DT 30896

80 comments on “DT 30896”

1. This was top notch entertainment from start to finish, full of wit and style. I don’t think the smile left my face and, for sheer laugh out loud, 7d must take the plaudits. Picking a podium is tough as I have ticks all over the page, but I’ll stick my pin on 7d, 10a and 16d in top spot. Thanks to compiler and congratulations to Senf. A great milestone.

2. Firstly. huge congrats to racking up a monkey of puzzles. A tremendous effort.

   This was a hard midweeker but a very enjoyable solve that had it all.

   I am a huge fan of cryptic definitions as you have to sit back and let your mind wander. So, I really enjoyed 10a, 12a, 26a and 7d. 28a is a truly superb lurker – what a great effort! I haven’t heard of the special cap or the verb in 15a.

   I enjoy clues like 19a, 14d and 17d where you add or delete a letter from a word or expression to get another one.

   My podium is 12a, 28a and 4d.

   Many thanks to Mr Tumble (?) and the Manitoban mountie.

   4*/5*

3. did you forget the click buttons

   1. You usually include your surname when commenting so went into moderation this time

      The click here buttons are all showing when I look at the post

      1. Barry may be referring to the email as the answers aren’t hidden.

         1. The email advising that the blog has been published is automatically generated and sent by WordPress and, as a mere mortal blogger, I am not aware that I am doing anything differently that causes the entire blog, with answers revealed, to be included in the email.

            I will consult with our WordPress guru Mr K.

            1. You need a page break after your preamble

            2. Thank you Senf. It’s probably a small formatting thing which causes it. We just have to be mindful not to look at the screen until we have scrolled to the bottom where a Comment button appears rather than the usual Continue Reading one.
               Congratulations again on reaching 500 blogs, here’s to the next 500 😁

4. Congratulations Senf. Your blogging endeavours are much appreciated and long may they continue. Another very enjoyable puzzle which I would have completed unaided had I paid more attention to my grammar in 1a. I’m cross with myself because I’m something of a pendant in this regard! I actually saw the fantastic lurker at 28a today so that helped to ameliorate things. Lots of ticks on my paper today. I’ll go for, in no particular order, 3d, 7d and 27a for podium places. Thanks to our setter and Senf.

5. Congratulations on the milestone Senf, I iappreciate your tips for all those times when I get stuck with the parsing. This was an enjoyable puzzle with too many smiles to pick a favourite but Big Mac, among others, stood out. Thanks also to our setter for a just-right-for-a-Wednesday puzzle.

6. Chapeau, Senf, on your 500th blog, and thank you for your generous commitment of such significant time and patience for so long in “putting the word to lights” – the site’s banner so perfectly describes what you and the other bloggers do so uncomplainingly.

   To the puzzle – another gentle and hugely enjoyable challenge, the only hitch being at the end when I realised that I’d written Charlie’s, making 4d something of a head-scratcher. I thought 13a rather lovely – did he paint a picture of that name? I cannot easily find one, but it would be the perfect clue if so. Reacquainted with one or two old friends, eg 12a, but it still raises a broad smile. Great surfaces and all was scrupulously fair.

   COTD 3d for the very clever red herring, joined on the podium by 14d & 16d, with runner-up 13a.

   Many thanks to the setter and once again to Senf

7. Great fun with much to appreciate, including some fine cryptic clues which, like TDS65, I always enjoy, perhaps (even) more than anagrams, lurkers etc. Too many favourites to list comprehensively, but shout outs for 3d, 14d and 17d. Thanks very much to the setter and congratulations to Senf on reaching such a momentous milestone.

8. What a great puzzle which brought forth lots of smiles. 16d was new to me but easily gettable.

   Top picks for me were 3d, 9a, 12a, 14d and 27a.

   Thanks and congratulations to Senf and thank you to the compiler for such an entertaining puzzle.

9. Hearty congrats. and thanks to Senf.
   You deserve a quick pun, if to your taste!

10. Congratulations Senf and many thanks for all the time you give to this wonderful site, much appreciated!

11. Fun. 7d’s especially great. Many thanks to our setter and … well, someone had to, surely?
    Senior fellow who deserves special thanks today (4)

12. Heartiest congratulations on the milestone, Senf. I’ve had a quick word with Big Sis and she tells me that she’ll be happy to accept all the fivers that come her way because they’re in very short supply over here but she’d hate for you to call an end to your hinting days. What she actually said was that if you give up doing those you’ll likely go back to being a boring old f— who drones on endlessly about his years in the RAF!

    A handful of hmms and an old chestnut at 12a but otherwise an enjoyable puzzle today. Top marks going to 14, 20&25d.

    Thanks to our setter and to Senf for the review.

13. A very entertaining puzzle – many thanks to our setter and Senf (and congratulations on the milestone).
    I have too many ticks on my printout to list them all – I’ll just mention 12a, 19a, 27a, 3d and 4d.

14. I’m wondering if this excellent crossword is the work of one of my favourite setters who occasionally turns up on the back page

    Too many clues I really liked appear on my list so I’ll just say many thanks to the setter and the milestone man

    1. Hmm, you could be right, CS. It does seem Jayesque (my favourite setter).

       A couple of months ago, I was convinced that two crosswords were penned by him as they were that good. But, they turned out to be Mr Tumble’s which is praise indeed for him.

    2. Canny setter spotting Sue – as soon as I read your comment I figured you were thinking Hudson – no wonder I enjoyed it so much

15. Heartiest congratulations to you, Senf, on reaching a momentous milestone with your 500th blog. Wish you much more success and greater, novel heights in the times ahead.

16. Plenty of fun in today’s excellent guzzle and whilst it wasn’t the toughest of challenges there were enough clues to make
    me stop and think and admire the wordplay
    **/****
    Thanks to the setter and congratulations Senf – you asked what you should do? Hopefully another 500 if you’re up for it!

17. Happy 500th blog day to Senf and thanks for all you and the others do! I enjoyed today’s , and found it more of a Monday style – clearly I was on the setter’s wavelength. 16d was a new word for me too , but an obvious one to work out. I did have a silent groan at the wording of 28a which felt like an obvious lurker , but well done setter for working that out ! Thanks again Senf and to the setter.

18. Most enjoyable. Faves are the strange ones: 10a, 16a, & 7d, withb7f the winner.
    V many thanks to the setter and to senf. Particular congratulations to senf for his persistence and I’m glad to see that the weather is clement enough not to deserve a mention!

19. 2*/4*. I enjoyed this a lot in spite of a couple of iffy surfaces and I can’t see anything at all cryptic about 26a.

    My podium comprises 12a, 19a & 14d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Senf, whose Herculean approach to blogging is much appreciated by all of us. Be warned, Senf, that, unlike Hercules’ travails, your task is never ending.

    1. Hi RD

       26a is a cryptic jobbie. It wants you to think of a pub that plays loud ‘Kerrang’ music all the time.

       Admittedly, it didn’t stretch the grey cells that much but I liked it.

       1. For me, it’s just a straightforward definition with a question mark, i.e. not cryptic!

          1. I guess it depends on whether you’re ‘taken in’ by the alternative meaning. I’d say 12a “Jailhouse Rock” is from the same stable, but has a more obvious surface read than 26a. FWIW I quite liked 26a, but that’s (perhaps) because it brought back fond memories of an ex-girlfriend who was a fan of heavy metal music, and took me to several such establishments.

20. Well done on 500 blogs Senf, I think Terence will be pleased to see Karma Chameleon I think he once said he worked on that video

21. 500,not out, Senf. Congratulations is it a push on for the next milestone now?. A great guzzle today, despite the fact that Mr Google was called on to fill the gaps in my GK with regard to South African fauna and West End farces. I liked the 9a Lego clue and the clwver wordplay in 18a. Thanks to,senf for the excellent hints and to the compiler

    1. The South African fauna does appear quite often so worth remembering/trying to remember even if you have have to delete a favourite family member from your memory to ‘make room.’

22. Many congratulations and huge thanks on the occasion of your 500th blog, Senf. I will need to keep going for another 8 years to catch up with you!!
    A lovely puzzle which I completed sometime after midnight during another sleepless night.
    I loved it – ticks all over the place including 1a, 9a, 10a, 12a, 18a, 23a, 27a, 2d, 3d, 4d, 8d and 14d. Too difficult to chose a CoD from that lot.
    Thanks to our setter and Senf.

23. What a wonderful puzzle for you to blog and bring up your 500. Many thanks and congratulations for all your hard work Senf. It is much appreciated.

    This was hugely enjoyable and reasonably light for a midweeker, but there were so many great clues to choose from I cannot pick an outright winner.

    Many thanks to our setter for a nice challenge.

24. An easier the normal Wednesday puzzle for me. Went in more or less seamlessly and was enjoyable to complete.

    2*/3.5*

    Favourites 9a, 12a, 4d, 7d & 14d — with winner 12a with 7d a close second.
    Smiles for 21a, 8d & 25d

    Thanks to setter & Senf

25. A fun puzzle for me as, like Tom, I really enjoy cryptic definitions. Thanks to the setter and congrats to Senf on achieving the impressive milestone.

26. Many thanks to Senf for his amazing dedication to duty and the enlightenment it has broght to me.
    I enjoyed today’s puzzle very much and COTD for me was 14d for it’s simplicity. Like a previous poster I am still struggling to understand the crypitc quality of 26a, despite a later post. I also thought 28a was incredibly contrived and could only have been a lurker because of that.
    A sad day in Bangkok today, they’ve stood down all the rescue sniffer dogs searching for survivors at the building that collapsed after the recent earthquake. The search is now for bodies only. No survivors were found by the dogs, so it looks like there are around 70 bodies that need to be found.
    Thanks again to Senf. The obvious answer to the question he poses is that he should continue, it’s a marathon not a sprint. Thanks to the setter also.

    1. Your comment went into moderation because of a minor error in your email address, no ‘.’ between ‘co’ and ‘uk’ which i have ‘fixed’.

       Thanks.

       1. Thanks. I’ll proof read more carefully next time.

27. Congratulations senf.When was your first blog ? I’m guessing around the 2005/10’s ? If so I wouldn’t have been doing crosswords back then .I became booked on DT versions relatively recently.I would like to see your first blog? Am I being cheeky ?
    Many thanks to everyone my cotd is 7d

    1. Thanks Francis. My very first blog was a ‘one off’ in November 2016 – https://bigdave44.com/2016/11/29/dt-28284/

       Then at Birthday Bash 8, at the end of January 2017, Big Dave agreed to let me replace him as the Sunday Puzzle blogger starting a week later. The occasional substitution for the SPP and some back pagers have helped to keep the ‘counter’ ticking over and now, since the end of November last year, following the 2 Kiwis retirement, it has become a regular two blogs a week.

28. Many congratulations and much thanks, Senf for all of your very helpful blogs.
    What will you choose to toast your accomplishment ? Balvenie?
    I could suggest a wallet-friendly Tamnavulin (when it’s on offer in Asda) but I’m not sure you’d get it in Winnipeg.

    Lovely puzzle today.
    Thanks to the setter and of course to the magnificent Senf

    1. I will let a shiny new King Charles Toonie decide between a wee dram of Balvenie or Dalwhinnie. Thank goodness that ‘wee’ is qualitative and open to interpretation!

29. Thanks senf , later than I thought .I will trawl back and have a look .I may have even attempted that particular one . Have a celebratory tipple on me (If you drink of course )

30. Senf my favourite from yesteryear was 3d . I’ve been there , circa 2016 and I think I remember some of the clues . Whether I attempted it I can’t remember . Whether I finished it is probably doubtful because I was just beginning to look at the DT crosswords back then .

31. Congratulations Senf on your 500th, and please don’t even think of giving up on us, I really enjoy your hinting days. The number of “old timers” on here is shrinking sadly. This was an enjoyable puzzle although I cannot claim I finished on my own. COTD to 27a. Puzzling my way through helped me take my mind off our savings going up in smoke because of one person… oh dearie me. Thanks to setter and Senf.

32. What an achievement Senf it must be difficult doing such consistently high standard blogs, and never complaining. Thank you and please don’t stop!

    1. That’s why there is Balvenie and Dalwhinnie readily available!

       1. … try a Glenfarclas!

33. 1A would have been solved earlier had I taken my socks and shoes off to count the letters. At the start, I made it 13 letters and couldn’t see how to get to 12. Muppet

34. An enjoyable puzzle and the first to be completed unaided this week. Many thanks for all those hints – always helpful, even when not needed!

35. Huge congratulations Senf & many thanks for such an impressive/contribution to the blog.
    Loved the puzzle for the short time the solve lasted which was a tad quicker than yesterday surprisingly. Ticks in abundance – 9,12,18,19,21&27a plus 3,7&14d all particular likes.
    Thanks to the setter & to our mustard reviewer/guide to damsels requiring escort from railway stations

    

36. Congratulations on the 500 Senf. Found this a gentle stroll at 125mph to London this morning but work putting what’s left of the NHS to rights has prevented commenting until now. I also enjoyed the 7d Big Mac and I might be home late enough for that to be tonight’s gourmet dinner option. Thanks to setter and senf

37. Dear Senf, I just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the blog and many congratulations on your very impressive milestone.
    Sorry if I dropped a bit of a, er, clanger at 26A but it was my intention to summon up the image of a bar (ie a drinking establishment) staging performances by exponents of the heavy metal music genre but I do agree it’s not one for my scrapbook.
    Best wishes to all, Rob/Hudson

    1. Thanks for popping in and for a puzzle that was very enjoyable to solve and blog.

       No need to apologise on 26a – my knowledge of ‘heavy metal’ could be written on the back of a postage stamp and still have room for several of Old Bill Shakes’ sonnets. But, the 14d 80s pop icon was no problem.

       With some e-help, I did just find find a band of that name although its Facebook page appears to suggest that it no longer exists – for at least 9 years?

       Thanks again.

       Thanks again.

    2. Terrific puzzle Rob – please visit the back-pager more often.

38. I feel like I am doing a different crossword to everyone else, such is my failure to remotely get any where near the wavelength.

    Thanks to all and hearty congrats to senf!

39. A couple of weeks ago I again subscribed to the Telegraph crossword newsletter. I immediately got an email ‘welcome to the newsletter’ and thought that was a good sign. Two weeks on and no sign of that elusive weekly guzzle, what am I doing wrong?

40. I really enjoyed today’s puzzle earlier today though was slow to get the anagram at 1a! Many thanks to the setter. Had to drop in to say a special thank you to Senf and many congratulations on your 500th! Hope you have enjoyed a dram or two of Balvenie/Dalwhinnie to celebrate.

41. A satisfying solve today, but despite everyone claiming 7D as they’re favourite I can’t see the parsing of it at all (despite getting the right answer). Can anyone enlighten me please? (Similarly for the Heavy Metal Bar – I’m failing to see a double definition in there).

    1. 7d a Big Mac = Large Mackintosh = Overcoat
       Hope that helps

    2. Hi CM

       Take a look at the setter’s comment #37 regarding the heavy metal bar.

42. An enjoyable solve and so very nearly getting that first puzzle completed without having to refer to external assistance. Had never heard of 1a but was gettable. Totally on the wrong wavelength for 5d, trying to anagram the final word and failing.
    Congratulations to Senf on 500 puzzles, not just the numerical achievement but the commitment involved.

43. Congratulations on your milestone Senf. Keep up the good work.
    What an enjoyable task you had dealing with this gem of a puzzle.
    Thanks Hudson and Senf.

44. I posted much earlier today but can see it never appeared.

    In summary it said congratulations to Senf for achieving 500 blogs and thank you to you and all the other bloggers that make this such a wonderful site. We appreciate all the hard work it takes.

    I thoroughly enjoyed todays puzzle with too many excellent clues to pick just one, the variety of clue types and the lurker at 28a made it great fun.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Senf for the hints

45. Can someone please explain the answer to
    23a? I don’t understand how “evolve” means to “disclose.” Thanks! (First time commenter here)

    1. Welcome to the blog

    2. Welcome to the blog from me too. (apols for the late reply).

       I too struggled with this one and should have mentioned it in my post.

       If anyone is still up, it would nice to see an example.

       Keep those comments coming, Bradders!

    3. I can’t think of an example immediately but disclose is in the BRB entry for evolve – need I say more?

46. Congratulations and thanks for your 500 blogs.
    Please send your big sister’s address, so that I can send her a begging letter. 🙂

47. 1.5* / 4* Top notch Thursday puzzle, favourites, 28a, 12a and 14d

    Thanks to Senf500 and Setter

48. Thank you Senf for all of that sterling work which is truly appreciated. It was lovely to meet you at the ‘bash’. I’m wondering where our lovely Daisy is hiding out, I’ve not seen her commenting for a few days.?

49. I always make heavy weather of Wednesday evening puzzles and today was no exception, nobody else’s fault but mine and the mind numbing quiz I do on WhatsApp beforehand. I did enjoy this though. Lots to like. Favourite was 5d. Thanks to Hudson and Senf and congratulations on your milestone.

50. An enjoyable solve but with a couple of queries. I too can’t connect 23a with Disclose and I can’t see how “unlined” in 8d means remove the middle letters. 5d is my top clue today. Thanks to Senf and congrats on your milestone blog.

    1. I can only guess that 23a may be in the sense of to reveal or disclose gradually (although I think it would more commonly mean to be revealed or disclosed gradually) as in “Tension built as the storyline evolved.”

       The unlined jacket is just a shell — so the outer letters only.

       1. On reflection, since evolve can be transitive, the playwright could evolve the storyline.

          1. Thank you, F.

51. Fantastic puzzle — thank you to those who recommended it, and Hudson for setting it. My favourite was 14d, for the two phrases being so different at only one letter apart and for the subtle definition.

    Congratulations and a big thank you to Senf on the arbitrary round number.

    Like Tom, I didn’t know the 11a cap (I was disappointed to see it doesn’t have horizontal stripes) nor the ‘criticize’ meaning of 15a (though in the dictionary I checked, that came before the ‘with excessive detail’ meaning). I thought the antelope was new to me as well, so was annoyed on discovering that actually I made a comment about them here when they appeared in January! But it was clued so well that I got it anyway.

    Senf, the 18d word for teachers is definitely still used at our 12-year-old’s school — not just as an honorific form of address, but also when talking about them (“Sir said that we had to …”).

    1a was my last in; I needed all the crossing letters to work out the anagram. Senf, you’re probably correct that an apostrophe would’ve helped, but my ignorance of the play wasn’t helping. I belatedly realized where I had heard of it before: in the ‘Margaret Thatcher’ answer at the end of the Two Ronnies famous Mastermind sketch:

    And hello to anybody still reading this!

    1. Terrific recall – what a great sketch that is.
       As time passes I reckon their stuff has weathered much better than Eric & Ernie

52. Congratulations on your 500th Senf
    3*/3* …
    liked 17D “Punctilious individual beginning to solve tricky puzzle (8)”

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