DT 30821 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30821 (Hints)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30821 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

A very heavy frost, freezing temperatures and a thick mist have combined to make this possibly the first Saturday since I started providing the Hints when I decided it wasn’t safe to go out for a paper but printed off the online version of the crossword instead.  I was very impressed that these days the clues making up the Quick Pun are in italics in the online version just like they are in the newspaper

I had a completed right-hand side of the grid for a fair while before I sorted out the left-hand side.  I hope the ‘I don’t like linked clues’ people will be as happy as I was to learn that we don’t have  to work out long anagrams this week.

Please ask for help if you are stuck on clues I haven’t hinted, but before doing so, please read the comments that appear before yours, so that you are not duplicating questions,  and make sure you obey both THE INSTRUCTIONS IN RED at the end of the Hints and the blog’s  Comment Etiquette – Big Dave’s Crossword Blog)

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           Monk‘s high point joining order (8)
A mountain peak (high point) and an order

12a, 22d, 5a   Why it’s risky being a peeping Tom? (9,6,3,3)
Because we all know what might happing to a peeping feline (tom) !

14a/9a Fabled curative discovered in lab coat? (4,2,3,3)
A supposed cure for a hangover found in the coat of a lab or other canine!

24a         Travels writer perhaps flying? (5)
A writer of novels about travels to fantastical lands or perhaps flying or speedy

27a         Entirely enthralled by leaders in The Observer (2,4)
An informal way of saying enthusiastic about (enthralled) and the ‘leaders’ of the last two words in the clue

29a         Choose not to use key cut roughly (6)
A key on your computer keyboard and a verb meaning to cut roughly

30a         Sharp tooth – end must be reshaped (2,3,3)
An anagram (must be reshaped) of TOOTH END

Down

1d           Begin to speak about British fish (6)
The abbreviation for British and a silvery freshwater fish

3d           Maker of impression on game: Maradona? (5)
A stamp for impressing coins etc and a game of skill for two players

4d           Staff from down under featured in Herald (7)
An informal way of referring to Australia (down under) inserted into (featured in) a reader of official proclamations (herald)

6d           Lulu longing to entertain married princess (9)
A strong desire (longing) ‘entertains’ the abbreviation for Married and the informal way we referred to a late princess – this Lulu isn’t a girl but an exceptionally excellent person or thing

7d           Having decorative frame, attractive, secured with string (8)
A synonym for attractive inserted into (secured with) a type of string

18d         Triad dispersed among spies capsized in sea (8)
An anagram (dispersed) of TRIAD inserted into a reversal (capsized) of some abbreviated American spies

26d         Someone short of time with constant desire (5)
The abbreviation for Time and a constant desire

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 please don’t leave a comment.

The Quick Crossword pun: OVERT + CHEWER = OVERTURE

87 comments on “DT 30821 (Hints)
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  1. Enjoyed this one on a snowy, frosty (-7 degrees) Saturday morning in NE Scotland.

    Good mixture of clues but needed to print the grid out to make solving the multi-word answers a modicum easier.

    Last one in was the 14a/9a combination and favourite was 17d which is the type of clue which I really enjoy.

    Thanks to the setter and crypticsue.

  2. Oh dear, yet more clues spread across the grid. When I see them, I don’t get off to a good start and I got to 16a before solving anything. Multiple clues seem to turn my brain off. Anyway, the rest was enjoyable if a little on the tough side – for me anyway. I liked the emperor enjoying a new tune but I don’t have a COTD.

    Thank you, setter for the puzzle and I’m sorry I couldn’t do it more justice. Thank you, CS for the hints.

    Scottish Power have just increased my monthly direct debit by £70 because we have used a fair bit over Christmas and during the cold spells. I bet they don’t reduce it when high temperatures arrive in Summer.

    1. Bad news from Scottish Power, Steve. £70 a month is a bit steep.
      My account with them allows me to alter my Direct Debit which means I can prevent too much of an overpayment building up.
      I have never found Power companies prompt when organising rebates.

      My brain is also instantly turned off by multi word clues spread all over the shop….puts me right off.

      1. It is a heck of a hike, OM. I can adjust my Direct Debit so I will have a look at the account and juggle a few figures. I’m sure they have upped it more than is necessary.

    2. Totally agree with across the grid clues. My brain reacts as it does with a Spoonerism, ignores it and moves on. This Saturday trend is lamented.
      Scottish Power? Thank goodness our electric supplier only charges us for what we have used. The meter is outside and read remotely. Plus they send us an email estimating what each month’s bill is likely to be.

    3. EDF try this on with me every 3 months. I ring them up and tell them to put it back to what it was. I pay off the excess separately if necessary. Plead no winter fuel allowance, if you’re a pensioner that is, which I don’t know!!

  3. Personal opinion, naturally, but I thought this was one of the best SPPs for some time. I always like linked clues, and once they had fallen the rest swiftly followed. It was one of these, the 12a combo, that became my favourite.

    Many thanks to our setter and Sue.

  4. More high-end clueing in the SPP. I particularly liked the two (related) longer entries, and the trophy will have to be shared between them, but I was also thoroughly entertained by emperor, swirling kilts, Maradona and monkey food.

    Sorry to hear about your power struggles Steve. HMRC were wont to do something similar to me when I had the pleasure of submitting returns to them. I’m sure I’m still owed a rebate!

    Thanks setter and Super Sue.

  5. 4*/5*
    I really enjoyed this tricky puzzle. Favourites today the long non anagram linked clues. The 6d answer I knew but not the lulu synonym.
    Thanks to Sue and NYDK.

  6. Another fine NYDK production methinks given the trademark multiple clues. The misdirection in the 12a combination was excellent and I loved the linked 14 /9a as well. I have so many ticks on my page it’s difficult to pick a podium. But from a great bunch I’ll choose the following all down clues 4, 15 and 18 in top spot. Thanks to NYDK and CS.

  7. Managed both the linked clues ,but needed hints for my last three unanswered clues so I won’t be trying for the mythical. Enjoyable puzzle though😁.

  8. Great stuff to get you woken up on a very cold Saturday morning. A 6d no less!
    Lots of clever clues and I really liked both of the combos so I’ll make 14, 9a my personal COTD.
    Thanks to the setter (NYDK?) and Sue

  9. For me quite probably the best Prize Cryptic I have ever seen. Loved 14a and 9a, a real LOL clue.
    Everything made sense when solved and I would even forgive the churchy clue!
    Thx to all
    ***/*****

              1. Thanks… but we need another hundred to get the stains out of the carpet. Kidnapping is just not what it used to be.

  10. I am another who rattled off all but the SW, before a 2nd brew helped see the final few. I also chose to print today as that made the linked clues easier to see.
    I did like the fact that the multi word clues were sort of linked, 6d was a 6d but 26d gets the nod for reminding me of someone from my youth

  11. A dinger from Donny. The two multiword ones were joint favs & both excellent. 24a just pips 1a for the last podium spot even though I feel the clue would have read better as Flying travels writer?
    Thanks to NYDK & CS

  12. I found this quite difficult, but I did enjoy it.
    I thought the linked clues were much better today; I liked them ( I hope you’re reading this me old mucker Tom, as I’m already considered bang to rights guilty by the kangaroo court as a multi-word hater 🤣 )
    Many thanks to NYDK and to CS.
    4*/4*

  13. The best SPP for some time as I managed to finish it. First sight of the multiword clues gave me the shivers to add to the already cold hands and feet. Last year my GP had me tested for PAD but it didn’t show up.

    1, 16 and 24 across my podium all =1.

    Thank you CS and the setter. If others are correct in their supposition of NYDK then personal thanks to you for a doable puzzle for me.

  14. This took me rather longer than our setter’s Saturday puzzles usually do and, for once, his multi-word clues became my favourites.
    I must also give a mention to my favourite county where I was born and raised.

    Thanks to NYDK and to CS for the hints – don’t blame you for not risking going out for a paper this morning.

  15. A big shout out for our Thursday blogger’s delightful NTSPP which deserves a wide audience & comment from the regulars.

      1. You were ‘Em’ when you last commented in October 2022, that alias and your full name will work for comments from now on

        Shabbo is the blogger of the Thursday cryptic. His NTSPP is available on the blog – there’s a link under Recent Posts at the right of the page.

      2. & NTSPP is a regular Saturday bonus cryptic (Not The Saturday Prize Puzzle), I understand from setters who have been published in a National newspaper or who have graduated from Rookies Corner on this site but are not yet published.

  16. Quite a tricky offering from NYDK but I made it more difficult than it should have been by making a complete mess of 14a/9a which slowed me down considerably and there was a tea tray sized PDM when it was resolved.

    Candidates for favourite – 1a, 10, 12a/22d/5a, and 6d – and the winner has to be the 6d of 12a/22d/5d.

    Thanks to NYDK and CS.

  17. 3*/4.5*. I found the NW very tough but the other three corners were around my 2* difficulty level. The whole thing apart from the vague woman in 16a was very enjoyable.

    I loved both the multiple word clues (thankfully non anagrams!) and, sorry Kath, they are my joint favourites.

    Many thanks presumably to NYDK and to CS.

  18. For me on this icy morning a rather cheerless exercise again beset with multiword clues which I more or less ignore and get on with the rest until they more or less solve themselves. South was sorted first apart from 22d which had to wait for North to come on board. 16a referencing the in replacement for hello is amusing. Thank you Mysteryone and CS.

  19. Great puzzle. I even liked the multi word clues after I’d solved them.
    I have to say, though, that my heart always sinks when I first see them.

    Needed cs’s excellent hint for 29a…I always forget about those kinds of keys.

    Thanks to the setter and to crypticsue.

    Absolutely Baltic here in Angus. No snow at all…we have not had so much as a flake, probably because we are right by the sea.

  20. I found this tricky but enjoyable. The SW held out far longer than it should have.

    Top picks for me were 26d, 29a and 3d.

    Thanks to CrypticSue and the setter.

  21. Likewise ! Finished! I will go out and brave the sunny but freezing southern skies again ! Found the two multi clues, again , fairly obvious ! Must be the amber nectar ! Ha !

  22. I really look forward to these NYDK Saturday puzzles that have the multiple word clues in the grid. I find them fun to tackle and these two were my first in this week. They both just hit me right away. Last area completed was the SW that took as long as the rest of the puzzle.

    2*/5* for me today

    Favourites include the 12,22,5 & 14,9 answers as well as 10a, 21a, 6d, 18d, 20d & 21d — with the multiple word answer the top two winners.
    Smiles from 21a & 20d … and I just like the word in 21d … not heard that for a while.

    Great puzzle! Thanks to NYDK & CS for hints/blog

  23. I seem to be in a minority today, just didn’t take to this one at all, which is funny as I usually love the multi word ones, maybe just me, lets see what tomorrow brings….

  24. My heart sank when I saw the linked clues as it is such a hassle for those of us who do the guzzle digitally. However, I got the 14a/9d combo almost immediately and loved it. Otherwise not too taxing and very enjoyable so thanks to all. I was given a window bird feeder by my next door neighbour recently for my birthday – does anyone (Shabbo?) know how long it takes for the birds to find it? There is much activity on the one next door and nothing on mine.

    1. A little peanut butter will help them find it – and try to put it 6 feet away from structures and the ground to reduce predatory discomfort… then move it to the window once you have regular visitors. We have a video feeder that is very entertaining. Pic attached.

      Mr & Mrs T

        1. If you want a gentle, festive tale concerning those birds, Merusa recommended one to me a while ago – A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. I found it absolutely delightful, definitely a ‘girlie’ book.

  25. I seem to be alone in struggling with the top-right quadrant. Any hints on 10a, 16a, 7d or 8d would be most welcome…

      1. Thanks to those who responded.
        Marvellous what a brisk dog walk in the fresh air will do. Just got back, worked out 8d, and the rest fell into place. Enjoyed 16a!

    1. 10a condemned is an anagram indicator
      16a. Sanitation is definition. Homophones of a greeting and a woman’s name
      7d already has a hint and a picture
      8d an anagram (wrongly) of the first three words in the clue and the abbreviation for folio

  26. Hello. Soon I’m doing one WITHOUT links. Honest.

    Thanks for all the comments, and ta to Soo for the hintery.

    Cheers
    NYDK

    1. Thank you, NYDK for the fun guzzle. I’m afraid I’m one who doesn’t care much for linked clues but variety etc..
      Have a great weekend.

  27. Very light, but I enjoyed that a lot. The 2 long linked ones went in very early, which always helps, and I much preferred those constructions to the ones that NYDK usually seems to use for those type of clues.

    Thanks to NYDK and CS.

  28. Oh dear I thought, another Saturday with multi linked clues, my least favourite after Spoonerisms. However I will hold up my hand and say I loved 14a/9a, as cleverly clued. A puzzle of two halves, with the bottom half going in relatively smoothly, but the top half putting up a fight. Thanks for NYDK and CS.

  29. This was, for me, a real struggle. I got there but needed a couple of hints as I just could not get in the flow. I did enjoy the battle and the multiword clues were my favourite.

    Many thanks to NYDK and to CS for the hints

  30. The Rood Bonk is in fine form today.

    The multi-word hello theres took forever with my LOI being 14a/9a. Lab coat is absolutely superb which, I assume, is his or do setters share gems like this? Either way, it’s one for the ages.

    I wonder why some setters don’t like being called compilers?

    4d was another one than wouldn’t drop for a while and I haven’t heard of the impression maker or the Lulu (my daughter’s name who now knows the word).

    All of the above took me into 4* zone which is rare for a Saturday.

    I’ve got a great way to learn a fact to do with 19a. All will be revealed to Sue and Smylers on Friday!

    My podium is 1a, 29a and the lab coat (obvs).

    Many thanks to our Yankee Doodle Dandy and she of the crypt.

    4*/4*

  31. I admit to being a weak cruciverbalist. Yet I have taken the Saturday Telegraph for several years for the puzzles and crossword. However, I don’t find any resonance with the current crossword setter and note a significant change in style from previous setters. At a time when the future of the Telegraph itself is unclear, it hardly makes good business sense to cause existing customers to go elsewhere. But that is what I will do. I don’t feel the current setter is a good challenge. Some clues are idiosyncratic and others nonsensical. There is no satisfaction in solving them, just a feeling that the setter is mocking his ‘captive audience’.

  32. Satisfying to complete this before our Saturday evening CD finished: much better than having unfinished clues to spoil a good night’s sleep. But without Sue I wouldn’t have known about Lulu – a new one for me.

  33. I think my brain froze and misted at one with the weather and only thawed slowly by the chemistry of solvents, so to license, as odds and ends around the grid fell and the screen
    was completed at around 45 minutes.
    Pretty hard 3 / 4

  34. Hard for me and couldn’t complete without the hints. I didn’t think about the cat connection with 12a etc. could only think of Lady Godiva! Isn’t it about time the 6d Princess was laid to rest? Thanks to the setter and CS.

  35. This took me a while — I left it and came back later — but I got there in the end. I didn’t know the 6d Lulu, and was 9Presumably inadvertently) misled by “Scottish” in 21a, because … well, I’d better not say today.

    One of the answers happens to be the subject of a clueing competition elsewhere, for which entries have now closed but the winners have not yet been announced. Maybe that’ll happen before Friday?

    Thank you to NY Doorknob for the puzzle, and CrypticSue for the hints that I got so close to using on a few occasions.

    1. It’s the pun formed from the first 2 or 3 (usually) across clues in the Quick Crossword. Campbell, a late much-missed and wonderful setter, would generally have a pun at the bottom as well, sometimes across the middle, too.

    2. The first two or three (and sometimes more) of the solutions in the Telegraph’s Quick Crossword when read out loud form a pun. See the bottom of the hints for the one that appeared yesterday

    3. The pertinent clues that form the pun are printed in italics in the paper version, not sure about online though

  36. Bah humbug.

    As straightforward a puzzle as they come, but my dislike of these blasted linked clues is almost enough to drive me away from the Saturday DT cryptic : there are plenty of good, challenging, Saturday cryptics, which do not resort to such gimmicks.

    Thanks NYDK, but not one for me, yet again. Thanks also to CS for the blog.

        1. Gosh. Are they really that bad, MG?

          I can maybe understand people not being a fan but ,if it puts you off doing the crossword completely, it must seriously irk (top word)

          I think that he maybe ought to rein it in a tad, say, one a puzzle to keep to trademark going, as he’s clearly alienating a few solvers.

  37. Started on Tuesday, finished on Thursday, still in time for the mythical 😀

    Last one in 29a, very clever.

    Thanks to NYDK, the indefatigable Sue and all the bloggers without whom I would still be struggling to fathom cryptic crosswords.

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