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DT 30726

by Falcon  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30726

Hints and tips by Falcon

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***

Greetings from my lakeside retreat near Ottawa, where we have enjoyed a couple of weeks of midsummer-like weather in mid-September. Alas, it is coming to an end and I will soon be closing up this place until next spring.

This puzzle marks a bit of a personal milestone. I have now completed 14 years on the blog – my first review having appeared on September 15, 2010.

I won’t hazard a guess as to the author of this puzzle although it did not feel to me like the work of Robyn. However, my ability to spot setters is far from spectacular.

In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

1a   Learner I tick off and let out of detention (8)
LIBERATE — string together the single letter for learner driver, I from the clue, and and tick off or scold harshly

5a   Celeb with Mr Sheeran maybe gawked impolitely (6)
STARED — another word for celeb and the first name of an English singer-songwriter

9a   Pole keeping standards up tires by Welsh river (9)
FLAGSTAFF — tires or wearies and a Welsh river

11a   Banker‘s attempt to quit work (5)
INDUS — remove (to quit) a synonym for attempt from work or organized economic activity; the definition is a whimsical cryptic crossword device that characterizes a “banker” as a geographical feature possessing banks

12a   Desperado, some flipping recidivist I’d nabbed (6)
BANDIT — hidden (some) and reversed (flipping) in the final three words of the clue

13a   Curtailed hot number by songstress in state capital (8)
HONOLULU — delete (curtailed) the final letter of HOT and append the abbreviation for number and the name of a Scottish singer

15a   Scorn Voltaire novel causing much debate (13)
CONTROVERSIAL — an anagram (novel) of the first two words of the clue

18a   Green with envy, mostly, travelling in Montreal (13)
ENVIRONMENTAL — remove the final letter (mostly) from ENVY and add an anagram (travelling) of IN MONTREAL

22a   African tree developed with rain (8)
ERITREAN — an anagram (developed) of TREE and (with) RAIN

23a   Lampoon leaders of several European nations, dismissing unlikely promises (4,2)
SEND UP — the initial letters (leaders) of the final six words of the clue

26a   Spin-off product that is packaged in metal (3,2)
TIE IN — the Latin abbreviation for “that is” contained in (packaged in) a metal commonly used for packaging

27a   Moderate consumed with rage at first (9)
TEMPERATE — a synonym for consumed preceded by (at first) another term for rage

28a   Monkey in Rwanda’s borders and southern California (6)
RASCAL — the initial and final letters (borders) of RWANDA, the single letter for southern, and the three-letter abbreviation for California

29a   Not stable yet, Sudan needs reform (8)
UNSTEADY — an anagram (needs reform) of YET SUDAN

Down

1d   Footballer‘s article in French paper given support (4-4)
LEFT BACK — a French grammatical article, the abbreviated moniker of the pink paper, and a verb meaning to support or encourage

2d   What allows us to think of British bad weather (5)
BRAIN — the single letter for British and weather that is often thought of by some as bad (although farmers and gardeners may beg to differ)

3d   More dangerous run by one person sliding downhill (7)
RISKIER — the cricket symbol for run, the Roman numeral for one, and a person sliding downhill

4d   Child hosts adult perfectly (2,1,1)
TO A T — a small child contains (hosts) the symbol for an adult film rating

6d   African’s capital jaunt round Lima and India (7)
TRIPOLI — a jaunt or journey, the round letter, and the letters represented by Lima and India in the NATO radio alphabet

7d   Revolutionary hairstyle for a swimmer (3,6)
RED MULLET — the colour associated with left wing revolutionaries and a hairstyle described by Chambers (if memory serves me correctly) as short on the front, long on the back, and ridiculous all round

8d   Object that’s thrown in nightclub, almost, by American (6)
DISCUS — a nightclub with its final letter removed (almost) and one of the abbreviations for Asmerican

10d   Baffling material such as linoleum (8)
FLOORING — double definition

14d   Some cricket players, rather grey and gloomy (8)
OVERCAST — a division of play in cricket and the players in a stage (or other) production collectively

16d   Being poor, trainee dines simply, to an extent (9)
NEEDINESS — hidden (to an extent) in the three words between the definition and indicator

17d   Hard to hold on to, like a shoe worn in the house? (8)
SLIPPERY — the setter whimsically suggests (as flagged by the question mark) that the answer might be interpreted as meaning resembling an article of footwear worn in the house

19d   Queen admitted to V&A gallery (7)
VERANDA — our late Queen contained in VANDA

20d   Son leaves most demanding, high peak (7)
EVEREST — remove (leaves) the genealogical abbreviation for son from a word meaning most demanding or harshest

21d   Improved ale tucked into by non-drinker (6)
BETTER — insert (tucked into) the two letters representing a non-drinker into another term for ale

24d   Medic with a postgrad degree getting work in theatre (5)
DRAMA — the honorific applicable to a medic, A from the clue, and an abbreviated postgrad degree

25d   Sign from ladies losing weight (4)
OMEN — remove the single letter for weight from an alternative word for ladies

I’m afraid no clues really stood out for me. The best of the bunch is probably 18a.

Quickie Pun (Top Row): FRANCE + SHOE + BUTT = FRANZ SCHUBERT

62 comments on “DT 30726”

  1. Quite a straightforward guzzle today but still enjoyable. The two long anagrams opened everything up and it became a steady solve. Mind you, my putting the answer to 18a into 15a did cause problems until I saw the error of my ways. My COTD is the hot number at 13a.

    Thank you, setter for the fun. Thank you, Falcon for the hints and congratulations on your 14 years of blogging. It is appreciated.

    Happy Birthday to Orphan Annie.

  2. A slow plod through this puzzle for me but that just may be the incessant rain dulling my brain.

    Top picks for me were 9a, 7d and 10d.

    Thanks and congratulations to Falcon and thanks also to the setter.

  3. An enjoyable Monday offering. No problems, once I’d stopped scouring my brain for Voltaire novels, but thankfully the penny dropped before I resorted to Mr Google. No overall favourite today but I enjoyed the quickie pun. Thanks to our setter and Falcon. Keep up the good work!

  4. Welcome relief after the mild brain mangling from Dada yesterday – */***

    Favourite a toss-up between 11a and 1d – and the winner is 11a.

    Thanks to (presumably) Robyn and to Falcon – congratulations on your anniversary.

  5. Possibly my fastest ever solve this morning as I went through this from top to bottom with no delays. I had to go through it again to find a favourite, which was 7d.

    Many thanks to our setter and to Falcon.

  6. Before I could blink, it was over. Probably my fastest ever solve.

    It was excellently constructed with stacks of great surfaces but I’ll go with 11a, 15a and 4d as my podium.

    Many thanks to Robyn (?) and Falcon.

    1*/4*

  7. A fun run with smooth surfaces starting with a Northern breeze. 19d had to be but I beg to differ on the spelling. 11a and 2d were a pair of simple Favs for me. Pronunciation for Quickie pun is rather stretched. Thanks Mysteryone (I don’t do setter guessing) and Falcon to whom congratulations on your 14 years of dedicated service to us 👏.

    2. I’ve got used to the spelling of 19d in crosswordland without the “h” and learnt to live with it.

  8. A gentle and enjoyable stroll through this puzzle. Lots to like so picking a podium is difficult, but I will plump for 11a, 15a and 26a in top spot. Thanks to compiler and also to Falcon for sterling service to crossword blogging over the years.

  9. 1*/4*. Typically light and fun for a Monday with 11a my favourite.

    Many thanks to Robyn (?). Thanks too and congratulations to the long-serving Falcon.

  10. Great guzzle.

    I was just thinking (prompted by the glue for 21a) about how it is so much more acceptable to be a non-drinker these days (I am one).
    How tedious it was in years gone by to be constantly cajoled, “Oh go on… just have one… to be sociable!” It was deemed to be rather unmanly to turn down alcoholic drinks. Additionally, that terrifying phrase, “Have one for the road…!”, to someone about to drive a car.

    Thanks to the setter and The Bird Of Prey (long service medal to be presented by the King on his next visit).

  12. Lots of fun, if brief. The sort of puzzle that should be a guide and standard for aspiring setters: concise and accurate clueing, nothing obscure, humorous, and none of it trying to be “too clever by half”. COTD 14d with next podium places going appropriately enough to 16d and 17d – good surface reads, a bit of deception in the first, an ISIHAC-ish smile for the third.

    Many thanks indeed to the setter. Thank you also to Falcon for your many years of blogging: may there be many, many “happy returns” of this anniversary!

  13. Gentle and enjoyable – thanks to the setter and Falcon (and congratulations of the anniversary).
    I was a bit surprised to see anagrams in three consecutive across clues.
    The clues I liked best were 9a and 14d.

  14. Wow, that was over nearly before it begun, very enjoyable nonetheless. My two of day are 7d and the clever 19d.

  15. I agree with our blogger that this didn’t feel like the work of Robyn and I found it difficult to pick out a favourite. In the end, I gave the nod to 7d although I’m fairly sure it’s been done before today.

    Thanks to whoever set this one and to Falcon for the blog. Many thanks for all your years of service to the BDers – it’s very much appreciated. Also, a very happy birthday to Annie if she happens to be looking in.

  16. A gentle and fast solve for me too , except I spelt 13a wrong , and therefore got held up at the end with 6d and the banker at 11a. 🙄All became clear in the end. Thanks to setter and Falcon.

  17. Congrats on the anniversary but you’re a bit ahead of me Falcon. My first was 2nd March 2011 and I remember that you and I used to share the Wednesday slot until the Kiwis joined us.

    Have to agree with both your ratings today.

    1. Yes, we were the Wednesday duo. Then we moved to Thursday and were later joined by Kath to become the Thursday trio.

      1. Congratulations from me too!
        Yes – you’re right but I can’t remember when I was pushed into it by MP – I was absolutely terrified to begin with – it was the IT ‘stuff’ that finished me off!

  18. Congratulations and thank you for all your work Falcon. Didn’t need you today as this was very straightforward and quite enjoyable but, like others, I didn’t feel it was one of Robyn’s as it just didn’t have the humour that we normally enjoy on a Monday

    Thanks once again.

  19. A perfect start to the week, not too hard but very enjoyable with a nice mix of clues. Impossible to choose a favourite. This is just what a Monday should be like particularly to encourage novices to join in and improve.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon for the hints, many congratulations on your anniversary, may there be many more to follow.

  20. I agree with Mustafa that this is pretty much a model guzzle, it has an example of everything and nothing to rouse Terence to invoke the powers that be. I liked the V and A gallery although I do think we have seen it before and I too ran through Voltaire’s oeuvres before the penny dropped but I think I shall go for Green at 18a as favourite. Following my recent hospitalisation and subsequent visit to the surgery last Wednesday at 12.30 up popped a notification of an appointment for Friday to see a gynaecologist . I was so relieved to see such a quick response. Five minutes later up came another note cancelling the visit as they don’t think it is the right clinic. So I now have to ring the surgery again. Why does it have to be so hard when you are already feeling lousy, back to square one. And a letter from the D T saying the subscription is going up to £22 a week – I dread going to the digital version when I read so many bad reports about guzzling on line.
    Black despair settling over the house. But congratulations to Orphan Annie and to the indomitable Falcon (I didn’t need you today but it is nice to know you are there!) and of course to Mysteron.

  21. A nice start to the week with a pleasant Monday puzzle that presented no issues.

    1.5*/3.5*

    Favourites 13a, 28a, 2d, 4d & 24d — with winner 4d & 13a a close second.
    I met the 13a songstress in a lift when shopping with my mum in Bond’s department store in Norwich when I was about 10 years old. I knew who she was from watching Top of the Pops and seeing her on that show.

    Thanks to setter & Falcon

    1. What a thrill!

      It’s so cool seeing someone famous when you’re young. It has such an impact.

      Wellllllllllll….

  22. With apologies to The Carpenters:

    Puzzling it out, not feeling old
    Never think I’d like to quit
    All the clues they seem to fit.
    Lounging around
    Nothing to make me frown
    Rainy days and Mondays never get me down.

  23. Congratulations, Falcon (and Annie?) — thanks for all your work.

    This is another Monday puzzle that’s probably going to be classified Did Not Finish for me: I haven’t managed 11a yet, and having reading its hint (and seen the crossing letters), I suspect it’s going to that the definition is general knowledge that I don’t have. I’ve thought of both 2- and 3-letter words for ‘try’, but so far neither of them look that plausible with the crossing letters for generating some work …

    Otherwise it was a fast start — with several clues that I thought would be ideal for teaching cryptic crosswords to new players — then sudden slowdown in middle, as I was held up by the two long anagrams, only getting them when I had pretty much all their crossing letters.

    Thank you to the setter. My favourite was 14d when I misinterpreted it as a cryptic definition of cricket players, which I rather liked. Having now read Falcon’s explanation and seen it was the rather less exciting juxtaposition of ‘some cricket’ and ‘players’ each translated separately, I’ll go with 19d (“V&A”) for neatness.

        1. Think of a general word for manufacturing such as the textile ………. then remove “try”.

          1. Ah, thank you, Steve!

            Got the wordplay now. And indeed I was ignorant of the geographical feature. Apologies to anybody who lives near there.

      1. Sorry, that was me writing it wrongly. The word in the clue is “attempt” (and is what I should’ve written above), so that does indeed need substituting to get the word that needs removing — and as well as ‘try’ it could have been ‘go’ (and possibly others I haven’t thought of). Thanks for the explanation, and apologies for any confusion.

  24. There were a few answers that caused a spot of trouble so I’d have to say 2* for difficulty.
    Needless to say the problems would have been from 1d and, for no reason, 15a.
    I liked 13 and 18a and 2 and 4d. My favourite was, by a long way, 17d – it’s the sort of clue that always makes me laugh – don’t know why, it just does!
    I agree with others that it doesn’t feel like a Robyn day but I’m hopeless at spotting setters so I’ll shut up I think.
    Thanks to whoever did set today’s crossword and to Falcon for the hints and congratulations again.
    Completely worn out – visitors last week and this weekend too and then no sleep last night after torrential rain and on and off, thunder too – still pouring now!

  25. Designed for the tiny brains among us! Perfect. I did, of course, overthink and create unnecessary problems a couple of times, like seeing the last four letters in 13a, I wanted to put in Oagodugu. Not only wildly misspelt, but why go to Africa when I’m so familiar with our own Pacific islands? Then 15a, I knew the answer but, again, can’t spell and wanted to put “a” in the second “o” spot, then I ran out of “a”s. So much good stuff, I loved it all, I always love geographical clues, the improved ale was fun … let’s just say the whole puzzle was my fave.
    Thank you setter for the fun, and of course Falcon for explaining some.

  26. Good puzzle and Congratulations to the Falcon and thank you for all the help over the years perhaps you will now be asked to become the compiler!?

  27. Not difficult but a bit of an oddball.
    Just about coming to grips with the puzzles site. It takes a bit of getting used to. Still think the old one was so much better. The Puzzles site puzzle is tricky to use.
    Thx to all
    */**

    1. That’s exactly why I think we have to keep in forking out £22 a week for the paper version! I am really put off using the in line one especially as only one person can do it at a time. It’s a togetherness thing.

      2. If you phone and tell them that you are considering cancelling, they are likely to offer to reduce the cost. It’s worth a try …..

  28. A busy morning meant I have only just had the chance to look at it.
    As others have said, a very gentle puzzle today.
    What was strange for me was that the answers leapt of the page so quickly after reading each clue, it wasn’t necessary to refer to any checking letters in the grid before writing any of the answers in. I guess that is an indication of a well written puzzle.
    Thanks to the setter and to Falcon.

  29. BTW congratulations Falcon on your 14 years of blogging!
    I was having a look back on when I first posted a comment here, which I cannot find, but was at least 14 years ago.
    I remember coming to Putney to meet some of the team in 2011.

  31. A DNFdue to a stupid spalling mistake in 18 a
    Best wishes to those who are flooded and, of corse, to the unhappy Daisygirl
    All well here

  32. I really enjoyed today’s puzzle and actually went from clue to clue filling them in so easily that my confidence has had a positive boost after some demoralising attempts last week. Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon.

    1. My sentiments exactly.

      last one in, 16D, a bung-in, because it just had to be.
      And of course, when you can’t see a logical explanation……….it’s because it’s a lurker. Doh!

  33. Late again – the curse of the working classes
    Congrats to Falcon on such great service and thanks to the setter for a pleasant start to the week

  34. It took me longer to read the blog than to do the puzzle (not quite but you get the idea) but both were equally enjoyable. LOI was 13a, you’ve guessed it, because it was. I’ve already denied any romantic involvement with the songstress, despite the rumours at the time, so I won’t bother doing so again. Favourite was 1a. Thanks to the setter and Falcon and congratulations.

  35. Huge congrats & thanks to (& admiration for) Falcon in completing a 14 year shift. The puzzle didn’t feel like a Robyn production to me either. Perfectly pleasant albeit very straightforward & perfect for the Graun’s Quiptic slot. Had quite forgotten Lulu sang the theme song for To Sir, With Love – my pick of pack.
    Thanks to the setter.

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