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DT 30973

by Huntsman  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30973
Hints and tips by Huntsman

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BD Rating – Difficulty *  Enjoyment ***/****

It’s a gorgeous sunny day here in Harpenden & not too hot. Unfortunately I’m nursing a sore back so the golf course will have to do without me today. Attending to a multitude of neglected household chores seems like the order of the day though I expect I’ll find ways to put them off.

Today’s Typically Tuesdayish  production from the Prof (I assume) is a gentle puzzle that ought to please those who struggled with X-Type’s back-pager yesterday. As ever it very entertaining & full of 26d clueing throughout. As usual there are a selection of tunes for those interested to accompany the hopefully correct hints.

In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED & the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought & how you got on with the puzzle.

Across

1a Bad delivery – margarine, possibly, is everywhere (10)

WIDESPREAD: link a ball bowled in cricket deemed by the umpire to be too far away from the stumps with what the butter substitute is an example of.

6a Singer’s doubly large uniform (4)

LULU: two single letter abbreviations repeated (doubly) – Large + Uniform (NATO phonetic alphabet). She did a pretty good cover of this Isley Brothers classic. 

10a Is America backtracking with eastern problem? (5)

ISSUE: IS (from the wordplay) + a reversal (backtracking) of a 2 letter abbreviation for America + (with) Eastern. A surface read allusion to Trump’s foreign policy methinks.

11a Split peas poorly valued (9)

SEPARATED: an anagram (poorly) of PEAS + a synonym for valued/assessed.

12a Comfortable in the pink short top before party (4-2-2)

WELL TO DO: a synonym for the informal idiom, in the pink/in good health + a truncation (short) of TOp from the wordplay + the usual two letter term for a party.

13a Fear temperature’s eradicated bloomer (5)

ERROR: remove (eradicated) the single letter for Temperature from a synonym for fear.

15a Found out student got paid (7)

LEARNED: the usual single letter for a student + a past tense verb meaning got paid.

17a Distinguished artist rents no frames (7)

EMINENT: the artist here shot to fame with her 1998 installation My Bed, which was nominated for the Turner Prize. Append the interior letters (no frames) of rENTs.

19a Consumer’s after exchange with 50 per cent off jumper (7)

SWEATER: half of (50% off) a synonym for exchange then (after) append another word for consumer/someone or something that consumes.

21a Mould on a fish, gone off (7)

FASHION: an anagram (gone off) – ON A FISH. I initially mistook the definition for the indicator.

22a Band is competent covering dance music (5)

DISCO: hidden (covering).

24a Story one cadet fabricated (8)

ANECDOTE: an anagram (fabricated) – ONE CADET.

27a Running over, talking boastfully about Spain (9)

OPERATING: Over (cricket abbreviation) + a verbal synonym for talking boastfully/jabbering around (about) the IVR code for Spain. 

28a Big cat formerly seen around university (5)

OUNCE: a synonym for formerly with the single letter for University inserted (seen around). Seems to be the Prof’s favourite puss cat of late.

29a Family gathering finally for Charles? (4)

KING: another word for family + the last letter (finally) of gatherinG.

30a Local community from Yorkshire town intended leaving area (10)

SETTLEMENT: a market town in the Yorkshire Dales + a synonym of intended less (leaving) the single letter for Area.

Down

1d Rouse wife with it (4)

WHIP: the single letter for Wife + a synonym for it in the context of trendy. Here’s a terrific jazz cover of an Allman Brothers classic.

2d Very bad bananas deter apes (9)

DESPERATE: an anagram (bananas) – DETER APES.

3d Lift small duck (5)

STEAL: Small + a breed of duck. Doubt the breed is correct but the pic is cute.

4d Answer about singular little artificial lake (7)

RESPOND: the usual preposition for about/in respect of + Singular + a term for an artificial little lake.

5d Say yes to adult before start of puppet show (7)

APPROVE: Adult + the 1st letter (start) of Puppet + a synonym of show/demonstrate.

7d Perfect goat, maybe, scratching head (5)

UTTER: I assume this alludes to the animal’s behaviour playful or otherwise. Remove the 1st letter (scratching head).

8d Get below kiosk (10)

UNDERSTAND: link a synonym for below with a term for a kiosk.

9d Loose soil also regularly removed for flowers (8)

FREESIAS: a synonym for loose/untethered + the alternate letters (regularly removed) of the 2nd & 3rd words in the clue.

14d Mystery novel reader ultimately did this? (6,4)

CLOSED BOOK: what the reader did when reaching the end of the story. Not me when reading in bed as I invariably wake up with the light still on & the reading matter on my stomach.

16d Citizen from Italy working in old part of South Africa (8)

NATIONAL: insert the IVR code for Italy + the usual two letter term for working/in operation into the old province of South Africa now renamed & prefixed with KwaZulu. A wonderful part of the world.

18d Being directed, exit scene (9)

EXISTENCE: an anagram (directed) – EXIT SCENE.

20d Accomplish hike around each lake (7)

REALISE: a synonym for hike/increase about (around) the abbreviation for EAch + the single letter for Lake.

21d Fine group of rowers supporting river transport (7)

FREIGHT: the single letter for Fine & River supported by (under in a down clue) a number of rowers in competitive racing.

23d Second time eagle cut tail (5)

STERN: the single letter for Second & for Time followed by the name for a sea eagle without its final letter (cut). The definition has a nautical context.

25d Finished capturing queen bee (5)

DRONE: a synonym for finished goes around (capturing) the regnal Latin letter for queen.

26d Dexterous editor picked up newspaper (4)

DEFT: reverse (picked up/down clue) the usual 2 letter abbreviation for editor then append the shortened term for the pink paper read by those 12a.

 

Plenty to choose from today but I think I’ll plump for 14d as my pick from a fine selection of clues. Please let us know which clues ticked your boxes.

 

Today’s Quick crossword pun: COP + PUB + EACH = COPPER BEECH

 

I’m looking forward to seeing The Black Keys again at Ally Pally this Friday so this morning’s listening whilst writing the blog has been a selection of their tunes. Here’s a cracking William Bell cover off their last album,Ohio Players.

50 comments on “DT 30973”

  1. I found today’s guzzle a tad on the hard side and I’m not entirely sure it’s by the professor but I am often wrong. I got there in the end but it was a bit of a struggle along the way. The favourite crossword cat appeared again and he no longer causes me trouble. Whenever cat is mentioned, he is the first I one think of. My COTD is the pink party at 12a.

    Thank you, Professor Plum in the library or to whomsoever if it is not you. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.

    No rain in The Marches for weeks and we’re about to enter a long heatwave. I put feed on the lawn on Sunday and, today, have had to use the hose to water it in. No idea if there is a hosepipe ban but it’s a fait accompli. 😗

  2. 1*/4*. As light and fun as ever for a Tuesday back-pager with 29a taking first place courtesy of its superb surface read.

    Many thanks to AP and to Hintsman.

  3. I found this delightful and amusing. COTD 8D which I thought was superb. 25D makes me think we know who we think who the setter is.
    Thanks for the hints and to the setter.

  4. Not too taxing but very enjoyable with some clever deceptions and excellent surfaces.
    The fashion bargain at 19a, the rotten fruit in 2d, 5d’s puppet show and the Italian citizen at 16d were my picks.
    Thanks to the setter and Huntsman

  5. Another splendid crossy from the prof on a friendly grid.

    Convincing myself that 11a was an anagram of ‘split peas’ didn’t help the cause.

    Plenty to choose from for the podium but I’ll go with 10a for its neatness and topicality, 12a and 1d.

    MT to the aforementioned and Hoots!

    2*/4*

      1. Yep, the d put an end to it, T5. When I initially saw it, I thought….hmm, what synonym of valued can this be as most would end with a d?

        Nicely done by Il Professore.

        1. I agree, Ied me all the way down the garden path sat on the bench had my sandwiches…well done the setter.

          1. Using your name rather than an alias sent you into moderation (you have been Taking5, Taking 5, and Taking+5 in previous blog comments)

            1. Thanks, I know, I tried to change it. I don’t use my name on the web if I can avoid it. Sorry to inconvenience. It won’t happen again! Not least because I am a regular lurker but rarely have anything useful to add and in any case unless on leave, like now, come to it too late.

              1. I love people’s aliases as I enjoy guessing what the story is behind them.

                Is Taking5 (and variations of), a goodie? I am hoping it’s to do with Mr Brubeck though I appreciate it’s highly unlikely.

                I was once in Ronnie Scott’s with a whiskey in hand, watching a band playing Take Five, having just seen a West End show.

                It doesn’t get much better than that.

                1. It’s a mix of a few things, Tom. Definitely the Dave Brubeck vibe, but that itself obviously refers to taking 5 or having a break. So it is a nod to a relaxed moment which is after all what the crossword is supposed to be! But in a previous life I was an Air Traffic Controller and in those days and parlance Taking 5 was possibly the least relaxing thing you could be doing!

                  1. You’re not wrong!

                    Having watched Pushing Tin, I have a lot of respect for ATCs.

                    Does AI have a role to play here or is it still down to cool dudes like your good self?

                    1. Pushing Tin very much NOT a documentary, it won’t surprise you to learn but some truth in it. Whenever I took the public into a control centre they were always a bit underwhelmed which as I pointed out is probably a good thing, no running and shouting is what you want to see. AI will undoubtedly, as with everything make a difference I think both pilots and controllers already have a massive amount of computer based support, AI takes that further. But I think we are a ways from dispensing entirely with humans in the loop. All the best

                    1. With a name like Jimbob (I pray that it’s your name), you had to be an ATCO…Roger that Jimbob

                      Or an extra in The Waltons, of course.

  6. A most enjoyable and gentle puzzle earlier this morning, in advance of a busy day. Spent a few moments too long on 11a and 9d where in both cases the 26d wording made me look for the wrong or non-existent anagrams, doubtless as The Prof intended. Otherwise a very swift journey from N to S, with honours to 19a, 30a and 16d – great surface.

    Thanks to AP (or whomever else the setter may be if not he) and to Huntsman – thank you for the Pink Floyd!

  7. I was a guardian of a male duck of that species. I entered a Blue Peter competition at Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust and ended up adopting said duck. I valued the BP badge more at the time, but hope Clifford the duck went on to sire many more of his species.
    The NE corner was the last to fall I was sp(l)itting peas too. I’ve got to vote for 30a as it reminds me I need to visit my favourite cheese emporium.
    Thanks to Huntsman and Setter

      1. Since the demise of Tetley’s brewery in Leeds, I imagine it will be impossible, but I’ll keep an eye out.

    2. That has to be ‘The Courtyard’.

      Superb crossword. Thank you Mr Plumb, and also Huntsman – hope your back is less painful very soon.

      1. Indeed it is The Courtyard Dairy. Eating a pizza made with Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire overlooking Ingleborough is always a delight, as is playing with the Cheese themed Lego

        unnamed

        1. Just had a chilli and goats cheese pizza there this afternoon, highly recommend

    1. 1d up enthusiasm/the crowd seems synonymous to me. The surface had unfortunate connotations maybe

  9. Like Steve C, I hesitated over this being an AP production, but it was an enjoyable Tuesday exercise whoever penned it. My favourite, despite a slight feeling that we may have already encountered it, was 14d. Not at all sure that I appreciated 1d!

    Thanks to our setter and to Huntsman for the review – it astonishes me just how many injuries you incur whilst knocking that little white ball around!

  10. An enjoyable puzzle today.
    Top picks for me were 1a, 14d and 9d.

    Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.

  11. An entertaining and fairly gentle puzzle – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
    My plaudits went to 12a, 19a, 29a and 16d.

  12. I found this more difficult than others did, but gradually got into it, and then questioned why I found it so hard initially! A lot of good clues. Thanks to setter and hinter.

  13. Very light and very enjoyable.
    I started to compile a list of favourite clues, but there were far too many of them.
    A perfect Tuesday puzzle.
    Thank you setter and Huntsman. Rest that back, my friend.

  14. Another Tuesday AP production that I made more difficult than it should have been. Looking at the completed grid I do wonder why. Cotd for me is the pink party at 12a. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

  15. A typical Tuesday puzzle again this week that went in quite smoothly, with a couple of smiles and the PDM occurred on a couple of the clues.

    1.5*/4* for me

    Favourites 6a, 21a, 29a, 3d, 14d & 26d — with winner with a laugh again today 14d … but 6a was a close second
    I met 6a years ago (approx 1966) in a lift in Bonds in Norwich, when I was about 10 years old. She had red curly hair then and I knew her from Top of the Pops on TV that I regularly watched.
    Smiles too for 29a & 26d

    Thanks to AP & Huntsman for hints and blog

    1. For those of us of a certain age it is still Bonds and will probably remain so.
      Harder puzzle than it should have been today with a visit to the dentist in the middle. Top spot to the Yorkshire town.
      Thanks to the setter and Huntsman I needed the help.

  16. A nice puzzle today…with the exception of 1d which, like Jane, I did not appreciate.

    Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.

    Sorting out our tickets for the Edinburgh Fringe today….that is taking a while!
    Plus searching, so far in vain for a frame to fit a photo that is 8in by 4.5in. Clearly not a common/popular size.

  17. Thankfully a light puzzle today. I’m a day behind having been busy and found Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s a bit of a slog. Maybe tiredness or mindset who knows. I’m on holiday now so no excuses for the rest of the week ! Thanks to setter and Huntsman.

  18. All done and dusted once I had stopped splitting peas and the loose soil gave me a headache as well. Otherwise I reckon these two old folks did quite well. I thought the lurker was well disguised and I am nominating 9d as my favourite. The Pocket Rocket came this morning and in two hours she performed miracles in the garden, it is quite exhausting to behold. Many thanks to Messrs Setter & Hintsman

  19. Gentleish and enjoyable, unlike yesterday’s, which I found a struggle but didn’t get time to post on. Fantastically smooth surfaces so must be the Prof, thanks to him and Huntsman.

  20. I found this a bit trickier than some Tuesdays but got there in the end, I also tried to make 11a a split peas anagram for ages. 14d my favourite.

    Many thanks for the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.

  21. With 1a safely in place I got totally confused with 1d. Is being “woke” (In today’s politically correct world) with it? Seemed so logical at the time. As a result my NW corner remained unsolved till 10a sorted it for me. Liked 30a. Nice to see a Yorkshire town other than Leeds in a crossword.

  22. Much easier than yday, and completed before the 1st intermediate sprint. Unlike some who seemed to think 1d was about whipping wives I found it small but perfectly formed!
    Thanks to all!

  23. A new eagle and boastful talk extended my crossword vocabulary. Otherwise lots of good stuff. Thanks setter and Huntsman

  25. I completed the crossword on my phone at Moorfields Eye Hospital earlier (thus perhaps suggesting that I wasn’t the most deserving of patients) but was distracted before I had the chance to comment. Anyway, a typically well-crafted puzzle for a Tuesday with much to admire and 8d a favourite. Thanks very much to the setter and to Huntsman. I thought Rush Hour might be a cover of the Jane Wiedlin song at first but luckily there is no reason for me to bang on about another link to the Specials.

  26. Having struggled with the toughie I got off to a slow start and feared the worst. I was beginning to think that my travails this weekend had taken more out of me than I realised. I had what I assumed to be a minor abscess on a tooth for a couple of days until overnight one side of my face swelled like a balloon nessitating an emergency visit to the dentist. A couple of days of antibiotics so far seemed to be doing the trick and my face is returning to it’s normal shape. As it was with the crossword once I got into it I managed to complete it without any more major hold ups. Phew! Favourite was 30a. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

  27. Came late to the puzzle after over 60s football this morning then working in the garden this afternoon. Finished with the help of one or two hints yet I found this more difficult than yesterday’s 3* offering. It really was an attritional solve.
    That said, many thanks to the setter and Huntsman for the hints with my COTD 8d.

  28. An entertaining but not-too-tricky solve. Easier than many of the Tuesday back-pagers recently. the NE took as long as the rest of the puzzle, 11a and 9d being mainly to blame. 3d really appeals to me – very well thought out!

    Thanks to the Prod (presumably) and to Huntsman

  29. Unlike Whybird above I found this more of a challenge than is usually the case on Tuesdays but it was no less enjoyable for that. Needed help with 1d as I had tried to find solutions using “it” rather than “with it”. “Talking boastfully” synonym in 27d escaped me. Anyway thanks MrP and Hintsman.

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