DT 30952

48 comments on “DT 30952”

1. That was a delight of a Friday puzzle. Solving 1a and 6a straight away set the tone and I was off. Then I ground to a halt in Kent. It was 11d that held me up and, even when the checkers arrived, I couldn’t see it. It was my last in and it just would not reveal itself. In the end, I used Mr G and kicked myself when I saw the answer. Annoyed with myself that I didn’t persevere with it because I would then not have had a DNF. I didn’t understand 26a until I saw the spinning exercise. My COTD is the taxi taking the king to Luton Green at 3d.

   Thank you, setter for the Friday fun. Thank you, Mr. K. for the hints and pusskits.

   Just emptied the washing machine and there must have been some tissues in a pocket. I’ve got tiny bits of paper all over the kitchen. 😳

   1. Better than white tissue all over a dark wash…

      1. Yep! I had that as well, DG!

2. I absolutely loved this guzzle. I thought it was going to be much more difficult at first sight but it gradually revealed itself but I must admit that I had to see the hints to find out how I got there with a couple of them, like 9a. Hard luck with the tissues Steve, I think we have all done it! Some years ago David bought something to turn newspapers into logs, it never worked properly and the entire garden ended up covered in small bits of newspaper. Anyway thanks to the setter and to Mr K – lovely pictures.

3. Well worthy of the Friday slot, tougher than a piece of steak from Aldi.

   Got 1a straight away as well used to keep these in the 80s and 90s, some notable ones were Ratty, Marilyn (she was blonde) and little Varple.

   Last one in for me was 1d, it’s always the little ones that stump me.

   My two of the day were 3d and 15a.

   Off to see a show at the Reading Hexagon with Mrs TC later, it’s a dance show, her thing really, not mine, but I’m sure it’ll be great whatever.

   1. Whoops, WELL should read WE

      1. “We worthy of the Friday slot”?

         Enjoy the show — I live in a household of Strictly Come Dancing fans who would love to see Anton and Giovanni! I saw The Proclaimers once at Reading Hexagaon. My memory is that from the inside it doesn’t feel as hexagonal as The Octagon in Sheffield feels octagonal.

         1. Whoops again, I meant the second well (we used to keep these)

            Mrs TC attends Giovanni’s dance classes up in Fulham, and has been to about 30 of his shows, I met him at his previous show in Reading and he’s a really nice bloke.

            1. An error in your email address sent you into moderation

               1. Sausage fingers today Sue.

4. A thoroughly enjoyable Friday offering with a good variety of clue types which should please everyone and a few PDMs. Favourite was 11d for the pleasure that working through it gave me. Podium places for 1a, my first in, and 12a, another that took a bit of working out. Thanks to our setter and Mr K. Thanks for the pusskins.

5. I found this fairly straightforward, but very enjoyable. The only part I needed to check was the abbreviation for the African country at 16a.
   I did wonder at 10a (where the answer was obvious), whether it is fair play to include an abbreviation from one word in the clue in the middle of the anagram fodder – ie O(ld). I do not have an issue with T(ime) as it is the final word in the clue, and the final letter of the answer. Just wondering….. I have never thought of it before.

   Many thanks to the setter, and to Mr K. 2*/5*

   1. In my blogging experience, an anagram of a letter, even if it is generated as an abbreviation, and an immediately following word is quite common.

   2. Hi, Jezza. I think the convention is that it’s OK to have a letter in anagram fodder represented by a word that abbreviates to it, and for that to be in any position among the fodder, so long as the word being abbreviated begins with that letter (not something like Queen = R).

      1. Fair enough! I tackled my first cryptic puzzle roughly 40 years ago, and this is the first time I have questioned this structure. That said, 40 years ago I would have been quite chuffed if I managed to solve more than one clue

6. For me, etc, unusually straightforward for a Friday, I am not even sure if it is the work of any member of the Friday Triumvirate – 2.5*/3.5*

   Candidates for favourite – 9a, 13a, 23a, and 14d – and the winner is 23a after the penny dropped on the four legged Tamworth.

   Thanks to whomsoever and Mr K.

7. 3*/4*. I wonder who set this? I can think of reasons why it wasn’t any of of our regular Friday triumvirate, but nevertheless it was nicely challenging and good fun with 3d my favourite.

   I may not get around to commenting again before Monday as I am off shortly to Cambridge for a weekend of nostalgia and punting with a dwindling group of my college chums from 60 years ago.

   Many thanks to the setter and to Mr K. It’s good to see the cats out in force.

8. Another great back page puzzle, we really have been spoiled this week. It helped that 1a/6a went straight in and that the various icicles suspended from them fell just as swiftly, in a steady N to S solve. Lovely surfaces, plenty of complexity, a super puzzle. Honours to 11d, 9a & 26a, but there are many more queued up behind for podium.

   Many thanks indeed to the setter (I’m still inclined to suggest Zandio, but with much less certainty than is sometimes the case) and of course to Mr K and his feline friends!

9. Great Friday fun. Needed Mr K to confirm a couple for me so a dnf unaided. Nice to see the crossword favourite rodent making a return in 1a but my cotd was 16a. Thanks to compiler and Mr K.

10. Wouldn’t like to guess who set this but it was certainly enjoyable to solve. Tops for were 3d and 10a – the latter just because it’s a great word.

    Thanks to our setter and to Mr K for the review – nice to see that you brought the kitties out to play today!

11. This was a pleasant Friday surprise as this puzzle was not as difficult as many Fridays can be.
    Certainly a few head scratchers but not due to awkward words or twisted clueing.

    2.5*/3.5*

    Favourites 1a, 13a, 20a, 2d, 4d,22d & 24d — with winner 1a
    Smiles from 13a, 1d, 4d & 22d

    Thanks to setter & Mr K

12. A wonderful puzzle.
    Lots of original thinking and clever ideas.
    Ticks for 9a, 12a, 15a, 16a, 25a, 26a, 5d, 11d and 14d.
    I loved the “spinning exercises” and “what’s billed”.
    Thank you setter and Mr K.

13. This was a very fair challenge for a Vendredi with my LOI being 8d. Great word!

    My second LOI was 22d, meaning that I only got it when I had all the checkers. How slow was I to realize it was an anagram!

    My podium is 9a, 16a and 3d (a shame the place doesn’t exist)

    MT to the setter and Mr K.

    3*/4*

14. What a fitting end to what has been a fabulous week of cryptic puzzles. Just top drawer all week and getting ever more difficult. This was a super challenge and I’m chuffed that I managed to finish unaided. Struggled longest with the NE corner – but got there in the end. A huge thank you to the setter for an excellent test and to Mr K for the hints which I shall now check out. ****/*****

15. I didn’t find this as challenging as Fridays often are, though there was still plenty of opportunities to head off in the wrong direction — ‘Adult’ in 12a not indicating A, ‘exercises’ in 26a not being PE, and ‘bottom of defective’ in 22d not indicating E, for instance.

    My top couple were 11d fair and 14d’s second track.

    Thank to you Mr K for explaining the ‘billed as’ definition in 9a, and for the wonderful photos — your choice of images, and the quality and humour in them, are a real highlight. I love how unbothered the 23a-s are by the cat among them.

16. I really enjoyed that. It seemed quite light compared to some of my struggles over recent days, but then I had the place to myself and wasn’t subject to A-level stress (not mine, obvs) for the first time in a few weeks. Lots of great clues, but special mentions for 3d, 17d and 26a and the reference to Tamworth. Thanks very much to the setter and to Mr K.

17. Absolutely top class entertainment for a sunny Friday with the outstanding 3d my favourite. I didn’t find it particularly tough but it was supremely enjoyable.

    Many thanks to our setter (please claim ownership, it was terrific), and to Mr K.

18. I must have been on wavelength as I didn’t struggle too much, there were a few head scratchers and I did have to check 8d as it was a new word for me. All in all a most satisfying solve. Favourite was 23a, I saw saw the pig straightaway but a nice clue all the same. Thanks to the setter and Mr. K.

19. Until I read a few of the comments about how it wasn’t as difficult as often on a Friday I was about to say that it was a real rarity for me, a difficult (4star) crossword that I really enjoyed and finished. Recently Thursdays in particular have been very difficult and not at all enjoyable. Dying to find out who today’s setter is.

20. I had a few where the parsing eluded me and I needed to read the hints to understand my answers but otherwise than that this was a fun and interesting puzzle. 3d was my favourite but many others were close behind.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Mr K for the comprehensive hints.

21. After nearly two weeks away a Friday puzzle that seems friendlier than most. But still above my abilities after traveling for 24 hours straight yesterday (cancelled flight/rerouted etc.) to get home at 10pm last night. Totally stressed as holiday began with delayed flight almost causing us to miss our 2 (yes 2) connecting flights and the ship, and checked luggage arriving just before sailing the next day – phew. We need a holiday… so I am happy that I managed most of this puzzle on my own, and perhaps might finish it later when my brain adjusts to the time change. Thanks to setter and Mr K. Glad to be home 😊.

22. Good afternoon

    Crikey! My first crozzie in a fortnight, and it’s a Friday job! I picked up my Lucky Green Pen in sheer trepidation…

    Made it, though. Struggled right at the end, and almost hoyed in the sponge with 15a and 14d left to get. Bloomin straight forward once I’d finally twigged ’em

    Laughed out loud when I figured 9a out; my COTD is 3d.

    Busy weekend coming up, so hopefully I’ll get back into the swing of things properly on Monday.

    Many thanks to our setter and to Mr K.

23. An exceptionally entertaining and amusing puzzle. Lots going on and plenty to chew over in so many clues.
    I shan’t attempt to nominate a podium as my paper has far too many ticks. This was a real piece of art from a master setter.
    Take a bow, sir (or in the interest of equality, madam).
    Thanks also to Mr K.
    I wonder if on hearing the sad news concerning Brian Wilson the theme of illustrations used in the blog tipped a hat to the Beach Boys’ masterpiece, Pet Sounds?

24. Many thanks Mr K for the blog and thank you to all who have commented today.

    It’s very hot today, time for a beer. Toughie duty soon, hope to see you then. Happy weekend everyone.

    1. Thank you, Karla for a great puzzle. More please! 👍

       1. My comment seems to have vanished & can’t be bothered to rewrite it so what Steve said.

    2. Thanks for dropping in and for a wonderful puzzle to solve and to hint.

25. Great puzzle – thank you Karla. Lots of great clues, but I particularly enjoyed 1D and 3D. VMT Mr K.

26. What an enjoyable puzzle. Got it done early as I was off to Thread in Farnham for the stitching Fair. Traffic was horrendous. The M 25 / M 3 junction is still dreadful and we must be into the 2 nd year of work. Now can at last leave my comment and give praise to our setter Karla. The misdirections were a delight and so many to choose from. Liked10 a just because it is a great word . Good to see a different sort of rodent and chuckled at finding the fish. Good homework for you today Mr. K

27. Best of the week by miles, for me it flowed pretty well (I’m not exactly good at crossies!) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks Mr Setter and Mr K

28. 2* / 4* Surprisingly straightforward Friday challenge after being braced for a proper brain mangler.
    Favourites 1a rodent, 8d rotting and our black and white billed friend at 9a

    Thanks to Mr K and Karla

29. Very enjoyable crossword with very clever clueing.

30. Seems i am the only one to have not heard of 8d before. Without 8d I couldn’t get 6a either.

    Otherwise I whizzed through the rest coming to a hard stop in the NE corner.

    Thanks to all.

31. Have been dipping in and out f this enjoyable puzzle all day and hey presto have just made the grade so can now retire with relief to bed. Had to seek help on 16a and had made life difficult by trying to use wrong ending for 8d. 23a had been bunged in before I recalled significance of Tamworth. Thank you so much Karla for the fun and MrK for hinting.

    1. A typo in your email address sent you into moderation

       1. My apologies Sue

32. Solved this gradually and enjoyably on and off (mainly off) yesterday evening and today. Needed to check the spelling of 8d but essentially knew the answer. Otherwise, almost completed without any assistance but needed my wife’s help for 14d: she said the answer as soon as she saw the checkers. COTD 23a for making me think of Manuel in Fawlty Towers as I solved it. Thanks to Karla for a testing but well-constructed puzzle and thanks to Mr K for the hints. ***/****

33. 4*/4* ….
    liked 10A “Inept old admiral struggling with time (9)”

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