DT 30171

73 comments on “DT 30171”

1. A terrific teaser of a puzzle, which I managed to finish unaided and that doesn’t happen often on a Thursday. We’re getting a fair smattering of wonderful words lately and 21a is yet another. Plenty of clues to choose a favourite from such as 5a, 12a and 17d but my COTD is 20d.

   Many thanks to the setter for the teasing and Mr. K. for the hints and pusskits.

   Another bright frosty day in The Marches but I’m not going to send a picture after failing miserably to do so yesterday.

2. Found this extremely hard today and very nearly gave up with three to go, but then had a lightbulb moment when I remembered a knife named after the man in 11a.
   Was also foxed for a while by 20d until something twigged about the glass in a Reese Witherspoon film that her husband collected. With those both in the last one soon came (6d)
   Seemed to be a day for dredging up deep memories for me, but greatly satisfying in the end. Very well done compiler, great puzzle.

3. Got off to a whizbang start with Doris Day’s best (and Oscar-nominated) performance at 1/14a and just kept rolling, though I must confess that the 20d Scottish town held me up at the very end until the glorious PDM when I met Paul en route to Damascus. How to choose favourites in this fascinating melange? For starters, 20d, 1/14a, 21a, & my COTD 9d. Lots of fun and not nearly as formidable as I first thought, so thanks to today’s setter (haven’t a clue) and to Mr K, whose review I’ll read now. **/****

   And another great Beam Toughie to boot!

   1. Have you ever read any Iain Banks Robert ? I noticed last night that BBC 4 were repeating a marvellous adaptation of his novel The Crow Road (with the memorable opening line – It was the day my grandmother exploded) so rooted it out for a re-read before a re-watch.

      1. No, I haven’t, Huntsman–have only read about him–and now of course, thanks to you, I must. Should I start with The Crow Road or perhaps earlier with (thanks to Wikipedia) one or all of the 5 preceding books? Any tips appreciated.

         1. It’s my fav of his & I’d say that’s a good place to start. His sci-fi stuff isn’t my bag but like some of his other stuff – Espedair Street another I liked. Be warned The Wasp Factory & Complicity divide opinion sharply. The BBC adaptation is excellent if you can access it.
            Have just finished watching the 2 seasons of Mike White’s White Lotus – recommended

            1. I don’t ‘do’ sci-fi these days but have to admit that Sea of Tranquility rocked my boat (and may make my Top 5 of 2022 list, which I’m still working on). Alas, my bookseller, Barnes & Noble, has everything by Banks except The Crow Road, and I’m anti-Amazon right now, so maybe I’ll try Espedair Street–except that I live with a Rock Star and it’s about all I can do to keep up with him.

               1. Iain Banks is/was a very fine author and Crow Road one of his best.

                  like Huntsman, i’d steer clear of the sci fi and , possibly, the wasp factory

               2. I would also recommend Iain Banks Raw Spirit: In Search of the Perfect Dram
                  Non fiction but part travelogue around Scotland, part a guide to malt whiskies and I enjoyed it. Espedair Street is good too and I agree that his sci-fi is more of an acquired taste. I spotted the crow road and have recorded it. I remember watching it years ago and will watch it again as I re-read it too.

4. An enjoyable, just right for a Thursday crossword – as Robert says, difficult to pick a favourite

   Thanks very much to the setter and Mr K

5. 2*/4*. Apart from the definition for 15d which seems very stretched to me, I thought this was really enjoyable and I ticked a plethora of clues: 12a, 16a, 21a, 25a, 29a, 2d (great definition), 9d & 20d.

   Many thanks to the mystery setter and to Mr K.

6. As a lover of wonderful words, 21a leapt of the digital page as a firm favourite. There were many candidates, however, from what was a slightly tricky but most enjoyable grid.

   I have no idea who you are, setter, but if you read our comments please come and take a bow for a great crossword. My thanks, too, to Mr K.

7. A very pleasant non-Ray T Thursday puzzle – 2.5*/4*

   Candidates for favourite – 5a, 10a, 25a, and 20d – and the winner is 5a.

   Thanks to the setter and MrK.

8. Not happy with 17d. Surely “ Boy” should have “oh” in front of it?
   21a is a splendid word and, for that reason only, my COTD
   Snow virtually gone here in Devon. I left Kent at just the right time. My friends are still struggling. How are you, CS? No pillarbox nativities here yet.

   1. There’s a few here. The main highlight of a visit to the dentist tomorrow will be a chance to see and photograph the decorated post box opposite the surgery

      1. Just found this. I believe you pick up belated postings? I’d like to see a photo taken after your visit to the dentist

9. A fun puzzle with friendly wordplay which for me produced a quick unaided solve.

   I completely missed the anagram pointer for 9d (twice in 2 days…) but made up my own wordplay anyway involving a pet horse. It was only when I read the hints that I realised my clunky attempt was wrong 19d was a new word for me, but solvable from the wordplay.

   10a and 29d were my favourites for the surface/misdirection and 21a was COTD for such an awesome word.

   TY setter and MrK for the hints

10. As Sue says, there are so many good ‘uns, it is rather hard to pick a favourite from this excellent list of clues. I’m also a fan of Sue’s opinion that this is just right for a Thursday, so well done editor.

    Amid the ice, I’m veering towards 9D after a bit of thought, as its unusual anagram indicator is refreshing, and brings about a delightful surface in the clue. It just seems so plausible that one could have a problem about getting a pet. I’m sure Mr K prefers cats!

    Thanks to him, and to the clever, if anonymous, setter. I have an idea, but I too hope s/he pops in.

11. A big thumbs up from me for this one with ticks aplenty. 21a has take top spot but there are easily enough contenders to fill 2 if not 3 podium spots. I’m clearly having underwear issues. Having failed to get thermals (before revealing a checker) in Dada’s Toughie on Tuesday despite wearing them whilst solving I haven’t a clue what the sexy garment is at 17d though the answer was obvious & I got the wow bit.
    Thanks to the setter & Mr K.
    Ps Ray T’s Beam Toughie also a delight & not any more difficult than his back-pagers other than 1 obscurity.

    1. Is the ‘obscurity’ 1d perhaps? It was my LOI.

       1. You guessed it – had to pore through the BRB for letters 4&6. Even if I’d have revealed one it wouldn’t have helped.

    2. 17d. Camiknicker – combining the functions of a camisole and panties. I had to google it, mind …

       1. I’ll never be able to think of teddy in quite the same way again

12. Enjoyed this one although I haven’t got a clue about who might have compiled it.
    Biggest ticks here went to 5&21a plus 2&9d.

    Thanks to our mystery setter and to Mr K for the review – loved today’s kitty pics.

13. NE corner stumped me and I needed the hints in there. Otherwise I managed to solve the others and was pleased with myself. Never heard of the informal word in 6d so given that the online Chambers gives twin as crystalline faces I went for that which as the technical word has it I was effed in the NE.

    Thought the anagrams were good this morning but 11a when I finally got it was a great clue.

    Thanks to Mr K and the setter for a good blog and workout.

    1. Corky, I think your solution for 6d is monumentally quite clever! And do forgive me, but I laughed out loud at your description of your experience in the NE !

    2. 6d not really an informal word. In my book AI is actually A1 and means great or top or very good, and the answer is a well known fizz

14. Still lots of gaps – I might just stick out my neck and suggest Shamus?
    Back later, if I dare?

15. Good fun – thanks to the setter and Mr K.
    The clues adorning my podium are 12a, 21a and 9d.

    May I echo Huntsman’s recommendation for the Beam Toughie. If you’re one of the numerous Ray T fans out there but have never ventured into Toughieland do give today’s Toughie a go. It’s really no more difficult than the Ray T backpagers – just remember that when he’s got his Beam hat on Ray T doesn’t do anagrams.

16. Did better than expected at the start – read through all the clues and only solved 5! Thought I’d never get on the setter’s wavelength. But pleased that I persevered, and didn’t need help until the last few.

    Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

17. Definitely a puzzle of two halves for me. The top was no problem but the bottom esp the left held me up for some time.
    I failed to get 17d as I have no idea what the sexy underwear is and 27a which I just could not see.
    Not my fav but not my worst either.
    ***/***
    Thx to all

18. I can’t really get as enthusiastic about this one as some previous comments and would agree with Mr K’s rating for difficulty and enjoyment, as a couple of the clues fell a little flat for me and had a dated feel
    Although the solution was obvious I’d never heard of the item of underwear in 17d but I enjoyed investing!
    I did like 12,21&25a plus 9d however.
    Many thanks to the setter and Mr K.

    1. Do you mean investigating?

       1. Oops yes!

          1. You would certainly have posted an illustration which would have saved me asking the question…..

             1. No comment!

    2. Stephen L,

       I have noticed that you quite often refer to some of the clues / crosswords being “dated” .

       I presume that you are a lot younger than the rest of us in the commentariat?

       1. Hi Stan.
          I’m guessing a little bit younger than the average age of this blog’s contributors but not significantly so.

19. A very nice Thursday puzzle. Good clues, medium-ish difficulty and an enjoyable tussle. Fav: 2d – I like the maritime navigation-based theme which gives good/comprehensive surface misdirection, plus a cunning definition. 3*/4*.

20. For me definitely another (hard) school day, I managed about three quarters without help but could not parse all of them, they just fitted with the checkers. Having resorted to the blog, much appreciated, I now realise that many of the clues are in fact puzzles in that one must determine synonyms of key words just to decipher the clue.
    Perseverance is the answer. Thanks to Mr K, respect to Ray T, one day…….

    1. Not a Ray T production, Jimmy, he’s wearing his Beam hat over in the Toughie.

       1. Thanks Jane, then respect goes to the setter, and wish that I may land on your wavelength one day.

21. Not my favourite puzzle of the week but got there without aids save for checking the blue in 25a which was familiar. A four letter ending in N for blue is usually Down so that caused me to scratch my head. I got 21a although doubted whether I could spell it (I did), but could not parse. No stand out favourites. Thanks Setter and MrK.

22. So, a DT website? Wish I’d known about it sooner. It’s probably been around for 20 years, such is my ignorance of these matters, and I have to thank my boss at work for sending me in the right direction (for once). Wonderful stuff! It’s great to be able to check my experience against that of others. Anyway, great puzzle today, lots of fun, I went for the pet one and the possibly related 1 down.

    Many thanks, and hi.

    1. Hi Ragnarsson and welcome to the blog. We’ve been around almost 14 years and now that you’ve found us I hope that you’ll become a regular commenter.

       1. That’s kind Gazza, thank you.

    2. Welcome, Ragnarsson. I echo Gazza’s point and hope to see you again. Don’t be stranger – as the saying goes.

    3. Welcome from me, and thanks for sharing your thoughts on the puzzle.

23. Truly great puzzle.
    But very hard work to an unaided completion.
    Constructed correctly 20d, a new word for me.
    Too many gems, eg 1, 5 and 25a and 7d.
    In summary, 4*/5*.
    Thanks, indeed, to the setter and to Mr K.

24. Nice puzzle today, obviously not a RayT offering based on length of clues.
    2.5*/3* today

    Favourites include 10a, 21a, 25a,1d,17d & 29d

    Thanks to setter and Mr K

25. Took an age to get going, but once under way, it all fell into place. 20d was a new word for me but gettable from the wordplay. 21a was my favourite as the clue was rather clever.
    Thanks to the setter and Mr K for the (not required today) hints.

26. NYDK here. Thanks to Mr K for the excellent blog, and to all who commented.

    Be careful on all that ICE! There was so much on my windscreen, I had to fight off the Maple Leafs with my scraper

    1. Thanks for a great puzzle & for popping in. So we all lost our pennies punting on you for yesterday’s production. I wonder whose it was.

    2. Wonderful puzzle, NYD. Thank you very much and for popping.

    3. Thanks, NYD, for another great puzzle!

    4. Thanks for dropping in, and thanks for a fine puzzle to solve and to blog.

27. A reasonable level of difficulty for Thursday with many enjoyable clues 😃 Learnt a new word at 20d and quite a lot about Serius 👍Favourites 5 & 11a and 2 & 7d 🤗 Thank you to Mr K and to the unknown Compiler

28. Slow start to this but I eventually enjoyed the brain-teasing. South least testing of the two halves. 9d bung-in was unparsed by me as stupidly was 28d (initially tried to use Ag). No other real hiccups. Thank you Messrs. Ron and K.

29. I found this tricky but there were a lot of “got it” exclamations along the way. I didn’t finish in the NE where I had three unsolved. Is 16a still a new town? I seem to remember it as a new town in crosswords at least 70 years ago. I knew 20d but have no idea why. Lovely word at 21a but 2d has to be fave. I remember seeing the movie at age 7, we had to write about it and I won a prize which was a copy of the book.
    Thank you NYDK, that was fun, and gratefulness to Mr. K for unravelling not a few!

30. Late on parade due to school carol concert. All that singing must have been good for me as I rattled through this enjoyable puzzle. Thanks to NYDK and Mr. K.

31. Struggled in the NE like others and never heard of the alleged sexy underwear. I must have led a sheltered life, I haven’t but still never heard of it/them. Managed to parse everything except 17d obviously. Favourite was 21a. Thanks to NYD and Mr. K.

    1. I would describe a Teddy as sexy. More of a passion killer.

32. Really good puzzle for me, challenging but doable with everything fairly clued and no obscurities

33. Well that was a two cups of tea solve which I mostly did on my own. It was strange because even though I got an answer I needed to double check that it was right and they all were. Not sure why this happened. Thanks to Mr K for the extra help and to NYD for the fun. Having had a week of very early mornings scrapping car and withstanding freezing temperatures to do granny duties and to ferry daughter to nearest tube station for her to keep London hospital appointment I’m so relieved to have time for my crosswords. I like the falling snowflakes on the screen.

34. Struggled through this but managed to complete this morning( must be the coffee). Needed the hint for 5a so thanks for that. There seems to be an abundance of clues for nonsense lately. Thanks to all.

35. Thank you to NY Doorknob (and for the day before’s Cross Atlantic), and to Mr K for explaining the couple I didn’t understand. I liked how 18d started with four anagram indicators in a row, and my biggest smile came from 2d’s Dog star.

36. Pleased to say I got there in the end. All very clever. Making progress albeit still very slow

37. 3*/5*…
    liked 31A “Bribe the French — that’s a mistake (6)” … amongst others.

38. I realise comments are closed for puzzle 30171 and I am sorry to trouble you with a very old puzzle query but can someone please explain the second half of 16 across Milton Keynes. I don’t understand Laments on the radio.
    Thank you

    1. One of the alternative definitions of laments or wails is keens – ‘on the radio’ is a homophone indicator. Hope that helps.

    2. On the radio is a homophone indicator, you need a word that sounds like a synonym of laments. The second definition in the BRB for keen is
       keen2 /kēn/
       noun
       A lamentation over the dead
       As the clue has the plural s so should your homophone, Keens becomes Keynes

       1. Snap 😉

          1. 

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