscription.
   When I click this App it comes up with the puzzles but frozen at 1st. June.
   So I go through the Telegraph UK website to get the cryptic puzzle.
   It comes up with just the grid, a keyboard and the clues.
   Saves automatically I presume.
   Very annoying to have to go through the website.
   Today after 1.5* time a lady waved a flag at me saying BRAVO.
   Happy with that, enjoyed this puzzle.
   Thanks very much the setter and Huntsman

   1. PS
      The subscription I pay is just for Telegraph Puzzles.

      1. The Telegraph Puzzles subscription should take you to the new website here https://www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/ and (touch wood) it works well

         The flag-waving lady is very annoying

   2. Yes, the new website saves automatically. The flag-waver is called Sue Doku.

      1. Many thanks CS and Smylers.
         Ha Ha It’s nice to be congratulated.

10. As Huntsman says, not particularly taxing (unlike Jeremy Hunt, and his successor I dare say), but a pleasurable solve to start the day.
    Duke of Sussex appears regularly as a disrupter of words. Inappropriate?
    Loved the construction of 26a.
    Thanks to Huntsman and setter.

    1. Thanks for your tip yesterday re printing off the puzzle. For some reason today its back in its rightful place so I was able to start it in bed!

11. Another fine performance from our Tuesday thaumaturge (desperate for an alliteration)

    Lots of great surfaces on a friendly grid, taking a leaf out of RayT’s single word theme.

    My podium is 27a, 8d and 16d.

    Many thanks to the prof and Hoots Mon!

    2*/4*

12. Very Typically Tuesdayish with both Back Page and Quickie grids indicating a very enjoyable Anthony Plumb production – 1.5*/4.5*

    Candidates for favourite- 1a, 27a, 7d, and 24d – and the winner for bringing the broadest smile is 1a.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.

13. Enjoyed this one and glad to see normal service has been restored by Telegraph Towers re the cryptic appearing in the digital daily edition.
    Cotd without a doubt was 27a.
    Incidentally, from the home of golf, the river in 28a rises in the Cairngorms and enters the sea at Aberdeen and is home to Balmoral. Thanks to setter and Huntsman.

    1. What if it is the river that rises on Dduallt in Snowdonia and discharges to the Irish Sea, on the West side of The Wirral, via an estuary 14 miles long? :wink:

       1. .. a mere muddy stream by comparison and I’m not seeing the Royal Family spending their summer hols in Cheshire or Snowdonia for that matter.😊

14. An entertaining Tuesday puzzle – thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
    My choices for today’s podium are 1a, 19a and 26a.

15. I enjoyed this one as it didn’t take too long and I could get on with the decorating. Back to wallpaper after many years…
    Now that I’m online only, the only time I miss print newspapers is when I’m decorating.

    Thanks for the Joe Bonamassa. I’m a fan and have seen him live. Also watch his YouTube channel.

16. 2*/4*. I enjoyed this a lot with 27a my favourite.

    I haven’t counted them but there seemed to be a lot of single letter insertions required.

    Many thanks presumably to Mr Plumb and to Hintsman,

17. A light Tuesday delight that didn’t take up too much of my time. Nothing jumped out as a favourite but I did like the simple panto location and the slow-moving sailors.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and to Huntsman for the review – you wouldn’t want to be playing golf here today without your waterproofs!

    1. Like SC my initial impression was somewhat daunting however once on the right wavelength all went swimmingly and it lived up to the funtimeTuesdays usually bring me. 1a and 10a were unparsed by me but were simple to bung in. Thank you MrP and Hintsman.

       1. Sorry Jane my comment wasn’t supposed to be a reply to you

18. very gentle start to the week – my brain is still hurting form my 10.30 bridge seminar so i was surprised to achieva a completely effortless solve thanks to the benign setter.

19. At first glance over lunch I had solved precisely zip. But once tuned into AP’s wavelength it turned into a very enjoyable stroll to completion. For me it’s a toss up for cotd between 20d and 21d, with the former just taking the laurels. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

20. I had a really tough time getting this Tuesday puzzle off the ground … I did not find this easy going at all this week. First run through nothing clicked at all. After all was said and done, I managed to get through it.

    2.5*/3* for me

    Favourites 12a, 22a, 27a, 5d, 7d & 18d — with winner 12a
    Smiles from 13a, 17a, 5d & 24d

    Thanks to AP & Huntsman for blog/hints

21. Thank you Mr Setter for keeping me occupied for a while. I am very down today, just one of those days I guess. I have just typed and then deleted a long moan which should be kept for my therapist – if I had one! I enjoyed the guzzle exercise, fairly clued and concise I just needed 3d explained. Oh no – to add insult to injury it has just started to rain on my washing. Grrr. I worked out today that, as we shall have been married 67 years on Saturday (of course, I was only four when I was wed) I have changed the bed 🛌 some 3,400 times give or take the odd holiday and therefore ironed about 6,800 sheets and 13,600 pillowslips.And that does not take into consideration doing the girls’ beds or bedding. I think the time has come to rise up and rebel. Any ideas for subversive activity? Thanks to Mr Setter and the Hintsman hunting a little white ball.

    1. Smile – how our Daisy’s aching
       Smile, although rain is slaking
       When washing isn’t dry, you’ll get by
       If you smile through wet sheets and sorrow
       Smile and I’m sure tomorrow
       You’ll see old George come shining through for you.

       1. 🥰. Golly, you are smart!

    2. I can’t believe you iron sheets and pillowslips! Stop doing that right now, you may not believe me, but it takes no time to get used to unironed sheets. I was a firm believer in Egyptian cotton, but now I’m a convert to bamboo. Another good thing about bamboo, it takes about a fifth of the amount of water to produce bamboo sheets as opposed to cotton. That’s my “green” hint for the day.

    3. Daisy, I echo Merusa’s comment. I too was a stickler about ironing sheets and pillowcases (and tea towels!), no easy task for a king bed. At Peter’s insistence, I stopped and switched to bamboo bedding. So soft and easy to wash. I do still iron clothing, etc.

       Congratulations on the upcoming 67th anniversary. Hope you are both celebrating by going somewhere nice. I too was a child bride and we celebrate our 57th this October. Who says youthful relationships don’t last? 😊

       1. BL & M. I hear what you say about cotton sheets – and we have a super king size, not that I’m trying to out do you but it is big. But I do love getting into ironed sheets and frankly, at my age with a pile of linen in the cupboard, am I really going to go out and spend money on bamboo sheets? Nah. Save the money for the gin.

          1. I hear you. Getting into a bed with freshly ironed sheets etc is bliss. Sadly my aching back won the toss.

             1. The last time I had ironed sheets was in Jamaica! I’ve forgotten what it feels like.

                1. My mother spent simply hours and hours ironing. Sheets, pillowcases and the clothes of a family of five.
                   In 1993 I made the decision never to iron except a dress shirt if going to a posh function.

                   1. My Mum was lucky, living in Jamaica everyone had staff. My Mum never cooked or laundered and neither did I. It was a huge shock when I went to live in England, that was some learning curve. I had never even boiled an egg, you’d be surprised how quickly you learn to cook when you have to.

    4. Sorry you’re down, Daisygirl. But what’s this about the comment section here not being for therapy — I mean, what else is it for if not for looking out for each other and supporting each other?

       Hope you’re feeling better soon, that you find a suitable form of rebellion, and you enjoy celebrating on Saturday. 67 is massive! (Well, it’s over 5 times how long we’ve been married, anyway.) Congratulations.

       1. I envy you the years to come and love hearing about your lad! I always say the secret of a long happy marriage is having his and hers bathrooms – but that is a slick reply – it is tolerance and understanding, giving each other space – oh, and love!

          1. You will have a wonderful anniversary Daisy
             And I will be celebrating with you – You were celebrating your fifth wedding anniversary on the day I (and Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran) was born
             I am taking Mama Bee and her Granddaughter out to a posh looking vegetarian Curry House but will be thinking of you too

    5. Congratulations on your forthcoming anniversary! My parents would also have been married 67 years this year….1957 was obviously a good year for getting wed.
       Hope your mood has lifted a little, maybe a G&T will help.

    6. Get an Aga, DG – it does the ironing for you. We threw the ironing board out when we installed our Aga.
       PS. I hope you feel better soon. 🌹
       PPS congratulations!

22. I really enjoyed today’s puzzle. Fastest finishing time to date and I didn’t need to consult Bradford’s. After reading through the clues I found myself starting at the bottom of the grid and working upwards. Liked 19a but many other good clues. I normally look at the cryptic later in the afternoon. Well I suppose I had better get on and attend to the 6 Birthday cards that are waiting to be written. Many thanks to the setter and Huntsman. Raining here in the NW so I hope it held off for Huntsman.

23. For Busylizzie – is this what you meant by a wider view? Another thatch in the background – we have masses of them around here. Would be more but for a huge fire in 1915 when fire engines came from as far afield as Baldock 12 miles away. A jumble sale at the Congregational Schoolroom raised £10.0s 0d for the Fire Relief Fund.

    

24. Or this one showing the other cottage and the Fire Engine House which was built from the stones from the old ‘cage’ (prison) which stood on the green.

    

    1. Daisy thanks for both. Will put in my picture ideas folder. I like to work from photos as I am useless at dreaming up scenes. Tried to attach a picture of the Hovis street I did but says my picture is too large. I’ll see if Peter can show me how to reduce.

       1. Aha now one of the clever gentlemen on this blog told me how to do it. When you first select the picture down at the bottom it will say options. Pick small (it seems to be set on large) and then do the attaching but the size must be done first.

          1. Trying again

             

             1. Thanks Daisy. Now I know how to do it ☺️

             2. How lovely! Well worth the effort to shrink it.

             3. Wow! That is seriously good. Do you take part in your local ‘Open Studios’?
                I have given that up now but it was great fun and sometimes very profitable.

25. I saw all the comments yesterday on the new puzzle site. I’ve given up on most of the sudoku puzzles as the small numbers disappear when you go out of it.
    Whoever thought we needed a cartoon character waving a flag like a bunch of 6 year olds?
    I also get the i newspaper for £2.50 per month and the puzzles are much more stable.

26. I wasn’t or not sure what I thought of this one – suspect I just wasn’t in the mood – not helped by a terrible night of sleep.
    I liked 12 and 26a and 20 and 24d. 6d was my favourite.
    Thanks to today’s setter for the crossword and to Hintsman for the hints.

27. Fairly gentle, even for a Tuesday, but most enjoyable.
    Ticks for 1a, 2d and 20d.
    Thank you setter and Huntsman. I hope you kept dry on the golf course.

28. I’m so gruntled today, enjoyable crossword requiring no help, though I did need Huntsman to explain 27a, a bung in. I didn’t know that meaning for “cobblers”, but I just did as I was told and wrote in the result. A little bit of everything today, I think fave was 7d.
    Thank you setter, I hope everyone enjoyed this as well. Thank you Huntsman for the hints and tips.

29. Another fun day in crossword land, although I did get bogged down in the NE corner for a while. Can’t say I remember harry as being an anagram indicator before. Definitely think 22a is a double definition. Had 1a and 1d right from the start, but had to check with hints to verify. And I even know it is Tuesday today! Thanks to setter and Huntsman.

30. Read and write but fun nevertheless.
    Thx to all
    */***

31. I recall that Eleanor Glynn was the IT lady in silent films. Has anyone else’s come across this? Just about managed to finish this one today. Stil a rookie at 85!

    1. Hi Delphine (what a lovely name you have)

       I’ve never heard of her but she is clearly The UK’s answer to Clara Bow very much like Diana Dors was Blighty’s Marilyn.

       Ahem

    2. No idea where I got this from but … “Would you like to sin with Eleanor Glynn on a tiger skin? Or would you rather err with her on some other fur?”
       I enjoyed the crossword – thanks to the setter and Hinstman.

       1. Having Googled her, I now gather she was Elinor Glyn.

32. Tuesdays crosswords and I do not get on for some reason so a DNF. Sad

33. Good evening

    Much like Steve in Comment No. 1 above, I began today’s crozzie by writing in four or five solutions, and then ground to a halt. It took me several abortive attempts to get properly stuck in, and once I’d got the hang of the many excellent misdirections and shaky synonyms, I was away!

    27a is COTD; if only because of the complete misunderstanding on my part of the correct way to read “Harry”!

    Many thanks to Mr P (if indeed, it is he) and to Huntsman (that’s definitely him!)

34. Unlike yesterday I was bang on wavelength, I suspect through not having been to the pub first, of course that does not mean I’m not going later. I rather look forward to Tuesdays as AP’s crosswords are usually high quality and good fun, as was this. Another vote for 27a as cotd just for the length of time it took me to spot it was an anagram, and I knew the answer! Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

35. Pleased to see that this one got a generally enthusiastic reception. No it didn’t stay entirely dry for our round but not too soggy. Most unusually I held it together for 41 stableford points (that’s pretty good Daisy) which surprised me almost as much as it did my regular playing chums. Guess even a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut…,

    1. I’ll remember that! 41 is good. If there are 18 holes that’s less than 3 shots at each hole. Or if it is 9 holes it is still good. It’s depressing to think that I am more than twice 41 🙁

36. Today was a good day, the puzzles reappeared in the digital edition and I completed the puzzle whilst on a plane heading for a Greek holiday. I started off slowly with the puzzle but managed to complete it unaided, I thought it was just right for a Tuesday,

    Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints,

37. 2*/4* ….
    liked 2D “Dotty neckerchiefs daughter’s taken off (7)” …. & the picture to the hint.

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