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DT 30650

by 2Kiwis  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30650

Hints and tips by 2Kiwis

BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****

Kia ora from Aotearoa.
More busy times for us as we had another trip to Wellington yesterday for Carol’s second cataract operation. It all went well once again and her world has now become a whole lot clearer than it has been for years.
We found plenty to enjoy in today’s puzzle with enough trickiness to keep us on our toes.
Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

Across

1a    Feminine model got sent more flowers (6-2-4)
FORGET-ME-NOTS : The abbreviation for feminine and an anagram (model) of GOT SENT MORE.

9a    Feverish chap with twitch needing to get rid of temperature (5)
MANIC : Another word for chap then remove the T(emperature) from a nervous twitch.

10a    Flightless bird about to go next to son, therefore cautious (9)
CASSOWARY : The two letter about or approximately, then S(on), a synonym for therefore and cautious or timid.

11a    Complaint of shivery tot, hoarse around the end of winter? (4,6)
SORE THROAT : An anagram (shivery) of TOT HOARSE contains the last letter of winter.

12a    Old Wimbledon champ recalled what succeeded ace (4)
ASHE : Reading back to front we have an exclamation of ‘What!’, then S(ucceeded) and A(ce).

13a    Singer O’Connor perhaps is able to time independent melody (7)
DESCANT : The first name of a male singer O’Connor, a word meaning ‘is able to’ plus T(ime).

15a    Carpet mark dealt with (4,3)
TICK OFF : A mark that signifies acceptance, then dealt with or cancelled. Double definition. Mark here is a verb.

17a    Not a deep breather in the main (7)
SNORKEL : A cryptic definition of a breathing device for shallow water.

19a    Jacket once worn with hose that coquette has? (7)
DOUBLET : The wordplay refers to a characteristic of the spelling of coquette.

21a    Singer in Toto: get her to come out (4)
ALTO : Start with a word defined by the Latin phrase ‘in toto‘ and remove ‘get her’ which is given in the clue.

22a    Unit‘s soldiers essentially plastered on leave (10)
DEPARTMENT : Leave or go away, then male soldiers and the central letter from plastered.

25a    Start of last month: couple with us like certain trees (9)
DECIDUOUS : A shortened way of writing the first day of the last month, then a three letter couple and ‘us’ from the clue.

26a    Panic in Washington, maybe (5)
STATE : What Washington, capital Olympia, can be an example of.

27a    For example, I wrap gift tight (7,5)
PRESENT TENSE : Another word for a gift and tight or showing anxiety.

Down

1d    More stylish iron railings at the front to protect home (5)
FINER : The chemical symbol for iron and the first letter of railing contain the two letter at home.

2d    Group recording in Derby venue? (9)
RACETRACK : A group or nation and then a recording on a disk or tape.

3d    In bar, beginning to read selection (7)
EXCERPT : Bar or exclude contains the first letter of read.

4d    Chaps oddly put into film in unsuitable roles (7)
MISCAST : The first, third and fifth letters of chaps are surrounded by film or haze.

5d    Gas once called ‘old nitrogen’ (4)
NEON : The word for ‘once called’ when applied to a male, then O(ld) and the chemical symbol for nitrogen.

6d    Something inedible restaurant finally condemned as too old (9)
TOADSTOOL : The final letter of restaurant and an anagram (condemned) of AS TOO OLD.

7d    Cheered article on Miles Davis’s first absorbing work (6)
AMUSED : An indefinite article, the abbreviation for miles, and the first letter of Davis contain work or utilise.

8d    Gloomy, Selfridges not entirely for me (6)
MYSELF : A lurker, hiding in the clue.

14d    Diversion Mark follows in fast vehicle (6,3)
SPORTS CAR : A diversion or leisure activity and a mark from a wound.

16d    Mistress caught by Aunt Rose – awkward! (9)
COURTESAN : The cricket abbreviation for caught and then an anagram (awkward) of AUNT ROSE.

17d    Drink sherry when German gentleman goes for help (6)
SHANDY : Start with the word sherry and replace the title for a German gentleman with help or assistance.

18d    Idle abroad, have siesta (3-4)
LIE-DOWN : An anagram (abroad) of IDLE and have or possess.

19d    Mentioned money owing to Spooner, absolutely determined (4-3)
DEAD-SET : A Spoonerism of synonyms for mentioned and money owing.

20d    One who whistles singer tipping hat to Cockney (6)
TITFER : A reversal (tipping) of a football official who whistles and a small songbird.

23d    Tear gas seen occasionally in strike (5)
ERASE : Alternate letters from three words in the clue.

24d    Poems, unpretentious with no binding (4)
ODES : Unpretentious or demure without the first and last letters.

Quickie pun    cap    +    din    +    manor   +     wring     =    Captain Mainwaring

76 comments on “DT 30650”

  1. Very tough for a Wednesday, but perhaps not as tough as beating Slovenia it seems!
    How on earth are we going to get on in the next round if that’s the best we can do?

    Some very hard clues today, still can’t see where the ‘I’ comes from in 25a, so will have to see the hint.

  2. This was one of those guzzles where I got answers but could not quite see the parsing. For example, I cannot see how the answer to 21a is arrived at but I must be missing something obvious. For once, The Reverend Spooner held no fear for me as he usually does. My COTD is the Cockney whistler at 20d.

    I wonder if 6a will go on Terence’s list.

    Thank you, setter for the mind-bending fun. Thank you, 2Ks for the hints.

    It’s supposed to reach 27o C in The Marches today but it is only 17oC at the moment.

    1. I meant 21a but I cannot edit my post for some reason.
      Now I see it has changed! It took about four minutes hence this post.

      1. Hi Steve, I think ‘in toto’ means ‘altogether’, then remove get her from the clue.

    3. Of course, I meant 10a for Terence’s List (the heat must be affecting me – it’s reached 25C).
      I see Terence has, indeed, placed it on The List.

    5. It was very cheeky of you, Mr. Cowling, to suggest I might have needed assistance in getting up from my star turn. It might not be as graceful as it once was, but still doable. So there!

  3. Nice one, but on the hard side, breakfast and mid-morning coffee.
    Took a while to parse some, and needed Kiwi help for others, e.g. 25a. Spent a lot of time trying to fit ’tile’ or ‘at’ into 20d, until finally remembered the word.
    Nominating 19a as fave, as it’s my best weekend party outfit!
    Thanks to the setter and to the 2Kiwis for the help. Glad Carol is fine!

  4. I thought that this was near the top end of Wednesday trickiness and very entertaining. Thanks to the setter and 2Ks.
    My ticks were awarded to 13a, 21a, 4d and 20d.

    The Hudson Toughie is superb and highly recommended.

  5. Happily straightforward, rather more so than yesterday, so evidently I had the fortune to tune-in from the off. Some good surface reads and generally great clueing throughout although 26a doesn’t really work (for me), panic not really being synonymous with being in a state. Hon Mentions to 12a, 25a and 20d.

    1.5 / 3

    Many thanks to the setter and the 2Ks

  6. 4* for enjoyment with a few tricky clues in the SE taking my time up to 3*.

    Isn’t “I” unnecessary in 27a? “Wrap” seems like a sufficient example of the answer to me.

    With plenty of ticks, 25a just nosed in front as my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks.

  7. I don’t get along very well with this setter’s style but I guess that’s my problem rather than his.
    Top clue for me was 4d with an hon. mention for the Quickie pun.

    Thanks to Twmbarlwm, I presume, and to our 2Ks for the review – pleased to hear that Carol’s eye treatment went well.

  8. A long winded solve during which i nearly gave up on rhisteicky guzzle. Parsing was difficult and often done by reverse engineering an answer I had gussed using the definition in the clue plus the checkers. There are a few I still dont understand, tgough they are correct .1a and 6d were great anagrams but 27a was vwry cleverly disguised and my COTD. Thanks to the setter ab
    Nd tro the Kiwis for the hints. Glad the eye surgery went well. I had my first cataract done 20 years ago, whilst I was still working as a teacher and the relief it gave me was fantastic.

  9. A challenging midweeker which was satisfying to solve.

    Lots of excellent constructions are on display with plenty of smooth surfaces. The first four letters of 25a are good fun and it’s always impressive to get a three piece Lego clue in a four letter word (5d).

    ‘I was in a right panic/*****’ works for me.

    A plethora of splendid clues to choose from for the pody but I’ll go with the excellent anagram in 1a, that kicked things off nicely, 19a and 17d.

    Many thanks to Mr Tumble (?) and Le Touquet.

    3*/4*

  10. Really enjoyed this one after yesterday’s unmitigated disaster. Some very clever clues which required some untangling, but fortunately the trickiest ones – 17d, 20d, 10a and the evil 21a – were solvable with the checkers. Medals to 6d, 17a, 27a. ***/****

  11. Wednesday morning at six o’clock
    As the day begins
    Silently opening my iPad door
    Having the hope that my answers were sure

    I go down to the kitchen
    Clutching my cup of tea
    Quietly hoping solutions I’d see
    Finding they won’t come to me

    He…………(struggled for most of the time)
    Is failing….(googled some answers this time)
    Now……,,,(couldn’t get everything and wondered why)

  12. A reasonably enjoyable mid-week headscratcher – ***/***

    Candidates for favourite – 10a, 13a, 21a, and 4d – and the winner is 10a.

    Thanks to whomsoever and the 2Kiwis.

    P.S. I have been enjoying watching The Brokenwood Mysteries centred around the fictional town of Brokenwood in the North of NZ’s North Island and dubbed the NZ equivalent of Midsomer Murders. If Brokenwood was real it would surely be the murder capital of NZ. A central cast of three detectives, who sometimes seem to be more interested in each others’ music preferences and romantic attachments, and a quirky female pathologist, originally from Russia, who has serious but not reciprocated feelings for the senior detective. Very entertaining – if it is available on TV in the UK I recommend it.

    1. Brokenwood is on Drama here – they repeat it and repeat it so much so that we can almost recite the script!

      1. Never seen it but seen all M Murders at least 6 times! Apparently John Nettles hurt hasn’t been asked to star in remake of Bergerac. Who is surprised? I think he was in an episode of Poldark and looked ridiculous in a wig.

  13. I don’t seem to be on this setter’s wavelength and made very heavy weather of getting going. Once I’d sorted out the anagrams at 1a and 11a the top half went in fairly straightforwardly then I slowed down again in the SW corner.. On looking at it again now I’m not sure what the problem was but I’m a bit of a stickler and don’t like to leave a clue unparsed, so I found that somewhat time consuming today. Even then I had to admit defeat over the parsing of 19a and 20d. Favourite today was 27a with podium places for 14d and 17d. Thanks to our setter and the 2Kiwis.

    1. Thank you. My current subscription ends in December but this must be worth it just for the 6 months of next year it will give me.

  15. Quirkily different, and huzzah for that. How to describe 21a? A subractive lurker, perhaps. Brilliant. Loved 7d, too. And 12a’s fun. I did think 15a’s “dealt with” was a tad mean but I have no problems with 26a’s “state”. It’s neither here not there but why pick (the slightly odd) feminine over, say, the simpler female for 1a’s (excellent) anagram? Or some fun could have been had with Fendi’s first letter, etc. Is “top” an acceptable indicator in an across clue? I’m really not sure. But this was a fine puzzle that steadily grew on me. Many thanks to the setter (T?) and the 2Ks. And I must echo Gazza. Hudson is on fire today!

    1. Maybe an “indirect” subractive lurker – because the lurker isn’t in plain sight in the clue?

    2. Whatever the technique is called, it’s a belter.

      I love Mr Tumble pushing the envelope like this. It’s to be encouraged.

    3. Hi ALP.
      As you know, F for feminine is on the approved abbreviation list for DT abbreviations, and it doesn’t get a chance to be used as much as ‘female’. Also I’m a gender-friendly setter who thinks that feminine male models don’t get sent enough flowers! 🙌 😌

      1. Ha, I hear you! How laudably modern.
        Would “Fendi’s top” for the F be allowed in an across clue? I’m guessing not.

  16. Well I made hard work of this one although looking back at it I’m not sure why. Needed the hints to parse 12a.
    Top picks for me were 19a, 10a and 27a.
    Thanks to the 2Kiwis and the setter.

  17. A fine puzzle, which I found a bit trickier than the average Wednesday offering, with good clues providing an enjoyable solve. Favourite: 19d, which is a good example to illustrate that spelling doesn’t matter in a Spoonerism. Just swap the initial letters and the resultant phrase still sounds/rhymes in the same way as the original but the spellings are significantly different. 3*/4*.

  18. By stretching the final letter of Sinéad to cover two squares I was able to easily solve 13a. By writing in microscopic print I managed to squeeze in Bobby Kimball for 21a. Then on the down clues, by writing super-large, Epsom fitted 2d perfectly, and by allotting two letters to each of the first four squares, ‘Kind Of Blue’, fitted beautifully for 7d.
    I simply don’t understand those who say cryptic crosswords are difficult. One simply has to be creative.

    Hi there 10a! Welcome to THE LIST!

    Thanks to the setter and The TwoKays (good news about Carol).

    1. I am chuckling! I too got stuck on Epsom having lived nearby, although being so much older Des sprang to my mind immediately what a sport he was to take so much stick from Morecambe & Wise. I think the bets taken on you adding 10a to The List rivalled those made on the election.

  19. Persistence paid off today on a tricky but very absorbing puzzle. After yesterday’s debacle, this has restored some confidence. Particularly liked the Spoonerism in 19d which takes my top podium spot together with 17a and 1a in the lower positions. Thanks to compiler and 2K’s.

  20. A better than normal Wednesday puzzle for me this week. A few tricky clues and a bit of head scratching, but it was at least solvable for me this week.

    2.5*/3.5*

    Favourites 10a, 17a, 2d, 6d, 19d & 20d — with winner 20d for me.
    Smiles from 1a, 13a (and a groan!), 4d & 6d

    Thanks to the unknown Wednesday setter and the 2K’s for hints/blog

  21. I was wondering where the I came in the clue of 25a, last month, couple, us but no I there.

  22. A largely trouble-free solve this afternoon whilst sitting in the garden. I loved the cockney hat, very neat, but my favourite was 16d. Many thanks to our midweek setter and the 2Ks.

  23. Found this to be the most straightforward puzzle so far this week. Lots of clever clues esp 17a and 2d.
    Didn’t need any churchy knowledge or any OT prophets. Very enjoyable
    Thx to all
    **/****

  24. After a very gentle start to the week this was more challenging. I put it down a couple of times but got there in the end. Last one in was the Cockney hat. Very satisfying.

  25. I assume this is the work of Tumbledown. Enjoyable, but the cleverness of 19A,20D and 21A passed me by as I solved them from the checkers – slaps wrist.

    I’ll give it 2.5*/4*.

    Thanks to the setter and the hinter.

    Now that summer has arrived it’s great to get out into the garden. Shame it’s too hot though!

  26. I’m guessing Toombarloom! I’ve solved four after chewing on this for some time and can’t see myself progressing any further so I’m tossing it in. No matter how hard I try, I just cannot get on his wavelength. Oh well, the sun is shining and the pool calls. I had been looking forward to my morning puzzle. I seem to enjoy fewer and fewer these days.
    Thank you Toombarloom, maybe next time. I’ll now read your explanations 2Kiwis, so thanks in advance.

  27. Blimey – that was tough!
    I had lots needing some hints – far more often and the wrong 13a singer didn’t help one tiny bit, not at all.
    I use “in a right panic/26a” regularly – much more than I should!
    I liked 9 and 25a and 14 and 24d. My favourite was 17a or it might have been 26a.
    With thanks (I think) to today’s setter and to the 2K’s for the much needed hints.

  28. This is an example of why I love anagrams. When the clues are leading nowhere, or up the garden path, anagrams will at least give me a foothold. In this case, 11a. After that it was just 5 more penned in. Was close to binning it, but slogged on. 10a was new to me, thought 14a a bit stretched and 19a not at all helpful. But it’s probably just me and never getting on this setter’s wavelength. Thanks anyway, and bravo to the 2Kiwis. Glad to hear Carol has now had both cataracts done.

  29. This was hard. I’m usually on the wavelength for Wednesday puzzles but not today. Needed the help of the 2 kiwis to get over the line. Favourite was 27a. Thanks to the setter and 2Ks.

  30. Tough but great fun once you have won. Many clever clues, some which needed the hints to explain the parsing. Getting 1a helped me on my way and I was particularly pleased I got 10a and knew it existed!

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2kiwis for the hints, I am glad Carol has had successful surgery.

  31. I agree that at first pass this seemed to be impenetrable and it rather said something about my age that the first time I picked up my pen was for Des. But gradually they all fell into place and what a clever guzzle it was. When you get out of the pool, Merusa, have another go using a Kiwi hint – it will be worth it, especially the start of last month – got to be my favourite, 25a. Many thanks to Cleverclogs and the Tookays, glad the eye surgery went well, it was a real eye opener for me.

      1. Very remiss of me not to wish you a happy birthday the other day. Trust you had a lovely day & no after effects from the gymnastics

    2. I did get 25a, one of my few. I also had no problem with 10a, I watched a TV programme the other day about those in N. Australia. They seem to be nasty pieces of work, very aggressive.

  32. Didn’t get on the wavelength with this at all. I’ve written in potential answers next to the clues for half a dozen clues and that’s as far as I’m going to progress.

    Thanks to all.

  33. Morning all.
    Crispy cold here again this morning but don’t think there is a frost out there waiting to greet us. At least days should start to get slightly longer from now on. Another busy day for us as we head for the follow-up appointment with Carol’s eye surgeon.
    Good to see that most commenters are in agreement with us on this puzzle.
    Cheers.

    1. I forgot to say earlier. I’m so pleased Carol’s surgery went well. I had mine done two years ago and the difference was amazing.

  34. Happily tuned quickly into this despite tackling it in the wee small hours of sleep interrupted night. Didn’t peg it as one of T’s in the solve but can well see that it may well be though he’s usually popped in by now to confirm. As with the terrific Toughie top spot goes to the Cockney clue with podium places for 25a & the indirect subtractive lurker one.
    Thanks to the setter & to the 2Ks – pleased to hear Carol’s procedure went well.
    Ps great post from the other T today.

  35. I found this a bit of a grind but did just manage to stay with it and progress through the South onto the North. 1a was a bung-in until the end. Not sure about 2d group, 3d selection or 23d strike without out. Phew, the heat doesn’t aid clear thinking. 12a ‘what’ is becoming a chestnut. Sort of thank you Twmbarlwm (hope that’s how to spell it?!) but thanks to 2 Kiwis particularly for clearing some parsing.

    1. I think Timberloom is getting used the variations of his name, Angelov. At least, I sincerely hope he is. They are nowt but friendly joshing.

  36. Hello all, setter here. Thank you to all commenters/solvers and especially to 2Kiwis for the blog.
    Just one small point on 15a, it’s actually a double definition: Carpet (as in reprimand) / Mark dealt with (as you might on a to-do list).

    1. Really enjoyed this one and for me it felt a bit like yesterday’s. A nice balance of challenge but not ott difficult . Struggled with a couple of parsing but this blog has enlightened ! Had not heard of the flightless bird . Thanks Twmbarlwm and 2Ks

    2. Thanks for the puzzle Twmbarlwm, we enjoyed solving and blogging it.
      Thanks also for pointing out how 15a works. Have now corrected the hint.

    3. Thank you for the guzzle, Timbuctoo. I’m finding your wavelength awkward to ride at the moment but it is getting better.
      No problem, though. We need to be sent a few curveballs! 👍

  37. I managed this except 12a, although everyone else seemed to have got it, being a gentleman I shall say no more about it as there are ladies present. Thanks to all.

  38. 4*/3* ……
    liked 11A “Complaint of shivery tot, hoarse around the end of winter ? (4,6)”
    & the quickie pun.

  39. This one has been gathering dust under a pile of old ones, but I thought it worth pointing out that 8D has another answer, namely “Stormy” derived from Store less last letter (not entirely) + my.

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