DT 30805 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30805

by Shabbo  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30805
Hints and tips by Shabbo

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Good morning and happy Christmas Eve to you all.  Our regular Tuesday blogger, Huntsman, is having some well-earned R&R near Loch Lomond where the Wi-Fi is apparently intermittent at best.  When he told me about his break in the Trossachs, I thought it was a nasty medical condition, but I am assured that it is not.  Either way, he has asked me to fill in for him today, which I am more than happy to do.  It will, of course, cost him a pint when he is back!

I found this to be fairly straightforward, but a fun challenge. I hope you enjoyed solving it as well.  Just a reminder that whilst there will be no dead tree version of the paper tomorrow, puzzles will still be available on the puzzle website.  Season’s greetings to you all.

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.  Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.

Thank you, setter and a special thank you to crossword editor, Chris Lancaster, as we approach the year end.


Across
1a Menial worker follows lad around Germany (8)
DOGSBODY: synonym of follows + synonym of lad outside (around) the single-letter country code for Germany.

5a Really bad description of candle? (6)
WICKED: double definition.

10a Crass architect and I redesigned properties (15)
CHARACTERISTICS: anagram (redesigned) of CRASS ARCHITECT I.

11a Navy tie at sea shows lack of sophistication (7)
NAÏVETY: another anagram (at sea).  Jumble up the letters in NAVY TIE.

12a Vessel – and what might go under one (7)
COASTER: double definition.

13a Show willing, amuse oneself and dance (4,4)
PLAY BALL: synonyms of “amuse oneself” and “dance”.

15a Backing short European ceasefire (5)
TRUCE: synonym of short backwards (backing) + abbreviation for European.

18a Watering hole guarded by buffalo as I speak (5)
OASIS: hidden word (guarded by).  Our answer is lurking within words 5-8.

20a Forbearance from sick people on the radio (8)
PATIENCE: homophone (on the radio) of sick people.

23a Better tent oddly discarded – this gets blown in the wind (7)
TRUMPET: synonym of better + tEnT (oddly discarded).  Unless I am missing something here, this instrument is in the brass section of the orchestra, not the woodwind section.

25a Conservative with appropriate answer now leader (7)
CAPTAIN: abbreviation for Conservative + synonym of appropriate + abbreviation for Answer + synonym of now (or fashionable).

26a Host feeling put out admitting old gaffe (4,2,3,6)
SLIP OF THE TONGUE: anagram (out) of HOST FEELING PUT + O (abbreviation for old).

27a Insults no student’s spots (6)
SIGHTS: a synonym of “insults” without the L (no student).  The definition is a verb.

28a Fantastic swims going west outside lake draw to a close (8)
SPLENDID: synonym of swims backwards (going west) outside abbreviation for Lake + synonym of “draw to a close”.

Down
1d Edward lifted coin up to scratch (6)
DECENT: short version of Edward’s name reversed (lifted – this is a down clue) + a coin used in many currencies (but not in the UK).

2d Old slug I disturbed grasping a flower (9)
GLADIOLUS: anagram (disturbed) of OLD SLUG I A.  A flower beloved by the late Dame Edna Everage.

3d Courage from supporter? Decidedly (7)
BRAVERY: synonyms of supportive female underwear + decidedly.

4d Barking like a Dalmation? (5)
DOTTY: double definition.  Spelling mistake? Well spotted. This is taken straight from the on-line puzzle, so it may have been corrected in the paper version?

6d Type of coffee isn’t drunk by social worker (7)
INSTANT: anagram (drunk) of ISNT + one of two “worker insects” regularly seen in crosswordland.

7d Tango drink upset artist (5)
KLIMT: letter signified by tango in the NATO phonetic alphabet + calcium rich drink all reversed (upset).

8d Fool, perhaps, heartless editor abandoned (8)
DESERTED: fool is an example of a course that might be served as part of a meal.  Remove the middle letter (heartless) and add EDitor.

9d Bishop on Zoom allowed jewellery (8)
BRACELET: abbreviation for Bishop + synonym of zoom (as in hurry – we can ignore the capitalisation) + synonym of allowed. Join them all together to reveal a piece of army jewellery.

14d A quiet dog possibly bites both ends off, showing hunger (8)
APPETITE: A + musical abbreviation for quiet + “dog possibly” + (b)ITE(s) (both ends off).

16d Even nan coughed badly, lacking oxygen (9)
UNCHANGED: anagram (badly) of NAN C(o)UGHED. For the definition, think “steady” or “uniform”.

17d Prisoner on trial with singular struggles (8)
CONTESTS: synonyms of “prisoner” and “trial” + abbreviation for Singular.

19d Drink left for bear (7)
SUPPORT: synonym of drink (a verb) + how sailors might describe “left”.

21d Go off and walk in Devon river (7)
EXPLODE: synonym of walk (slowly) inside a three-letter river in Devon.

22d I object about National Trust’s plan (6)
INTEND: I + synonym of object (a noun) outside (about) abbreviation for National Trust.

24d American group losing weight exercising (5)
USING: two-letter abbreviation for American + synonym of group without the initial W (losing weight). For the definition, think exercising discretion.

25d Low-priced clubs? Great deal! (5)
CHEAP: abbreviation for Clubs + synonym of great deal (as in plenty).

 

Quickie Pun:  NEW  +  SAY  +  GENTS  =  NEWSAGENTS

67 comments on “DT 30805”

  1. A Christmas treat this one. 5d fabulous and my COTD but 8d clever and amusing. The usual supporter never fails to amuse: 3d. 25d also great. Really entertaining stuff so a */** /**** for me. Thanks Shabbo and the excellent setter.

  2. 2*/4*
    Great fun on Xmas eve – although not festive as per yesterday’s offering.
    I like 15a and 8d today.
    Thanks to setter and shabbo, no idea who is on duty today.

  3. 1.5*/4*. A nice light pre-Christmas treat apart from the utterly obscure artist in 7d.

    Many thanks to the setter (AP?) and to Shabbo, and a very Merry Christmas to one and all.

    2. Hi RD

      I am nowhere an arty chappie but have heard and read about this guy a few times over the years. So, even though science is your ‘thang’, I’m surprised he’s never got on your radar.

    3. 7d’s The Kiss is sufficiently well-known that I’d heard of it (even though sometimes I might confuse it with works a painting of the same name by Munch, or even the Rodin sculpture):

    4. Utterly obscure artist? Oh come on, RD – you will recognise his style straight away! Think of The Kiss. 💋 (only joking, that’s from me 😌 under the mistletoe which is now unwoke )

    5. The film Woman in Gold starring Helen Mirren (2015) introduced me to Klimt. There is a collection of his works in the Belvedere museum in Vienna. Well worth a visit.

      1. Thank you for that, Sheels*

        I’ve never been to ‘The City of Music’. So, that makes for a splendid long weekend with my ‘pardner’.

        (*Can I slip Sheels by you?)

          1. Phew!

            I was hiding behind the sofa with my fingers crossed.

            What’s happening in the fight with Muhammad ALI? HE’S just been knocked back by SHEILA.

            Oh, give it up, Tom.

  4. A pleasant, enuoyable guzzle although it took a while ro get into it. I liked the 1a lego clue, the long anagram at 15a and the cryptic candle clue at 6a and the double meaning clue at 12a. Thanks to the compiler and to shabbo for stepping in to do the hints. Have a nice Christmas everyone 🎄☃️

  5. Even earlier start today .. out for the paper before it got light to avoid the “hordes”.
    Took a while to get into this one but got there in the end. Cotd 8d.
    Re 23a and Shabbo’s comments .. I never considered “woodwind”, as indeed the instrument in question is brass. I’d just assumed “in the wind” was with reference to a wind (breath) instrument.
    Merry Christmas to all.

  6. This was perfect for a busy Christmas Eve morning, with plenty of good wordplay to keep this solver interested right to the final clue. Tough to pick any winners, but I did enjoy 5a and 7d.

    Many thanks to both our setter and Shabbo, and a Very Happy Christmas to all.

  7. One or two took some teasing out and completion was delayed by an answer, plainly incorrect, but fitting the checkers in 28a until some sanity was brought to bear. 1a brought Baldrick to mind, perhaps the greatest fictional one of all time, but cotd must go to the witty 5a. Merry Christmas
    and thanks to compiler and Shabbo.

  8. Merry Christmas to one and all
    A great way to start the day
    I had similar doubts as to which part of the orchestra 23a belonged in but justified it as wood and brass both being “blown” they would be subsections of wind
    Thanks to Shabbo and Setter

      1. There were definitely brass instruments in our wind band at middle school: wind = woodwind + brass

  9. A very enjoyable non-seasonal offering from Anthony Plumb with the Quickie grid confirming that it is he – **/****

    The 7d artist not so obscure for me as one of his famous paintings, which Shabbo shows in the hint, was the basis for a 2012 book and a 2015 film starring Helen Mirren – Woman in Gold – all to do with recovery of private property ‘appropriated’ (= stolen) by the Nazis, and others, during WW2.

    Candidates for favourite – 12a, 15a, 23a, and 3d – and the winner is 12a.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and Shabbo.

  10. I think Daniel Peake (assistant to C L) will appreciate 7d. He usually displays an inverted can of 7up when he solves 7d. Today he can go with another can of pop

      1. I’ve never heard of that, and now I’m thinking of all sorts of childhood secret languages. Reverse speak or Igpay Atinlay anyone?

        1. Ificky iicky hadicky aicky gunicky iicky couldicky shooticky yonicky swanicky onicky yonicky hillicky
          Oh boy, auto correct did not like that!

          1. I thought for a minute that you were quoting Magnus L Pyke’s famous bit of doggerel: The goat that reeks on yonder hill feeds all day on chlorophyll!

  11. I guessed 7d from the wordplay, then checked on google to confirm it existed.
    4d made me smile.
    Thanks and Merry Christmas to the setter and to Shabbo.

  12. Many thanks to Shabbo for filling in for me today. I probably could have managed the blog but didn’t want to take the risk with the iffy internet. A largely straightforward puzzle but an enjoyable solve. I’d always wrongly thought that the spelling of Dame Edna’s fav flower was 16d whether singular or plural but the U in the fodder told me otherwise. Like NAS 5a&8d stood out & 28a can have the last podium spot.
    With thanks to AP & to Shabbo (must now owe you enough pints for a mini session) & Christmas greetings to all.
    Ps love this 23a intro at the start of JB’s The Last Matador of Bayonne

  13. A very good puzzle – thanks to our setter and Shabbo.
    I wondered whether 23a was a type of daffodil (said he, pretending to know something about horticulture) rather than a musical instrument.
    Lots to like including the oldie but goodie 5a, 13a and 3d.
    A Merry Christmas to all setters, bloggers, commenters and lurkers.

    1. Good spot – but it is still too chilly for the daffs to pop a 23a out oop north – they do give a good display on the York city walls from about February

  14. Mr Consistency does it again. His crosswords are a joy to solve as he gets the balance just right for a Tuesday.

    My podium is 1a (this kicked things off very nicely), 25a (excellent Lego) and 7d.

    Merry Christmas to The Prof, The Shabster and everyone else who frequents this oh so splendid bloggeroony.

    2*/4*

  15. Great fun and, thankfully, a pretty gentle stroll. Many thanks to our setter and Shabbo. I guess it’s now time to start cutting crosses into about a billion sprouts. Oof! Happy Christmas everybody.

  16. 🎄Once again AP’s Tuesday offering provides much untaxing fun. Edward makes unusual appearance in 1d as opposed to contributing to past tense. 5a is amusing. Thank you AP and Shabbo for today’s and indeed so many past cruciverbal entertainments. Happy Christmas to you both and indeed to all fellow bloggers 🎄.

  17. I seem to be the only one struggling a bit with todays puzzle. I just couldn’t get 5a without the hints, and so also did not get 7d, because of lack of checkers. I have actually heard of 7d, but just did not read the clue properly. Not on the setters wavelength today, but thanks anyway, and for the helpful hints.

  18. Good fun and thankfully not too demanding as I need to do all the chores before the family arrive later – well, that’s my version of events even if my wife’s might differ!

    Thanks to setter and Shabbo and to all the other setters and bloggers who do such great work all year round – Merry Christmas

  19. A Happy Christmas and a peaceful NewYear to all who use this site in one wy or another.

    This past 6 months has been very difficult for me and my wife as through the first 6 nmonths of the year I was getting more breathless than since first being diagnosed in 2007. Thaat was explained by by the usual 6 momthly visit to the pacing clinic in June where it was discovered that one of the two leads for my CRT pacemaker had fractured. Because of the pressure on the NHS it was not until last Friday that we were brought upto date on possible futures. The lead cannot be taken out of the heart because it is now embedded and would damage the heart. A CT scan which has not yet been reported on may show whether there is another vein/artery into which a new lead can be inserted. Result will probably be available in the New Year and if no vein available then it’s a case of just keep taking the tablets.

    A good puzzle today but onlyn a clue with a Schopenhauer basis would make it to Clue of the Day.

    1. Hi Corky
      Sorry to hear about your difficult and unwanted experiences that you and your wife have undergone this year.
      I for one hope that you can enjoy the festive period with a smile on both your faces.
      Best wishes and love to you both!

    2. I’m sorry to read how you’ve been, Corks; I’ve missed your bants.

      I hope 2025 turns out to be a goodie for you and your oh so far better half.

      I know it’s not right but I sooooo want to sing….in the year 2525

      Gotta luv a bit of Zager & Evans.

    5. Oh dear, that sounds very frustrating and difficult to deal with. I cannot imagine how you have managed to wait so patiently for something to which I would have thought the NHS would respond more promptly. I do hope you get good news soon and start to feel better.

  20. No festive cheer from the professor but nevertheless, an enjoyable solve for Christmas Eve. No particular favourite to mention although the 12a vessel raised a smile.

    Many thanks to Mr Plumb for his puzzles throughout the year and to Shabbo for doing extra duty to cover for our blogger who has crossed the border for the festivities.

  21. I struggled with the NE corner as it took me ages to get the wonderful 5a. Once I had that then the artist was clear.

    Top picks for me were 5a, 2a, 28a and 14d.

    Thanks to Shabbo and the setter.

    Merry Christmas to everyone who blogs, comments or keeps the blog going behind the scenes and of course to the setters who keep us on our toes.

  22. This was beyond me: I couldn’t finish the top-right corner and needed Shabbo’s hints to get a full grid — thank you!

    For 7d I had the starting letter from 5a (unlike Leif) and had heard of the artist (unlike Rabbit Dave), but failed at … trying to think of a 4-letter drink ending in K! I even resorted to Bradford, but my 10th edition, while listing over 2 pages of drinks, surprisingly doesn’t have the one required in the 4-letter section. Anybody got a more recent edition to see if it’s been added?

    My favourite was the Bishop on Zoom in 9d.

    Thank you to the setter, and Merry Christmas to everybody here.

    2. Well my first thought was Freda Khalo but then Klimt followed and I just did a bung in before I had parsed the drink. Clever man !

  23. Good afternoon

    Just about to nip out to work; finish at 21:15 instead of 23:15, which allows for time for ale before bedtime and tomorrow’s festivities!

    Excellent crozzie; pitched just right; I didn’t want anything too taxing today. I particularly liked 12a, my last to fall, and my COTD choice of 28a.

    Thank you to the Prof and to Shabbo. I wish you and yours a Happy and Holy Christmas.

  24. A 28a puzzle today.

    Thanks to the setter and to Shabbo.
    I agree that a break in the Trossachs can sound pretty bad…but not as bad as a split in the Sanquhar or a cleft in Kilconquhar.

    Hope nobody is like a Christmas card…Aye Greetin’

  25. Another nice relaxing Tuesday offering for this Christmas Eve, as for many the shopping panic continues today … but not I!! P & O are the two watchwords in my life.

    2*/3.5* today

    Favourites 5a, 3d, 4d, 9d & 19d — with winner 3d
    Smiles for 20a, 26a, 4d & 19d

    Thanks to AP & Shabbo

  26. First class although as someone said, not festive – we had that yesterday. 10a was a 28a anagram – I love anagrams. Happy Christmas to setters and hinters and all of Big Dave’s crew, specially to Merusa, Ceesue, Chriscross, Manders, Ora, Jane and Kath and all the other ladies (and the gentlemen- I don’t want to show favouritism but Terence and I have a certain bond, I feel 🤭) . To my lurking neighbour down the road who sussed me out a year ago – we’ve almost finished the daft quiz. I shall certainly drink Health to all of you tomorrow. No crossword😢on the 25th!

    1. Happy Christmas to you as well, Daisy. Hope you’ve got George lined up for domestic duties tomorrow?!!

      1. DG, I’ll try and email the digital guzzle tomorrow. My cunning plan is to screen shot/shoot it and then forward the screen shot! What larks! Happy Christmas Daisy.

  27. I enjoyed this today and managed to finish without Shabbo’s hints. 5a raised a smile. Thanks to setter and Shabbo, and Happy Christmas to everyone.

  28. Not had time to do the puzzle due to preparations but I just wanted to pop on and wish all the hardworking hinters, site moderators and my fellow commenters a very Happy Christmas.

  29. Just popped in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Thank you to all who make this blog what it is. Thank you, commentariat and I am including those who lurk – make 2025 the year you join us. Thank you, bloggers for the sterling work you do in providing the hints day in and day out. Thank you to all the setters for providing the entertainment.

    Great puzzle. My COTD was the really bad candle at 5a and a mention for the Quickie pun. I knew the artist because I once worked with a dentist who collected his work.

    Thank you, setter for the fun. Thank you, Shabbo for stepping up to the plate.

    🎅🏻🎅🏻🎂🍹🍺🍺🍺🍹🍹

  30. Agree with Shabbo with a **/***.a bit of a fun puzzle that went down with a class of port
    Looking forward at some friends tonight to a convivial evening.
    Many thanks to our setter, favourite was 1a with second 7d.

  31. I thought this was going to be too tricky, but it gradually came together and I only needed a few hints to verify a few of my answers. Don’t understand 7d but that was the only artist it could be, I missed the anagram indicator in 26a, and never thought of wing as a group for 24d. Otherwise, all good fun. Thanks to setter and Shabbo. Now I really must get on with the Christmas preparations….

  32. V enjoyable Xmas eve romp. Two standouts for me were the long anathingy at 26a and the short and sweet 5d, which made me giggle and wins 1st prize.
    Many thanks to the setter and to Shabbo for the blog.
    Merry Christmas to all the setters, bloggers, commenters and lurkers (& ex-lurkers)

  34. Usually give full attention to the puzzle in bed whilst having a coffee brought to me by my saintlike husband John. Today we had to pack and I drove a good half of the M25 and beyond. Now installed in a very comfortable Premier Inn I can applaud this puzzle having finally got to look at it. One of the last in was 5 a and that of course gave me that very well known artist . Favourite was 1 a. but there was plenty to enjoy. We are with family for the next three days and my heart sings.
    Christmas good wishes to all the interesting and amusing people who contribute to this site and to Mr. plumb and Shabbo.

  35. Great puzzle. Too many excellent clues to name a favourite. Many thanks to our Tuesday setter, Shabbo, all the other bloggers, setters, commentators and especially those who make sure this great website keeps going. Now awaiting the invasion of our children and all our grandchildren for two days. Mrs J has prepared enough food for two weeks but heigh-ho it’s Christmas!
    Just hope I’ll have recovered by New Year. Merry Christmas one and all.

  36. Have enjoyed lurking for a few weeks. Usually finish before coming online. We have learnt a lot in that time. Thanks to all. Have an excellent Christmas. G & V

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