Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31361 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club
(hosted by crypticsue)
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
A very autumnal feel earlier this morning when I set out to get the paper, with a lovely sunrise and a blue sky full contrails. An enjoyable, not too difficult, Prize Puzzle with lots to make me smile, particularly as if it wasn’t a Prize Puzzle, I’d be able to recount a couple of personal stories about two of the solutions.
Please ask for help if you are stuck on clues I haven’t hinted, but before doing so, please read the comments that appear before yours, so that you are not duplicating questions, and make sure you obey both THE INSTRUCTIONS IN RED at the end of the Hints and the blog’s Comment Etiquette – Big Dave’s Crossword Blog)
Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.
A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Across
1a Famous chapel site – sin gets reformed (7)
An anagram (reformed) of SITE SIN
10a Small bird duck left in water (5)
The cricket score of a duck and the abbreviation for Left inserted into soak with water
13a/30a Brazil possibly tricky opposition? (1,5,3,2,5)
This formidable opponent could also describe the seed of a particular tree such as a Brazil
20a Zoom back and walk in the void (4,5)
A reversal (back) of go fast (zoom) and a verb meaning to walk
22a Destroy student no longer scholarly (10)
An abbreviated former student and learned or scholarly
27a Scotsman in Italian river upright perhaps (5)
A Scotsman inserted into the Italian river often found in crosswords
29a Sports shoe for coach (7)
A solver-friendly double definition
Down
1d Distressed sort perhaps had Nikes ruined (8)
An anagram (ruined) of HAD NIKES gives us a dis-tressed person
4d Set out from grassland in Devon river delta (9)
Open country (grassland) inserted into a Devon river and followed by the letter represented by Delta in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
5d Sport among spooks upset Goldfinger? (5)
An abbreviated sport inserted into American ‘spooks’ and then reversed (upset) gives us the forename of the eponymous character in a James Bond film
8d One leaving whole sheep’s heart in dish (6)
The Roman numeral for one ‘leaving’ whole or complete, the result followed by the ‘heart’ of shEep
14d Spirited community? Yes and no (5,4)
A place now deserted sounds like it might have a ‘spirited’ community
18d Bird in Spooner’s hut smelling bad (8)
The dreaded Reverend might have said that his hut was smelling foul
26d Something with bite caught enormous bird (4)
The cricket abbreviation for Caught and a bird of enormous size and strength found in Arabian legends, said to be able to lift an elephant and carry it to its nest
As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out
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The Quick Crossword pun: HART + END + SOLE = HEART AND SOUL
I thought today’s guzzle by NYDK was at the lighter end of his spectrum and most enjoyable. I even managed to get one of the linked clues straight away, which gave quite a number of checkers to lead into the grid. I’m not sure a 1d was a stressed sort but I am, no doubt, missing the obvious. For once, I had no trouble with the reverend at 18d and it did raise a smile. My COTD is a short one – the Manx cat at 25a, which I thought very clever.
Thank you, Big Apple Portal Device for a fun puzzle. Thank you, CeeSoo for the hints.
It’s a lovely autumnal morning here in The Marches. The sun has dispersed the early mist and the aroma of freshly baked bread comes from the village store to mix with the scent of the pines in the churchyard. The sound of food preparation comes from the village pub and it all makes for a feeling of wellbeing, joy and thankfulness for living in our beautiful slice of England.
Hi Steve, how about split your confusion in the word of the clue you mentioned as 3-7?
Got it! Thank you, Jezza and what a good clue it is.
I didn’t notice at the time but CS has very cleverly split that hint with a hyphen onto a second line.
I’m not convinced that I haven’t overstepped the mark and given too much away re 1d, and so I will not be offended if all my hints are redacted
I don’t think you’re in danger of the Naughty Step, J. Even with your hint, I had to do some lateral thinking.
2*/4*. This was a most enjoyable SPP which all fell into place smoothly.
1d, with its brilliantly disguised definition, was my favourite.
Many thanks presumably to NYDK and to CS.
Totally missed the obvious for 3d for ages so it was my loi. Otherwise a pleasant diversion between Saturday morning tasks. The linked clues fell early, which certainly aided completion. I liked the Scotsman in the Italian river and the Spoonerism, but my cotd is 17d. Thanks to NYDK (presumably) and CS.
A very enjoyable romp through this NYDK poser. I didn’t get started until Brazil was a shoo-in, after which it flowed very smoothly with a modicum of hesitant thought. My podium picks are the local speciality, 12a, the aforementioned Brazilian opposition at 13a and my COTD is my last in, the 20a void.
Many thanks to NYDK and crypticsue.
1.5*/4*
Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints. No particular favourite, but I would most definitely welcome a 12/21!
I found this to be an absolute delight. I was convinced I wasn’t going to finish but each time I was about to give up, an answer revealed itself with a huge clang of pennies. The misdirection throughout was inspired.
As I write this I have just worked out the parsing for 1D and it thus attains COTD status.
As always thanks to CS and to the setter.
Thai corner.
Thai men do not have hairy chests. In contrast to previous examples of Thai nouns where the same word is used to describe objects that in English we would have separate names for the Thai language treats hair in different locations on the body as separate entities and what we would call chest hair is not hair at all to Thai speakers.
I don’t know what my brain’s problem is but if I have one left and come here in desperation for a clue, 9 times out of 10 it’s not one of the ones hinted (presumably because it’s too easy to bother hinting) 🤣
Which clue is it, TJ?
It was your COTD! But no bad thing it wasn’t hinted because I did then work it out (and as you say it’s very good).
Would have been easier if I had 18d but I am rubbish at birds (as Mrs T will attest) so can only ever get them when all the other letters are in (got today’s from the spooner but as usual had to check it was a real thing as I’d never heard of it!)
I’m pleased you sorted out. As for the bird, it is always a worthwhile exercise to make a note of all the birds that appear in cryptics. Some are quite obscure and often found only in crosswords. 🦉
It’s the same with animals – most call it the Snow Leopard but, in crossword land, it is an Ounce. 😀
I hope you are celebrating with a warm beer and your member of the “Furred Reich” Hudson
Of course, I am Sloops. I’m also waiting for the weather to get colder so I can lie in front of the log fire and complete the picture of the Far Right infiltration of the countryside. 🐶
Good tip thank you! Could I be so bold as to suggest that would be a good resource to host on a crossword blog? 😇
Btw as someone from that neck of the woods I would thoroughly recommend not only 12/21 itself but also the tremendously daft band of (almost) the same name… 🔊
The Mine; https://bigdave44.com/features/the-mine/
And The Usual Suspects; https://crypticcrosswords.net/crosswords/usual-suspects/
are both here if you browse around the site
I thoroughly enjoyed today’s puzzle and thought it very clever, especially 1d.
Top picks for me were 1d, 13/30, 25a and 27a. As I’m soon to go to the Isles of Scilly for a bird watching trip I ought to include 18d.
Thanks to CrypticSue and NYDK.
Once again, even two days in, the DT computer and/or clock showed that adjusting to a new month is very challenging and publishing on-line was delayed. It would be nice to not experience a delay this evening when I solve and blog tomorrow’s puzzle. However, today’s SPP was worth waiting for – **/*****
Candidates for favourite – 22a, 25a, 27a, 5d, and 8d – and the winner is 5d.
Thanks to NY Doorknob, for it must be a fine example of his work, and CS.
Great fun, and perfect for a busy sunny Saturday in our bit of the world. I loved 25a which was my favourite, aslthough 1d ran it close.
My thanks to both Donny and Sue.
Oh yes – y’all comment how lemon squeezy this one is, so that, of course, means I find it rather challenging.
I suspect too many of you normal people will have found it simple enough to flood the competition sufficiently that I may not be in the running for the crayon and colouring book this week. Very disappointing. I need to re-rethink my strategy.
Thanks to American Eastern Seaboard Entryway Furniture, and to PC Security (anag) – thank you for your service.
What a fantastic puzzle, again we are spoilt. I had 1d as a favourite but also liked 25a.
Many thanks to the setter snd to CS for the hints
Whybird, Shabbo or much missed Jane would have been handy for the last in Spoonerism which significantly extended my solve time. No excuses really – though I wouldn’t have been able to identify one I had heard of the bird but was wrongly fixated on a different synonym for smelling bad before the penny eventually dropped.
A top notch puzzle – 1d my clear fav with plenty of ticks elsewhere – the multi word ones + 8,14&28d particular likes,
Thanks to Donny & to CS
Today’s puzzle was so enjoyable to solve that I was almost sorry when it was all over. 18d gave me the greatest chuckle and was probably my favourite clue, but the two long split clues weren’t far behind it. 11a & 15d were also ticked mentally too. All good fun though – thanks to setter and CS alike.
I didn’t know the first name of the bond villain in 5d but I knew the word and the wordplay made it clear. I thought the linked Brazil clues and the distressed sort at 1d were excellent clues.
Thanks to the setter and to CS
A great prize puzzle with lots of good clues. I’m not a big fan of Spoonerisms but today’s raised a smile. Many thanks to the setter and csue.
Excellent SPP with some very clever definitions with 1d pick of the bunch.
18d LOI as never heard of the bird and with all checkers in was convinced the last four letters spelt a different feathered friend.
Thanks to Sue and NYDK.
1d and 14d favourites today
Having just had my “Annual health insurance?” (3,3) I brought my slightly aching arm home and forgot all about it whilst tackling this excellent if slightly gentler than normal SPP with 9 and 22a getting my votes.
Just wanted to pay a brief homage to one of my favourite authors – Peter May – who sadly died this week, his Lewis Trilogy books are a fantastic read – intelligent crime thrillers – set in the Isle of Lewis, and the Enzo Files set in France, are also well worth diving into. His superbly descriptive writing gave me my favourite word – corruscating – which now I can spell it, I use as often as possible!
Anyway, thanks to setter ‘n Sue
I agree, Sim. Corruscating is, indeed, a splendid word.
A moderately enjoyable puzzle, the only dky in the ointment beibng the pesky mult word clues. My COTD was the Spoonerism at 18d,meat and drink for anyone who hasbeen birdwatching at an RSPB reserve. I liked the anagram at 17d thou it was clued as one 9 – letter word in early online versions. The cryptiic definition at 24dd is my thirdpick.Thanks to the compiler and to CS for the hints.
I thought this was a little lighter than the usual NYDK puzzle , still nicely chewy and very enjoyable. I hadn’t heard of the term at 5d so that was a new word for me. Also my bird knowledge is expanding rapidly. 26d was a new one , and also 18d ,my last one in and as someone else I spent a long time trying to figure it out , resorting to help to get me over the line. No chance of the mythical for me this week, as I just spotted a typo in my submission ! Ah well, maybe next time. Thanks to NYDK and CS.
After struggling through the end of the work week puzzles, this Saturday NYDK offering was a pleasant exchange. I thought this was a great puzzle and enjoyed both of the multi-word clues and answers. On top of that the Spooner clue made me chuckle too.
I just can’t understand the DT for the ridiculous delay of getting puzzles posted on time at months end. It isn’t rocket science, after all.
Anyway, when it finally appeared I rate this 2.5*/5* for me today
Favourites include the three clues previously mentioned as well as 1a, 25a, 24d & 24d
My winners were the two multi-word clues
Thanks to NYDK & CS
Thank you NYDK for an excellent puzzle and CS for the blog – like some others I thought the Manx Cat was a brilliant clue
Absolutely cracking puzzle today with loads to like particularly 1d and the Manx cat. Thanks to the setter and to CS. Starting to feel very autumnal here, bye bye summer.
Marvellous puzzle full of clever clues . When it looks impossible at first the result is most rewarding. Loved Spooner’s bird – have seen them often. Loved 13 /30 across and 24 down.
John is taking me out for birthday afternoon tea now , so a good day all round.
Thanks as ever.
Happy Birthday, Dyslex! Have a great time! 🎂🎂🥂🥂
Ooh, it’s my birthday today as well!
And a very Happy Birthday to you, Sheila! Have a wonderful day. 🎂🥂🎂🥂
What a terrific puzzle.I enjoyed this more than many of the recent Saturday offerings .I started slowly but rattled through towards the end .I like many, nominate 1d as my clue of the day closely followed by 8 and 18 . Many thanks to all
This turned out not 13a/30a with plenty of nicely constructed clues by Rood Bonk.
18d has been added to the FFF list.
Goldfinger, the best Bond baddie by a country mile, came out with the best line in all of the 007 films and possible in my top 3 of all films:
‘Do you expect me to talk, Goldfinger?’
‘No, Mr Bond. I expect you to die.’
Marvy parvy.
My picks are 13a/30a, 8d and 1d (I hope ‘distressed’ is NYDK’s as it would be a great one to own)
MTTTA and CS
2*/4*
I fairly whizzed through this until I only had 3d left, then stared at it in vain for an age. After the second cup of coffee, I finally realised that I had spellled 1a wrong, in spite of it being an obvious anagram. Idiot!!!
Anyway, many thanks to NYDK, and to CS for the mercifully unneeded hints, which I will now read.
We didn’t find this as straightforward as some but as enjoyable as most. Favourite was 22a. Thanks to NYDK and CS.
A few to me were far stretched but happy enough with getting most of the clues today. 13a my favourite.
Listening to some timeless prog from Barclay James Harvest 🎸
Superb entertainment from NYDK. I’ll cast my votes for Brazil at 13A and the smelly hut at 18D. VMT also to Sue (esp for the explanation of 1D)
Having to set this aside now, having only managed half of it unaided as I need to put my feet up and have a nap ☺️. It was our 60th anniversary on Thursday and we are taking the family out for dinner to celebrate tonight, so if I am going to stay awake I need some quiet time now…
Quite happy with my attempt at this puzzle, seeing as it is a Saturday and a NYDK to boot. Thanks to himself and CS.
Happy anniversary BL. I hope you have a lovely evening.