DT 30657 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30657

by Shabbo  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30657
Hints and tips by Shabbo

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

It is cricket week at my local club and Wimbledon has started, so no surprise that the weather has taken a turn for the worse this week here in the beautiful south.

Ray T returns to entertain us with a puzzle full of his usual hallmarks, including admirable brevity (five words/clue), two different sweethearts in 12a and 15d and our late Queen in 16d.  I found the Quickie pun a bit implausible, a bit like the solution (assuming I have got it right).

In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons.  Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

1a Lovers usually embracing, playing (6)
VERSUS: hidden word (embracing) – our answer is hidden within the first two words of the clue.

5a Factories producing brooms? (6)
PLANTS: double definition (the latter being a shrub).

10a Saw maturity on promotion (5)
ADAGE: synonym of maturity after two-letter abbreviation for a form of promotion or publicity.

11a Celebrated list including Independent journalist (9)
ROISTERED: synonym of list outside (including) abbreviation for Independent + our usual abbreviated journalist.

12a Indiscretion with girl and sweetheart flipped (7)
MISSTEP: a word meaning girl + synonym of sweetheart backwards (flipped).

13a Time with stranger swallowing large tot (7)
TODDLER: abbreviation for time + synonym of stranger (as in more unusual) outside (swallowing) abbreviation for large.

14a Catch terrible cheat causing anguish (9)
HEARTACHE: synonym of catch (as in listen) + anagram (terrible) of CHEAT.

17a Sicken on board boats, perhaps (5)
SAILS: three-letter synonym of sicken surrounded by abbreviation for steamship (on board).

18a Animal catching bird in both hands? (5)
LEMUR: flightless bird inside abbreviations for left and right (both hands).

19a During lessons, laugh, turning offensive (9)
ONSLAUGHT: another hidden word clue (during) – our answer can be found lurking within words 2, 3 & 4.

21a Make tighter, possibly using a spanner? (7)
ABRIDGE: A + something that spans a river perhaps.

23a Endure shame following American around (7)
SUSTAIN: synonym of shame after reversal (around) of abbreviation for American.

25a Drop off after fall? (9)
HIBERNATE: cryptic definition of what some animals do in winter.

26a On river one sees lake bird (5)
OUSEL: the river that flows through York + abbreviation for lake reveals a member of the thrush family that looks like a blackbird wearing a vicar’s collar. My Collins Bird Guide spells the bird with a Z rather than an S.

27a Break from church day in diocese (6)
SECEDE: abbreviations for Church of England + day inside a synonym of diocese.

28a Quietly let out cheer (6)
PLEASE: musical abbreviation for quietly + synonym of let out (as in offer for rent).

Down

2d Maxes out tests (5)
EXAMS: anagram (out) of MAXES.

3d Protects a worried witness (9)
SPECTATOR: another anagram (worried) of PROTECTS A.

4d Drinks up, causing bad temper (5)
STROP: fortified wines upside down (drinks up).

5d Slept in, so turned unproductive (9)
POINTLESS: anagram (turned) of SLEPT IN SO.

6d Top Democrat admitting Trump’s first behaved (5)
ACTED: synonym of top + abbreviation for Democrat outside (admitting) the first letter of Trump.

7d Sensational tweeting about nothing, essentially (9)
THRILLING: synonym of tweeting (think birds, not Elon Musk) outside the middle letter (essentially) of notHing.

8d Contest match oddly creating friendship (6)
WARMTH: a state of conflict + odd letters of match.

9d Trouble on Royal Navy’s decks (6)
ADORNS: synonym of trouble + Royal Navy’s. The definition is a verb, not a noun.

15d Fine top sailor embracing British sweetheart (9)
ADMIRABLE: the highest ranking sailor outside (embracing) abbreviation for British + the heart of swEet.

16d Enclosure crammed keeping Queen band together (2-7)
CO-OPERATE: synonym of enclosure (think chickens) + synonym of crammed (think consumed) outside (keeping) the regnal cypher of our late Queen.

17d Reduces sound covering old rock (9)
SOAPSTONE: synonym of reduces (think weakens) + synonym of sound outside (covering) abbreviation for old. I had the initial S and biffed the wrong type of rock initially, which delayed me somewhat.

18d Detest the French, stifling expletive (6)
LOATHE: “the” in French outside (stifling) synonym of expletive.

20d Shiver being left in shade (6)
TINGLE: abbreviation for left inside a word meaning shade (as in trace).

22d Source of grief in terrible lament (5)
DIRGE: initial letter (source) of grief inside a synonym of terrible.

23d Strips, turning over for nap (5)
SLEEP: synonym of strips upside down (turning over).

24d Awfully silly sausages, even stupid initially (5)
ASSES: initial letters of the first five words of the clue.

 

Quickie Pun:  DAWN  +  HALT  +  RUMP  =  DONALD TRUMP

71 comments on “DT 30657”

  1. I didn’t think this was particularly difficult, but it was beautifully and concisely clued, with only a couple using six words. The well hidden lurker at 1a was my final entry, with 18a my favourite.

    Many thanks to RayT and Shabbo.

  2. For me, Ray T in a very benign mood, though he’s made up for it in the quickie which I found challenging. I was only held up in the SE corner which took a little teasing out. The whole thing was super enjoyable as always. No overall favourite today but I did like the simplicity and humour of 18d and the indiscrete pair at 12a. Thanks to both Ray T and Shabbo.

  3. Embarrassed to have missed TWO lurkers today, contributing to a DNF. Must have other things on my mind, though can’t think of anything else which is happening today. Very odd. ;)
    ***/***

  4. The master of brevity being very friendly – 2.5*/4.5*

    Candidates for favourite – 10a, 14a, 18a, 25a, and 9d- and the winner is 9d.

    Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

  5. The parsing for 17d held me up for a while but an enjoyable puzzle with 25a my favourite.

    Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo

  6. An enjoyable Ray T guzzle with a fair range of clue types, including some rather good lurkers at 1a an 19a. I also likedthe cryptic definition at 19a and the lego bird at 25a. Many thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo for the hints.

  7. Splendid.

    This has to be RayT’s lowest average word count ever (5.03). If he used two fewer words it would have been below 5.

    The downside, of course, is that there are hardly any dark alleys to wander down. So, it was a fairly straightforward solve.

    Lots of top clues to choose from but I’ll go with 14a, 25a and 8d.

    Many thanks to Milk Tray and Shabbs.

    2*/4*

  8. As today, I usually manage to get onto this setter’s wavelength and this was a rewarding challenge after a slow start. I suppose “make tighter” is appropriate for 21a. SW came in last mainly due to IMHO some rather questionable synonyms. Many thanks RayT and Shabbo. For better or worse please vote today.

  9. Another Dream Team day, I can scarcely believe my luck! The old rock did its best to delay the solve but a bit of cogitation helped me over that and back into smooth waters. Awards distributed amongst 25a, 7,9&15d.

    Devotions as ever to Mr T and thanks to Shabbo for the review – the weather’s no better here if that’s any consolation.

  10. After yesterday’s puzzle which totally flummoxed me this was a delight to do, even though I was defeated by 17d, all I could think of was sand*****. 25a was my favourite clue after the penny dropped but lots of others were in the running. Thanks to all.
    PS. I’ll have to change my picture as poor Max died Tuesday evening aged 18 3/4😔

    2. How upsetting for you but you obviously gave him a good life given that he reached such a grand age.

    3. Oh dear, so sorry to hear that. My DD2 has had one of her two schnauzers at the vet for week now and she is so upset. Didn’t the late Queen say something about heartache being the price of love ?

    4. Thank you all,and you are right DG1 it is the price you pay but for what you get it’s a bargain.

      1. Oh Dave, I’m so dreadfully sorry. I’ll have a little weep for Max. Please consider getting another fur-ball to love, not a replacement, just an addition to Max. Let us know. Love from Sadie.

    6. So sorry to hear of the loss of you dear Max. At 18 he was a good age. It takes a pet owner to fully understand your loss. But give yourself some time to mourn and then get out there and welcome another 4 legged friend into your loving home.

      1. I can commiserate having lost 3 in 18 months albeit a year or so ago now.

  11. Mr T’s puzzles used to be a closed book to me, but either he is becoming more benevolent, or I am starting to get on his wavelength.

    2*/3.3* for me. The parsing of 17D held me up for some time. Difficult to pick a favourite as I enjoyed the whole puzzle.

    Thanks to Mr T, and to Shabbo for the hints.

  12. Another fine Ray T offering. Like others I stumbled over 17d (a slippery clue?) but eventually worked it out.
    Thanks also to Shabbo.

  13. Not a huge fan of Ray T as I struggle to get on his wavelength but today’s was the exception. I thought it well constructed and fun to complete. As always with his it’s a question of finding the answer then working out the clue but today was quite benign and for that I thank him.
    However the Quickie proved more of a challenge!
    Thx to all
    ***/****

    1. I’m with you regarding the Quickie, Brian. I found almost impenetrable.

  14. I found this RayT puzzle this week toward the tougher end of his spectrum, with some very misleading but great clues. However he didn’t go as far as his Beam alter ego though, at least for me.
    I look forward to RayT puzzles as they maybe complex, but they are logical, at least to my way of thinking.

    2.5*/4.5*

    Favourites 5a, 21a, 25a, 15d & 16d — with winner 25a
    Smiles from 18a, 28a, 24a … and of course 25a
    New words for me in 11a & 26a

    Thanks to RayT & Shabbo for hints/blog

  15. a stroll in the park today and not much fun when there is no stretching of the solvers’ abilities, I like Ray T when he is less benevolent and solving his puzzles gives one a sense of achievment ……. not today.

    i liked 25a very much but COTD was 9d .

  16. I got about two thirds of the guzzle done and then had to turn to Shabbo for help. I got the lurker and George to my amazement got the broom – the only plant he recognises is a hollyhock. Possibly also a rose. And a pansy. I think the very clever 25a is favourite but also applaud 18a and 3d. My grandsons are descending on us tonight for their father’s funeral tomorrow. A happy release from the beastly Huntingtons Disease which caused all the problems with my poor beloved daughter. Such a cruel world. More to the point, I am having to dust & vacuum their rooms! No space in any of the wardrobes for their clothes 🤭 May well not have time to guzzle until Sunday. Many thanks to RayT and Shabbo

    1. I hope that tomorrow goes smoothly, your grandsons are lucky to have you there to care for them at this difficult time. Look after yourself too.

    2. Your grandsons have had to put up with so much but fortunately they have you and George to care for them. Hope all goes well tomorrow. Take care of yourself and George

    3. My sincere sympathies DG at this sad time for you and your family. Bon courage.

    4. My thoughts are with you Daisy. It has been a difficult time for your family, I’m glad your grandsons have you both.

      1. What a difficult time for you all. I hope everything goes well tomorrow. Our thoughts will be with you.

    6. So sorry to hear your sad news Daisygirl. Huntington’s disease is a cruel illness as you sadly, know only too well. Thankfully, your grandsons will have you and George to steady the ship. Don’t worry about lack of wardrobe space they won’t give it a thought. You and George also take good care tomorrow.

    7. Dear Daisygirl,
      I am sure we all are thinking of you at this difficult time. You have been so strong coping with your family troubles, but this is one more hurdle that you are facing.
      Love from Pip.

  17. I finished, something which I am pleased about as I often struggle to get to grip with RayT and those cunningly brief clues. I thought the lurkers were brilliantly disguised today. 17d was my last one in with 25a my favourite.

    Many thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo for the hints.

  18. Like lovely Daisy, I managed about two thirds of the guzzle before turning to Shabbo for assistance. Nothing wrong with the glues, I simply needed a reboot.
    A lengthy meeting of the committee this morning and after an exhausting debate, 26a has been added to THE LIST. Nobody had ever heard of the poor fellow. Some sadness was expressed for the four and twenty of them baked in a pie. Although it was also understood that when the pie was opened, the birds began to sing, so perhaps they were not too distressed after all.

    Much sympathy to Dave G – very sorry to hear of your news about Max

    Thanks to RayTee and Shabba-dabba-doo

  19. Another fine offering from Ray T, but probably a bit too benign for him or a Thursdsay. The clues were great and provided an enjoyable interlude. Favourite: 18a. 2.5*/ 3.5*.

  20. I’m also in the camp of those who got two thirds done and then needed Shabbo’s help in rebooting the grey matter rather than having a 4d. Then wondered why I made such a fuss of it. My cotd for the smile factor alone is 25a. Thanks to Ray T for the challenge and Shabbo for the very necessary hints

  21. RayT to a T! I did have to work for this but I got there with only one hint from Shabbo, 17d, which got me going again in the SE. I suppose 1a is playing, I bow to superior knowledge. Fave was 11a, memories of Flanders and Swann, on its heels are 18a and 25a.
    Thank you RayT for the fun and Shabbo for his help.

  22. This was RayT to a T! I did have to work for this but I got there with only one hint from Shabbo, 17d, which got me going again in the SE. I suppose 1a is playing, I bow to superior knowledge. Fave was 11a, memories of Flanders and Swann, on its heels are 18a and 25a.
    Thank you RayT for the fun and Shabbo for his help and explanations.

    1. When I posted, it told me that I’d already said that. I exited the blog and checked, but nothing was posted. I tried this three times and my post did not appear. I then made minor changes and it went through, I posted, and, lo and behold, both are there. I give up, I’ll never understand this techie business.

      1. Merusa, I do hope your family/friends in Jamaica are safe from the ravages of Beryl.

        2. So far all accounted for, well and happy, without power so can’t talk long. Damage to roads, trees and so on, but everyone well. The rest can be repaired.

  23. A lovely puzzle today. Last one in was 17d.
    I knew the 26a bird and saw one in the Cairngorms earlier this year.
    Top picks for me were 25a, 17d and 7d.
    Thanks to Shabbo and RayT.

    1. Is there really an ouselum bird? I am sure there was a nursery rhyme or story about the Pushkin bird. Pushkin! That is predictive correction – I quite clearly typed in ouselum.

    2. I am jealous, Madflower. I have still not seen one and it is not for the want of trying! Cairngorms is a good place to look, but no joy there either…yet!

    3. We were lucky enough to see a pair of 26a on the hills above Amulree in Perthshire back in May. It was a wonderful day for wildlife and we were treated to the sight of a golden eagle too (it really was an eagle and not a tourist eagle otherwise known as a buzzard!).
      Thanks to Ray T for another enjoyable crossword and to Shabbo. Too many good clues to choose a favourite but 25a made me chuckle….the weather is so autumnal in Lancashire that a good 25a is quite appealing.

  25. Gentle far from Ray T today or perhaps I simply just tuned in from the off. Just the briefest of head scratches with the crammed synonym in the 16d wordplay but otherwise plain sailing & a quick finish. 17d was my fav even though it post fill in parse.
    Solved in the break between teeing off the morning & afternoon starters in lovely sunny weather. I fear we will not be so fortunate tomorrow ☔️☹️
    Thanks to Ray T & to Shabbo.

  26. I doubt I will ever find Ray T gentle or benign, but I have gradually begun to appreciate his setting skills. Never needs a deep dive into GK, he doesn’t lead you up the garden path, and never convoluted, wordy clues. The 26a bird was my LI, and I needed help with the 17d rock for some reason.Thanks to RayT and Shabbo. Happy July 4th 🎆 💥 . Often this is the first truly hot day of our South Florida summers, but this year that arrived early in May. The Northern and Midwest states have it worse than us though, with many at 100F+ for more than a week now, while I see England had been very cool recently. The global warming thing appears to be rather fickle.

  27. A difficult (in parts) but very enjoyable puzzle ****/*** 🤔 Favourites 18 & 26a and 18d 👍 Thanks to Shabbo for his explanations and of course to Ray T for crossword

  28. I was out all day yesterday visiting both of the cathedrals in Liverpool. A very enjoyable trip but was too tired to do the cryptic when I eventually got back home courtesy of British Rail.
    An enjoyable solve today and much has already been said up above. Many thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

  29. Evening all. My thanks to Shabbo for the review and to everybody else for your comments.

    RayT

  31. Good evening

    A scan of the clues over a brew this morning led me to conclude that I was once again facing the tricky brains of the Mighty Mr T; it’s taken me up to now to get the better of him. Plenty of misdirection and brain-cellular exercising, and a struggle in the SE quadrant; when I finally deduced 17d, the rest of the quadrant fell into place.

    21 & 25a tie for COTD.

    Many thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo.

  32. I too found this at the more difficult end of Rayt’s spectrum and I’m usually on his wavelength but perhaps distracted by what’s happening today, still I enjoyed the challenge as always. Favourite was 8d. Thanks to Rayt and Shabbo. I intend stopping up until the early hours of the morning to at least get an idea of how things are going and the scale of the disaster.

  33. A great guzzle from Mr. Brevity although not all plain sailing for yours truly. Plenty of well crafted clues as usual but my COTD is dropping off after the fall at 25a.

    Thank you, Ray T for the fun and many thanks to Shabbo for the hints.

    Happy Independence Day.

  34. I couldn’t quite finish this without assistance but it was a great puzzle. I do enjoy RayT’s brevity and trademarks. Thanks to him and to Shabbo.

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