Toughie No 3669 by Shabbo
Hints and tips by Whybird
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
Greetings! This week your Itinerant Blogger finds himself in a cottage on the Eaton Manor estate close to Church Stretton – views of Wenlock Edge (complete with Brown Hares on the slopes) to one side, and Long Mynd across the valley. Blackcaps and Nuthatches singing in the garden (and the latter also bizarrely from top of the tower of St Edith’s Church), red kites over the valley. It’s a tough assignment, but someone’s got to do it…
We have another high-quality puzzle from Shabbo to start our Toughie Week. I had just enough of a battle with a few of the clues to take this into Gentle Toughie Territory. Even with some of the gentler clues, I found I had to force myself to break the clues down into their elements and not get distracted by the surfaces. Like Django, but usually more concisely, Shabbo has a knack of leading me down the garden path! My favourites today were the Operatic Repairmen in 22a, the distracting surface in 2d and the narrative anagram in 14d. Thank you, Shabbo, for the entertainment.
Please let us know how you fared and what you thought of the puzzle.
Across Clues
1a and 6a Clue for “catastrophe” in state of contemplation (10,4)
REFLECTIVE MOOD This is a double definition, the first sense being a statement of how a Setter could phrase a cryptic clue
6a See 1 Across
10a Devout former vicar is struck off (5)
PIOUS The three-letter abbreviation for “vicar” is removed (struck off) from a synonym of “former”
11a Divides up local seat haphazardly (9)
ALLOCATES An anagram (haphazardly) of “local seat”
12a Communist revolution blocks refurbished (8)
RECYCLED A synonym of “revolution” is inserted into (blocks) Crosswordland’s usual colourful Communist
13a Cat jumps out of bounds (5)
OUNCE Start with a synonym of “jumps” and remove the first and last letters (out of bounds)
15a England’s opener bowled out and pushed aside (7)
ELBOWED The first letter (opener) of “England” is followed by an anagram (out) of “bowled”
17a Wanted start of November to go back as financial deadline (4-3)
YEAR-END Take a synonym of “Wanted”, move the initial letter of “November” back a place and then insert a hyphen where indicated.
19a Experience lower energy (7)
UNDERGO A charade of synonyms for “lower” and “energy”
21a City centre toured by relative from European country (7)
GRECIAN The postcode for the City of London is inserted (toured by) into an older female relative
22a Scent from Carmen encapsulating memory (5)
AROMA A three-letter abbreviation for a type of computer/digital memory is inserted into a major UK roadside recovery organisation
24a Athenian character beside island came back to waste away (8)
EMACIATE Take a three-letter Greek letter/character, the letter indicating “island” and “came” from the clue, and reverse the lot (back)
27a Bad credit affected method of payment (5,4)
DEBIT CARD An anagram (affected) of “Bad credit”
28a Run off with Ms Cruz having ditched writer (5)
ELOPE Remove a type of writing implement (writer ditched) from the Christian name of the Spanish Actress Ms Cruz
29a Hen party sign? (4)
OMEN This sign is how, split (1,3), you could describe the number and gender of the attendees at a hen party
30a Way single mother’s working for builder (10)
STONEMASON A charade of a two-letter abbreviated “way” in the sense of “thoroughfare”, a synonym of “single”, and informal way of saying “mother’s” and a two-letter synonym of “working”
Down Clues
1d Thrilled to be covered on the radio (4)
RAPT The solution is a homophone (on the radio) of a synonym of “to be covered” (think presents)
2d This might be raised from bottom of river? (6,3)
FLOWER BED Although this could easily be parsed as a cryptic, all-in-one, or almost a double definition, I’ve plumped for splitting this as marked. This horticultural element, which may be built up above the surrounding area (ie “raised”), can be found by considering how a crossword setter might have described a “river” in a cryptic clue and then adding the three-letter term for its “bottom”. I love the way this clue works in different ways, even if it makes explaining how the clue works harder than solving it!
3d Try writing (5)
ESSAY A double definition
4d Tracked upcoming food store facility (7)
TRAILED An inversion (“upcoming” in a down clue) of a type of food store and a synonym of “facility” (or skill)
5d Understandably perhaps ladies rising slowly (7)
VALIDLY An inversion (“rising” in a down clue) of an abbreviated term for the public convenience of which “ladies” is an example, followed by a synonym of “slowly” (or lazily)
7d Frequently seen in soft environment (5)
OFTEN The answer is lurking amongst (seen in) the letters of “soft environment”
8d Offspring sing entertaining finale (10)
DESCENDANT Today’s most controversial clue, I think, albeit it in a low-key, not-affecting-the-solving sort-of way. A three-letter synonym of “finale” is inserted into a musical part accompanying, and higher-pitched than the main melody, which is often sung. Whilst the BRB has “to sing xxxxxxx” as a verb, just “sing” as a clue for the musical part doesn’t work for me. However, the answer is pretty clear either way. Thanks to Gazza for the BRB research
9d Praise current business over dodgy deal (8)
ACCOLADE A charade of an abbreviated type of current (electric, not liquid), an abbreviation for a synonym of “business” and an anagram (dodgy) of “deal”
14d A pet gun dog training for drive (3-2-3-2)
GET-UP-AND-GO An anagram (training) of “A pet gun dog”. Lord Alfie would like it noting that at 15, he doesn’t want or need any of that stuff, he just likes sniffing the trails left by the local hares. In theory, anyway…
16d Sanctions conflict with bombastic speeches (8)
WARRANTS A charade of synonyms of “conflict” and “bombastic speeches”. “Sanctions” here is used in the permissive sense, rather than the prohibitive one
18d Time to fill invoices out for removals (9)
EVICTIONS Insert the letter indicating “Time” into an anagram (out) of “invoices”
20d Dover actively seizing ham (7)
OVERACT The answer is lurking (seizing) within the letters of “Dover actively”
21d Encourage boost during Scottish depression (7)
GLADDEN A synonym of “boost” is inserted into (during) a name for a Scottish valley
23d Card game is dull without spades (5)
OMBRE The letter indicating “spades” is removed from a synonym of “dull” (or serious) to get a trick-taking card game, which despite being described online as one of the most successful card games ever invented, I’ve only encountered in Crosswordland
25d Muesli without salt initially is uplifting for the gut (5)
ILEUM Remove the first letter of “salt” (without salt initially) from Muesli, and then reverse the remainder (“uplifting” in a down clue) to get the name of a part of the gut
26d Meghan is heartless and spiteful (4)
MEAN Remove the central two letters (is heartless) from “Meghan”
A perfect companion to Mr Plumb’s back pager – 1.5*/4.5*
I have to wonder if our setter was thinking of a particular Meghan while he was creating 26d! Whybird obviously was in his hint!
Candidates for favourite – 13a, 17a, 30a, 1d, and 9d – and the winner is 13a.
Thanks to Shabbo and Whybird.
This wasn’t tough but who cares when it is as much fun as this?
I’m not entirely convinced that “understandably” is synonymous with 5d. Other than that everything was shipshape with a splendid combination of brevity and smooth surfaces.
With plenty of ticked clues to choose from, my favourite was 1a/6a.
Many thanks to Shabbo and to Whybird.
Another fizzy romp from Shabbo – 1a/6a and 10a particularly tickled my fancy. Best thanks to him and Whybird.
Great crossword Shabbo! I thought there were some very clever clues, which to me, weren’t altogether obvious until I’d parsed them – 21a and 22a, for example. I liked the long linked clue across the top and the wee one down below, Hen Party Sign, which made me chuckle.
Thanks to Shabbo for the puzzle and Whybird for the blog. Enjoy the bird-watching.
A gentle start to the Toughie week, though plenty of clever wordplay more than made up for any lack of complexity.
The state of contemplation in 1a & 6a got us off to a fine start.
The city centre at 21a, Carmen in 22a and the ladies rising slowly in 5d were among many other highlights.
My thanks to Shabbo and Whybird.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy your break, Chris, that neck of the woods is special to us.
We stayed at The Long Mynd Hotel and got married there after walking the High Vinnalls in the morning.
It’s a lovely spot and we’ve been back many times since.
Sadly Church Stretton isn’t at its best at the moment. They’re resurfacing the High St, so it is lacking a lot of the charm it should have for its location. Nothing like a string of Tarmac trucks and road closures to take the edge off a place! On the plus side, my beer pot has a few pints of Ludlow Gold in it to ease me through the evening…
Enjoy your stay in our county, Whybird. If you have time, The Three Tuns at Bishops Castle is good for food and it is also the oldest licensed brewery in the UK. It’s about 13 miles from Church Stretton .
Thanks Steve. I know the Three Tuns reasonably well after several stays at the Castle. Getting to the pub is easy, getting back up the hill not quite so… Heading home tomorrow, sadly. There are Natterjack Toads that need counting… and the small matter of having to do a day’s work!
Having the ability to encounter a negative and overcome it with a positive is an exceptional quality… Cheers!
Very entertaining – many thanks to Shabbo and Whybird.
I particularly liked 10a, 29a and 16d (I wonder who is being referred to?) with my favourite being 1/6a.
Finished a Toughie unaided, hurrah! Sadly that means it’s only slightly Toughie! Thanks all.
Super puzzle, largely a sprint bar a few clues in the N – 5d felt tenuous and I could not parse pious for toffee; 1a/6a was I think my POI, very clever. Honours to 1a, 22a and 2d.
Many thanks to Shabbo and Whybird
I thought I was going to finish this beautiful puzzle unaided but, sadly, 21a stumped me and I had to resort to the hints. The former vicar at 10a was a terrific clue once I had worked it out. I tried too long to think of a word for a former vicar that I could take “is” off. 2d raised a smile as did the very neat and amusing hen party at 29a. My COTT is the scent of carmen at 22a.
Thank you, Shabbo for a great puzzle – more please. Thank you, Whybird for the hints.
I saw it was a Shabbo production so decided to give it a go, and I’m glad I did. I thought the hen party sign and the devout former vicar were excellent but cotd goes to the pet gun dog in 14d. Thanks to Shabbo and Whybird. Great fun.
Great puzzle, well done Shabbo! Did I win the family prize?
Looks like it – even with a slight delay due to bring diverted into Moderation!
Of course she did!
Shabbo’s Sister-in-law and I don’t usually venture into Toughie territory but we enjoyed it and struggled on to complete it in just over 24 hours to claim second prize. Favourite clue was 10a. Thanks Shabbo
I wonder if Shabbo had nobbled the Moderation? That’s two ShabboKin that have had to be “released”
Not guilty, your honour.
They have both posted before, so no idea why they went into moderation.
Thank you all for your kind comments and many thanks to Whybird for an excellent review.
See you again soon.
Sorry – clicked on the wrong Tab. The Ludlow Gold is working well…
Great puzzle, Shabbo. Thank you for providing a toughie we lesser mortals can tackle and enjoy.
Thanks for dropping in, Shabbo. And thanks again for a great, fun puzzle!
Lots of fun right through the solve. 1a set the tone at the beginning so gets our vote.
Thanks Shabbo and Whybird.
Cracking surfaces & great fun.1/6a & 10a two belters to kick off with & plenty of ✅s elsewhere – 15,22&30a + 2&14d other particular likes. Pegging the sneaky Carmen context the only head scratch & even then had to check what ROM stood for.
Thanks to Shabbo & to Whybird – enjoy your time away.
I didn’t find this as straightforward as some. Solved in two sessions with difficulty. Needed the hints to parse 10a and 21a, 22a and 8d didn’t really work for me and never heard of the card game. NW last in and remained impenetrable for a long long time despite having 2d very early on. Enough moaning. Favourite was 30a. Thanks to Shabbo and Whybird.
Thanks Huntsman for suggesting on the back page blog for Toughie tentatives to give today’s offering a go.
Nothing too tough here, the last three added on a quarter of solving time – 21D then 21A, lastly 12A. I often struggle on clues where the ‘blocks’ comes after the word of interest. One day I’ll catch on…
Pody picks – 1A is my favourite, closely followed by 29A, and 21D’s (not) depression.
Thanks to Shabbo and Whybird ⭐️
Glad you enjoyed the Inner Page puzzle! I can never remember which way round the “Blocks” goes…
Thanks Whybird, generally I struggle to make time for the Toughie. In the interest of honing my solving skills though, I should probably prioritise the Toughies 🤔, but I do find the back-pagers relaxing (generally!), and I like having that in my day.
I’m not all that good at the standard back pager but was encouraged to have a go at this toughie which I found thoroughly enjoyable but needed some help with the parsing. Thanks to Whybird and Shabbo. I liked (and understood!) 2d amongst the many.
Hi JennyNLFTG, I’m glad the Blog was useful and good to see you posting again next Tuesday!
🙂
I began this a day late and thought it delightful. The stand out clues for me were 1,29 and 30a. One of the best I have done for a while at */*****. Thank you Shabbo and why it’d for the hint to 22a to let enable full understanding of the obvious answer.
Sorry – Whybird!
1*/5* …
liked 10A “Devout former vicar is struck off (5)”