Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3280 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg on this the first day of September, but it is not the first day of Autumn as some meteorologists would have us believe that is three week away!
For me, and I stress for me, down to earth with a thud after straightforward Friday and Saturday puzzles – five anagrams, one lurker, and no homophones all in a slightly asymmetric 30 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 15a, 18a, 7d, 17d, and 25d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Don’t forget to follow the instructions in RED at the bottom of the hints!
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.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a Criticism as touring party island (8)
A four letter synonym of criticism and AS from the clue containing (touring) our favourite twom letter party.
10a Democratic, final moves for one in ten, say? (7,8)
An anagram (moves) of DEMOCRATIC, FINAL – no comment from me on the use of say!
12a Group not speaking, testament admitted (7)
Two letters for a well known testament contained (admitted) by a single word for not speaking.
18a Cloth with stripe and chevron at the back (5)
A synonym of stripe and the last letter (at the back) of chevroN.
26a Solver has broken silence, I say – that’s better! (3,5,7)
To start with, it would help if the enumeration was (3,3’2,7). An adverb for at the present time and a phrase to indicate that a pronoun synonym of solver (from Dada’s perspective) has broken a silence – thanks to Gazza for a ‘nudge’ in the right direction.
27a Bit partial to egotism or selfishness (6)
The lurker (partial to) found in the last three words of the clue.
28a Heel on porous shoe – that’s got holes in it (8)
The last letter (heel) of porous and a type of shoe.
Down
1d Animal bait (6)
A double definition – the first lives in a sett.
2d Bash desk in hotel (9)
Another double definition – the first is an informal synonym of a type of party.
3d Guide, a chap in short tie (7)
A from the clue and a synonym of chap inserted into (in) a type of tie (in a shoe?) with the last letter removed (short).
7d Mark is at home in corporation (5)
Our favourite two letters for at home inserted into (in) an informal synonym of corporation which itself is an informal synonym for part of the body.
14d Gamekeeper planted in obviously empty greenhouse (8)
A synonym of gamekeeper (perhaps employed in a park?) inserted into (in) ObviouslY with the interior letters removed (empty).
16d Person with script, hopeless at reading (9)
An anagram (hopeless) of AT READING.
21d Fly endlessly around African country – this one? (7)
A synonym of fly (perhaps referring to an unpowered aircraft) with the last letter removed (endlessly) containing (around) an African country.
25d Copper and blue bird, say, came up to scratch (3,2)
The chemical symbol for copper and an example (say!) of a blue bird.
Quick Crossword Pun:
CHERRY + MANDARIN = GERRYMANDERING – to rearrange (voting districts) in the interests of a particular party or candidate (very common in the USA).
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German composer, organist, and teacher Johann Pachelbel was ‘baptised’ on 1 September 1653, or it might have been 11 September 1653 as the changeover from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar was taking place around that time (400 years ago, birth records were not maintained very well but baptismal records were). He composed a large body of sacred and secular music, and his contributions to the development of the chorale prelude and fugue have earned him a place among the most important composers of the middle Baroque era. Today, Pachelbel is best known for the Canon in D Major; here it is being played by Voices of Music:
Enjoyable and (by kicking off in the S and moving N, finishing at the start) happily straightforward, even quite gentle, for an early morning brain-warmer. No obscure GK, all instructions clear, a few rum surfaces, and at times a tendency to make RayT seem loquacious by comparison. Honours board features 26a, 27a & 15a.
Many thanks to the setter and Senf
Well, I completed the grid, but I needed to read Senf’s hint to 26a (twice) before I properly twigged the parsing for 26a (sigh). Dada at his tricksiest!
Personal COTD 17d. I thought the lurker was good too, took a while to spot for a change.
Thanks too Dada for the wet Sunday challenge, and Senf for the blog. BTW I think Pachelbel is best known these days for the Canon Rock guitar arrangement!
A bumpy ride over a few iffy surfaces but finally managed to pull it all together with exception of 16d. Not sure about double duty testament for 12a and IMHO 4d and 7d are weaklings as is 28a due to faulty enumeration (as per Senf comment). 24d is becoming a bad penny. Thanks for the workout Dada and Senf for being on hand in case of need.
Nice goldilocks puzzle, not too easy but not too difficult. I enjoyed the clues that were solved first, then understood afterwards. 17d precious metal. 12a silent group, and special mention 15a, below the belt.
I agree with Senf about the missing apostrophe in 26a – what is the world coming to?
We all love Canon in D, complexity out of simplicity (just 6 repeating chords), a path to immortality.
Appreciation to all here as always.
I did put the apostrophe in my answer on the paper before I submitted. Just couldn’t bear to see the word without it.
In my early days as a commenter, not even as a blogger, I ‘complained’ about missing apostrophes in enumerations for contractions. The response was that for, at least, the DT the chance of it happening was akin to a snowball surviving in Hell.
I did actually check the Puzzles app version to see if it differed from the digital paper as I seem to recall that has been the case in the past but not today sadly
A tricky little devil today. Got there in the end but wasn’t certain about 26a until I read Senf’s hint. Is there no convention in crosswords for indicating punctuation others than spaces and hyphens?
Favourite 20a closely followed by 1a.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Took a little while to get started but then I was off and running – doubt I’d win a gold medal though!
Two candidates for the leader board in both directions – 15&26a plus 9&25d. 26a gets the crown despite the mutterings of discontent over the enumeration.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the review and most enjoyable soundtrack – very talented ensemble and a lovely piece of music.
I agree, Jane a most talented rendition and I love it in its original form. However, there are many variations on the theme but the best, to my mind, is that of Rick Wakeman.
3.5*/3*. I found this quite tough today with almost no answers in the top half after my first pass through the grid. Then slowly but surely it all came together.
There were some strained surfaces and the wrong enumeration for 6a was a unnecessary shame, but overall this was good fun with my podium comprising 15a, 9d & 17d.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
Slightly trickier than usual but good fun – thanks to Dada and Senf.
Top of the hit parade for me were 15a, 20a and 2d.
Like others, I struggled to get a start in the North but eventually got a few clues to get the SW corner. There were a few strange surfaces but I got there in the end with a bit of guesswork . I liked the three geographical clues, the two lego clues at 1a and 21d and the cryptically misdirected 20a. Thanks to Senf for the hints and to Dada for a challenging guzzle
Much better than last weeks Dada but still very tough. No favourites as it was all a real slog but still cannot properly parse 6d or 7d, both seem very vague.
Thx to all
*****/**
Dada coming from his quirkier side this week. Nevertheless, it was still an enjoyable challenge. I started as I usually do with Dada – only one solved after the first pass – only to find the rest unravelling slowly. Unlike Brian, I liked both 7d and 8d the latter being worthy of Ray T in its brevity. My COTD is the man wearing a short tie at 3d.
Thank you, Dada for the pondering. Thank you, Senf for the hints.
Our landline is back but the company changed our number of 17 years without telling us. I now have to call all the various medical establishments who need to call on a regular basis about Lesley.
Does anyone know how I reduce a photo on iPad so that I can attach here?
7d The 3 letter container around the 2 letter home synonym, is definition 4. in Chambers. I must admit, I’ve never heard that before.
6d It parses perfectly nicely, but I would risk moderation with more detail…
Easiest way is to email the photo to yourself. You will be given options to choose the file size. Also, editing the photo within the camera roll can reduce size.
For a very full answer, just ask ChatGPT!
What’s the naughty step? Often mentioned.
I found this tough. Very fair though and lots of aha moments. 7d was my last in, mostly because I had 5a wrong. 10a my fav.
The naughty step is where those who ‘forget to follow the instructions in RED at the bottom of the hints’ are ‘sent’ to consider the consequences of their actions. But, not necessarily as bad as it sounds as sometimes there is ‘cake.’
I think, Senf, you should also mention the other misdemeanour which incurs the Wrath of Kath and that is to have more than one favourite!
But you have done it for me!
Ah, but she had two faves not that long ago. I thought that relaxed the rules somewhat.
How can you have two favourites? A favourite is something you favour above all others.
Of course you’re right, just sayin’.
I so love this site! A mother has several favourites I’m told.
Well I got there in the end but needed to look at the hints and use e help for the north east corner. I knew I was having a dim day as I only managed one across clue on first pass. It slowly came together from the bottom but I could not see 5a, 6 or 7d for looking. I too was upset by 26a but still found lots to enjoy and had 20a as my favourite.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints and reminding me to get out my piano music for the lovely Canon.
Well, for this Dada puzzle this week, I found the bottom went in with little problem, but the top was a struggle this week. Some quirkiness as well as personal thesaurus use in that area. Crikey!
2*/4* for me
Favourites 13a, 26a, 1d, 4d, 9d & 24d — with winner my first in 26a, but 4d was a close second. Both really good.
Smiles from 5a, 13a & 24d
Thanks to Dada & Senf for hints/blog
Like many, I found the bottom half of the grid decidedly more approachable than the top. Overall I feel that I have had a proper trouncing as I needed much help to complete the grid. My podium are all down clues and ironically all in the north; 1d, 6d and 9d in top spot. Thanks to Dada and Senf
‘Goldilocks’ referred to above is just the right word for today’s puzzle – some tricky anagrams e.g. 16d and 20d, and 26a really made me think! Thank you Dada and Senf
.. re beginning of autumn (or fall perhaps across the pond) .. depends whether we are referring to meteorological or astronomical autumn. The latter beginning with the autumnal equinox the date of which can be found in nautical versions of 3d.
I was disappointed that there was no pangram which after the J and Q went in I fully expected.
Good puzzle but no favourite clue.
Dada has me beaten, with his knee grinding my face into the ground! I’ve given up with six unsolved in the east, those are beyond me. I had to use so much ehelp, I can’t say I enjoyed this too much. Fave, of those I solved, was 26a.
Thank you Dada, get that foot off the pedal before next Sunday. You’re a jewel Senf, you’ve helped so much, without you I would have had a lot more than six unsolved.
Woke too early this morning and made the mistake of reading in bed before I got up. My eyes are very sore as a result, and had trouble concentrating on the puzzle. At least that is my excuse. But I am afraid it is just above my pay grade as I was lost even with some of the hints. COTD (from those I did solve) would be 26a, except the missing apostrophe is disappointing. But it has been a pretty good week so I can’t complain. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
A late start to the puzzle for me today and I found it heavy going although looking back on it I can’t see why.
Top picks for me were 8d, 20a and 26a.
Thanks to Senf and Dada.
I found this hard going but am comforting myself by saying it is stiflingly hot here in Cambridge and after a lunchtime visit from DD2 and husband which entailed a couple of fizzy bottles I am somewhat below par. Completed (finally) lying in the garden and too lazy to get up for my phone I can honestly say I did it all by my own. 20a definitely my favourite as it was so misleading, but I also liked the two long ones which proved helpful to the solve. Many thanks to Dada for the headache and to Senf for explaining some of my bung/ins. September! I cannot believe it. How long before we see Christmas decorations arriving in the shops.
Fortunately(?) progress to Christmas is slowed by the popularity of Halloween over here but everything for the latter is already in the stores!
BTW DG – have you had your Book Club session for ‘The Paris Assignment’?
It was Paris Echo by Sebastian Faulks. We all enjoyed it but at the moment I am struggling with The Fraud by Zadie West about Harrison Ainsworth. I read a lot of HA as a young girl it is nice to read about his struggles with Dickens & co. Great concentration needed!
A gin and lime will refresh you for 1d in the toughie
Here’s the picture I recently finished of the cottage at the end of your driveway that you posted:
That is Brilliant BL. Really good. Do you sell your paintings – Julie might be interested in buying it. I don’t charge commission!!! You really have. caught that corner I see every day. I’d love it myself but I am trying to get rid of things not acquire them. The old fire engine house was built with stones taken from the Lock Up which stood at The Cross. Lovely.
Thank you, appreciate your comments. I just do this as a hobby, and it is something I really enjoy. Never tried selling any. I’ve done a few as surprise gifts and it is so heart warming when people like them.
That is fantastic, BL! Would love you to paint Holly, our cottage.
She painted my house, I love it! It hangs beside my chair and is much admired by guests.
Very impressive indeed
Oh – I forgot to show you my golden peppers.
Very impressive, Daisy, Monty Don would be proud of you!
A corker of a guzzle for me. Started very slowly but gradually everything fell into place. Thanks to all and I totally agree about the missing apostrophe!
Very good puzzle. 8D and 20A my joint favourites. Many thanks Dada & Senf.
Well I stared at the grid for about ten minutes without an inkling of a start and then like several others managed to get a toe hold in the south, eventually managing an unaided solve. Favourite today, I will plump for 6d, thanks to Dada and Senf
Welcome, Another Brian.
Can’t say it was my favourite Puzzle of recent Sundays but enjoyable nevertheless. Nobody else has mentioned it (plus it was Steve’s fav clue) but I struggled to equate the 3d answer as a synonym of guide – though I clocked the wordplay straightaway.
Thanks to D & to S
Ps love Pachelbel’s Canon in D which I possibly first got to know from Robert Redford’s directorial debut, Ordinary People. Rewatched it recently (along with MASH, Klute & Don’t Look Now) following the sad passing of Donald Sutherland.
Took us ages – I don’t really know why, since it was fairly clued apart from the missing apostrophe.
Lovely picture, BL
Only managed to get the paper for Sunday today ( Monday) Unlike everyone else the top half flew in but I nearly gave up on the bottom half then along came 20, my favorite, and 25 and it turned into a rout. Last in dubious 24 .
Thanks to all.