DT 30885

61 comments on “DT 30885”

1. Straightforward stuff. I liked 24a. Thanks to todays setter and Shabbo.

2. Well I thought it was more than 1* for difficulty, but it’s a Ray T, and I often struggle. Today required some more detailed thought in places, but I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and progressed slowly but surely. Many great clues from which I’ll pick a podium of 7a, 17d with 24a in top spot. Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

3. Yep agree it was nice & gentle. Liked the lurkers.
   Thanks to Ray T & Shabbo for a top review – view looks gorgeous.
   Ps for any that missed it Steve popped in late yesterday evening.

   1. Thank you, Andy. I did miss it.

   2. Oh how was he, I’ve been wondering how he is.

4. Very gentle today with only 14a holding me up until I had all the checkers. I found the quickie more challenging and needed recourse to the LRB more than usual. No overall favourite today but thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

5. The top half of the guzzle went in more easily than the bottom, so it was a game of two halves, but not as challenging as yesterday’s crossword. I liked the 1a lurker and the reverse lurker at 17d plus the Lego clue at 14a. Thanks to Shabbo for the hints, I envy you the walks round rhe bird reserves, I’ve spent many a happy hour doing the same. Thanks to the conpiler for an entertaining guzzle.

6. I got off to a flier but the last few took me into the next time zone.

   Clinical cluing from Mr T (!) which always makes it a pleasant solve. 24a is an old classic but deserves to be wheeled out on a regular basis. 19a is such a useful word for setters and a half-decent one for ‘Wordle me durdles’ *

   My podium is 1a (great lurker as was 17d), 30a and 24d (love the ‘mirror’ shout, Shabbers)

   Many thanks to the aforementioned gents.

   3*/4*

   * I’ve managed to recently get my Wordle average under 4 which isn’t easy. Why they don’t display your average with the other stats is beyond me.

   1. I am unbearable at the moment (according to George) as in the last 5 days I have Wordled in two twice and in 3 three times. Yeay.

      1. Outstanding.

         A quick question as it’s got nowt to do with crosswords…..do you start with the same word?

         I use my canon of words that have four vowels: adieu, audio, aurei, miaou, naieo, Louie, ourie and aulei

         I do it with my wife and my children and the one who is leading this year’s competition uses ‘house’ every time. * That could be because of this strategy or, simply, he’s a better player.

         So, I’m not sure what to do. Either way, it’s great fun.

         * It came up once. So, he has an entry in the ‘Wordle in one’ category. I’m well jel.

         1. I like to use argue

7. Dream Team Thursday – part one! **/****

   Candidates for favourite – 16a, 25a (an Oldie But Goodie?), 15d, 18d, and 22d – and the winner is 15d.

   Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

8. Slightly tricky in places and although 24a took me a long time to twig it then became favourite. The usual clever mix of brief clues made it very enjoyable.

   Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo for the hints, I hope you continue to enjoy your time away.

9. I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzle and it brought lots of smiles.

   Top picks for me were 24a, 15d and 18d.

   Thanks to Shabbo and Ray T. Hope you continue to enjoy your birding walks Shabbo.

10. I think the ‘Quickie’ took longer than this highly enjoyable puzzle. This was Ray T at his most economical, yet he still manages to produce perfectly lucid clues with so few words. Quite remarkable. For a favourite I have gone with 22d.

    Thanks to our star setter and Shabbo.

11. Yippee, it’s Dream Team day again! Always so much to enjoy in a puzzle from the master of brevity, today’s being no exception. I particularly enjoyed 25a which always makes me smile no matter how many times it gets pressed into service, 30a & 7d.

    Devotions as ever to Mr T and thanks to Shabbo for taking time out of his holiday to bring us the review, it’s much appreciated.

12. What is it with crossword compilers? Everyday with the cheese. I can’t stand the stuff. Anyone who manufactures cheese should be imprisoned (no trial necessary). Those who sell it should be considered to be in the same category as people who deal hard drugs. Ban all cheese. Ban it today.

    Challenging guzzle. Thanks to the setter and Shabba-dabba-doo

    Today’s crossword soundtrack: The Low Anthem – The Air Hockey Fire

    1. Sorry, Terence, but I think you’re on a hiding to nothing with that campaign. Too many of us love the stuff in all its guises!

       1. Agreed. Stilton with a glass of Port, what more do you want.

       2. I would give up meat before I would give up cheese. Took a while to find a good one when we arrived over here, as “American cheese” is bland in the extreme. But happily found Vermont White Cheddar Extra Strong which is close to English cheddar.

    2. Terence, Sir. I had thought that we were soulmates but doubts are creeping in. I am with you to some extent on The List , can just about live with the no-bitsOJ, recently found your stance on face flannels a challenge and now – to take against Cheese….,,,! I am not mad about it as George is but it does have a place in the World and at certain times can be exquisite. You are going to have to worm your way back onto your pedestal methinks. 🤔

    3. I rather like that tune T – never heard of ‘em but sufficiently intrigued to listen to their 10 popular tracks on Spotify.

13. Thanks to Shabbo for the pun of the day in the hint for 8d!!!

    Sweetheart doing different duty in this Ray T offering; thanks again to Shabbo for the parsing of 3d as it took ages for me to write it in without being able to parse.
    Other favourites were 7d, 15d and 24a.

    All in all, excellent Thursday offering.

14. 1*/5*. Yes, all is right with the world (well the crossword world, at least) with a light and wonderful RayT puzzle and a Silvanus Toughie to entertain us.

    This was top-notch even by RayT’s standards. My podium comprises 24a, 29a, 17d & 18d.

    Many thanks to him and to Shabbo.

15. Gentle and enjoyable – what’s not to like? Thanks to Mr T and Shabbo.
    I didn’t think that 19a was very cryptic.
    My ticks went to 21a, 24a and 17d.

    1. You’re probably right about 19a, G.

       My guess is that he chose Bordeaux as it has the same first three letters as Boredom, meaning it’s quite satisfying to say.

       I think he fancied a bit of fun.

16. A nice gentle puzzle but I’m not sure about 4d – where is the anagram indicator or is this a different type of construct/clue? Anybsteer from fellow Big Davers would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks to the setter and to Shabbo for that glorious photo at the start

    1. Hi MHUK

       The anagram indicator is the word ‘around’ followed by the final letter of prisons.

       1. Thank you! Can’t believe I missed that!!

17. Glad to have our fortnightly visit from the brevity and precise clue giver on deck … RayT. Always a joy. Sweetheart appeared today but not in the usual way and the queen this away this week.

    2*/4.5*

    Favourites 1a, 28a, 29a, 8d 15d & 26d — with winner 15d
    Smiles for 6a, 10a & 26d

    Thanks to RayT & Shabbo

18. Fairly straightforward today.
    2*/4*
    24a was my COTD.
    Thanks to Ray and Shabbo.

19. Not that quiet in the right hands;

    Thanks to the twitching Shabbo and RayTeaseing us with that sweetheart
    Good to hear from SC yesterday too

20. Welcome back to North Norfolk Shabbo – what a lovely view of Wells you have. The weather is glorious although today started a bit murky. To the guzzle – really enjoyable and not too hard on the little grey cells. 24a and 24d my favourites. Thanks to all.

    1. It’s gorgeous now in Wells. Just enjoying a decent pint at The Globe sitting outside.

       1. When you’re outside The Globe, please be sure to take care over where your Butt Lands!

          Enjoy the rest of your break. We’re booked to be back there in August.

          1. Good gag, Smylers!
             The Buttlands is so named because it used to be where archery was practised, apparently.
             Excellent lunch with friends in The Globe and, as the weather was so good, we decided to stay on for an extra pint outside afterwards!
             Enjoy your stay in August. It will no doubt be busy.
             We have already booked to come back for a week in October.

21. Just nicely challenging with going in the North smoother than down South. IMHO some dodgy clues including 6a, 24a, 29a, 22d and 24d. Thank you anyway MrT and Shabbo.

22. Clearly I’m really thick, as I didn’t find this gentle. Too many answers where I have a ? inked in after I filled the boxes. 24a – what has the answer to do with inspiration? 2d – no idea. Like I said, more than a * for me. Thanks to Ray T. Just when I think I have got on wavelength I find I really haven’t. Thanks to Shabbo, especially for going above and beyond by solving for us while on holiday.

    1. Inspiration as in taking a breath.

       1. Thanks. Never thought of that. I get stuck on a definition meaning and it is very hard to shift.

    2. 2d – father = sire.

       1. I said I was thick today.

23. Delightful guzzle on a lovely spring day. Lunch in Harston with friends then a tour of the daffodils in Thriplow and finally to the Dump where a strong man took our old TV off our hands. So much to like here and several body parts but I particularly noted the lurkers at 17d and 1a. Many thanks to Setter & Shabbo as usual.

    1. When I read ‘so much to like here and several body parts’ I thought you were referring to the strong man at the Dump! That’s our DG I thought!

       1. Well her reputation must be shot as I thought exactly the same!

          1. Ditto! 😂

             1. Love it! What a reputation. 😁😂

                1. You’ve changed your alias (you’re usually Manders) so this needed moderation. Both versions will work from now on.

                2. Now I am covered in confusion. I’m a respectable girl, so I am! Cry Vile Calumny.

24. Evening all. My thanks to Shabbo for the review and to all for your observations.

    RayT

    1. Good evening, Mr T, and thank you for popping in to see us. Thought that was a particularly good puzzle from you today despite the absence of our beloved HM.

    2. Thank you RayT for a very entertaining puzzle!

25. I really enjoyed today’s puzzle. Can’t believe I missed the reverse lurker at 17d. Re 6a I certainly remember my eldest brother getting the Eagle each week during the 1950’s and my other brother getting the Beano. Many thanks to Ray T and for calling in! Thanks also to Shabbo for the hints which I have just read through.

26. Good evening

    As I sat looking over the grid this morning, I recognised immediately that this was the work of the Mighty Mr T.

    As always, our Mr T teases and tantalise. With three quarters of the grid filled, the SW quadrant remained, just to make up that final hurdle. A particularly nice stretched synonym occurred in 24d, which I nominate as joint COTD along with 18d and my last to fall, 24a. Superb!

    Thank you Ray T and thank you Shabbo.

27. 18d took way too long to crack and pushed me to 3* / 4*. Very enjoyable clues throughout and a tricky quickie
    Thanks to RayT and Shabbo

28. I found this difficult in places. I’m usually on the same wavelength as Mr. T but not today, not that I didn’t enjoy the challenge. Favourite was 15d. Thanks to RayT and Shabbo. I’ll go and check out yesterday’s blog now.

29. Eventually solved most of the clues without using any assistance (and enjoyed doing so) but needed the hints (and more) for 14a, 24a, 15d and 29a. Someone has commented that 24a is an old classic but to a relative newcomer like me it is very difficult (in fact for me impossible) although I do now appreciate the cleverness. It is like the “number” clue, another classic, which I have encountered in previous crosswords and which I also could not solve first time. I suspect there are a fair few classics like that (“sweetheart” another but used as a diversion today) and I appreciate that I will have to get used to them (and remember them). In many respects, a typical day for me. COTD 9d for its neatness. Thanks to RayT and Shabbo. ***/**

30. An excellent offering from Mr T. The usual obscure synonyms and lots of wit. Favourite for me is 24a. Thanks to Ray and Shabbo. Btw I can’t see the second word of the Quickie pun on my screen.

    1. Apologies. I think I have now amended it, but you have no doubt worked out the answer anyway.

       1. Had a guess but I don’t do the Quickie.
          I just look at the first words in the blog to see if I can work out the pun. Thanks Shabbo.

31. 2*/3* ….
    liked 12A “Managed company with utter empty malice (7)”

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