Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30840
Hints and tips by Falcon
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Greetings from Ottawa, where Winterlude, our annual winter festival, has got off to a very successful start. For the first time in three years we are actually experiencing winter-like weather – the ice sculptures are not melting and the entire length of the Rideau Canal Skateway is open. Temperatures are on bit of a roller coaster though with the daytime high cycling between -20 C and 0 C on almost a daily basis. To give you a taste, take a virtual stroll down Sparks Street as you watch the ice carvers at work and warm up by a fire while savouring Ottawa’s signature treat, the Beavertail (a delicious sugar-coated, deep fried pastry in the shape of a beaver’s tail).
I thought the puzzle was typical Monday fare although possibly lacking some of the usual sparkle – but perhaps that’s just me feeling a bit weary.
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 Spice Girls upset with an Australian town (5,7)
ALICE SPRINGS — an anagram (upset) of SPICE GIRLS and (with) AN
9a Illusionists deceive people in court (9)
CONJURORS — synonym of deceive and people deliberating in court
10a Some film about Brando, initially – or James Dean? (5)
REBEL — a unit of film containing the first letter (initially) of BRANDO; for an explanation of the solution click here
11a Certainly backing American bank (6)
SURELY — reverse a short form for American and append bank or depend
12a Granting adult 50 pounds, having debts (8)
ALLOWING — string together the film rating for adult, the Roman numeral for 50, the letter used to represent pounds in lieu of £, and a word denoting having debts
13a More impetuous, and a bit of a pig? (6)
RASHER — double definition, the first an adjective and the second a noun
14a Most cross strange ground around India (8)
ANGRIEST — an anagram (ground) of STRANGE enveloping (around) the letter represented by India in radio communication
17a Keep most important article in can (8)
MAINTAIN — a term meaning most important followed by a grammatical article enclosed in a food container
19a Make up for regularly missing golf, if asked to (6)
OFFSET — delete a regular sequence of letters (regularly missing) from the final four words of the clue
22a Limit a built-up area’s dimensions (8)
CAPACITY — line up another word for limit, the A from the clue, and a densely populated area
24a Older Spanish gent accommodating the crossword setter (6)
SENIOR — insert a pronoun the setter would use in reference to himself into the Spanish word for gentleman
26a Perhaps sheepish individual catching classical sextet (5)
OVINE — wrap a synonym for individual around the way Romans represented the number six in antiquity (classical sextet)
27a Time to board a ship – get revised fare from Italy (9)
SPAGHETTI — insert (to board) the single letter for time into an anagram (revised) of A SHIP GET
28a Wildlife presenter in Croydon, say, following when the evening news is on (12)
ATTENBOROUGH — the time at which the evening news is apparently broadcast in the UK followed by what Croyden is by example; for an explanation of the solution click here
Down
1d Copper admitted to terrible scare for plaintiff (7)
ACCUSER — insert (admitted to) the chemical symbol for copper into an anagram (terrible) of SCARE
2d Disregards sovereign or established borders (7)
IGNORES — a lurker hiding in (borders) the words between the definition and indicator
3d High-spirited English farm animal on cover of impressive books (9)
EBULLIENT — place the single letter for English and a bovine farm animal atop (on in a down clue) the outer letters of (cover of) IMPRESSIVE and an abbreviated set of religious books
4d Great deal following leader of Ponzi scheme (4)
PLOT — a great deal or copious amount after (following) the initial letter (leader) of PONZI
5d Fish in hostelry – starter of tuna using a lot of sauce? (8)
INSOLENT — insert a flatfish into a hostelry and append the initial letter of (starter of) TUNA
6d Screen icon‘s boast about Oscar (5)
GARBO — reverse (about) a synonym of boast and add the letter represented by Oscar in radio communication
7d Compel ignoble criminal to drop name (6)
OBLIGE — an anagram (criminal) of IGNOBLE after removing (to drop) the single letter for name
8d Journey from Finland’s capital requiring little effort (6)
FLIGHT — the upper-case letter (capital) of Finland and an adjective denoting requiring little effort
15d Concerned with undergraduate kind of course (9)
REFRESHER — the usual short word denoting concerned with or in the matter of and a first year student
16d Aversion is stated in an alternative form (8)
DISTASTE — an anagram (in an alternative form) of IS STATED
17d Coat put on friend of Harry or Emmanuel? (6)
MACRON — a type of waterproof coat preceding (put on [top of] in a down clue) one of the boy wizard’s classmates
18d Spoil broadcast fronted by mischief-maker (6)
IMPAIR — a synonym of broadcast preceded by (fronted by) a mischief-maker
20d Massage received by Rishi at summerhouse (7)
SHIATSU — a lurker, hiding in (received by) the final three words of the clue
21d Soil is hard underneath mountain lake (7)
XXX — place IS from the clue and the pencil designation for hard after (underneath in a down clue) a mountain lake
23d Tom maybe arresting that man, a swindler (5)
CHEAT — place the species of animal to which a Tom belongs around (arresting) a pronoun denoting that man
25d Spiteful remark from Ken’s partner that is dismissed (4)
BARB — remove (dismissed) the abbreviated Latin term for that is from the name of Ken’s love interest in the world of toys
I’ll single out the high-spirited farm animal for special mention only because the solution eluded me for so long.
Quickie Pun (see FAQ #36): MILL + KEY + WHEY = MILKY WAY
1*/4*. Light and fun. Just right for a Monday, with 28a my favourite.
Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon.
Yes, a nice start to the week. I have marked 9a, 13a, 22a and 18d as contenders for COTD. Thanks to the setter, and to Falcon for hints.
I particularly liked 28a for the evening news and 17d for Harry not being an anagram indicator. Thank you to Robyn? and Falcon.
We also saw ice sculptures this weekend: a trail around York, including somebody using a chainsaw to turn a massive block of ice look into York Minster, with a level of detail which was hard to believe even when witnessing it live.
A nice starter to the new week & good to see a reference to Nicholas Ray’s fine film at 10a. Having never read any of the books nor seen any of the films my knowledge of the wizard is sketchy at best – I’ll admit to bunging in the last 3 letters of 17d without pegging that Harry’s buddy was the Weasley bod. Otherwise a brisk canter & though no particular fav still very enjoyable.
Thanks to the setter & to Falcon
Light and breezy for a Monday and full of wit and charm to boot. I have ticks all over my page but will pick 9a, 3d and 28a as my podium. Thanks to compiler (Robyn?) And Falcon.
A great start to the week with plenty to like. I managed about three quarters before I had to go out to collect a painting. All fell into place when I returned although 28a took me a while because I had forgotten that particular news programme. Ince I got it, there was no other contender for COTD,
Thank you, setter for a fun solve. Thank you, Falcon for the hints and details of Winterlude – what a great idea to brighten up dr4ary February.
Great start to the week. 14a my fav. Very enjoyable puzzle. Thanks
Great fun with lots to like. 28a was my favourite. It took a while to get 17d as until I had some checkers I wanted to make it some sort of anagram.
Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon for the hints.
Fun start to the week, light and breezy guzzle with some typically Robynesque clues. My favourites probably the Spice Girls at 1a and the wild life presenter at 28a.
*/****
Thanks to setter (Robyn?) and Falcon for the hints and the Ottawa tour – looks lovely if you’re well wrapped up!
A superb Monday puzzle – thanks to Robyn and Falcon.
Highlights for me were 10a, 5d and 17d.
So much fascinating information to read and things to view on this morning’s blog, much appreciated here.
Got off to a slow start with this morning’s puzzle by assuming that I was looking for a type of spice in 1a but, once that was sorted, the remainder slotted into place quite neatly. Rosettes handed out to 13,22&28a plus 3d.
Thanks to our setter and to Falcon for the entertaining review.
Nothing too taxing about this, and a nice contrast to Saturday’s prize puzzle at the other end of the spectrum.
17d made me smile though I’m not a Potter fan, as did the Brando / Dean clue – culturally more up my street.
I’ve been meaning to say how much I like your initials, RD.
This was my first puzzle for getting on for three weeks as we have been away enjoying some winter sunshine, so I was relieved that my solving skills were not severely tested by this excellent crossword. It was spot on, with 28a my favourite clue.
Thanks very much to our Monday setter and Falcon.
I got 1a straight away a neat anagram as a springboard but 28a is the favourite of course. Just a really nice, fairly clued guzzle. Many thanks to The Setter and Rabbit Dave. I was glad to see the back of miserable January and last night on the way back from DD2 the moon and Venus looked wonderful. Snowdrops in the garden, spring is on the way. Fond wishes to Merusa if anyone is in contact.
I had another email from her godson this morning. He tells me that Merusa isn’t in any pain and is being well cared for by her 24/7 nursing care at home. Richard has promised to pass on the good wishes from all her friends on the BD blog as I don’t think she’s in any position to respond herself these days. At least she’s managed to stay at home in her own bed with Sadie by her side which is exactly as she’d hoped.
Sad news,I hope she has a quick recovery, she’s one of my favourites on here.
Thank you for the update, Jane. Poor Merusa.
Thanks for the update Jane. Merusa is constantly in my thoughts.
2*/4*
Just right for Monday I thought
I liked 1a, 3d and 15d today.
17d LOI – completely missed the Harry friend required.
Thanks to Robyn and Falcon
A good start to the week.
Top picks for me were 28a, 9a and 21d.
Thanks to Falcon and the setter.
Well for the start of the non-work week, this puzzle right on usual Monday expectations. Lots to like and really hard to pare down favourites from a great selection of of clues.
1.5*/4* for me
Favourites 10a, 12a, 13a, 26a, 1d & 18d — with winner 26a
Smiles from 4d, 23d & 25d … that could be in with the favourites too.
Thanks to setter (Robyn?) & Falcon
Solid from ”Rob? Y/N”.
1a kicked things off nicely and it flowed from there.
I have never heard of 20d which to me should be an expression for when it gets unintentionally a bit messy downstairs having just sneezed.
My pody is 1a, 9a and 1d.
Many thanks to R & F.
1*/4*
Tom
20d: I can’t let that go….
what an unpleasant image THAT creates
Far more importantly, very best wishes to Merusa.
Ah, Banksie!
I was hoping it would get a response and you came up trumps. Talking of trumping…
Enough now, Tom!
A nice straightforward puzzle just right for a Monday (apart from 20d) 😃 **/*** Favourites were
17a & 28a and 15d. Thanks to the Compiler and to the Falcon👍
Did this earlier than normal. Pure luck, as I had no sooner printer the crosswords when the power went out for our neighborhood, and several others. So unable to access internet etc, make coffee, oatmeal, etc. we settled down to do the crosswords first. Thankfully it was all restored about 30 minutes later, but I was already worrying about the fridge and chest freezer. Thankfully a friendly puzzle, just requiring a little extra thought in places. COTD to 23a, although it was one of my last entries. Like Daisy, 1a was a gift to get me started. Thanks to setter and Falcon.
All going well until the Harry clue, one of these days I’ll have to read those books … thank you compiler and Falcon and hope Medusa is ok
Pretty straightforward for a Monday. I had no idea either where Harry came into it in 17d but Emmanuel gave it away. A near neighbour practices 20d. Years ago she asked Mr M to be her ‘model’ and I was to take the photo for an advertising flyer. He’s a big bloke and I watched amazed as he was sort of tied in knots with much grunting noises, not sure who was making them! She said he could have a free session as a thank you but he never went back. Thanks to the setter and to Falcon. 28a my COTD because he’s a national treasure.
A quick anecdote about DA. He got back from filming in darkest Africa very late one night and crept into bed next to his sleeping wife. He woke some time later feeling desperately hot and sweating profusely. ‘I’ve got malaria’ he thought, but no, it transpired that she had left the electric blanket on.
A lovely romp as usual from Robyn? Struggled with the illusionist as I made up a fish so 5d checker incorrect! Went with a fictitious fish on the d*** (out of work) rather than the correct singular fish. 🤦🏻♂️ Then the….no don’t say it! 🤣
Every other day, every other day
Every other day of the week is fine
But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes
You can find me smiling all of the time.
Monday, Monday so good to me
Monday’s crozzie was all it should be
Oh Monday morning I think we can guarantee
Robyn and Falcon do enhance my tea.
I got off to a good start with 1a recognising it as an anagram straightaway. Have to confess to initially being misled by 27a but then the penny dropped ! My last one in was 17d and the last part of the answer was more a good guess than knowing Harry’s friend.
Many thanks to the setter and Falcon. I would have commented a bit sooner but was delayed by watching the video. Quite entertaining, thank you!
17d took an embarrassingly long time to get. Had no idea about the friend of Harry so had to look up the hints. I have seen one of the films so theoretically could of got this.
A good Monday solve.
Thanks to all.
Top half went straight in, bottom half took a little more thinking about enhancing the enjoyment. That said one would imagine I’m going for something in the south as favourite but I’m going with the very neat 9a. Thanks to Robyn and Falcon
A memory came up on FB today that involved silvanus who provided the following clue in a backpager.
Benefits of new arrival to the Cowling family (5)
We felt honoured then and we still feel honoured.
The poor soul didn’t live long but he was a delight while he was with us.
Good evening
A good, solid Monday crozzie with more than enough trip hazards in it – especially when it came to the SE quadrant!
It took forever to twig 19a, and (I think RogB has already been in, so I’ll whisper it…) when the penny eventually dropped, I had to laugh. I had 19a lined up as a contender for COTD along with 17d, but my last to fall takes it. A superb piece of misdirection (“fare”) clinches it for 27a.
Many thanks to our setter and to Falcon.
A fabulous start to the week. Thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the sun doing this puzzle (though not looking forward to tomorrow when we return to the grey, cold drizzle). Harry’s friend had me stumped for a few minutes before the penny dropped. Favourites were 1a (reminder of one of my favourite books) and 9a. Thanks to the setter and Falcon.
Very enjoyable and more typical for a Monday. I like to be eased gently into the new week, not just in the cryptic world, but in all areas.
I must say it is heart-warming to see the messages being sent to Merusa. A kind bunch you are. I also send my best wishes.
Thanks for another enjoyable puzzle, completed late last night.
14a I found the rather tricky – only managing to solve when most of the crossing clues were filled. 22a &27a were my favourites for their pleasing simplicity. Rishii’s Shiatsu was fun too.
Thanks to Robyn and Falcon.
2*/2* …
liked 13A “More impetuous , and a bit of a pig ? (6)”