Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30696
Hints and tips by pommers
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Hola from Almoradí where summer continues, although we had the mother of all thunderstorms last week! Still, normal service was soon resumed and at least we didn’t get a flood.
Here we have another splendid Monday puzzle which I found a tad trickier than recent offerings. Maybe that’s just me suffering from brain fade after the long hot summer. I’ll be interested to see if many of you agree.
As usual my podium three are in blue. The definitions are underlined in the clues and the answers are under the “click here” buttons so don’t click on them unless you really want to see the answer. Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.
Across
1a Some ethereal, thin gossamer, not a cheap substitute! (3,4,5)
THE REAL THING: We start with a lurker hiding in (some) the next three words. As lurkers go this one’s pretty good!
9a Supplier of clothes Tom Cruise ordered (9)
COSTUMIER: Anagram (ordered) of TOM CRUISE.
10a Identically copy 100 + 1 divided by 50 (5)
CLONE: The Roman numeral for 100 followed by 1 as a word with the Roman numeral for 50 inserted (divided by).
11a Is boat, oddly, carrying Henry VIII’s daughter in European region? (6)
IBERIA: Start with alternate letters (oddly) from Is BoAt and insert the regnal cypher of Henry VIII’s second daughter and you’ll get the European region where I am.
12a Like many snakes, very big – run away! (8)
VENOMOUS: Start with a V(ery) and then a word meaning big but without the R (R(un) away).
13a Involve cover of Elton track (6)
ENTAIL: Cover of Elton is EN. Follow that with a word meaning to track or follow. Here’s an Elton track . . .
14a Ladies’ partners concealing weapon in clothing (8)
GARMENTS: You need the word for ladies’ partners, especially when referring to toilets, and insert a word for an unspecified weapon. I spent too long thinking the partners would be from bridge, either NS or EW, d’oh!
17a South American country certain to welcome one chap from the east (8)
SURINAME: Take a word meaning certain and insert (to welcome) the I from the clue and a reversal (from the east) of a word for a chap. 3d would have been a lot easier if I’d spelled this place correctly!
19a Seizing power, yells “blimey!” (6)
CRIPES: A word meaning yells with a P(ower) inserted (seizing).
22a Einstein‘s underwear not yet unpacked? (8)
BRAINBOX: An informal way of describing Einstein or any other genius. If it was split (3,2,3) you would have a phrase meaning that the ladies’ underwear was not unpacked yet.
24a Dimmer Democrat seen confused by Republican (6)
DENSER: Start with a D(emocrat) and then an anagram (confused) of SEEN and then an R(epublican. Surely not an allusion to Joe Biden’s recent performance!
26a Large pachyderm, one with horn running around (5)
RHINO: The letter that looks like one has an anagram (running) of HORN placed around it
.
27a Very cheeky dresses showing bust (9)
INSOLVENT: Nothing to do with a lady’s chest, this is bust as in having no money. You need a V(ery) and around it (dresses) put a word meaning cheeky.
28a Monarch in a red suit thinks of gear getting redesigned (4,2,6)
KING OF HEARTS: Anagram (getting redesigned) of THINKS OF GEAR.
Down
1d Concerned with touching bit of Hamlet – Act I learnt (7)
TACTILE: As we started the across clues with a lurker we also start the downs with one. It’s hiding in (bit of) the last four words.
2d Most comfortable in Spain before a short nap there (7)
EASIEST: Start with the A from the clue and before it put the IVR code for Spain and after it put the Spanish afternoon nap but without its last letter (short).
3d Great knowledge of issue besetting Rugby Union (9)
ERUDITION: Start with RU (rugby union) and around it (besetting) put a word for an issue, of a magazine perhaps.
4d Primarily, lions are indeed resting here? (4)
LAIR: First letters (primarily) of the next four words.
5d Rider Haggard’s beginning a sermon in novel form (8)
HORSEMAN: H (Haggard’s beginning) followed by an anagram (in novel form) of A SERMON.
6d Refusal to eat a cold, hard tortilla chip (5)
NACHO: A word meaning refusal has inserted (to eat) the A from the clue, a C(old) and an H(ard).
7d Drop dress, hosting party (2,4)
GO DOWN: Another word for a dress, particularly a formal one, has inserted (hosting) the usual two letter party.
8d Stops smuggling drug in pieces of luggage (6)
CEASES: The usual letter for a recreational drug inserted into (in) some pieces of luggage.
15d Seller with aim to shift French port (9)
MARSEILLE: Anagram (to shift) of SELLER AIM.
16d Impressive confession made by person showing off (8)
IMPOSING: If the answer were split (2,6) it would be a phrase which someone showing off might use to describe what they are doing.
17d Legendary cricketer succeeded after avoiding alcohol (6)
SOBERS: S(ucceeded) after a word describing someone who has avoided alcohol fives a legendary West Indian cricketer. Here’s a bit of the great man at work . . .
18d Regular helpings of Rioja advised for band’s helper (6)
ROADIE: Alternate letters (regular helpings of) from RiOjA aDvIsEd. There seems to be a bit of a Spanish theme today with this one 11a and 2d!
20d French chemist‘s gone over French street, heading north (7)
PASTEUR: A word for gone over or finished followed by the French word for a street but it’s reversed (heading north in a down clue).
21d Brownies and fizzy drinks? (7)
SPRITES: Double definition. The brownie isn’t a young Girl Guide or a cake but an elf said to do helpful work at night, especially household chores. The fizzy drink is the brand name of some lemonade. Took a while for the penny to drop on this one but you probably heard it when it did!
23d Ruth’s relative and I complain when upset (5)
NAOMI: Take the I from the clue and a word meaning to complain and reverse them (upset) to get Ruth’s mother-in-law.
25d Leaders in America smiling in friendship? Come off it! (2,2)
AS IF: First letters from (leaders in) the next four words.
Podium today is 1a, 22a and 21d with the splendid lurker at 1a on the top step.
Quick crossword pun:
INCA + HEAR + RUNT = INCOHERENT
1*/4*. This was light and fun with super-smooth surfaces. Perfect Monday fare.
My podium selection is 22a, 26a & 17d.
Many thanks to Robyn (?) and to pommers.
I didn’t think quite a *** pommers – more of a **/*** because of the 5 anagrams and 5 lurkers or partial lurkers. I did need your hints though to understand the “V” inclusion in 27a. An enjoyable Monday puzzle including the magnificent and amusing 22a my COTD. Thanks to you and our setter.
A couple of difficult ones in what was otherwise a steady solve for me. I got 1a immediately but nothing after that so mI was expecting a struggle. Once I had sussed a few more out it all came together. 22a was one that held me up for ages but once it dawned on me it made me laugh out loud and it became my COTD.
Thank you setter for the fun challenge. Thank you, pommers for the hints.
My internet is back up. The engineer came and found a loose wire!😳
A great start to the week that will please most punters.
Stacks of good surfaces with plenty of nice constructions and some nice gentle GK though 23d will make Brian twitch like a good’un.
My hotly-contested podium is 22a, 27a (titter ye not) and the apt 25d.
Many thanks to Batman’s orderly and Pom Poms.
1*/5*
Top half went easily. Bottom half took more brain power today
I think the writers should set up a Zoom call to agree on the star count, or at least how to determine them! Both this and last Friday’s have the same rating despite them being miles apart in terms of difficulty (in my ever-so-humble opinion!!). For what it’s worth I’d give this one 1.5-2.0 stars for trickiness, though I do appreciate the ratings are highly subjective.
Anyway, I quite enjoyed today’s offering. My top clues matched pommers’, so we can agree on some things, at least. Last one in was the serpentine 12a **/***.
As you so rightly say, given a difficulty rating is so very subjective, let alone that each puzzle is blogged by a different person, it’s difficult to see how a uniform star count could apply – Zoom or not! One person’s X-minute solve might be a 1-star, while for another the same puzzle and time might be a 2-star or more. And if one solver is fortunate to “tune in” to the setter while others aren’t quite so lucky, the perceived difficulty level will be very different, of course.
Indeed. Honestly, difficulty ratings are the hardest thing to get right. One man’s pudding and all that. The thought of bloggers having to ZoomAgree it before pushing the button makes me want to swallow my tongue! The stars are, at best, a very rough guide. And, as you say, horribly subjective.
Well – we agree at least!!
I would say the top half was 1* and the bottom half 3*** – I don’t think that helps though 😂
For me (and I stress for me!), this was a game of two halves northern section went in easy, typical Monday fare (I liked 12a my cotd) but I struggled in the south. Sobers the cricketer eh … who knew? Nobody on my side of the Border I’m sure! So I was quite pleased to see the three star difficulty rating.
Thanks for recommending negroni.
🍷👍
Given that the daily solver is always much brighter than the rest of us, it must be tricky for them to assess a difficulty rating. Their idea of gentle rarely matches with mine, and that is not a criticism. I agree in questioning the *** rating today, as I found this more of a * – and regulars will know that I am certainly not a brainiac 😊.
Perfect Monday fare, for me not too taxing and thouroughly enjoyable. I surprised myself by knowing the cricketing legend and was only really held up trying to unpack 27a while being ignorant of the brownie connotation at 21d. Lots of ticks on my paper today but favourite has to be the cleverly cryptic and amusing 22a with podium places for the equally amusing 14a and 12a. Thanks to our setter and pommers – enjoyed today’s music.
Very gentle, very Robyn. Fizzy as per usual and perfect for a Monday. 22a’s lovely and 27a is very neat. 5d’s splendid (another appearance for this supremely useful author) too. Many thanks to Robyn and pommers. Majestic 17d clip.
Thanks to everyone for the kind messages yesterday. It feels like we have been away for a year rather than a month. We spent a couple of weeks in West Hollywood and then moved to Topanga Canyon for some rest and recuperation. The day we arrived at Topanga, the temperature was 108 degrees F.
Like most Americans on the West Coast we leant heavily on the air conditioning (sorry Greta). We went to see Chaka Khan at the Hollywood Bowl, and John Legend at The Greek. Both were wonderful experiences.
I agree with many earlier commenters. Not too tough but with a handful of bonce scratchers.
H on Topanga Beach, last week.
Thanks to the setter and pommers from Vega Baja del Segura.
Welcome back, sounds like you had a good time.
Down to earth with a bump yesterday with the weekend aggregate score of Manchester 3 SW6 0?
Very jealous T. The Greek Theatre & Red Rocks (wouldn’t say no to the Hollywood Bowl either) are 2 venues that I’d love to see a gig at.
Good to have you back.
H looks like a mermaid. 🧜♀️
Terence, no need to apologise to Greta. Where she comes from she will have little concept of trying to live without air conditioning. In fact many, especially seniors, can and do die from the heat without it. I could criticize her for using heat in the winter (rarely used here). Glad you had a great time.
I found this to be a little easier than anticipated when I saw the blogger’s three star rating.
On my first lap around the grid I answered 12, which is impressive for me. Most of the other answers came slow but steady. I did need Big Dave’s help with 5 clues, and have to confess not knowing 17d.
I thought it a great shame that the blogger added a link to the YouTube video of Sobers as the title in the thumbnail actually revealed the answer. That was disappointing and should have been checked beforehand. That’s my one negative about the Big Dave bloggers: the pictures you add into your blog sometimes too easily give the game away. I need to see if I can block pictures and video links on this site.
But I’m happy with my efforts today. I give the puzzle a 10/10.
I share your thoughts regarding the pictures. If you solve your no-pictures efforts, please share. Thank you.
You’ve expanded your alias so your comment needed moderation. Both versions of your alias will work from now on.
I am very much in the one star for difficulty camp this morning, and surprised myself at the swiftness of the solve. It was, however, elegantly clued and good fun to solve. There were a lot of choices for favourite clue, with my pick going to the amusing 22a.
Many thanks to our setter and pommers.
A pleasant and enjoyable start to the cruciverbaling week – 2*/3.5*
Candidates for favourite – 12a, 22a, 3d, and 7d – and the winner is 3d.
Thanks to Robyn and pommers.
Another light delight to kick off the new week, presumably from our regular Monday setter. Most unusual for both the across & down clues to start with a lurker & they were both good ‘uns. Favourite was Albert’s underwear still in the case with podium spots for 1&12a.
Thanks to Robyn if it’s indeed one of his & to Pommers – good to hear TRT at 1a.
Ps there’s another lovely puzzle today in Rookie Corner pitched at the same level of difficulty that deserves a wide audience.
An enjoyable, gentle, and appropriately Monday sort of puzzle. Plenty to like, and so will go for 22a, 27a and 16d on the podium, though the clever opening lurker ran them close.
Many thanks to the setter and Pommers
Another delightful Monday stroll accompanied by some great video clips from our blogger – a chance to turn up the volume for once!
Podium places going to 12&22a plus 3d with a mention for 19a which put me in mind of the likes of Just William and Billy Bunter.
Thanks to Robyn, presumably, and to pommers for the review.
Now this is more like it for a Monday puzzle. I have insolvent for 27a but hint says otherwise. Thanks to all.
Thanks for spotting that – now corrected. If that’s the only typo in this post I’ll be quite surprised!
A lovely witty puzzle to start the week – thanks to our setter and pommers.
For my podium I’ve selected 1a, 22a and 27a.
I’ll second Huntsman’s recommendation for today’s Rookie Corner puzzle.
And I shall third it – a tremendous puzzle, very polished indeed, and well worth the attention if you’re looking for another witty and approachable crossword challenge this afternoon.
Three stars for difficulty? I found it a breeze, and very entertaining.
22a, best clue in ages, take a bow Mr setter.
Excellent puzzle, very enjoyable but straightforward solve. It’s not often a lurker produces a 3 word answer as in 1a – clever, my LOI was 21d (haven’t had one of those in ages!) but COTD has to be 22a – interestingly I’ve just noticed those 3 clues were also Pommers highlights (I’m sure there should have been an apostrophe there somewhere) 😁
Thanks to setter and Pommers
The top half went in straight away,
And then there came a delay.
Sir Garfield (I remember the day!)
I’m really embarrassed to say.
Then Albert – I solved with activity
But parsing- I lost connectivity
My mind had lost creativity
My theory lost all relativity.
👏
👏👏
Any advance on two?
“Remembering the day” in relation to 17d, reminded me when in August 1966 I (stupidly!) invited a young lady to accompany me to the Oval for day 4 of the England v. West Indies test. I was very excited when 17d (he used to be Gary then rather than Garry) came into bat, and told my companion she was about to witness the finest cricketer in the world.
He was dismissed for a golden duck, caught Close at short leg bowled Snow. That turned out to be my one and only date with her but we have remained good friends ever since!
Great story, RD.
He is no doubt the best cricketer of all time as he could do anything he turned his hand to.
I’m very happy that, as he is from a commonwealth Caribbean country (Barbados), his official form of address is ‘The Right Excellent’.
Barbados has declared themselves a Republic and are no longer in the Commonwealth. A sad thing I think, but each must decide what’s best for them.
Barbados is still in Commonwealth, I think.
So they are! I’m glad to find out. My Bajan friends are wrong, I’ll let them know.
I should have remembered 17d, my brother and his cricket-mad friends were always reciting Sobers’ latest achievements. A long, long time ago.
Sorry to all non cricketers, but even if RD missed the England innings, these names from 1966 at The Oval are imprinted for ever in the memory:
Boycott b Hall. 4
Barber. c Nurse b Sobers. 36
Edrich c Hendriks b Sobers. 35
Graveney. run out. 165
Amiss. lbw Hall 17
D’Oliveira. b Hall 4
Close run out. 4
Illingworth c Hendriks b Hall. 3
Murray. lbw Sobers 112
Higgs c & b Holford. 63
Snow. not out. 59
Extras 25
Total. 527
England won by an innings and 34, and scored at a rate of 2.63. Wow!
My heroes!
Impressive for two reasons: your recall and the outstanding world record last wicket partnership with 10 and jack at the wicket. The other higher stands included an established bat with a rabbit.
It looks like another one of your poems with the bowlers almost being rhythmical though Holford mucked things up.
Hall and Sobers
Bowled eighty five overs
Holford twenty five,
Griffith……didn’t thrive.
Nice as is Seymour Nurse’s name.
👏👏
I do like a good Clerihew! I am in, er, another guise, often found contributing Clerihews to the splendid Mike Read Breakfast Show on Heritage Chart Radio. I really must put some more on here!
I’ll try and remember all those names!
Im not a cricket fan so 17d took me the longest time to solve. Otherwise it was a great guzzle with 21d being my favourite. Thanks to setter and Pommers.
Lovely stuff, pippety Pip Pip Pip!
From all the comments so far it looks like I am suffering a dose of brain-fade! Probably ** would have been better but the slow dropping of the brownie clue penny and mis-spelling the South American country did cause me to go into *** time.
Usual sort of Monday puzzle for this week.
1.5*/3.5*
Favourites 10a, 19a, 1d , 20d & 25d — with winner 20d
Smiles from many but 25a takes the cake.
Thanks to setter & pommers
This one took me a while longer than usual. Had to check 17d was the name of a cricketer and the fizzy drink took a while to fall.
Lots to like though so my top picks have had to be culled. They are 22a, 1a and 14a.
Thanks to Pommers and the setter.
I found this trickier than some Mondays past, but good fun when it all came together. I did wonder having got a couple whether we were going to have a soft drink theme, but no. My podium comprises the S American 17a, Einstein’s lingerie 22a and the snakes at 12a in top spot. Thanks to Robyn and Pommers.
It has all been said really. Very Mondayish. I had to consult Pommers for a crickety hint but apart from that no sweat. That is a horrid expression, why did I use it. The brain is extraordinary- I struggled last night with the ST Toughie, three totally eluded me. I woke up this morning, picked up the paper and bingo! Many thanks to Messrs Setter & Pommers.
I was swanning along, penning in answers, feeling very cocky at how clever I am, when I got to the south, wham, all the exit doors slammed shut! I had enough checkers in the SE to use ehelp to get going again, but I had to check to know the “why” of a few. I needed pommers excellent hints for the SW where I only had three left with no ideas. To my lasting shame I needed help for 17d, also 22a. I liked lots, 11a amused, but fave was 22a, even though I had to get help for it!
Thank you setter for the fun, and pommers for his help to finish it off.
I think I’ll stick with pommers 3* – at the risk of sounding weedy I thought it was pretty tricky specially for a Monday – pathetic or what!
It felt like quite a mixture of clues – some really difficult and then others quite simple – as usual I suppose it’s wavelength “stuff”!
I particularly liked 22 and 27a and 1 and 16d. My favourite was 1a – a nice early surprise.
Thanks to whoever set today’s crossword and to pommels for the hints and pics.
I too was feeling very full of myself as I sailed along, despite the *** rating, before I read the comments. Then realised that most found this a lovely Monday solve and very user friendly. I thought perhaps Chalicea had been given a turn today, but probably Robyn per above. Biggest smile from 1a. I forgot the cricketer having got Boycott stuck in my brain despite the answer being right in front of me. LI was 21d. Thanks to setter for a lovely start to the week, and to Pommers.
The boxed lingerie made me smile but 16d was my favourite. Thank you compiler and Pommers
I hit my eye with a hairbrush on Friday night – yes reader beware , and managed to take a chunk out of my cornea – ouch ! Luckily the pain and swelling has subsided but my near vision is affected and makes it difficult to concentrate. I tried covering the bad eye but that’s tricky too. Anyway at least I managed to finish today’s puzzle – started off at a pace , but then the eye tiredness set in , and I couldn’t continue. Pleased to have finished now , but as I am sure you all appreciate , we take things for granted and in an instant things can change . For me I will no doubt soon be healed but the last 2 days , not being able to fully focus on the crossword etc brings this home. At least I have the wonderful Audible to fall back on. Thanks to setter and Pommers.
Gosh! How on earth did you hit yourself in the eye with a hairbrush? That must be very painful and I hope you are soon recovered. 🌹
Audible is great, isn’t it?
Goodness knows Steve – late night and not paying attention. Made of boar’s bristles . I will not make that mistake again have to say. Yes I love Audible – such a treat.
V enjoyable. Just looking at the ticks it seems I had more fun with the acrosses than with the downs, but perhaps I found them more straightforward. Brilliant start with 1a&d! Had trouble parsing 11a, until I saw the light. Glad to be reminded that the 17a country has an extra letter at the end. Clue of the day must be 22a, but that did interfere with tackling 27a!
V many thanks to the setter and to ponders for the pics and the music!
Pommers!
Really enjoyable solve today. It was a ** difficulty for me but only because of a few GK clues held me up.
For some reason I thought 17a didn’t have an ‘e’ at the end. I had also forgotten it was the new name for Dutch Guiana.
I only remembered the cricketer after solving the clue.
I have not heard of 23d but eventually solved the clue unaided.
Thanks to all.
Superb puzzle. 22A has to be COTD, but 17D a delight for all cricket fans. Many thanks Setter and Pommers
Lots of fun. Big thank you from Graymattinha and myself. Enjoyed the continental references in 11a and 15d and Graymattinha took care of the lurkers. 22a made me chuckle as the penny dropped……don’t know why, but brought to mind a recent interview I read with Robin Askwith. Don’t know why my brain makes these connections.
Good evening
A most enjoyable solve for a Monday; I suffered the usual sin of Hubris in completing three quadrants with few hiccups, then getting all cock-sure of myself before grinding to a halt in the NE corner. Eventually I was able to figure them out, with 12a, my last to fall, taking joint runner up position for COTD with 11a. Winner is 22a! Excellent stuff.
Many thanks to Robyn (?) and to Pommers.
A very suitable start to the week completed this morning but the day was so frenetic that this is the first time ai have got on the blog. I did not know the cricketer so that was a guess (apologies to all those fans) and my favourite was 1a, a great start.
Many thanks to the setter and to Pommers for the hints.
That was a veritable fun run and I was sorry when it came to an end as the gently testing clues were a joy to work on. My Fav was 16d with 28a running up. Thank you Mysteryone and pommers.
Pretty straightforward apart from one or two self inflicted problems, once I sorted them out I finished at a canter. Enjoyed the journey. Favourite was 3d. Thanks to the setter and Pommers.
This started quickly — I managed to solve the first 5 clues straight up — then slowed down considerably. I finished the bottom by myself, but needed Pommers to help with a few in the top half. Thank you!
But I had plenty of highlights, including Henry VIII’s daughter in 11a, the definition and “touching bit” in 1d, the food in 6d, “blimey” in 19a, and “run away” in 12a. My favourite was “not yet unpacked” in 22d. Thank you to the setter.
I didn’t know what a pachyderm was despite seeing a group of 26a-s at Cotswold Wildlife Park yesterday. Recommended: I hadn’t seen any 26a before, and the layout and minimal barriers there mean that you get a really good view of them, including a couple of little 26a who only turned 1 this month.
2*/4* …
liked 22A “Einstein’s underwear not yet unpacked ? (8)”
amongst others .