Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31308
Hints and tips by Falcon
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
Greetings from Ottawa, where our mid-summer long weekend has proven to be, for the most part, a cloudy and rainy affair. This follows on the heels of July which, if I recall correctly, has been reported to be the second wettest on record. However, this paints a bit of a misleading impression of the month as most of the rain fell in the span of about 3 hours on a single day (July 1).
Today’s puzzle should serve as a gentle mental warmup to get the little grey cells prepared for the more challenging workouts likely to ensue as the week progresses. I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that the puzzle may be the handiwork of Heron. Be aware though, that my track record at identifying setters is dismal, at best.
In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.
Across
1a Scientific study exposed trope in collection of writings (12)
ANTHROPOLOGY — remove the outer letters (exposed) from TROPE and insert the result in (in) a collection of writings
8a Interpret writing in grand county town (7)
READING — string together a verb meaning to transform writing into a mental image, the IN from the clue, and the single letter for grand
9a Traditional tales of feet? (7)
LEGENDS — split (3,4), the answer could whimsically describe feet
11a Infusion starts to help even reluctant believers treat extreme anxiety (4,3)
HERB TEA — the initial letters of (starts to) the final seven words of the clue
12a Crept around following old passage (7)
EXCERPT — an anagram (around) of CREPT following the old or former
13a Tiny boy with papers is shy (5)
TIMID — Dickens’ tiny boy and papers proving you are who you say you are
14a Pollution spoils lickspittle’s trousers (3,6)
OIL SLICKS — a lurker hiding (trousers) in the middle two words of the clue
16a Dissolve cure into a drink (9)
COINTREAU — an anagram (dissolve) of the middle three words of the clue
19a Show Alexandra making sandwiches (5)
DRAMA — another lurker, this one concealed in (sandwiches) the middle two words of the clue
21a Without help, Auden and I’d improvised (7)
UNAIDED — an anagram (improvised) of AUDEN and ID
23a Note, less time for needlework (7)
CROCHET — remove (less) the physics symbol for time from a short musical note
24a Typical example of endless long story, in my opinion (7)
EPITOME — remove the final letter (endless) from a long story and append a (2,2) way of saying in my opinion
25a It has no effect when piano string breaks off at first (7)
PLACEBO — tie together the abbreviation for the musical direction piano, a string used to secure a shoe to one’s foot, and the initial letters (at first) of the remaining two words of the clue
26a During time at school Ed and I dined between others (12)
INTERMEDIATE — concatenate a word meaning in, a temporal division of a school year, ED and I from the clue, and another word for dined
Down
1d Mix up the order of a couple of farm animals (7)
ANAGRAM — join together the A from the clue and two farm animals
2d Danced tango with one short step close to end (7)
TWISTED — cement together the letter represented by tango in the NATO alphabet, the abbreviation for with, the Roman numeral one, all but the last letter (short) of STEP, and the final letter of (close to) END
3d Complicated instructions fix morale somehow (9)
RIGMAROLE — fix or surreptitiously influence the outcome and an anagram (somehow) of MORALE
4d Beat some impulses (5)
PULSE — a lurker, attempting somewhat unconvincingly to hide (some) in the final word of the clue
5d Coherent American soldier in pub (7)
LOGICAL — the usual American soldier hanging out in a British neighbourhood pub
6d Info on Morecambe perhaps is widely applicable (7)
GENERIC — a colloquial term for info and the name of Ernie’s partner
7d Angrily he cut erratic style of building (12)
ARCHITECTURE — an anagram (angrily) of the three words following the indicator
10d Dreadful fiascos taint feeling of contentment (12)
SATISFACTION — an anagram (dreadful) of the two words preceding the definition
15d Meal including starter of appetising stuff is a good place to start (6,3)
LAUNCH PAD — insert (including) the initial letter of (starter of) APPETISING into a midday meal and then append a verbal synonym of stuff to the result
17d I mostly speak in a fancy language (7)
ITALIAN — line up the I from the clue, all but the final letter (mostly) of a word meaning speak, and an anagram (fancy) of IN A
18d Little European swimmer (7)
TADPOLE — a nounal synonym of little and a European national
19d Couturier leads a Master of Arts display (7)
DIORAMA — a well-known French coutourier precedes (leads) the A from the clue and the abbreviation for Master of Arts
20d Two articles about hired sportswoman (7)
ATHLETE — join together two grammatical articles and place the result around (about) hired or rented; as the answer could also be a sportsman, I wonder if the choice of wording is a clue to the identity of the setter
22d Ideal doctor introduces drug in the morning (5)
DREAM — the abbreviation for doctor constitutes the start of (introduces) the answer and is followed by the usual single letter recreational drug and the abbreviated Latin term denoting in the morning
Thank you to the setter for a fun puzzle. Leave a comment below to tell us which clues you liked.
Quickie pun:: HIDE + RANGIER = HYDRANGEA
On This Day …
… in 1969, Creedence Clearwater Revival released their third studio album, Green River. Their second of three albums released that year, Green River featured such hits as the title track and “Bad Moon Rising.” It was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1970, with a triple Platinum certification to follow in 1990. Here is the band performing at The Royal Albert Hall in 1970.
I struggled with this for some reason because once the answers came, I wondered why. I could see the elements of 1a but could not get them in the right order and I totally missed the lurker at 14a eventually solving from checkers. The word at 3d reminded me of Richard Harris in the film Camelot – “Since the whole 3d began”. My COTD is the oldy but goody traditional tales at 9a.
Thank you, setter for a slightly more difficult start to the week – for me, anyway. Thank you, Falcon for the hints and Creedence.
The temperature is set to rise to the high twenties today so Hudson and I went for a walk at six o’clock. I think grilled salmon and a Greek Salad will be the order of the day for the evening meal.
Great taste in food and so healthy
Steve. A dentist-related anecdote that you may/may not be interested in.
Last week I visited the dentist and I have a new one whom I’ve met only a couple of times before – a very nice middle-aged lady. Normally at my local practice the dentists and hygienists play Radio 2 whilst treating you. This time I had a one hour slot because it was an awkward large filling – the whole inner side of a rear molar had broken off. The dentist informed me that they now had Spotify and I could choose the background music. I asked if I could pick a full album and she said yes. I almost chose Led Zeppelin 1 but quickly decided that wouldn’t be quite fitting for the occasion. I opted for the album Blue by Joni Mitchell – and she said that was one of her favourites!
I was wondering, is choosing your own music at the dentist now a common thing? I know you’re retired from practising but presume you get to hear about stuff in the sector.
Hi Jose,
I’m still very much involved in dentistry, albeit Endodontics, but, as you rightly point out, I no longer do clinical work. Covid put a stop to that. I’ve had a liver transplant and was advised very strongly by my consultant that I should retire. I still teach, though and I know many of my colleagues have access to such platforms as Spotify. It’s highly likely they would allow the patients to choose their own music especially as a molar root treatment can take up to an hour and a half. I know that some provide earphones as well.
Interesting – thanks for that.
My dentist had a very difficult crossword painted on his ceiling.
Genius!
I do believe you are even hotter than us right now. Over here, I struggle through my morning walk before breakfast every day. Unfortunately it is only slightly cooler than the rest of the day. Same in the evenings. Once summer arrives it hot 24/7…. So I just cut it a bit shorter, and don’t walk quite so briskly. I wish I could walk after dark, but apart from dealing with monster mosquitos, coyotes etc. my back is no longer willing by that point. But the good part is I can look forward to the South Florida winter 😊.
Nicely Mondayish. A good thing too after my dismal showing in yesterday’s Dada. I thought 9a was suitably groanworthy but fun and I liked the lurker at 14a. Cotd though is 24a. Thanks to compiler and Falcon.
Steve! High twenties? Thirty-five big degrees here today! I’m thinking of spending the day loitering in Waitrose freezer aisle.
We’ve had those sort of temperatures here in The Marches as well, Terence. Maybe I should be thankful for small mercies and not moan about temperatures of 29 degrees? 😊
Relatively gentle as befitting a Monday. After a slowish start, once I had a few checkers in place, the downs were filled quite quickly and then the remainder slotted in without difficulty. All fairly clued, but I felt that 4d was on the weak side, how about “beat a bean”?
Thanks to the setter and Falcon.
1*/3*
I enjoyed this puzzle except that I was caught out, as I couldn’t fit my chemical mix at 1 down with the infusion at 11 across. Especially slipshod as I like the clues which contain the correct answer.
Lovely puzzle with no hold ups at all. The east went in more rapidly than the west for some reason. Bad Moon Rising takes me straight back to 1969 and camping in Rhodesia, as it was then, by Victoria Falls and dancing the night away. Fantastic time and place. Thanks to the setter and to Falcon.
What a truly wonderful thing to have done, Mers.
6 of us, all girls, drove from Cape Town in a Combi Camper via Botswana into Rhodesia and took the shorter route to Kariba Dam going over Vic Falls bridge into Zambia instead of the long way round. Picked up 2 Kiwi hikers, just as well as the accelerator cable broke and we wouldn’t have known what to do, and limped to Lusaka pulling on a rope outside the van. Got fixed up a couple of days later and attempted to walk across the dam but Rhodesian solders told us via loud haler to get back in the van and we got a severe dressing down. There was a war on at the time and they didn’t want to risk lives for some silly little British kids, too right. Then motored down through Mocambique back to CT where I stayed for the next 8 years. About 80% of the roads were dirt roads. Exciting time all documented in my diary.
Brilliant! .
Get it published.
I love the rope story.
Just loved this as a way to start the week. When an early clue like 1 down pops up it bods well. The final top of my list was 9 across.
Took issue with the definition of needlework. Yes, I know it is in the dictionary but I have done needlework practically all my life as well as tapestry, knitting and the answer to 23 across. Yes, it is worked with a needle but that is the only way the answer works in my head and I have never heard anyone actually describe it as needlework.Crafters can be rather nerdy so I’m probably splitting hairs.
Got there unaided as it was 1 * but lots of stars for entertainment. Many thanks.
You have taken the words from my mouth!
As my daughter pointed out 23 across is performed with a hook. Being perdantic seems to be OK on this site.
Regarding needlework, while the distinction had escaped me, I do see your point. Perhaps we should take it as another whimsical cryptic crossword definition. A tattoo artist could also be described as performing needlework.
Hi F
I never put an exclamation mark after a subtle joke. If people miss it, they miss it.
Is that the case with your ‘I do see your point’ or was it unintentional?
Either way, we like it.
My guess is: unintentional “pun intended”
I saw the pun as soon as I had written the phrase. So, not planned but recognized on delivery.
I asked Google if crochet can be described as needlework:
Yes, dictionary definitions and broad classifications can describe crochet as a type of needlework, even though it uses a hooked tool rather than a traditional sewing needle.Technical and Historical LinksMain dictionaries, like Merriam-Webster, formally define crochet as a form of “needlework consisting of the interlocking of looped stitches formed with a single thread and a hooked needle”.Historically and etymologically, crochet tools have been referred to as “crochet needles” or hooked needles.
So, for me it’s OK either literally or whimsically.
I fail to see how it can be classed as “needlework” when you use a hook, not a needle, when doing crochet.
A nice, gentle start to the week that didn’t cause any hiccups *. I agree with Falcs that this could be the work of her, on a Monday.
What a great descriptive word lickspittle is, i.e prisoners would lick up the spit of their superiors. Superb but, oh, so grim.
Some of you may not know that GI originally meant Galvanised Iron, i.e items made from it. It was then called Government and General Issue.
3d is such a great word that doesn’t get used enough.
My picks are 2d, 17d and 22d.
MTTTA and Falcs.
1*/3*
* For the recent contributors, as I mentioned it last year, hiccup was the original spelling. However, in the 1600s, a variant, hiccough, was mistakenly introduced as people thought it was to do with a cough but they kept the original pronunciation. Talk about carnage! This means that there are nine not eight ways to pronounce ough: oo, er (missus), ock, off, oh, or, ow, off and up. We love it!
But you have included OFF twice!
Doh! (or should that be dough!)
I meant uff.
For one of my early compiling efforts I did manage to include 9 words with all the different pronunciations in one puzzle! Cluing was a bit ropy but I did get them all in!
That is a fine effort, J.
Well, will wonders never cease! I correctly called the setter of today’s puzzle – a rare event indeed. Heron has claimed it on Bluesky.
Check us out!
An early solve by my standards, due to erratic sleep patterns.
I found this a little harder than most Mondays. Last two in were the intersecting 23A and 19D. I needed Falcon’s hint to parse 23A, forgot the musical note 😒
Pody picks – like Tom I enjoy the 3D word and use it quite often actually, 9A’s foot-y pun (another phrase I use often, with a certain set of friends), and I liked the quirky 1A clue for a word close to crosswording hearts.
Many thanks to our setter and to Falcon ⭐
I use 3d pretty often – one of my “go to” words.
A good start to the week although it took me a while to get into. I love the word at 3d and thought at first that it was going to be a 1d.
Top picks for me were 15d, 19d, 23a, 9a, 25a and 26a.
I liked the Quickie pun too, well it is flower related!
Thanks to Falcon and Heron.
Good Monday fun – 1.5*/4.5*
Candidates for favourite – 1a, 9a, 12a, 13a, 19d, and 20d – and the winner is 9a.
Thanks to the two birds.
Gentle and enjoyable – what more do we want on a Monday? Thanks to our setter and Falcon.
I’m with those who thought 4d rather weak; I always feel a bit short-changed if a hidden answer is contained within a single word as opposed to straddling two or more words.
The top clues for me were 1a, 9a and 15d.
* / ****
Very enjoyable start to the week. Must admit to biffing the wrong language into 17d though. My country has an alternative ‘mostly speak’ component but admittedly might’ve needed a modified descriptor like ‘mostly raged’ or ‘mostly speak loudly/aggressively’ to work. Still, I’d argue it parsed but was just plain wrong of course!!
Particularly liked the 18d little swimmer and my COTD went to the 9a traditional tales of feet, love pronouncing that word with a hard ‘G’ and has two words!
Many thanks to Heron and Falcon (two birds with one stone)
Got to agree with Tom, 3d is a super old word, you don’t tend to hear it much these days. Growing up, my old man constantly used it to refer to anything slightly complicated or vaguely technical. The word is as pleasing to pronounce as it is to hear.
Lickspittle also raises a smile. Yonks ago I read Titus Groan and The Gormenghast series by Mervyn Peake. Set in a kind of steam-punk Gothic fantasy world, the characters all had weird and wonderful names and Lickspittle sounds like he’d be perfectly at home amongst them.
Two cracking words, with 19d another favourite of mine.
My thanks to our setter and Falcon.
Ah yes, Gormenghast with a cook named Swelter! 😊
Irma Prunesquallor being a favourite of mine
SJB. I did see your amusing late evening reply the other day – when I asked about the bollards colour. One of the rare occasions when my humour didn’t fall on stoney ground.
Flay, the manservant was a favourite of mine, another brilliantly original character and Swelter’s nemesis. Described as very thin and bony, his knees would make a cracking sound as he walked along.
They don’t write ’em like that no more…
Thought I was never going to get into this tough for a Monday puzzle but all of a sudden it began to gel and hey presto it gradually fell into place via an entertaining solve. Second word of 14a is a bit questionable although it has to be in order to fit the clue. 9a was my Fav too. Wonder why 20d has to be a female of the species? Thank you Heron and Falcon without whom I did just manage.
Re 20d, perhaps the setter is just exercising her feminist prerogative.
2*/4*. A couple of dodgy anagram indicators aside, this provided a great start to the week. I was particularly pleased to see that the boy on 13a was suitably qualified and not at all vague.
My favourite was a toss-up between 9a & 15d.
Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon.
Hear, hear re anagram indicators as has become the name of the game here.
A nice gentle start to the week that still fun to complete without being too taxing. Perfect for a very hot Monday lunchtime. For a favourite I went for 9a.
Many thanks to both Heron and Falcon.
I am so enervated by this heat I feel awful. Loads to do and no energy but it is amazing that we somehow find the energy to guzzle. Half an avocado and a fig from our tree was sufficient lunch with a glass of apple juice. Great collection of clues, and I really liked 9a – I frequently pronounce it wrongly Just as I often mispronounce the lovely 24a, If I have misjudged my company I get a funny look! 6d was neat as well. Very pleasant work out – thanks to Heron & Falcon. I intend to spend the rest of the afternoon under the trees in the garden.
Totally agree, DG, I very often deliberately mispronounce those two words to get a reaction!
I love mispronouncing the names round here – Wymondham, Happisburgh etc. It really annoys people and is very childish!
I have been ‘testing’ the (claimed) Scottish heritage of a Canadian friend with Scottish place names – I started with Wemyss, more recently I have included a couple of English place names starting with Cholmondeley.
Oh Senf, you immediately brought to mind a 9 year old Mavis reading The Tower of London by Harrison Ainsworth. I told my mother that when I grew up I wanted to marry a man called Cholmondeley as it was so romantic. She brutally told me that it was pronounced Chumley and I went into a decline. You see, all these years later I feel the pain.
That was a bit harsh starting with Wemyss……mind you it would probably have been worse with Strathaven or Milngavie…..
How did he/she do, by the way ?
Abject failure!
I have also probably included one that Manders included in her comment – Happisburgh.
There’s village in Shropshire called Ratlinghope. The locals call it Ratchup.
There is a castle near us called Belvoir Castle – everyone calls it Beaver Castle!
A gentle start to the week , although I did look at a few clues before getting traction and thought maybe it was going to be tricky. I too hmmmphed at the needlework term at 23a. An enjoyable solve. Thanks to the Heron and Falcon – you have rain you lucky thing !
We in Sussex are told it will be 14/8 before we can expect even a drop.
Rescued from moderation as there is only one K in outlook.com!
Enjoyable puzzle to start off the week listening to Bob Dylan 🎸
1a last in after much head scratching but then it dropped, a fine clue.
Even though once again the puzzle posting for me was almost 50 minutes late due to a new month, it was well worth it. Lots to smile about (almost half the grid made me grin with the answers), as well as being a great way to start off the (non work) week. No brain mangling, no hair torn out … just smooth sailing as can be had in the mid-Atlantic quite often.
1.5*/4.5* for me
Favourites 8a, 9a, 13a, 3d, 6d & 15d .. with winner 8a
Smiles for so many including 24a, 1d, 5d & 6d
Thanks to Heron & Falcon
But the puzzle is appearing in the App reasonably promptly (as early as 11:15pm UK time). As I am a ‘dyed in the wool’ pencil and paper solver, and somewhat convolutedly, I transfer the puzzle from my Android phone to a folder on my laptop (select print, open with OneDrive, tap the up arrow/cloud icon, select a folder, and tap the ‘check mark’ (top right), and find it in the selected folder although the file name is not the puzzle number (such as DT 12345) so go by the date and time.
As an ex-doctor and a current pedant I should point out that the answer to 25a is factually incorrect vis-a-vis the clue since the word indeed has an effect, and quite a powerful one. Some estimates are that 25a-s have a noticeably positive effect in up to a third of cases.
It derives from the Latin word meaning ‘I will please’ and in my experience it often did.
Good to hear from you, F-Man, and thank you for the info.
Looking at your alias, I’m assuming you a surgeon. Is that the case?
No – I was a GP. Many of the conditions that I saw would get better whatever was said or prescribed but often the patient attributed the resolution to an entirely blameless prescription! One might hope that surgeons are less inclined to wield a knife as a 25a but I suspect sometimes that has occurred too.
Thank you. Most informative.
Maybe your alias is someone from, say, Birmingham, telling a Home Counties guy to get lost.
Oh, that’ll do, Tom.
I hadn’t thought of that but you may have a point. I am from Birmingham though – why would you suspect that?
It’s the first place that came to mind and what a choice. Go me!
Possibly because I went to university there, the one in Edgbaston. In 1984, I saw Marshall, Garner and Holding cause carnage (what a line-up!) and Viv score a majestic ton the next day. This was when Malcolm ended poor Andy Lloyd’s test career.
Yes, Tom, let’s see you explain that one – I suspect it contains an expletive you couldn’t possibly mention on here.
I agree and will add it to my nitpicking today.
F, 25a. This is a tricky one. I think the clue is implying that the answer doesn’t have any direct/intended phamaceutical effects because they are completely inert. So, in that sense the clue is factual – I would say. But of course taking the answer could have indirect emotional/psychological effects that may well improve the health/condition of some patients. But then, just acquiring a pet as a companion might do that. Has the answer done anything or just the thought/imagination done it. So, does an indirect/unintended effect count? Discuss.
Coincidentally, there was a clue in today’s Indy leading to the plural version of the answer:
– Site manager detailed ineffective medication (8)
Once again the definition suggests that the medication is considered ineffective!
Is there a subtle difference between a placebo and the “placebo effect”?
The is a significant difference, Jose. A placebo is used in the research of a new drug. It has no medicinal properties at all and is used as a control group. The placebo effect is a phenomenon that causes subjects in the test to feel that the placebo, that they don’t know they are taking, is working.
I wasn’t making a serious point or criticism of the clue – just exercising the ‘Pedantus Major’ muscle which all keen crossword addicts probably possess.
I’ve suffered from an inflamed Penantus Major, on and off, for most of my life. What can i take for it? And don’t you dare prescibe a placebo!
Sadly it’s incurable – or so my wife says….
I agree; if the definition in the clue were true then no 25a controls would be needed in clinical trials. They are, because we know they do.
2* / 3.5* Well I found this a trickier proposition than an average Monday, although it all fell into place and was most enjoyable.
Top three clues for me 1a scientific study, the lurking pollution at 14a and the 18d swimmer.
Thanks to the ornithological duo of Falcon and Heron
I think I found this a bit harder than most people today.
Struggled with the Across clue but was saved by the Downs.
Got it all eventually.
Favourite has to be the trousered pollution.
Thanks to Heron and to Falcon.
Cool up here today 17C. (sorry folks) . We’ve also had some rain with more to come .
A very early morning solve before Carol P and I spent an enjoyable day operating a soft toy tombola stall at a local children’s charity picnic.
After a couple of tricky days I found today on my wavelength..I had to have a think about 24a and 19d but the solutions were clear enough.
COTD – 9a
Late starting today. Found this slightly more difficult than usual for a Monday, but maybe it’s because I’m wilting under the excessive heat. Just tipped into ** difficulty but *** enjoyment. Loved 9a, even though it took me some time to solve. Like others I wondered about crochet being needlework, but as my skills in that particular area of expertise are nil, take no notice of me. Thanks to both Heron and Falcon.
I also found this a bit harder than an average Monday, I think it is the tiredness from a hectic but enjoyable weekend and the current temperature. I have a list of jobs, largely outside which I just can’t get done at the moment. The puzzle was excellent once I cracked it and I particularly liked 3d and the clever lurker at 14a.
Many thanks to Heron and to Falcon for the hints.
In contrast to many I found this on the very easier side of Monday’s.Nevertheless very enjoyable.I started it just before I pot the toast on and the kettle on . Just about finished it in time , only 19 caused a flutter . Thanks to all. Many favourites Including 1,2 and 3 .
I just knew I was tempting fate yesterday when I said I had finished the last 4 days in a row without a problem… and along comes this one that was so not a Monday puzzle. Not helped by bunging in extract at 12a before seeing the error of my ways. COTD to 9a which made me laugh. Thanks to setter and Falcon.
Been watching Mother Nature in action this week. Two mornings we woke to find half eaten ducks on our lawn, quite grisly. Probably the work of a scavenging coyote. A couple of hours later a buzzard showed up to clean up the place.
Pretty straightforward, no quibbles and plenty of enjoyment, so a thumbs up from me. 👍🏻 Favourite was 1a. Thanks to Heron and Falcon.
Good evening
An enjoyable solve today – no major problems and I particularly enjoyed 14a, my COTD!
Held up a little in the SE quadrant, almost missing the lurkingtons in 19a. 23a was my last to fall.
Many thanks to Heron and to Falcon.
Must be the heat but I struggled with this one. Now I’ve completed it, I’m kicking myself for my stupidity! My groanworthy clue was 1d. First animal is a bit of a stretch. Anyway, I must say I love the music references in this blog. Creedence are my all time favourite band and the other day The Nimmo Brothers were referenced, possibly the best live band I have seen.
A quick scan across the first few clues was misleading – looked much fiercer than the pussy cat it proved to be. 2&3d my top two.
Thanks to both birds.
Spent the day running around like the proverbial so didn’t start until this evening. Thought it would be relatively straightforward given the 1* rating but I thought it was a tad more difficult than that. Anyway, finished without having to resort to the hints or the dictionary, always a pleasant experience. Some very enjoyable clues but I am going with 1a, 9a, 26a and 1d. On reading 19a was immediately reminded of The Champions and the gorgeous Alexandra Bastedo.
As always, thank you to the setter and to Falcon for the hints.
A nice gentle puzzle. Thank you, Heron. Highlights included dining with Ed in 26a and the 2d dance. And thank you to Falcon for blogging.
2*/4* …
liked 17D “I mostly speak in a fancy language (7)”