Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31332
Hints and tips by Smylers
Hello. It’s the last day of August, and a Bank Holiday for those in England, Northern Ireland, or Wales — meaning I get to write this at a more relaxed pace, instead of the usual need to finish solving and blogging early, before working 9 to 5.
Today’s Telegraph Crossword has been set for us by Heron. As usual, hints to clues are below, with definitions underlined. Answers are hidden behind Hide blobs (except for that one, which is hiding something else). Comments are very welcome from all who follow Big Dave’s etiquette guide.
We were away last week. Here’s a clue to one of the places we visited (click to enlarge) — anybody able to identify it? More to the point, can anybody explain how it works? The jet of water moves up and down, but whatever height it is there’s a flame on top of it!
Some of today’s music videos are even more tenuously linked to the clues than usual, as I’ve forced in a tribute to a singer and songwriter who died last week — some well-known, and some which I’m hoping readers will enjoy discovering.
Across
1a Frees former European politician with leads to tax scandal (7)
EXEMPTS: Enter in order: a prefix meaning ‘former’; the single-letter abbreviation for ‘European’; the initials of a particular type of politician; and the leading letters in ‘tax’ and ‘scandal’. Don’t fall for using the initials indicating a European politician — those are separate components of the charade!
5a After return of loan, dad finally gets benefits and cheap means of travel (3,4)
BUS PASS: The first word of the answer is an informal term for a loan or an advance payment, returned so it goes backwards in the grid. The second word consists of another word for ‘dad’ then the final letters of ‘gets’ and ‘benefits’.
9a Two pubs by area in Windsor, say (7)
BARBARA: Enter in order: another word for a pub; that same word again; and the letter used to indicate area in maths. Windsor, in a particular context, is an example of the answer.
BARBARA: Enter in order: another word for a pub; that same word again; and the letter used to indicate area in maths. Windsor, in a particular context, is an example of the answer.
And here’s a gallery linking the actual answer to Dolly Parton.
10a Covers of cloth more appropriate for part of book (7)
CHAPTER: Take the letters covering the outside of ‘cloth’, and follow with a single word meaning ‘more appropriate’.
11a Street run enrages foreigners (9)
STRANGERS: Enter in order: the abbreviation for ‘Street’; the letter that indicates a run in cricket; and a verb meaning ‘enrages’. Then contemplate why that final component is pronounced so differently as a word on its own from how it sounds in the solution.
12a Day before National Theatre performance (5)
EVENT: A word that means the day before (Christmas, for instance) is followed by the abbreviation for the National Theatre.
13a Medieval landholders abandoning old country (5)
YEMEN: We need to remember the term used for some who held plots of plan in Medieval times, then to abandon from that the letter that indicates ‘old’.
15a Rewarm hot wriggling wriggler (9)
EARTHWORM: Make the letters of the first two words wriggle about until they spell out the answer.
17a Pronounces “H” in house like Captain Hook and Smee? (9)
ASPIRATES: Follow another word meaning ‘like’ (in the sense of ‘similar to’, not admiration) with what Captain Hook and Smee are examples of.
19a Flatten papers (5)
PRESS: This is a double definition, in which the second is a term for newspapers collectively.
22a Tops of trees axed in great American pine forest (5)
TAIGA: Take the top (first) letter of the next few words in the clue, and they spell out a word that was new to me but Chambers 21st Century Dictionary confirms does refer to a “coniferous forest located south of the arctic and subarctic tundra regions”.
23a Can a bribe upset West Indian? (9)
CARIBBEAN: Upset the first three words (in the sense of knocking them off whatever they were resting on, perhaps) and hopefully they’ll land in an order spelling out the answer.
25a Guards dropping heads in doorways (7)
ENTRIES: A term for those who guard access to something drops the letter at its head.
26a I involved donors at home (7)
INDOORS: Start with the I from the clue. After that we need ‘donors’ to be involved. But not too involved: only a single letter moves.
27a Brings up yearly leases (7)
PARENTS: This starts with an abbreviation for a Latin phrase which means ‘yearly’. Follow it with a verb meaning ‘leases’. The solution is not in the sense of bringing up a topic of conversation.
28a Sways accountants? (7)
TOTTERS: Think of what accountants do. A verb that means one of the things they do (adding up) could be turned into an agent noun which whimsically describes accountants.
Down
1d Disorganised mess by a government building (7)
EMBASSY: The answer is the three short words from the clue with their letters disorganised.
2d Read about odd part of body (7)
EARDRUM: The letters of ‘read’ are placed about in a different order, then followed by an adjective meaning ‘odd’ or ‘peculiar’.
3d Seafood uncooked in edges of pan (5)
PRAWN: Place an adjective meaning ‘uncooked’ inside the letters that are at the edges of ‘pan’.
4d Southern gallery intended to give out a formal account (9)
STATEMENT: Enter in order: the letter that indicates ‘Southern’; the brand of several famous art galleries in the UK; and a word meaning ‘intended’ after it’s given out its letter A.
5d Throws foreign money (5)
BUCKS: The first of these definitions is ‘throws’ in the sense of making sudden jerky movements. The second is a slang term for currency in some countries.
6d Type of bar initially seen on trendy form of travel (9)
SPACESHIP: The answer is unquestionably a form of travel, but not most people are likely to have used. If you have, please do leave a comment below telling us what it was like! It’s formed from entering in turn: the type of bar found at the bottom of computer keyboards; the initial letter of ‘seen’; and a word meaning ‘trendy’.
7d Cunning code deciphered in style! (3,4)
ART DECO: The first word of the answer is a noun which could mean ‘cunning’, in the sense of the application of skillful creativity. The second is the word ‘code’ deciphered so its letters are in a different order.
8d Play guitar holding a tuner initially to get level (7)
STRATUM: An action describing one way of playing a guitar holds inside it both the A from the clue and the initial letter of ‘tuner’.
14d Went quickly over allocation for commentary (9)
NARRATION: A verb meaning ‘went quickly’ (in the sense of a person physically going somewhere quickly, rather than an event that was over soon) is turned over so it reads up the grid. That’s followed by an allocation, particularly when supplies are limited.
16d Break precipitation and temperature control (9)
RESTRAINT: Enter in order: another word for ‘break’ (in the sense of pausing, not damaging); a particular type of precipitation; and the letter used in physics to denote temperature.
17d Article on fool in large port (7)
ANTWERP: A grammatical article is placed on one of the many words for a fool. If you want to narrow it down, the port is in Belgium.
18d Rope in decorator (7)
PAINTER: This is a double definition with the ‘in’ linking them; thinking of a verb meaning ‘rope in’ doesn’t help us here. The rope is one used to tie up boats to whatever they are moored next to.
20d Offensive sight I noticed, reportedly (7)
EYESORE: Here we need to think of a synonym for ‘I noticed’, then imagine that being reported out loud (or feel free to actually say it out loud, depending on where you are and whose company you’re in). That sounds like the answer.
21d Diggers in use, sometimes skirting cavities (7)
SINUSES: The answer is found skirting across consecutive letters of the first four words in the clue.
This is one of the books given to children as part of Dolly Parton’s
Imagination Library.
23d Groups of actors throw opening of scene (5)
CASTS: A verb meaning ‘throw’ is followed by the opening letter of ‘scene’.
24d Offer extremely elegant bathroom fitting (5)
BIDET: Start with a word meaning to make an offer, for instance at an auction. Add to that the letters found at the extremes of ‘elegant’.
Quickie Pun
In today’s quick crossword the first two answers are italicized, indicating that when spoken together they sound like another word, a phrase, or a name. I didn’t know the 1a Indian religion, but got it from the crossing letters and working out the pun. Check them here:
JAIN + AIRE = JANE EYRE
Recent Reading
This story features crosswords, and part of it is set in Little Venice. As such, I can’t think of a better audience for it than Big Dave readers! It is a mystery, and the main character embarks on an investigation after a death, so it has a similar feel to some ‘cosy crime’ novels. The Fellowship of Puzzle Makers features a collective of that name who create puzzles from crosswords to garden mazes, and have decided to support each other by living together in a large ancestral home. The protagonist is younger, and it isn’t clear at first why he lives with them — but he certainly cares for them and feels part of the community.
Chapters alternate between the present day and the foundation of the fellowship in the 1980s, a device which often irks me in books but I quite liked it here, the chapters from the past helping to explain the hero’s quest for knowledge. The plot is far-fetched in places if you stop to think about it — so I chose not to, enjoying the loveliness of Samuel Burr’s characters, the settings, the mystery, and the puzzles.
There is a crossword; it isn’t cryptic, though a few cryptic clues do feature elsewhere. The maze is worth solving. And best to skip the ‘questions for book groups’ at the back, which somehow plumb new depths of inanity. Overall, an enjoyable and light read, which I think will appeal to many here.
An early wake up for the grey matter with several head scratchers, but nothing insurmountable. I loved Hook and Smee at 17a and the cavity diggers had me thinking for a few moments. The medieval landowners was my third pick.
Many thanks to the setter and Smylers
1*/3*
A very simple affair today but with very well written clues. I wasn’t aware of the forest but parsed from the clue and then confirmed online. 20D and 17A both provoked a grin with 17A getting the COTD award. Thanks to the setter and to Smylers for the hints and Dolly tribute.
Thai corner.
For the second time since coming to live here I attended the annual long boat racing event, where teams from towns and villages across Central Thailand compete over two days on the Chao Praya river. The spectacle is amazing, the boats are 35 metres long fasioned out of a single tree trunk. The top class races take place with boats manned by 55 paddlers with the paddlers at the front and back sitting single file but then in pairs as the boat widens in the middle. The whole town is turned into a carnival and temporary banked seating is erected for several hundred people to cheer on their teams at the finish line. For those interested there are videos online. Including one of two competing boats crashing which I missed.
What a superb event that is! Such a great community feel.
35 metre trees is impressive.
I’d love to see one live.
It is truly a superb event. We watched several races whilst having lunch at a cafe floating on a pontoon next to the river bank and then went to join the crowds in the grandstand. At the front of the grandstand was seated the commentary team from national public TV, broadcasting live and showing the races on huge screens. As I’ve said previously as a westerner I’m a novelty figure here and when I sat down in the middle of the stand the commentator turned round and conducted a shouted interview with me live on air. ”Where are you from, what is your name, are you having a good time etc”. I then developed a bit of a groupie following and was given pom poms to wave and subject to numerous requests for selfies from other spectators..
Brilliant!!!!!!!
It’s like you were royalty. What fun.
Some sports commentators are completely bonkers and so passionate. I’m sure, unlike me, they didn’t disappoint.
Life is about memories and that is one you will NEVER forget.
Tomorrow’s Thai Corner doesn’t stand a chance.
In fact….don’t bother!
Another great start to the week. I began slowly but picked up pace with the downs then it became a steady solve over one cup of Taylors. I had not heard of the pine forest at 22a but, on looking it up, I see it is huge. I liked the yearly leases at 27a and uncooked seafood at 3d but my COTD is Captain Hook and Smee at 17a.
Thank you, setter for the fun. Thank you, Smylers for the hints and Dolly. As for the fountain I believe you are in Houghton Hall, Norfolk.
Well done — that didn’t take long! Next question: is it pronounced ‘Horton’, ‘Howton’, ‘Huffton, or something else?
A pure guess – “Howton”?
Having lived close to Houghton Hall for 8.5 years (not continuous) while serving HM it was always pronounced Horton Hall and I am sure that the resident Marquess of Cholmondley (pronounced Chumley) would agree.
I’m impressed Steve, I live pretty close and didn’t recognise it at all but its not my favourite house up here by any means. If they ever repeat the Antiques Roadshow from Holkham Hall, my David can be seen with a large self portrait of his great grandfather being assessed by Rupert Maas!
As well as the stunning Waterflame by Jeppe Hein (which is permanent), the current exhibition of Lynn Chadwick sculptures was also worth visiting. It nicely filled a couple of hours before dinner in the Dabbling Duck in Great Massingham.
Thanks, Senf. I knew somebody here would know!
Hooton?
A very enjoyable and entertaining Monday romp in crosswordland. Lots of ticks on my page from which I’ve chosen 9a, 17a and 24d, but many others were in contention. Thanks to setter and Smylers.
A nice gentle puzzle to start the week.
Top picks for me were 17a, 9a, 27a and 16d.
Thanks to Smylers and the setter.
I agree Smylers, The Fellowship of Puzzle Makers is a lovely read. I recommended it a while back and someone, I think DaisyG, had it in their book club. I read it thinking some of the characters were based on some of our fellow commentators but it’s so long ago now that I read it that I can’t remember who I thought was who!
My apologies to you and DaisyGirl for not remembering that. I borrowed it from Wells-Next-the-Sea library when we were there last week, not aware of it before seeing it on the shelf.
No need to apologise, it’s a book that should get more acknowledgement so the more nudges about it the better!
So many books to read, so little time to read them!
A straightforward start to the cruciverbal week, although i made things difficult by bunging in answers that gave wrong checking letters – 2d and 16d.
9a, 27a and 7d favourites today. New word at 22a – but I doubt I will remember this.
Thanks to Smylers and Setter.
An enjoyable and straightforward puzzle which was almost acref and write ( or type invery badly on the app in my case). I liked thegeogrphiclclues at 3a, 17d,23a and 22a ( I had to cast my mind back to lectures in the mid 1960’s on world climate andvegetation types for the latter). I also liked the well-misdirected 9a. Thanks to thecompiler and to Smylersfor the hints.
An excellent Bank Holiday puzzle on a friendly grid that should please all-comers.
I haven’t heard of the rope and I’ll be impressed if people are aware of the forest that I see is pronounced like the biggest feline going.
Funny to see a clue that mentions a pronounced h after my comment from yesterday.
My podium is 1a, 28a (good fun) and 2d.
MTTT setter (I can’t call it) and Smylers.
1*/4*
The rope is used to tie up/moor boats.
My Father, who was in the Merchant Navy during the war, always referred to a rope as an 18d.
Being raised in the Big Wen, I didn’t get to see the water that much other than the local pond and the coast on our two week summer hol.
A fine example of The Spirit of Rufus – 1.5*/4.5*
Candidates for favourite – 11a, 27a, and 17d – and the winner is 17d.
Thanks to whomsoever and Smylers.
No ones more important than the 15a
Favourite so far but still workibg south
1*/4*. Great Monday fare with 1a my favourite.
Regarding 5a, I was intending to mention that using “benefits” to clue SS (= Social Security) involves an American abbreviation until I read Smylers’ decryption that SS is also the final letters of “gets” and “benefits”.
I expect I am missing something but how does “heads” in 25a mean just the first letter of one word? Shouldn’t it be “head” (although this, of course, would ruin the surface)?
Many thanks to the setter and to Smylers.
That’s an interesting one, RD.
I wonder what’s more important: a clue that parses or one that is grammatically correct?
My guess is the former as I have seen ‘try and’ a couple of times to make a clue parse. So, maybe they should have gone with ‘head’.
Often, in these situations, they bung on a question mark, i.e let me off? But, they chose not to.
A good spot from your good self.
I had the same thought re 25a, but I think it is fine, as each of the guards obviously has a head. (Plural) guards dropping heads would produce (plural) uards (The wordplay and definition are both plural)
I’m not convinced J but I could be wrong.
A wonderful gentle crossword, just right for a Monday morning
Thanks very much to Heron and Smylers
Gentle fare for a Bank Holiday – thanks to our setter and Smylers.
I had the same reservation as RD about 25a.
Ticks from me for 5a, 9a and 17a.
A very friendly start to the week with only a short pause to check 22a.
A tie for COTD between Captain Hook and his mate at 17a and the yearly lease at 27a
Many thanks to today’s setter and Smylers for the hints
Love the Dolly tribute. It would be nice to think that a lot of the children who benefitted (had to check the spelling!) would go on to be Crossword fans…
Hi AL
The UK spelling is benefiting which, of course, looks bonkers as we have the word fitting.Yet, there’s profiting which, for some reason, doesn’t look so wrong.
The quirks of this bonkers language of ours.
For me, a Mellow Monday puzzle again this week with nothing to scare the horses. Pretty straightforwards today.
1.5*/4*
Favourites include 12a, 15a, 25a, 3d, 4d & 17d — with winner 17d
Thanks to Heron & Smylers
I agree with you all in that the was a nicely gentle shoe-in to the week. I liked the Windsor pubs at 9a and the two pirates. We were sitting in the garden finishing lunch when the Pocket Rocket rang to say could she come this afternoon. Bank Holiday Monday- she is bonkers. But she knows what to do. Ten minutes later it bucketed down with rain and we had to gather everything up and dash indoors. Now I think will she come? Or won’t she? My life is a rollercoaster. Many thanks to our Benevolent Setter and to Smylers for teaching me a new forest.
Hi Day Zee.
It’s actually a shoo-in. It’s a racing term from the 1920s.
In a fixed race, corrupt jockeys would intentionally hold back their own horses. They would then gesture, yell, or “shoo” the pre-selected winning horse forward across the finish line.
Every day’s a school day, even one that’s a Bank Holiday.
A fairly quick solve for me today. No particular favourites, though 9a always makes me think of The Beach Boys.
Thank you Heron, and thank you Smylers, both for the hints and the musical tributes. A sad loss indeed. I did wonder if the King’s Guards might play the time warp in memory of another who passed last week, but perhaps their bearskins would have fallen off with the jump to the left.
Good afternoon
An enjoyable solve for a Monday, with a couple of additions to my vocabulary: 22a and 18d were both things that hadn’t come up on my radar before. Wor lass will often ask “how do you know that?” apropos of something or other, and I’ll tell her “crozzies, that’s how, pet!”
COTD is Hook and Smee at 17a.
Many thanks to Heron and to Smylers.
A good start to the week.
Surprised at “taiga” being a new word for some, I guess I had a good geography teacher.
For the record, a painter (rope) is not for tying up boats it is the line passed/secured from a vessel to bow of tender/lifeboat/daughter craft used when launching and recovering said smaller boat. For securing/mooring alongside a larger vessel a “guest warp” is rigged.
My cotd was Belgium’s largest port .. a place I hated due to the long standby and the locks … although not as bad as having to call at 13a!
Thanks to setter and Smylers.
The only reason I’ve heard of a ‘painter‘ is that it was the name of the rope used when mooring dingies, at least at the sailing club near Holmfirth where my parents had a Mirror in for a few years in the 1980s: it was the loose-at-one-end rope that would ideally be thrown to somebody on shore, who’d wrap it around something as the boat came in.
That sounds very similar to what you said, Big Eck, the main difference being whether the small boat was the only boat being used or whether it was a transport method to a larger boat. Dictionaries and other online resources define it in a way that’s wide enough to encompass what both of us said.
Thanks to the Setter and Smylers. One of our quickest solve in a while. Definitely a Monday puzzle. 22a a new word for us. COTD 17a. LOI 22a
Good start to the week if a little pedestrian. COTD was 17 across and like many others the pine forest was a new word.
The most intriguing part of today’s offering was Smylers referring to Houghton Hall and the flame fountain. How did that work and what a marvellous conception ? Google had the explanation for the science of it which was riveting and now I want to see it.
Thanks to Heron and Smylers.
It’s amazing to see — definitely worth a visit if you’re anywhere near King’s Lynn (and probably even if you’re in Peterborough or Norwich).
The other highlight of our holiday was learning that the capuchin monkeys at Amazona Zoo in Cromer used to live on one of the islands in a lake there, but were relocated to a caged enclosure after one them managed to escape from the island by riding on the back of a goose!