ST 3301 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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ST 3301 (Hints)

by Senf  

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3301 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

A very good post Birthday Bash Sunday morning from Staines-Upon-Thames in Surrey, it used to be plain old Staines, Middlesex when I was a lad and nothing seems to have changed.  A very enjoyable Birthday Bash, meeting and re-meeting a wide cross section of our community with Daisy Girl doing the splits.  After problems on the Underground and the Elizabeth Line in the morning, I did get to travel on the Elizabeth Line for the first time to start my journey back to Surrey (via Liverpool Street).  Thanks to SJB for his organisational skills.

Yesterday was also 8 years, plus or minus, ago when our dear departed leader appointed me to take over from him as Sunday Blogger starting a week later.

Now it’s back to visiting Big Sister and Baby Brother; after a quick visit with Big Sister this morning I will be heading West on the M3 and A303 to get to Baby Brother’s home in Somerset for a few days.  So, behave yourselves as I will not be able to wield the electronic blue pen

For me, and I stress for me, Dada back to being friendly, thank goodness.  Two longish ‘uns, four anagrams (one partial), two lurkers (one reversed), and no homophones, all in a symmetric 28 clues; with 14 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 – 13a, 20a, 24a, 28a, 9d, 17d, 21d, and the Pun.

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 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.

Some hints follow:

Across

1a Those awarded titles lean on kings and queens etc (7,4)
A synonym of lean (nautically?) placed after (on) a term for kings and queens etc (in a pack of cards?) – this ‘popped up’ two or three weeks ago.

12a Cheese cut by Wally and Elizabeth in restaurant (9)
A type of cheese containing (cut by) all of a synonym of wally (as a fool) and the regnal cypher of (Queen) Elizabeth.

13a Bug in gallery ending on painting to the left? (3,2)
The reversal (to the left) of all of a four letter (art) gallery and the last latter (ending on) of painting.

14a Country in awful picture? (6)
A double definition – the illustration should help.

18a Mounted sportsperson? (8)
A term for a person, not necessarily on horseback, who participates in a quadrennial sports competition with reference to a mountain in Greece.

24a Organ in action produced (9)
The bodily organ that produces bile inserted into (in) a synonym of action.

28a Emerge from long tunnel and suddenly understand? (3,3,5)
A double definition – the second might be referred to as a Penny Drop Moment by some of the Commentariat.

Down

2d Greek letter, nothing great (5)
The letter that represents nothing and an informal synonym of great.

3d Direct energy at conclusion of old poem (7)
The single letter for Energy placed after (at conclusion of) all of the single letter for Old and a synonym of poem.

7d Goblet slightly damaged going off travelling round the world (13)
Move one letter in GOBLET two positions forwards (slightly damaged) and add a single word for going off (food or vegetation?) – I was going to describe this as an anagram but I don’t think moving one letter in a six letter word meets the criteria.

9d Health advice in this clue number? (7,6)
Any bingo fanatics? The nickname for the number of this clue (supposedly comes from the slang term for a laxative pill given to troops by army doctors in World War II).

17d Last to arrive perhaps goes in biting (8)
A synonym for perhaps goes (as in passing away) inserted into (in – again) a synonym of biting (as in sour) – the frequency of ‘IN’ as an insertion indicator was a discussion topic at The Bridge House yesterday!

21d Pillows in middle of bedroom, five in dip (7)
The middle letter of bedRoom, and the Roman numeral for five inserted into (in!) a type of (food) dip (made from garlic and olive oil).

25d Extent right over a head (5)
The single letter for Right placed before (over) a single word for a head (related to distribution).

Quick Crossword Pun:

SUPER + FISH + OIL = SUPERFICIAL

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On this day in 1961, Elvis Presley’s <em>Are You Lonesome Tonight</em> began 4 weeks at number one; probably better remembered for this ‘famous’ live performance with, while Elvis ‘corpses,’ the backing vocalists continuing stoically to the end:

42 comments on “ST 3301 (Hints)”

  1. I posted this on the Birthday Bash thread but not sure if it will be read, so apologies if I’m breaking with protocol by posting here too.

    It was such a treat, albeit a rather brief one, to meet so many of our esteemed bloggers and setters in the flesh yesterday and put faces to names. They were all as charming in real life as they are in print, a big hello to Senf, Daisygirl, Weekend Wanda, Silvanus, Weatherman, Tomds65, Smylers Jeemz and various Daves. Huge thanks to Sloop John Bee for organising the get together and all your much appreciated efforts with name tags and video links etc. the macarons were divine, thank you, and what a joy to meet the lovely Mama Bee.

    1. Ditto ditto ditto. So nice to meet you too – we ladies were very much in the minority weren’t we!

  2. With the exception of the never heard of 9d, this was as straightforward as It gets, and an enjoyable accompaniment for the cereal and toast on a damp and breezy morning.

    COTD 21d, runner up 18a

    Thank you setter (presumably Dada?) and Senf – I wish you a safe and uneventful journey!

  3. Dada being somewhat quirky today but still enjoyable. I solved some first then reverse parsed to see how they worked. I liked the direct energy at 3d and the long tunnel at 28a. My COTD is the health advice at 9d.

    Thank you, Dada for the challenge. Thank you, Senf for the hints and enjoy time with your family.

  4. I enjoyed this puzzle which had me thinking in places and smiling in others.

    Top picks for me were 21d, 15d and 12a.
    I also enjoyed the quickie pun.

    Thanks to Senf and Dada.

  5. I particularly liked 13a (bug in gallery), 4d (Blackpool), and 25d (head). 21d is my favourite because it’s finally taught me how to spell the dip in the wordplay: I can just work backwards from 21d!

    Thank you Dada and Senf — great to meet you yesterday.

  6. Yes, it was a most enjoyable day yesterday at the Birthday Bash, despite the best efforts of TFL to block off all routes to Little Venice.

    This was a typical Dada puzzle and my rating is 2*/3*.

    I couldn’t parse my answer to 9d as I am totally oblivious to anything to do with Bingo.

    I know the BRB says “chiefly” but in my book 14a is an Americanism.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.

  7. Enjoyable Sunday puzzle, lots of top clues but favourite goes to the quickie pun (the more tenuous the better)
    Thanks to Senf and Dada (don’t know setters just copy what others say)

  8. Good balanced puzzle and great hints as usual. I usually peruse these after, but am pleased to be in agreement with the parsing. I only asked Ross for help once. I was slightly challenged by the “Lego” or “Frankenstein” words, such as 17d last to arrive and also 21d pillows which allow great misdirection.

    Honoured to meet our revered hinter at the bash. Great work.
    Thanks to all

  9. Very good fun from start to finish. A little quirky in places but that made it all the more interesting. Particularly liked Wally and Liz’s restaurant in 12a but my podium comprises 14a, 18a and 8d in top spot. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  10. Excellent offering from Dada today in that everything made profound sense and all were elegantly worded apart perhaps from 13a but that is just being picky. My fav was 9d.
    Thx to all
    ***/*****

  11. Dada in fine quirky form made this an enjoyable solve though the grey calls weren’t put through the wringer.

    I too had no ideas about the Bingo term which is very funny.

    I agree with Captain America about the unindicated dooberry though the spelling of this country has changed (I never say the word ‘movie’, btw)

    I immediately fell into the trap of looking for an alternate lurker in 27a but saw the error of my ways in a heartbeat.

    My podium is 12a, 18a and 15d (great clue)

    Many thanks to Dada and the Manitoban Mountie.

    2*/4*

  12. Not one for me today, hope others liked it though.

    Meant to be doing the RSPB great British bird watch today, but wind and rain here in Sandhurst is keeping Dickie firmly in his nest, will have to try later in the day…

  13. Try as I might I can find no reference to 26 across as one word. I don’t doubt our masters for one second but anyway.. I hope you all enjoyed the ‘Bash’. It’s nice to see some traditions being maintained.

  14. I enjoyed this puzzle over an enormous breakfast at the Novotel.Mama Bee had finished her toast and marmalade long before I got through the puzzle and the Full English. My last one in was the slightly morbid synonym of gone in 17d. Many thanks to Senf and Dada.
    I really enjoyed meeting many at the Birthday Bash, Senf especially but it was great to once again 1a Big Dave and his services to cruciverbalists everywhere.
    Chaos on trains north has prompted us to start home early and we have just got on a train to Sheffield

    1. It was lovely to meet you and the delightful Mama Bee yesterday and congratulations on how well everything went. George enjoyed his macaroons!

  15. Sounds as though everyone who attended the Birthday Bash yesterday really enjoyed themselves – BD would be so pleased to know that the event has been re-instigated following the lifting of Covid restrictions.
    Thought our setter was relatively gentle with us today but can’t say that I have any particular favourite to mention – perhaps the Quickie pun just has the edge.

    Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints – I’ve always found that ‘performance’ from Elvis rather an embarrassment, what a sad waste of a talent despite the huge support he received from family and friends.

  17. Another fine crossword from Dada and hopefully not too many sore heads today from the bash.
    2*/4*
    18a and 21d favourites today
    I agree with Brian on the wordplay to 13a – please don’t shoot me ; )
    Thanks to Dada and Senf

  18. A lovely treat for a wet and windy Sunday morning. I admit that I put 9d in without understanding the parsing but otherwise it was an unusually smooth run. No particular favourite but all very enjoyable.

    I am glad to hear that the birthday bash went well well and hope there will be an opportunity to attend one in the future.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for fitting in the hints around all your travelling.

  19. A decent puzzle from Dada — thanks to him and Senf.
    I didn’t know that meaning of pillow in 21d though the wordplay was clear.
    I ticked 1a and 18a.

  20. Very clever 9d .I haven’t played this for many years but the answer triggered the old frontal cortex . Hopefully this doesn’t breach the regulations .
    On the easier side but very enjoyable .Thanks to all.

  21. Well, I must say that I disagree with Senf today about Dada’s friendliness as I found that Dada’s puzzle this week was not at all friendly and at the far end of his difficulty spectrum. Lots of quirkiness and plentiful use of his thesaurus this week. Crikey!

    3*/3* for me

    Favourites 27a, 28a, 2d, 7d, 8d & 19d — with winner 19d
    Smiles for 28a, 5d & 7d

    Thanks to Dada & Senf

  22. At first reading I was clueless, so bunged in a couple of answers which it turned out were incorrect once I got going properly. My brain feels like it’s been doing cartwheels! I had heard of 9d but thanks to Senf for the explanation of its origin. I don’t understand 10a – can anyone help? Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed the work-out. Thanks to Dada too.

    1. Find a 2-letter alternative for “say” and insert it into a type of “story”.

      Hope that keeps me clear of the naughty step!

  23. My earlier comment seems to have vanished. Very slow to 28a with a good few answers here – trying to complete the puzzle on the mobile on a bitterly cold tee with my fingers slowly turning blue didn’t help. Have never played the game & 9 wasn’t one of the few nicknames I knew but can’t say bingo remotely occurred. On the plus side the playing card context of 1a was at least evidence of a rare bit of recently acquired info surprisingly retained. Along with 17&21d it can therefore have a podium spot.
    Thanks to D&S – hope you have an enjoyable rest of your trip.

  24. I was slow to start , then once a couple had gone it it was a fairly straightforward solve. I didn’t understand the parsing for 9d so thanks for that. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  25. Pretty straightforward, we needed the hint to parse 9d though. A few contenders for favourite but we’ll go with 24a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  26. Smooth solve but like some others I could not parse 9d will have to learn all those bingo phrases! Thank you Dada and Senf, only wish I could have made the trip to London yesterday

  28. Another enjoyable puzzle which made it a marvellous week for yours truly. I’m sitting with a smug feeling that at last I seem to be improving. I still need the Thesaurus from time to time and the hints especially for parsing but definitely feel that I’ve turned a corner. Many thanks to Dada and Senf.

    Lovely to hear about everyone enjoying the Birthday bash and that you have all got home safely. Trust TfL to be the only fly in the ointment!

  29. I am still on a high from yesterday. I was so excited to meet you, although sad that some people I would have loved to have met had been unable to attend. SJB managed everything so well and it was a pleasure to meet the delightful Mama Bee, Weekend Wanda, MsGlad and the present Mrs Shabbo. Ladies were a bit thin on the ground but we were really spoilt for male company, the crème de la crème. Senf was so kind to help me to and from the venue, and if he had not been able to do it Smylers had also offered, so nice of them both. And it was an honour to meet the Setters, the men with sideways minds – they appear quite normal in the flesh. On the way home I thought of all the questions I should have asked them. 12 and 27a get daisies today. Many thanks to Dada for another Super Sunday Stinker and to my lovely escort Senf, where did you find the time to do the hinting? Am waiting for the Pimlico lurkers to unlurk! Miss Fifi?

    1. Oh Daisy I do enjoy your comments. I wondered if you would have room at the Bridge to do the splits and whether your hip surgeon would have approved?! Hope George behaved whilst you were away for the day and didn’t partake in too much liquid sustenance?!

      1. I was a bit concerned that he would have succumbed at the witching hour of six but he was there (sober) waiting for me when I got home, he’s definitely a keeper. (after 67 years?!)

  30. One of those puzzles where I thought I was going to fail, and suddenly it all made sense and was done. Glad everyone had a good time at the Bash, wish I could have made the trip over. Thanks to Dada and to Senf. Staines-Upon-Thames is it? How posh 😊. When we lived in Twickenham, and later Slough, it was also just plain old Staines.

    1. George was living in Twickenham when I met him and he rowed for Twickenham in the Head of the River and at Henley. The first time he took me to the Rowing club on Eel Pie Island (on the chain ferry, no bridge in those days) straight from the office he showed me round, demonstrated the tank snd when I asked to have a go he said no, ladies could not row it was not good for us. On the way back to the ferry he stopped, pushed his rolled umbrella into the path, took off his bowler hat and placed it on the umbrella, and kissed me for the first time!
      Doh!

  31. I found this puzzle quite challenging but got there in the end.
    I had a longish pause in the middle when I was helping Mr Meringue make the shed roof watertight using a very large tarpaulin. Many promises given that this is a temporary measure and as soon as the better weather comes he will be on it with the roofing felt etc. I’ll let you know…….the tarp had been on it for about a year when Eowyn blew it off.

    You all sound to have had a whale of a time in Little Venice….so pleased to hear it and long may the bash continue.

    Thanks to Dada and to Senf. ( Have a good time visiting family, Senf. )

  32. Thanks to Dada and Senf. Fortunately Val’s bingo phase paid off with 9d. Is 26a really one word?! Eventually we managed to 28a and complete the puzzle. Favourites 2d, 12a and 21d. Our top pick is 12a. Pleased those at the big bash had a great time!!! 👍

  33. A lovely puzzle with the very clever 9d as my favourite. 17d held out for a while and I didn’t help myself by bunging in Pronto for 20a. Thanks Dada and Senf.

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