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DT 30671 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30671 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

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A glorious summer morning (although hopefully not quite as hot as yesterday) and a Saturday Prize Puzzle which I feel may divide opinions as to the level of difficulty experienced.

Having driven Mr CS muttering the Quick Pun until it made sense (although he was pleased with the sentiment expressed once I’d finally understood it  ;) ) I feel it may be another of those weeks where Brian thinks I have deliberately not hinted the clues he needs help with, although I can assure him that I’d never do that.  I could have hinted lots of clues but stuck to the ‘regulation’ number.   It may help him and others to know that the Down clues have both anagrams and lurkers.

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.

Across

1a           Creature from Madrid surprisingly encased in concrete (3,7)
An anagram (surprisingly) of MADRID ‘encased’ in concrete in the sense of actually existing

9a           Sort of crossing made in Drake’s ship? (7)
A type of pedestrian crossing or the name of Sir Francis Drake’s ship

10a         Meals alcove described at first in letter’s content (7)
An alcove or other part of a rom set apart for meals – the first letter of Described, IN (from the clue) and the content of lETTEr

12a         Nut locks at the front – element with screw loose? (7,6)
A mad person (nut) and locks found at the front of a head of hair

17a         Broadcast range right in A380? (8)
A verb meaning to broadcast, a synonym for range and the abbreviation for Right

22a         Robust beer two sailors must consume? (4,3,6)
A beer inserted (must consume) between a worker on a ship AND an old term of address for a fellow sailor

27a         Think again about 20 son into the booze (10)
The usual ‘about, on the subject of, and an anagram (the solution to 20d being an anagram indicator) of SON inserted into a type of alcoholic drink (booze)

Down

1d           Beef with starter ignored? It’s ready for eating (4)
An informal complaint (beef) with its first letter (starter) ignored

2d           Temptress greeted turning up outside Lima (7)
A reversal (turning up) of greeted ‘outside’ the letter represented by Lima in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet

7d           One feeling for the little creatures? (7)
A cryptic definition of something very small creatures use to feel

8d           Simple copper perhaps suspicious when wife disappears (10)
A chemical substance (copper perhaps) and on one’s guard (suspicious) without the abbreviation for Wife

13d         Make a translation? Not exactly (10)
Express something in other words

20d         Undisciplined street child protected (7)
A street and a child under protection or guardianship

23d         Wake up in prison (4)
Double definition – the first a noun, the second, a slang name for a prison

As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out!

Please read these instructions carefully – they are not subject to debate or discussion. Offending comments may be redacted or, in extreme cases, deleted. In all cases the administrator’s decision is final.

If you don’t understand, or don’t wish to comply with, the conventions for commenting on weekend prize puzzles then save yourself (and me) a lot of trouble and don’t leave a comment.

The Quick Crossword pun:   FONDA  +  VIEW + DEER     =  FOND OF YOU DEAR

64 comments on “DT 30671 (Hints)”

  1. 3*/2*. A curate’s egg for me today. I found a few clues quite tricky to solve, and the whole thing didn’t particularly grab me.

    The answer to 10a is a horrible word and, notwithstanding the BRB’s disagreement, I think it is an American term. 12a is “same-sidey” with the first element of the wordplay having the same meaning as the first word of the answer. The surface of 27a doesn’t make sense; and I can’t see anything cryptic about 13d.

    I did like 26a, 8d & 11d.

    Thanks to the setter and to CS.

  2. I found today’s offering on the tough side not helped by the fact my anagram bairn had deserted me . Other clues sent me down side roads and cul-de-sacs that took ages to escape from. I spent so long on some clues I ended up not being able to see the wood from the trees. For example, I took far too long trying to work “cargo” into 21d even though I knew I was off track. Still, I managed in the end for another stab at The Mythical.

    Thank you, setter (the professor in the library?) for the stiff challenge. Thank you, CS for the hints.

    A dull, sultry day in The Marches with humidity first thing being 98%. The kind of weather I hate. At least it is slightly cooler.

    I went to the village shop this morning with cash just in case they had been affected by the global IT outage but it missed Kinnerley.

      1. That was a deliberate anagram, Toni because I was talking about anagrams. The small square at the end of the sentence was supposed to be tongue in cheek emoji but it backfired. 😊

          1. It wasn’t meant to be, Senf. Like our local butcher who advertised that “Sausage’s are in stock” I just wanted to see how many would let me know. 😊

            1. After I don’t know how long I managed to get the apostrophe in Reader’s Letters moved in our local newsletter. But it now reads Readers’ Letter’s. I give up.😕

              1. I once saw outside a cafe “Ham and Egg’s”. I wondered what belonged to the ham and egg.

                2. There was a notice in my school in Beijing: GIRL’S RESTOOM. Among 500 of her gender studying at that institution, I wondered which maiden had been accorded exclusive access to the facilities.

  3. The 2 I’m stuck on have not been hinted so I’m sure it’s deliberate!😁. Back to the drawing board after lunch.

      1. I’m sure she is Merusa! Have now got the last two. Naturally 11d jumped out at me. After 30+ years on the Cam moved our boat here when we moved to this county. Lasted one week, awful. Overcrowded, no boating etiquette and drunken stag parties. Even mistakenly shot at by wildfowlers. Hell the cost, had Mickley Muckley trailered back to the Cam and peace and kingfishers and otters, bliss.

  4. Agree with RD above, definitely a curate’s egg but mostly without the good bits. ***/?

  5. This should be in the reach of most people with lots of fairly-constructed clues.

    I had to biff the second word of 12a as I’ve never heard of it and the seabird in 19a is one to add to my flora, fauna, fishy and flighty list.

    I quite like a clue that refers to another clue but I don’t think it’s necessary in 27a as there are plenty of anagram indicators that would make the surface smoother, e.g wild or crazy.

    I love the randomness of 15a but it doesn’t get on my podium which is 3d, 8d and 16d.

    Many thanks to the setter and CS.

    2*/3*

  6. Personally found it a bit tough going today, though that might be due to being a bit under the weather, which I am currently using as an excuse not to tackle the garden – before the next lot of rain comes! Several good head-scratcher clues – my COTD 24a for the ‘doh’ moment when the penny dropped. Thanks to the setter for the challenge and CS for the blog.

  7. Tough to start then got even more difficult. Finished eventually with the aid of two hints but cannot explain my answers to 4d and 25a. Far too tricky to enjoy as such, needed just slogging through.
    *****/**
    Thx for the hints

  8. Curious puzzle and not one that I found particularly engaging. Best of the bunch for me were 8&20d.
    Thanks to our setter for his efforts and to CS for the hints – goodness knows who would ever have their hair ‘styled’ in that manner!

  9. For me this one had a slight increase on the weekend difficulty dial, but certainly not an outrageous tweak, and I did rather enjoy it.

    Hard to know with full certainty who has set this for us, but the clues are very neat indeed, not much in the way of spare fat. I really liked 12A (thank you Sue for the supplied pic, which added significantly to my enjoyment of that funny clue), 22A, 3D and 11D, and although they are all worthy winners, I think I shall plump for 22A for its imagery.

    With regard to 15A I have a confession to make: I am a ‘chocolate bar enthusiast’. Thanks Sue and setter.

  10. Like Beian, I found it tough to get atarted but, obce a sprinkling of short clues went in ans I ‘d got 22a it began to fall into place. Apart from that I liked the 1a anagram and the 8d lego clue. It certainly got easier as I went along. Thanks to the,setter for a challenging guzzle and to CS for the hints.

  11. For me, etc, good SPP fun but I have no idea of who the setter might be; although I suspect that it is not NYDK.

    Candidates for favourite – 15a, 19a, 25a, 26a, 5d, and 8d – and the winner is 26a.

    Thanks to whomsoever and to CS – in my Sunday experience it is almost always one of those weeks where Brian thinks I have deliberately not hinted the clues he needs help with!

    (or should I have written ‘with which he needs help’?)

  12. I stand shoulder to shoulder with Brian. I am convinced that Super Sue has access to my inner thoughts each Saturday morning. I believe she does this by means of what young people call the ‘internet’. I have heard the electric sockets convey a distant cackling sound as she tunes in to my thoughts. Then, in a very deliberate way, she carefully chooses to hint all the glues to which I already have answers, and ignores those that are stumping me. Coincidence? I THINK NOT, ladies and gentlemen! It is a conspiracy far greater and with much more significance than the moon landings lie. Increasingly, through my work on these subjects more and more people are becoming aware that the Royal Family are lizards and that birds don’t exist. Think on.

    Tricky crossword. Needed a lot of brain power, which does not come easy to me. No porridge this morning as The Youngster made me a (fake) bacon roll to go with my orange juice and no bits.

    I know people can become concerned when one of us disappears for a while. H and I are away for over three weeks from tomorrow morning. I am taking a tablet with me (cue jokes: Ho! You need more than one tablet mate!), but I dunno if I will be crosswording during that time. I hope so.

    Thanks to the setter and lovely PC Security (anag)

    2. Hope you and H have a nice break – good luck with getting the chef to strain the OJ. I think the Trump conspiracy has as much weight as the moon landings. Nice to see Melania brought out and dusted down.

    3. Have a great time, Terence. I will miss your random jottings while you’re away. Send a postcard! 😁

  13. It took me all the way down to 19A before I was able to fill anything in, so I knew I was going to be in for a bit of a slog. I had to Google 9A as I was unaware of that name for his ship. 10A sounds an awful thing!

    I’m not really sure that anything struck me as a favourite but at a pinch, I would nominate 12A.

    ****/** for me. Thanks to the setter and CS. I’ll sit back and wait for the mythical to appear.

  14. A curate’s egg for me too today …. but everyday is a learning day .. Drake renamed his ship!
    I did know the other sea bird though .. also known as a “bonxie” in parts of our fair (even Fair) isles and liable to take your head off should you wander too close to a nest.
    Cotd 16d although now many of them are nice is perhaps a moot point.
    Thanks to setter and CrypticSue.

      1. I was surprised too, only familiar with the “other” name and tried so hard to fit it in somehow.

  15. I found this tricky in places but struggled through to the end.
    I liked 26a but no real favourites for me today.
    Thanks to CrypticSue and the setter.

    1. Just seen your comment yesterday. Yes it was the 3 Swallows and we did indeed have a very good meal so will be going next Tuesday. Such an improvement from previous landlords.

      1. We were pleasantly surprised. We booked for Mother’s Day as we arrived in Norfolk (stayed in Stiffkey) that day and knew we would struggle to find a pub with spaces seeing as it was a special Sunday. They gave every lady a little goody bag even if, like me, we weren’t dining from the Mother’s Day menu.
        We used to go there about 10 years ago then stopped as it went downhill. We will definitely be dining there again next time we are in the area.

        1. We used to love the Red Lion in Stiffkey ( chef ex Morston Hall) but far too expensive now. Sadly the Chestnut Group taking over many places e.g. Wiveton Bell and now The Maltings, Weybourne. Dull identical menues and pricey. Agree with Shabbo and MP, Wells Crab House great.

  16. A relatively easy Saturday puzzle this week that I enjoyed.

    2.5*/3.5*

    Favourites 1a, 15a, 17a, 22a, 11d & 13d — with winner 11d

    Thanks to setter & CS

  17. A quiet(ish) day on the tee at Centurion so able to tackle this pleasant SPP on the mobile. A brisk solve which I’d rate higher for enjoyment than others seem to have found it. A bit slow to twig the why at 4d but otherwise head scratch free. Podium spots awarded to 12,15&22a.
    Thanks to the setter & to Sue

    1. Couldn’t resist posting a clip of a great band from the distant past on the OGWT. Hope it won’t put be me on the naughty step as it’s late & the clue was hinted.

  18. I agree with Tom in the top three but will be assertive and say 16d the favourite just to stay friends with Kath. 17a was last one in but I googled it. I like anagrams and 3d just jumped out at me and went in without examination. Dangerous thing to do on a PP with a pen at stake. Very close here and sultry so I think I am going to indulge myself with 40 winks. G is already off ! Many thanks to Messrs Setter & Soo.

  19. Note to BL. I did respond to your query about reducing size of photos but it was rather late (I had been at our Cinema Night – A Good Person, interesting story but foul language from the start and four of our punters walked out!) but I noticed you had cracked it anyway!

  20. We quite liked this and didn’t find it that difficult, nothing holding us up for too long. Favourite was 22a. Thanks to the setter and CS.

  21. I’m interested to read what others thought, but I found this to be on the 12a; and thanks CS for the explanation! I was able to solve enough to get checkers and then use ehelp, far too much for my taste. I’m very surprised that I finished it, with help of course. How nice to see 14a, it’s been away far too long, it used to be a staple. The lurkers were a great help, so they get a mention as well, and 19a amused.
    Thank you setter and CS, I needed you Sue to unravel so much. Did anyone else find this weird?

  22. I found this in the trickier side but I also have the excuse that I have people staying which has somewhat divided my time and attention, which I always find makes puzzles seem harder.

    I am pleased to have completed it.

    Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints.

  24. For me, that was probably the trickiest Saturday puzzle for a while. 8d my favourite.

    Thanks to the setter and CS.

  25. Phew, I need a nap after that. A slog from start to finish. My first answer was 17d, sigh. I perked up in the south east corner, then the frowns returned. The day is not a waste though as I learned something at 9a, didn’t know about the mid-voyage name change. Imagine you would have a certain element getting enraged by the 12a answer. Do hope Dada is in a benevolent mood tomorrow. Thanks to setter and CS.

  26. It sure I get the parsing of 4d. This went in fits and starts. Ground to a halt but sprang back into action. Some needed all the checkers. Some whizzed in like 12 and 22a. Needed to look up 17a as thought it must be a road. Favourites 12 and 15a and 8 and 20d. Last ones in 10and 15a and 5d. Thanks Setter and Sue.

    1. Despite my advice to Brian I completely missed this one despite the fact I tried to find the light.

  27. Tricky enough to keep me busy for long enough to be not thinking how much I hate this foul weather! Yuk!
    I’d forgotten about the 19a bird and, while forgetting things, I’d forgotten too about 14a.
    I thought 4d was a very well hidden lurker.
    I didn’t like 10a.
    I DID like 9 and 19a and 3 and 11d. No particular favourite today.
    Thanks to today’s setter and to CS for her really helpful hints especially for the very ugly pic at 12a!!

  29. A DNF as I feel part of the 12a!
    Just renewed myTV licence. To think it was once free for we oldies.

  31. Some easy and many not easy today. Utterly stuck on 6a – can anyone give an allowable hint please? Favourite 12 a

    1. The definition is features. The abbreviation for Female and an informal synonym for fantastic

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