Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30992
Hints and tips by Senf
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment *****
A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg on Centenary Day!
Firstly, while I haven’t been around for 100 years, although some might think I have, thanks to all the Puzzle Editors and Setters over the years for creating and maintaining a high standard of cranial challenges and entertainment for us mere mortals. With fond memories of those who are no longer with us and with especial fond memories of Big Dave for creating our blogging community.
For me, etc (I have to say that for Terence), a privilege to solve such a milestone puzzle, almost a theme but not quite enough clues to reach that definition it seemed; however a number of appropriate for the day clues. Don’t be put off by the ‘multis’ and cross-references – nothing like a NYDK SPP. I was thinking that we might get a ‘multi-setter’ puzzle but I am inclined to think that this is the work of one individual and I have two shiny King Charles Toonies that are suggesting that this is the work of our esteemed editor. If my Loonies go down the drain then thanks to whomsoever.
(Solved and Blogged with the aid(?) of a not so wee dram of amber nectar from the highest distillery in Scotland.)
Candidates for favourite – 15a, 18a, 24a, 27a, 17d, and 19d.
In the hints below, the definitions are underlined. The answers are hidden under the Click here! buttons, so don’t click if you don’t want to see them.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.
Across
1a Possibly help great paper marking its 10 Down 11 Down today (9)
TELEGRAPH: An anagram (possibly) of HELP GREAT.
8a 1 Across 10 Down solver maybe read dictionary (but not all of it) (6)
ADDICT: A lurker (maybe . . . (but not all of it)) found in the words ‘sandwiched’ by the indicator.
9a Tackling the 1 Across 10 Down could be one element of spirituality (6)
RITUAL: Another lurker (element of) found in the last word of the clue.
12a Mount attack again (8)
RUSHMORE: The combination of a synonyms of attack and again.
13a Resolve to get answer for one in twenties? (6)
DECADE: A synonym of resolve with the single letter for Answer replacing the Roman numeral for one.
15a In France, the fourth Down clue reportedly bored (4)
SANK: The French number of the fourth Down clue is a homophone (reportedly) of a synonym of bored (in terms of drilling holes).
16a Staff pictures laid out without English text (10)
MANUSCRIPT: A three letter verbal synonym of staff followed by an anagram (laid out) of PICTUReS with the single letter for English deleted (without).
18a Fierce eagles traversing small desert (10)
WILDERNESS: A synonym of fierce and our favourite (sea) eagles, note the plural, containing (traversing) the single letter for Small.
20a Clear over what’s used to fill in a 1 Across 10 Down? (4)
OPEN: The single letter for a crickety Over and the ‘implement’ that’s used to fill in a 1 Across 10 Down – personally, I use graphite but I couldn’t get that to fit the number of lights available.
23a Live on part of a square, perhaps (6)
RESIDE: The usual Latin based two letters for on and one of four parts of a square.
24a Shock after a jolly century – comfortable place to solve? (8)
ARMCHAIR: The shock on one’s head placed after all of A from the clue, the formal abbreviation for the sea-going military individual known by the slang term of jolly, and the single letter for Century.
26a Cell somewhere in Alabama (6)
MOBILE: A double definition – the second is a port city in Alabama.
27a Cheeses said to give you what the 1 Across 10 Down shouldn’t be? (6)
BREEZE: A homophone (said) of multiples of the illustration which indicates what the 1 Across 10 Down shouldn’t be (except on a Monday?).
28a Observe the price of fame? (9)
CELEBRATE: A synonym of observe (as in recognise with a party?).
Down
2d Puzzle cracked in game (6)
ENIGMA: An anagram (cracked) of IN GAME.
3d Name taken by setter in a novel delights (10)
ENTERTAINS: Nothing to do with any of our illustrious setters! An anagram (novel) of the single letter for Name added to (taken by) SETTER IN A.
4d Make a mistake holding answer back? That’s unusual (4)
RARE: The reversal (back) of the three letter term for make a mistake containing (holding) the single letter for Answer.
5d Tap up niece playing game (8)
PATIENCE: Tap reversed (up) followed by an anagram (playing) of NIECE.
6d Editor is working for creator who made light of his work? (6)
EDISON: The abbreviated form of EDitor, IS from the clue, and the two letter synonym of working.
7d Root used to be a bit short (6)
WASABI: A three letter term equivalent to used to be, A from the clue, and BIt with the last letter deleted (short).
10d Challenge laid out in black and white? (9)
CROSSWORD: Do I really need to give a hint? Well if I must, what (I presume) you are looking at.
11d Any centre free for today’s milestone (9)
CENTENARY: An anagram (free) of ANY CENTRE.
14d Reserve writer beginning to rattle you, say (10)
SUBSCRIBER: The short form of a reserve (in a round ball game), a synonym of writer, and the first letter (beginning to) of Rattle – I thought that the synonym of writer might have to be indicated as archaic (or similar) but apparently not according to the BRB.
17d Row after boss’s big and bold words? (8)
HEADLINE: A synonym of row placed after a synonym of boss(of a department or school?).
19d Not as busy in class (6)
LESSON: Written (4,2) a phrase equivalent to not as busy.
21d Square meal featured in article? Quite the opposite (6)
PIAZZA: A meal(?), originally from Italy, containing the single letter indefinite article – not inserted into (featured in) article (quite the opposite) – If I have made a mess of this hint, it is because in eight and a half years of blogging I am reasonably certain that this is the first time I have hinted one of these types of clue.
22d Stress of a compiler initially with little money (6)
ACCENT: A from the clue, the first letter (initially) of Compiler, and the smallest denomination coin (little money) used in several countries.
25d Destiny, by the sound of it, for 28 Across (4)
FETE: A homophone (by he sound of it) of a synonym of destiny.
Quick Crossword Pun:
WON + NUN + DREAD = ONE HUNDRED
Well that was tough and no mistake, and not just because many of the clues were linked.
In my opinion many of the unlinked ones would have fitted well into any Toughie without watering it down one bit.
Last in for me were 9a and 13a, took nearly as long as the rest of it.
Really enjoyed it though, my two of the day are 26a, 27a and the brilliant 15a, great fun all round, take a bow Mr setter!
It took a while to sort out the 10d/11d combination after which it turned into a superb puzzle for the Centenary. I will admit to using help for a couple such as 12a. I could not get riding of some description out of my mind – horse, bike etc. The actual mount did not occur to me at all. I loved the references throughout to puzzle solving. I do solve mine in a 24a. It is 4d that they are a 27a. I certainly am an 8a! and it is a daily 9a. My COTD is the short root at 7d but I could have given the whole puzzle the accolade. It was superb.
The Quickie pun was great and very apt.
Thank you, setter for an excellent puzzle. I hope you pop in to claim it. Thank you, Senf for the hints.
ToniHaha
Even though I may be very much a lurker I can certainly agree with the above that I am an absolute 8a with this daily 9a, part of which is reading this blog from end to end each day.
My grateful thanks to all the setters and hinters who work so hard every day and particularly today for a puzzle which I have very much enjoyed
ToniHaHa
As an addition to the above many many congratulations on the birthday and thanks to Zenas for the picture from Waterloo Station.
A very well composed anniversary edition with 1&28a and 10&11d saying it all. A good ***/****. My favourite was 27a but lots to like here. Thank you today’s and all the other setters and to our hinter..
A very nice celebratory crossword which I found tricky in places
Thanks to Senf and to today’s setter and all the others over the last hundred years
I forgot to add what Senf did. Many thanks to all the setters, bloggers and commentariat for providing daily entertainment over the years. It would, of course, be wrong to miss out Big Dave to whom we owe so much.
I agree. Thank you, Happy Birthday
Waterloo Station mid-morning.
Wish I was there, it looks like they are giving papers away to try and get some more people 8a’ed to 10d. I hope any they do snag come here and tell us how they found it.
Great Guzzle with a fine theme
Thanks to Senf and Setter
I was there from around 09.30 to 10.00 and had the pleasure of meeting Camilla Tominey, amongst others, and we were filmed solving a couple of Mini puzzles together. It was nice to receive a goody bag to mark the occasion too
Here’s to the next 100 years!
Sounds like a great event, silvanus. So we all missed out on a goody bag!
Apart from the bag itself there was also a Telegraph centenary pencil (not the mythical!) and a Telegraph-branded reusable metallic coffee cup, so no need to feel too deprived, Steve!
Doh. I was going to say, surely not a PEN!
I use a finger …
Was a little worried at first by that picture but, on looking more closely, I see the lady has her own arm behind her!
I was too until I took another look.
A very smart grid, suitably celebratory and no cakewalk. 8a made me laugh and 12a, 6d & 19d were all fizzy. I enjoyed the wordplay in 28a too. Best thanks to setter and Senf.
I still don’t really get 15a – I get the French number but not its relation to 4d
Count down the Down clues. The fourth down clue is number?
But 4d isn’t the fourth down!
As I wrote in the hint – The French number of the fourth Down clue (which is not quatre).
Took me a while to get 15a.. As you say, count the 4th clue down and you have 5d
Ooh… sneaky ????
What Sue said at comment 4.
Thanks to the setter & to Senf
I found this the easiest backpager for some time! 1a gave away what 10d and 11d would be before evening looking at those clues, and the theme† was obvious from the day, so I got far more answers in the first pass than I have since the days Robyn was our regular Monday setter.
Thank you to whoever created this celebration, and everybody involved in Telegraph Crosswords past and present. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Senf is right‡ that it’s Chris Lancaster.
My last in was 13a, with its all-vowel crossing letters; I loved both its wordplay and definition when I finally got it. I thought I was going to need Senf to explain 24a’s wordplay when it occurred to me to look up ‘jolly’ in The Usual Suspects, and all was made clear.
14d’s definition makes sense for those of us who pay an annual subscription for puzzles or newspaper access, but works less well for those who buy the paper occasionally (or indeed were given it at Paddington) — presuming that the clue is indeed the same in the paper paper.
My favourite, for no particular reason, is 23a. Cheers, all.
† I reckon there’s 10 clues which are something to do with The Telegraph or its crosswords, including surface readings, which seems enough for me.
‡ I mean, I’d never be surprised to learn that Senf is right, about anything — including whether this qualifies as a themed puzzle, my previous footnote notwithstanding.
A fine effort to mark a great occasion by, I assume, our esteemed editor, Mr Ancestral (anag). The themed border clues were very neat.
Like, SC, 12a too me an age to solve. A very neat clue that was LOI though 13a took a bit of time too.
My podium on this momentous day is 5d, 6d and 19d.
MT to the aforementioned and the Manitoban Mountie.
2*/4*
Very enjoyable and a suitable celebration of the milestone. Thanks to our setter and Senf.
I particularly liked 13a, 15a, 26a, 7d and 17d.
As Senf suggests this could well be the work of our esteemed editor (although if he’s included a bottom pun in the Quickie I can’t see it).
I’m pretty sure there isn’t a bottom Quickie pun — and I spent ages struggling with the bottom of the quick crossword to check! My guess is that as double-punning is a Campbell tribute, it’s something he’d only do on Mondays, and it might still be the editor today.
I agree that there is no Bottom Pun but it seemed to me, and, Smylers, I can definitely be wrong on setter identification, that the puzzle was similarly constructed as his other ‘special event’ puzzles such as the Coronation of King Charles.
If you started at the bottom with Tries Two Roe it worked as a pun – I later saw the error of my ways.
Thanks to all the setters and tipsters for all their years of fun
Although it was a fun puzzle with an obvious and very appropriate theme, it was a disappointing DNF for me courtesy of 12a, where I couldn’t see past “rosemary” as the only word I could think of which fitted the checkers, and 15a, which is very clever but which I couldn’t get at all.
Thanks to the setter and to Senf.
You’re not alone with “Rosemary”, RD.
Interesting how different brains react to clues. For me, seeing ‘Mount’ and a long word beginning with R (after doing 10d and 11d I went back to the acrosses, so I had the R but no other letters) immediately made the answer spring to mind before I’d even read the rest of the clue — so 12a seemed one of the easier ones today!
7d, however, I couldn’t see for ages …
As you say, Smylers different brains. I got 7d immediately.
Me too with Rosemary, took ages to see past it.
Me too with Rosemary!
And me!
Celebrations in full swing it would seem. Grateful thanks to all the team at Telegraph Towers who have brought us so much pleasure, and frustration! over the years and not forgetting our own BD who gave this blog life. We are indeed fortunate and indebted to you all.
Favourite clue for me today was 7d and it was a shame that the grid didn’t down allow for 15a to relate to the fifth down clue!
Thank you to our setter and to Senf for the review.
I think it’s actually better that 5d isn’t the 5th down clue — because the clue there itself is irrelevant, so the only thing to look up is the number. And looking up 5d to get 5 would make the reference fairly pointless.
My apologies to 15a for failing to mention it among my favourites!
Well, I found that rather bizarre and rather difficult today.
I still don’t understand 4d and 15a. I’m sure I’m being stupid but 4 in french is quatre. 5 is Cinq, homophone sank?
But the clue is 4d not 5d?
3*/2*
Happy centenary!
As I wrote in Comment 8, 15a refers to the number of the fourth Down clue not four Down.
The penny drops!
Thank you
15a is referring to the fourth down clue; 2 being the first, therefore 5 is the fourth.
Not my cup of ftea I’m afraid. I found the whole linked–up format was anathema to me. So I left well alone after fiiling in one celebratory clue (6d ). Oviously some crossworders enjoyed this guzzle but for me it was dexidedly unfriendly
Some nice themed clues to mark the occasion. Will raise a glass to BD this evening.
I’ll srink to rhat, toadson????
So will I.
The answer to 5d is relevant, Senf, as your is getting tested with it.
Bite into a cushion before you type your next response to it.
Be strong.
Well after my moaning yesterday it was perhaps inevitable that I would find today’s offering tricky (the mental reset caused by attempting the vintage puzzles may have been a factor there). A fine and slightly off-kilter production with much to enjoy, particularly within the thematic elements. Thanks very much to the setter and to Senf, and I echo the wider sentiments expressed by others in relation to their colleagues and predecessors.
Well I simply have to comment, if only to 28a the momentous 11d of the 1a 10d!
Getting those (admittedly obvious) answers almost immediately set me off on a flier. I thought it was going to be a 27a, but my progress suddenly slowed to a crawl with some really quite crumpet-scratching clues that made this a worthwhile solve.
Many thanks to the setter (who did, I think, an admirable job to mark the occasion) and to Senf, whose deft hinting was entirely appropriate for this milestone.
I too am amongst those who couldn’t see past ‘rosemary’ so that one made it a DNF. Last ones (apart from the uncompleted) were 13 & 15a which probably took as long as the whole rest of the puzzle combined.
A nice challenge – which I enjoyed even whilst ultimately defeated. Thanks to the setter and to Senf for the hints. Thanks also to everyone on this blog for the daily chuckle this site invariably throws up (15a chat -‘but four isn’t cinq’ being a fine example)
Mr Lancaster, I echo the thoughts of those before me, very many thanks for all your efforts over the years and very best wishes to you for the future
Thanks for the comments so far. I’m here to take the blame for the puzzle; I hope it’s mostly enjoyable. The constraints of having four themed long entries in the perimeter means that it’s pretty much impossible to have an entirely themed puzzle, unfortunately!
This is almost certainly my last cryptic (and quick), so thank you to all of the solvers and bloggers over the years.
Thank you sir. You have provided me, and I am sure many many others, with a great deal of enjoyment over the years.
Hear, hear. ????
I assume that you tried to insert an ’emoji’ at the end of your comment but it seems that they have stopped working.
Send, you read my mind. I’ll try again
????????. !
Doh. Collapse of stout party. I give up.
Thank you for a terrific puzzle, Chris and for editing all our daily cryptic challenges.
Sad to hear that this is your last cryptic. Thank you for it and all your past puzzles
Just echoing everyone else. HUGE thanks for this, and for everything else. An enormous shift. I’m sure we all hope that “almost certainly” is cryptic for “probably not”. Many hats off to you.
I agree with CS. Sad to learn this is your last puzzle. Your past contribution to DT puzzles is greatly appreciated by us all.
Many thanks for this enjoyable puzzle and for all your Cryptic puzzles and Samuel Toughies over the years. It’s sad to know that we won’t be getting any more.
So sad to think that this may well be your last foray into setting a ‘cryptic’ but many thanks for all the puzzles you’ve set over the past years – the enjoyment they’ve given us has been very much appreciated.
Thank you for this crossword, which is a fantastic way of marking the occasion, and a triumph to go out on.
And thank you for all your other puzzles (and editing) over the years. “Seventies pop duo avoiding sand in northern town (8)” is still one of my all-time favourite clues.
We will miss you! xxx
(But at least I’ll no longer have to solve the bottom of the quick crossword on Mondays, just to see if somebody’s stuck an extra pun in there …)
Just read all of the comments fully – they weren’t the first duo to spring to mind & yes that clue is a cracker
I echo the foregoing comments.
Many, many thanks, Chris, for everything you have done to keep us so royally entertained everyday.
Thank you Sir for this great celebratory puzzle and for all the others you have given us. It’s sad that this may be our last Chris Lancaster puzzle but you can be proud of all that you have achieved.
That is very sad news.
I would like to echo the comments of my friends above.
Thank you most sincerely, Chris, for all of the enjoyment that you have given us over many years.
How fitting.
The prof did construct it then!
Thank you Lord Lancaster
Thank you Chris for all you do as our esteemed editor, and what a great setter you have been – and really liked the way you also themed the quickie pun!
Sad to hear this is your last puzzle. Thanks for this and your previous puzzles, your editing, and your excellent book.
I too echo all the comments above. Thank you millions, Chris.
I second (maybe twenty) all that has been said. Thanks to CL, The DT and Big Dave and all those who have kept this site going (and to Dave’s family who allowed it to continue).
Sad news Chris. Many thanks for this & all of your previous excellent puzzles not to mention that book of yours. Good to see you receiving the appreciation that you richly deserve from the BD gang.
Very many thanks for this centenary puzzle and for providing us with breakfast-time head-scratching material over the years.
Thanks also to Senf and the other bloggers for their help and entertainment.
All the comments above show the high regard that you are held by comentariat on this blog and, I’ve no doubt, beyond. Obviously I include myself in that number. Thank you.
Thank you for all your work and puzzles over the years. Not an easy job I am sure, but I have appreciated you being at the helm as well as your informative weekly newsletters.
Take care.
At 101 please can we have a C. Lancaster special as good as this one was – many thanks for your contributions to date
Chris, thank you for this very enjoyable puzzle, which I’m proud to say I almost finished unaided (Senf came to the rescue at 13a) … which is actually saying something. Until only a few months ago I was one those who would very occasionally dip my toes into the cryptic water and find it much too cold and forbidding. Then I came across your book ‘How to solve a cryptic crossword’ (the only one of its kind I could find out here south of the Yangtze). And through your book I’ve now also found this wonderful community at Big Dave’s. I cannot thank you enough.
I seldom (if ever comment) but wish to join other Big Dave aficionados in thanking past and present DT setters and editors for the pleasure they have given over the years with the DT Crossword. Equally Big Dave and all the hinters over this Blog’s life are due a huge round of thanks for the Blog and the help (and guffaws arising from comments of various contributors) it has given me and I am sure many, many others. My one regret is i won’t be around for the DT Crossword 200th Anniversary.
Oh yes, the crossword. Loved it but I do feel I “cheated” somewhat as I assumed there would be a centenary flavour and focused on that. 10d and 11d fell swiftly which then led to 1a and so on. Great fun, worthy of the celebration. Favourite clues … probably 7d with 19d and 26a snapping at its heels. Thanks again to all
A lovely puzzle which was appropriately challenging in places as befits the occasion. I started solving the DT in my teens, so I’m afraid I have been solving for more than half of the milestone 100 years.
Count me in as another who struggled to think of anything other than ROSEMARY at 12a.
13a was my LOI. Another clever letter swap clue.
15a is the standout clue for me, even if our poor setter has had to explain the clever wordplay on several occasions.
Thank you and congratulations to all setters and editors on this momentous achievement. Where would be be without our daily crossword fix?!
Thanks also, of course, to the great man BD, to Senf and to our mystery setter – my money is on CL as well.
With regards to 26a could this not be an all in one clue (as well as a double definition?)
Tsk!
If you didn’t know it was centenary day you haven’t been paying attention!
Many thanks to the compilers and the parsers. I look forward to the next 100 years!
Many thanks to Chris Lancaster for a most enjoyable puzzle.
My only hesitation was wanting to write LaUNCH as my answer to 21d, but couldn’t equate it to “square”.
A suitably celebratory puzzle for the occasion. Can’t claim an unaided finish as I had to check on two. Even with the checkers I just did not see 7d, and I like the stuff! That said I thoroughly enjoyed it. A doff of the cap to all compilers, bloggers and puzzle Ed’s past and present. Best wishes to CL. Here’s hoping that it’s not your last hurrah in these pages. Thanks also to Senf.
A real challenge, but a very fitting tribute
Not an easy solve for me but the nod to crossword history made it special
Enjoyed solving (or attempting to solve) what felt like a crossword about crosswords!
Favourite clue was 15a once realisation hit
Thanks to setter and Senf
A thoroughly enjoyable puzzle today. Many thanks to Mr Lancaster for all his puzzles and editing, and of course thanks to Senf for his review; love the pictures! Here’s to another 100 years, although I’m won’t be around for most of them. And many thanks to Big Dave for setting up this wonderful site.
Please can someone explain 15a, sank and cinq I presume, but where does fourth Down clue come into this ?
Probably extensively covered in other comments, mais, encore une fois, the fourth Down clue is number 5, numéro cinq en français.
A reasonably quick and straightforward solve from N to S with the theme leaping from the page. Honours to 24a, 28a & 15a.
The puzzle being so fitting for the day, the pleasure of solving it has been hugely diminished on reading above that it is likely to be Mr Lancaster’s final cruciverbal challenge to us all. CL – thank you for your many puzzles and all the editing over the years, we shall miss your cruciverbal wit, humour, and your years of being the guiding hand.
Thank you also to Senf for the blog.
I only comment occasionally, but on this auspicious occasion, many thanks to the retiring Mr Lancaster (I was stumped by 13 across and needed Senf’s explanation) and all the other compilers. Here’s to the next 100 years – I hope I shall enjoy at least another 13a of them!
A fun puzzle to celebrate 100 years of puzzles today. Went pretty smoothly and without any hiccoughs for me at all.
1.5*/4.5*
Favourites 1a, 8a, 9a, 2d, 5d & 11d — with winner, course 1a-10a!
Smiles for so many today.
Thanks to CL for a great puzzle for today & Senf for his comments
A terrific effort went into this puzzle and although I did appreciate it there were 5 clues I didn’t solve. 15 across was most annoying but in truth logical. On a more positive note ticks for 12 and 28 across and 6 down. First time I have come across 7 down and now I know it is a root.
Cheers all round.
I did actually have a plant (7d) a few years ago and, amazingly, it did grow. Very slowly and only one rhizome, or stem, so I had to wait to harvest it. Sadly, it died shortly after, but then a SW facing British garden does not equate to a mountain stream.
I managed to kill a very expensive Wollemi pine, which, despite being hardy, did not survive a sudden drop to -15deg.
Like dogs, the most expensive die most often, whereas the free plants (weeds) survive.
Resilience is the key – I fear for the increasingly delicate human race.
Doesn’t wasabi have to grow in running water?
Yes, ideally by the side of, or on the slope of, a forest stream to keep it damp. Cool, rather than tropical forests. Increasingly, it is cultivated as a commercial crop, which is a disappointment, as it quickly loses its pungency after grating. Californians and other NW states are completely obsessed with sushi and sashimi, but then they do have access to huge amounts of wild pacific salmon.
But, in any event, if you have it in sachets, it will be horseradish with green colouring …
A very fitting tribute to mark this historic occasion. Thank you to Chris Lancaster for the puzzle and to Senf for an equally fitting blog.
Huge thanks to all our setters and hinters and commenters and BD for this wonderful site. To those of us on board during Covid it was indeed a lifeline and good friendships were forged. This didn’t disappoint once I got the flavour, I was pleased with myself for getting the Mount ! I am afraid I am an 8a and would just love to be on Waterloo station all day doing the splits whilst wearing a DT sash. I was pleased to realise reading Features this morning that I am unwittingly doing all the right things with my toast, down to a silver toast rack, sugar basin and napkin ring. I confess I occasionally lick my knife because it makes George go ballistic but don’t tell my grandchildren.
Ha, magnificent as ever. You carry on licking that knife!
I’m a 12a “Rosemary” too! I’ll add my thanks to all the editors, setters, solvers, bloggers and commenters over the years. Thanks so much to Big Dave for setting up this site, it adds so much to the pleasure. Loved today’s offering from Mr. Lancaster and sad to hear there’ll likely be no more.
Found it relative benign and marked 12a as a favourite once the rosemary was on the lamb rather than my mind, 27a cheeses and 28a charade.
But once, with the help of the bloggers, the penny dropped on why the answer to 15a was what it was, that jumped way above the others – what a fantastic clue. Like others, I suspect, I spent ages telling myself that the answer couldn’t be a homophone of the French word for “four” – and it wasn’t. Love it!!!
Thanks again to Mr. Lancaster and to Senf.
Great puzzle celebrating a truly momentous occasion. I was introduced to the DT crossword by my parents over half a century ago and have been doing it ever since. My 94yo mother and I still (attempt to) solve it together whenever I visit her.
Huge thanks to all the setters and bloggers over the years, and of course to BD for creating this helpful, entertaining and close-knit community.
**/**** for today’s offering, so special thanks to Mr. Lancaster and Senf (mercifully only needed for one little nudge).
Once I got the hang of this centenary guzzle found it most enjoyable. Thanks to Chris Lancaster for the fun and Senf for explaining 15a for me. DG, I often lick the last of the marmite off my knife but only when no-one is looking! I so agree with you about this lovely site during lockdown, doesn’t that seem ages ago now. Dear MP (whose name is no longer allowed) sent me some beautiful flowers after my accident and he had never even met me, although he has now.
Re: Marmite knife licking – I though it was only me!
And me!
Sometimes I slide a sideways glance at George engrossed in the paper ( I only get Features) and without the flicker of an eyelid he’ll say ‘I saw you’.
I found this enjoyable, some clues went in straight away and some just came to me, then there were PDM’S, I thought they were publishing an interactive solving guide or am I missing something? could someone explain please? all said good fun and time well wasted.
Stay safe and travel safely.
This might be the guide and I hope that you and anyone else can ‘see’ it – https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/how-to-solve-cryptic-crosswords-clue-explained-answers/
Our setter was Mr Lancaster
Whose clues so often will cast a
Spell on every grey cell
So thanks and farewell
He really has been the grand master.
Well said Pip
Fantastic, Pip!
I enjoyed this but didn’t find it easy. I glanced at the page as it came off the printer and became worried when I saw all the 1 across and 10 down references but calmed down once I’d solved those.
Top picks for me were 9a, 7d, 18a and 27a.
Thanks to Senf for today’s hints and Chris Lancaster for the puzzle. Thanks also to the DT for publishing our beloved puzzles, the wonderful setters and bloggers and to Big Dave and our family of commenters for making them even more enjoyable.
That was a joy from start to finish . I found it to be quite straightforward, with one or two testy clues. I was in the ‘rosemary’ camp , but having walked away for a bit , the mount came to me straightaway – funny how a break often yields answers ! I confess to referring to the BRB for 13a , as I worked out the parsing but couldn’t think of the word . My last in was 15a , which felt like I spent more on this clue than all the others put together. I still didn’t get the parsing until I looked at the hint – doh ???? . I even googled the French word for ‘rare’ annoyingly. Oh well. Thanks to Chris L for such a fine way to celebrate the centenary and to Senf for the hints.
Oh , and thanks to all the amazing setters over the years – you are so gifted , the blog writers and bloggers too . For me , it’s been a journey having started to attempt them daily when I retired 6 years ago , to being competent ..ish as I am today. It gives me a daily mental workout , and a sense of achievement (or not) too, plus a sense of belonging to a rather bizarre and diverse virtual community.
Started to look at the clues and was dismayed to find no less than 7 linked clues at first glance. Not my idea of fun. I missed yesterday’s puzzle due to having to be at the outpatient surgery early morning, so luckily I still have that waiting to be solved. Glad that most of you seem to have enjoyed today, but for me it’s thanks, but no thanks.
Meant to also say that I am very thankful to the DT for the many years of cryptic puzzles. They’ve been keeping my brain cells churning since 1969, so 56 years of its 100 total. Thanks to Chris Lancaster, all the setters, and to the bloggers on this wonderful site.
Like others have said, BL please don’t give up. Remember it’s a themed puzzle and the linked clues are to do with what day this is.
Don’t be dismayed by the linked answers, BusyLizzie. As Senf says above, they’re nothing like the devious Saturday linked answers, in that they are among the most straightforward clues to solve first (especially bearing in mind what day it is), and then they help rather than hinder the rest of the puzzle. You’ll be fine!
Hi BL, it sounds a bit like you gave up on it? Perhaps it might help if I say that for 15a you don’t need to know the answer to the fourth down clue. Five of the other six refer to 1a, 10d and 11d which are all accessible, particularly if you know this is a themed puzzle.
I see Smylers says something similar. I obviously typed my message slowly as his comment wasn’t there when I started!
I’ve just worked out that I have been tackling the Telegraph cryptic for just over 50 years on and off and what a lot of pleasure that has given me.
I also remember my mother religiously sending off completed puzzles and I think I remember her winning a pack of Telegraph playing cards, but perhaps my memory is playing tricks with me.
A huge thank you to CL and all at Telegraph Towers and to Big Dave and all his helpers for this fantastic blog.
I needed some e-help to polish off todays crossword but overall found it very enjoyable. 15A has to be the pick of the bunch for me, as the PDM could be heard all over the Cotswolds!
Thankyou Mr Lancaster for today’s celebratory crossword and for all your hard work over the years. I needed your help today Senf as there were many challenges. I managed to avoid the rosemary path and 12a became my favourite today. As many have said we have been blessed over the years with all our setters and bloggers and of course with Big Dave. ????
As a long time lurker I am very pleased to add my thanks to all the setters hinters and bloggers over the years. As DG noted this wonderful site feels very much like a lovely family to which I count myself fortunate to belong. Long may it continue.
Welcome to the blog
Welcome, John Henry. Please carry on commenting now you have delurked.
Welcome, John Henry. Great to have you as part of the family — please keep chatting to us, so we get to hear from you as well!
Hi John Henry. Welcome to the blog. See you again I hope.
Thank you Chris Lancaster and Senf. We have not been around long but pleased to be able to tackle the centenary puzzle with you all. Gary and Val
Well I got off to a good start and then got truly stuck. Found it somewhat challenging in places and putting the wrong answer into 14d didn’t help! I did have to resort to some of the hints to ensure I finished correctly. What would I have done without you Senf, thank you.
Many thanks to Chris Lancaster for not only today’s challenge but for all your sterling work over the years. So sorry to learn that today’s puzzles will be your last but what an achievement and to finish on such a memorable occasion.
I have to admit I found that heavy-going but on the other hand I have so appreciated all the past hours of cruciverbal fun over the years (not quite 100!) and I do sincerely thank Chris Lancaster and all the setters, hinters and bloggers who all contribute to make the DT crossword and BD’s site such a delight. Bestest wishes CL for a peaceful retirement when you do eventually sign off. (Emoji obviously still not working).
3.5 */ 3.5* Got to admit I found this quite hard going, although not sure why when I’d finished.
Some clever clue’s including 21d square, 26a cell and the controversial cinq at 15a
Thanks to Senf and Mr Lancaster for this and all his other contributions
It took me a few minutes to realise this was The Big Day and this was IT! Thankyou Mr Lancaster, maybe as we don’t see your puzzles very often it was a bit trickier than it should have been but did complete in 4* time without needing the hints. Some a tad obscure I must admit but it marked the celebration excellently. And sorry to hear about your problems Chris, age is unstoppable with all the quirks God thrusts at us during our lives, if you manage another crossie we will certainly notice.
Occasional lurker but couldn’t lurk today.
Congratulations to all of us who finished this lovely centennial crossword! And thanks to all the bloggers and setters, including Mr Lancaster whose book saved me when recovering from knee surgery. But I don’t know who the lady in 24a is?
Neither do I. Just some random image from an e-search and I thought an ‘occupied’ 24a would be better than an ’empty’ one.
Brilliant from Mr Lancaster – thank you Sir. And 24A was a work of genius. VMT also to Senf on this important day.
Another whose eyebrows were raised by the linked clues, but no alarms, straightforward given the theme. After that standard mix of oh yeah and huh! 15a LOI, massive PDM. Thanks to all the bloggers and setters, and to the esteemed editor.
An excellent centenary crossword, tough in places but enjoyable.
Many thanks and best wishes to Chris Lancaster for all the puzzles and editing over the years.
Thanks to Senf for help with a couple of clues today.
And as many have said, a big thank you to everyone at Big Dave.
Congratulations on the centenary DT crossword team.
Way beyond my capabilities today unfortunately with only half a dozen solved.
Thanks to all.
15 A is wrong. 4 in French is quatre. 5 is cinque
It refers to the fourth down clue, which is 5 – cinque homophone of sink.
… or perhaps a homophone of sank.
Of course, Falcon. Silly me.
Cinque is ‘Old French’ and sometimes still used for five on a die. Even when I did my French O-level 60 years ago five translated as cinq and was, and still is, pronounced, more or less, as sank. I am pleased to say that my dictionnaire français par Robert agrees with me!
Needed the hints for a lot of the southern part unfortunately and never heard of 7d. I am still a relative newcomer (this year) but wish to add my thanks to setters, hinters, bloggers and Big Dave for the super crosswords and blog.
Wonderful stuff, a great way to mark the occasion, and for Mr Lancaster to sign off (although hopefully we’ll get enough Quo-like final tours in the future). But if not, thanks for everything over the years.
*/***** for me (I’m having a good day!) 15a gets my prize. I love these left-field clues when I solve them, hate them when I don’t (more usually the latter).
Thanks to Senf for the blog
I think I’m a couple of years shy of the half century, I was a late starter and was self taught until I found this site not all that long ago in the grand scheme of things. So I’d like to thank all the setters, bloggers and commentators who have added to the enjoyment of my life. Thank you one and all. Oh and the crossword! Loved it.
As another long-time lurker, I would like to come out of the woodwork on this momentous occasion and thank Chris for all his challenges, and all the setters, hints’n’tipsters and bloggers for the pleasure you have given over the years. I loved this crossword, last one in being 15a, the parsing of which only cinq in when I read the hints. Here’s to the next 13a of the 1a 10d!
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Yay, great to have another commenter join us! Thank you for delurking, and please let us continue to hear from you.
A huge welcome to you, BB! Please don’t be a stranger and keep your comments coming. All the more the merrier.
Enjoyed today’s crossword and would like to add my thanks and appreciation of all the setters, bloggers and contributors to this site. I started doing cryptic crosswords during lockdown and have learnt so much from you all – and been thoroughly entertained too
What a wonderful and appropriate puzzle for this great day, I thoroughly enjoyed tackling it.
Many thanks to all involved in setting and editing the puzzles and all involved with the Big Dave blog whether hunters or commenters (or lurkers). A special thanks to Chris Lancaster for producing such a clever puzzle today.
I still don’t get 15a, could someone please explain it to me in terms a baby would understand? I get that cinq is 5 in french, but don’t see how that correlates to 4d and Rare…
Welcome to the blog.
I am sure it is covered elsewhere in the comments but not easy to find because there are so many. So you are ignoring the fact that fourth in 15a is an ordinal number. The fourth Down clue is number 5 which in French is cinq which is a homophone (reportedly) of sank which is a synonym of bored (as in drilled a hole).
15a should read…..the FIFTH Down clue…..surely???!
Welcome to the blog
Many of the 154 comments on this crossword were about 15a. If you count 2d 1st, 3d 2nd, 4d 3rd then 5d is the fourth clue in the downs
Welcome to the blog from me as well.
As CS has written it is all about not confusing cardinal and ordinal numbers.
3*/4* …
liked 22D “Stress of a compiler initially with little money (6)” …
Best Wishes to Chris Lancaster.
Please forgive the lateness of this comment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent puzzle. I thought the theme was beautifully handled with the ‘four long entries in the perimeter’.
It’s very difficult to decide on a fave clue with so many super ones to choose from. I have many ticks on my printout, including: 24a, 26a, 27a; 7d, 14d, 17d and 21d. And I must add I’m definitely an 8a!
My most appreciative thanks to our splendid editor Chris Lancaster. I was deeply saddened to read that this is ‘almost certainly’ your ‘last cryptic (and quick)’. You have given us so many super puzzles over the years. It will be a real loss not to have your crosswords and those delightful puns! My warmest best wishes to you.
Many grateful thanks to Senf for the Hints and Tips which I didn’t use but have enjoyed reading.
Lastly, may I echo Jane in adding my thanks and deep appreciation to all at Telegraph Towers and to all who sustain this wonderful Big Dave’s Blog.
I would like to add my congratulations on the Puzzles centenary.
This was a tricky puzzle but perspiration won the day, well two days actually. You can see why I am a month behind – I never start a crossword until I have finished my current one, no matter how long that takes.