Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3321 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where there is good news for some of the wildfire evacuees as they are being allowed to return home.
For me, and I stress for me©, Dada quirkier, especially on anagram indicators, than he has been for quite a while – two long uns, five anagrams (two partials), one lurker, 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, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 1a, 21a, 24, 25a, 2d, 19d, and 20d.
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!
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 Walk in the park, horticultural setting? (3,2,5)
A double definition (I think) – the first is a synonymic metaphorical phrase equivalent to walk in the park and the second is a definition by example indicated by ?
11a Weaving a lot, I call for the skill of a couturier (9)
An anagram (weaving) of A LOT I followed by a synonym of call (using a phone).
12a Spend amount of money cutting through bollard (7)
A single word term for amount of money inserted into (cutting through) a type of (temporary) bollard.
14a Let in, address appearing abandoned – no-one lives there (6,6)
An anagram (appearing abandoned) of LET IN, ADDRESS.
21a Love popular man acting the swine? (7)
The letter that represents love in a racquet ball game score, our favourite two letter synonym of popular, and guess a man on a chess board.
25a Furious in other words about Judas (5)
The Latin based abbreviation that can mean in other words containing (about) a generic term for someone who might be considered to be like the biblical Judas.
27a Scoundrel in teen agreed to reform (10)
An anagram (to reform) of TEEN AGREED.
Down
1d Split part, saving a little time (6)
A nounal synonym of part containing (saving) a three letter term for a little time.
3d Ferret out ideas, embellished for journalist (8,6)
An anagram (embellished) of FERRET OUT IDEAS.
7d Fast food order in a rotten type of beef (8)
Part(?) of a fast food order and an anagram (rotten – oh dear three letters) of IN A.
9d English county: bird rises and rises there, flying about (14)
The reversal (rises) of guess a bird and an anagram (flying about) of RISES THERE.
15d Watch for one magazine article (9)
Written as (4,5), a synonym of an (one) article published in a (US news) magazine.
19d Capital of this country, capital of Albania! (6)
The first letter (capital) of This, guess a country (which has been in the headlines in the last few days), and the first letter (capital) of Albania.
22d Part of a house strong wind catches buffeted at first (5)
A strong wind (speed of 34 to 47 knots) contains (catches) the first letter of Buffeted.
Quick Crossword Pun:
PRY + VETS + COOL = PRIVATE SCHOOL
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Greek-Egyptian singer, songwriter, and musician Αρτέμιος “Ντέμης” Βεντούρης-Ρούσσος (Artemios “Demis” Ventouris-Roussos) was born on this day in 1946. He only had one number one in the UK; an EP, remember them?, for one week in July 1976, which featured four tracks. This is probably the most memorable of the four:
I found Dada on the tough side today but still enjoyable. Using the wrong definition at 6a gave me the incorrect answer and that held up Northumberland for a time. I liked the large drink at 24a and the unoccupied zone at 20d both of which raised a smile. My COTD is the effective piece in 2d because it’s a great clue after the penny has dropped.
Thank you, Dada for the challenge. Thank you, Mr. Mustard for the hints and I do hope the wildfires are staying away from you.
2d was the only one I couldn’t get, still reckon it’s a duff clue, my but these grapes seem bitter today 😉
You omitted the ‘co’ from your email address
Duly noted, my Kindle had it saved wrongly, will sort it…
I cannot post my comment. Oh, there it is! 😳
A great Father’s day Sunday dinner 12ing beef, swine and that special sauce! Needed a few nudges with the quirkier clues this week. Clueing a bit obscure for 8d, unless I’m missing something.
Like Steve, I was tickled by the 2d effect.
Thanks all.
I found this quite a bit trickier than Dada’s of late, so much so that on first pass I had just one clue answered. Perseverance paid off and whilst there are a couple of parsings I need to check I have a completed grid. My podium comprises 3d, 14a and 2d in top spot. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
I found this a whole heap easier than yesterday’s Donny Prize puzzle until a bit of a crumpet scratch at last in 16d. The answer via the wordplay was fairly obvious but I had to check out quite why it was synonymous with the definition. Like Steve 2&20d particular likes.
Thanks to D&S.
This was a tad harder than the usual Dada fare but it was a pleasant enough solve.
I would like to say that my FOI was 2d and the rest followed but it was the opposite.
I, too, don’t understand the connection between ‘in cameo’ and 16d.
My podium is 11a, 3d and 20d.
MT to Radio and Senf.
3*/3*
It’s just cameo Tom rather than in cameo.
Thanks Hoots.
I’ve just had a look and seen this meaning of cameo which is duly noted.
Didn’t think I was going to get a toe-hold at first but it gradually fell into place….apart from 2d. Interesting to me that so many like this clue, when I can’t get it 🤔
You’ll (redacted – clever but definitely alternative hint) ere long
I agree that this was trickier than usual for Dada but entertaining. Thanks to him and Senf.
I particularly liked 18a, 4d, 5d, 8d and 20d.
We didn’t find this that tricky as others seem to have. My only beef (excuse the pun) was with 7d until I double checked.
Beef to me doesn’t equate to cow or cattle – and I always though this variety was a milk cow.
Apparently I’m wrong. It is also used for beef in southern Europe.
Last in was 2d – which became my cotd once the penny dropped.
Thanks Dada and Senf
Really enjoyed this – perfect level of difficulty for a Sunday where I can dedicate more time to the cryptic. So much to enjoy – I also had 2d as a stand out (sorry to those who didn’t like it!)
Thanks to Dada for a terrific challenge and to Senf for the hints which I shall now read
Our setter most definitely being quirky, from my point of view, and I made a very slow start, eventually finding a way in via the SE corner. Despite being an omnivore, I didn’t really care for 7d, but I guess that’s my problem and not our setter’s. Top marks here went to 2&20d.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints and music – at the risk of being totally non-pc, I’d forgotten about the appearance of the hairy man in a frock!
Not a fan of 7d either; since I own 1, (Soon to be 2) equine versions, the thought I might 12a them is rather unsettling!
For me, and I stress for me (© Senf), this was a tussle and then some. Possibly linked to us going to see Beyonce last night and not going to bed until after 2am. I nearly fell asleep into my porridge whilst perusing this guzzle. I sense an afternoon nap is going to be an essential part of my day.
Thanks to Da-doo-ron-ron and The Main Man From Manitoba.
On Chris M’s recommendation I saw Stanley Dee last night in a St Albans music pub – 9 of ‘em playing some great Dan very competently for over 2 hrs to approx 60 people at £12 a ticket – they can’t be doing it for the coin.
A great evening.
I realy would love to see them. I’ll keep a look out.
A cracking puzzle and for me certainly no ‘walk in the park’. Ticks everywhere and, re-reading following a much earlier completion, really appreciating the very high quality of the clues.
Honours to many but will confine to 2d, 9d, 18a and 24a.
Many thanks to Dada and Senf
First impression was that this was likely to be a DNF but in fact it came together (West first) with plenty of enjoyment along the way but only thanks to a bit of help from MrG for 20d and 21a. Thanks to the trusty duo of Dada and Senf.
Definitely a tougher Dada than as of late. Quirky and personal thesaurus evident too.
3*/3*for me
Favourites tougher to pick this week – 14a, 21a, 24a & 20d — with winner 14a
Thanks to Dada & Senf
All done…but just can’t parse 4d🤨 – I have the obvious answer but, apart from the clue’s opening word, can’t see the rest.
Any help (avoiding the infamous step) much appreciated.
Other than that…another enjoyable trot through Mr D’s Sunday offering. Several clues to like and a couple of ‘Aha’ & ‘Doh!’ moments along the way…just need to understand 4D to settle my brain!
Thanks to Dada and, as ever, to Senf for the blog ‘n hints!
Happy Fathers Day to fellow Dads.
Cheers!
Bruce, break the answer down to 2, 5, 2 instead of 2,3,4 and read the clue again.
What?! I had bunged in on basis but of first word in clue but still can’t fully parse even using and!
The last two letters in the answer are explained by the last four words in the clue.
Thanks but how convoluted!
Brilliant!!
Got it – very many thanks Frankie👍👍
Certainly tougher than a usual Sunday back pager and all the more enjoyable for being so. This one would not be out of place as a toughie.
Too many ticks to pick out a podium, let alone a winner.
Thanks Dada and Senf.
I found this quite tricky and my final three answers took almost as long as the rest of the grid. 2d was my favourite with 16d my last entry, both part of the triumvirate that held me up. A special mention, too, for 9d, a place we visit very regularly.
Many thanks to Dada and Senf.
Good puzzle – I don’t get 4d although I think I should – I have the answer just don’t get the word play
See comment #16, PG.
Phew – that was tough – thank you
Wow, a belter! Thanks to all,PLEASE tell me Clare Balding is not doing Wimbledon, let her stick to horses , bring back our Sue who knows what she’s talking about!
Top Sunday prize puzzle 4*/4*, really enjoyable.
Drew a blank with 2d, but finally xxxxxxx it !
Thanks to Senf and Dada
Careful I got a slap on the wrist & 100 lines for that 😀
Whoops looks like I have as well !
Excellent challenging puzzle. I liked 3D best. VMT Dada & Senf.
A little tricky in places but enjoyable. Favourite was 12a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Excellent crossword. Lots of great clues but I think 2d is my clue of the day.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
I struggled to get started on this but then slowly things fell into place. Dada was definitely very quirky today and I feel happy to have completed what I felt was quite a tricky puzzle. Loved 21a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Very tricky today for me and due to being away visiting family I did not have enough time to spend on it. It was very clever and I enjoyed wrestling with it. I needed the hints to help complete it.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints.
Out most of yesterday at DD2’s village Open Gardens. Walked miles, totally exhausted! So here I am Monday just finished apart from 2d and 10a neither of which I can parse and 19d. I think I am one degree under par nut thanks nevertheless to Dada and Senf. I shall look at it later when it is not so hot and airless- I hate being beaten.
Can someone please explain 5D? I know the answer (the name of a famous musical), but I can’t understand the clue – “musical note and key detailed”. “Musical” is clearly the active part of the clue, but the last 4 words make no sense to me.
Guess one of the letter designations of musical notes followed by a synonym of key with the last letter removed (probably more correctly de-tailed).
Got it! Many thanks, we were absolutely stumped but now it’s all clear.
4*/3* ….
liked 6A ” A Portguese city briefly seen many miles away (4) “