ST 3307 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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ST 3307 (Hints)

by Senf  

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3307 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where at some time in the middle of the night we had to go through the annual nonsense of advancing our clocks by one hour for reasons that no-one can seem to remember and are probably now invalid.  Thank goodness that WordPress knows what time it is when it comes to publishing the blog.

For those who have not seen them, there are some photographs from the Birthday Bash to be found in The Gallery under the Features tab above.  Or, you can go direct – Cruciverbal Meetings (2025) – Big Dave’s Crossword Blog   If anyone else has more pictures of the event that can be added please let us know.

For me, and I stress for me, Dada not very friendly.  Five anagrams (one partial), one lurker, and two homophones, all in a slightly asymmetric 30 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.  And, remember, the Naughty Step is OPEN!

Candidates for favourite – 5a, 9a, 18a, 5d, 19d, 20d, and the Pun.

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.

Don’t forget to follow the instructions in RED at the bottom 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.

Some hints follow:

Across

1a Description of unfinished cake, perhaps, spotted (7)
A (3,4) phrase that could indicate that a cake is not finished.

5a Place for patient with bad plague (7)
Where you would expect to find a patient (in hospital?) and a synonym of bad.

10a Adopting change, more than one friend thinks deeply (9)
The plural (more than one) of a synonym of friend containing (adopting) a synonym of change (a document?).

14a More than one problem arises with banter that’s out of order (12)
An anagram (that’s out of order) of ARISES and (with) BANTER.

18a Developing rebel missing at the front (12)
A nounal synonym of rebel with the first letter removed (missing at the front).

22a Bonus Hint Two possibilities served with notice, roughly (4,2,4)
Two words that can possibly be meaningfully combined (served) with notice separated by the conjunction that indicates a choice.

25a Poor work adding chicken to pan (9)
A type of chicken best cooked in liquid placed after (adding to) a synonym of pan.

28a Awfully dry heat – add water (7)
An anagram (awfully) of DRY HEAT.

Down

1d Beginner can’t get a grip, it seems? (6)
A (2,4) phrase which might suggest (it seems) not being able to get a grip (for lack of a tool).

3d Tidied up of course, in describing “spruce” say? (10)
An anagram (tidied up) of OF COURSE, IN.

5d China supports offensive game (9)
One of the famous Staffordshire china companies placed after (supports) a synonym of offensive.

7d Group of religious followers changes around Old Testament (8)
A verbal synonym of changes containing (around) the abbreviated form of Old Testament.

15d At first not out of it? I join forces (9)
A (2,2) alternative way of saying not out of it, I from the clue, and a single word equivalent to join forces.

17d Great thinker thus requires a load of beer! (8)
A two letter synonym of thus and the containers for a load of beer.

20d Sounding like iron, for example, steel (6)
One of the homophones (sounding like) of what iron is an example of.

24d Reportedly single person (4)
The other homophone (reportedly) of a synonym of single.

Quick Crossword Pun:

RUNNER + WEIGHT + REIGN = RUNAWAY TRAIN

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Another one of those Sundays of when all else fails fall back to Atkins-Knopfler or Krauss-Plant.  Today, it is guitar virtuoso Chet Atkins alone with a 1991 performance of Yakety Axe which was included on Neck and Neck his 1990 collaborative album with Mark Knopfler:

67 comments on “ST 3307 (Hints)”

  2. 4*/2.5*. I found this particularly tough for a Sunday PP and I don’t understand the relevance of “served with notice” in 22a. Perhaps my brain is still a bit addled after my cataract operation on Friday.

    My repetition radar bleeped with “more than one” used more than once to indicate a plural.

    17d was my favourite.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.

    1. I think it might be that the two four letter words could used in a connection with notice. Hope your eyes are settling down
      M

      1. Thanks, Martyn. I didn’t spot that both can link to “notice”.

        As far as I can tell, my eye is doing fine. I checked this morning that I can read a car number plate 20 metres away with no problem without glasses, which is encouraging news.

        1. So glad it’s OK RD. It’s definitely a life changer, and I’d recommend it to anyone. I was close to having to relinquish my hgv licence 8 years ago so had one done, I’ve had 20/20 vision, or 6/6 as it is now, without glasses since then! 👀

  3. A little trickier than Dada’s usual Sunday offering but very enjoyable – thanks to him and Senf.
    Top clues for me were 5a, 22a and 25a.

  4. Tricky but super puzzle from the Sunday Master. Last in was 14a which was a real 14a for me.
    My fav was definitely 25a, v clever.
    Many thx to Dada for an enjoyable Sunday outing and for the useful hints.
    ***/*****

  5. I agree, quite difficult today, but some great clues I thought. 1a, 1d and 17d are top of my list. I was held up by 7d (never heard of this word), and 16d. Thanks to the setter, and for the hints. Absolutely fabulous spring weather here in Denmark these days.

  6. I must have been on wavelength as this one flew in very smoothly. Nice surfaces and some wit too.
    Never heard of the 7d before but couldn’t be anything else.
    5a 5d and 27 my podium but plenty of others. **/****
    Thanks to all

  7. Agreed, a bit trickier than usual. I didn’t really get the clueing for 24a. It would get top place if I understood it!
    Eventually figured out clueing for 27a, quite tenuous, IMHO.
    Thanks to all

    PS
    If you like Chet, you’ll love this guy. Touring this year.

  8. Firstly thanks to the fellow posters who helped with yesterday’s 13a.

    Found today a tricky rascal and had to take a very circuitous route to get there – but managed in the end without needing the hints. Joyous to be able to complete whilst sitting in the sunshine!

    Thanks to the setter and for the hints which I will now enjoy reading.

  9. Glad to see it wasn’t just me who found this a bit stickier than usual. I,too, was somewhat confused by the surface of 22a, but I think Martyn has cracked that one. As for a favourite, 25a will do nicely.

    My thanks to Dada and Senf.

  10. I’m also in the “tough” camp. Perhaps because I found it a bit of a slog and had to rely on the hints and some e-help in places, I got little joy from completion. Having the incorrect ending to 18a held me up with 13d for ages. 1a and 1d, oldies but goodies, are my joint cotd as they made me smile. Thanks to Dada and especially Senf for the much needed hints.

  11. Just to let everyone know that I won’t be around for a while. My lovely Lesley died this morning.

    2. Oh, Steve. I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you. RIP Lesley.

    4. I am very sorry to hear that Steve I am sure your family will be there for you but you will always find a comfortable ear/shoulder here when you are ready
      RIP Lesley

    9. I am so sorry, Steve.

      You’re such a good guy to tell us this news when you have other things on your mind.

      My thoughts are with you and your family.

    11. Sorry, Steve. Best wishes for getting through the next few days. Take as long as you need, but we’re all here whenever you feel like a chat (crossword-related or otherwise). xx

    13. Oh I am so, so sorry. Sadly grief is the penalty for loving. We shall all be thinking of you in the weeks to come.

      1. We are both so very sad to hear that news Steve.
        TG and Mrs. TWLC.

    14. So sorry to hear that Steve, it has been clear from previous comments how much you have been through in the last year and how much you did to care for her. I am thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.

    15. Oh dear Steve, I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you at this sad time. RIP Leslie.

    17. Late to the blog and just read your sad news, Steve. My sincere condolences. Many Lesley RIP. We will be here for you whenever you need a shoulder. In the meantime, take good care and remember day at a time.

    18. I’m so sorry to hear your very sad news. Condolences and best wishes from another of your Big Dave family. My thoughts are with you and your family.

    22. So very sorry to hear your sad news. You always welcome newcomers to this site, and it is much appreciated. Will miss your comments and look forward to hearing from you again once you feel able.

    24. My word this year has seen a spate of departures, including my own beloved.
      Sincerest condolences, Steve.
      RIP, Lesley.

  12. Well I must say I agree with Senf as I found this Dada puzzle rather unforgiving and unfriendly this week. Almost a toughie IMHO. Plenty of quirkiness and freely used his own personal thesaurus this week.

    2.5*/3* for me

    Favourites 1a, 9a, 14a, 1d & 8d — with winner 14a

    Thanks to Dada & Senf as we wake up this morning with an hours less sleep due to DST in North America.

    1. Agreed about 22a. See my post No.7
      Can anyone help, without incurring a trip to the dreaded naughty step ?

      2. Rossophile, re 22a, I was puzzled by this one too.

        Have you read what Martyn explained to me @2 above?

  14. A tough one for me today but I got there on the end. 7d was a new word for me.

    Lots to like with top picks for me being 5a, 8d and 27a.

    Thanks to Senf and the setter.

  15. I found this surprisingly straightforward apart from needing confirmation for 7d, very enjoyable.
    2*/ 4* favourites 14a, 15a and the quickie pun

  16. The NW corner went in so quickly, I thought this was going to be a straightforward guzzle. Not so, it was slow and tough, especially the last few clues. There were some great clues, notably, the 14a anagram, the 18a missing letter clue, the clever lego clue at 17d and the cryptic definition at 13d. Thanks toSenf for the hints and to Dada for a tough but enjoyable challenge.

  17. Following Senf’s invite to send photos of the Cruciverbalist meetings, here are a couple from January 25th. I’m on Senf’s left.

  19. Dada in a very unfriendly mood I thought. However, on looking back at the answers I think it was more a case of my brain not fire on all cylinders.

    My favourite was 18A although I kicked myself for not getting it sooner.

    Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  20. I seem to have completely lost my mojo. This one was too much for me and I needed the hints to finish. It was resssuring to see that others found it tricky. Hopefully my brain will resume normal activity soon. Having completed the grid there are several answers I would not have got on my own.

    Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the needed hints

  21. Definitely on the tricky side. I liked 1 an and d, and the great thinker. Senior grandson and wife have just left, happily with a boot full of ‘stuff’ but still only the tip of the iceberg. Saddened by Steve’s news, I send sympathy to all who are carrying a burden, and it is more people than we can imagine. Thankyou to our clever Setter and My Man in the Red Scarf for all you do.

  22. Difficult is an understatement so I won’t say it. Ok for fun though. Favourite was 22a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

    1. Just finished, with a break for the rugby. Still not sure how 22a works but I enjoyed the challenge (and the rugby).

  23. Terrific to put faces to names in the above photographs, more please! Thank you Dada for the challenge and Senf for the blog, yet again a little tiddler was the last one in … 24d.

    1. I am waiting with trepidation for the video of me to appear!
      I was under the influence, Your Honour.

  24. Forgot to comment on the puzzle. Agree it was trickier than of late & especially so down south. Can’t say I paid much attention to served with notice at 22a so missed that element. 3,16&17d were my podium picks from what was an enjoyable puzzle.
    Thanks to D&S

  25. Oh dear. I am so off wavelength on this that I might as well be in another galaxy.

    After the first scan I had precisely one answer, the anagram in 11a.

    Resorting to Senf’s hints, I am none the wiser. For example 22a, I still don’t see where “served with notice” comes into it?

    I must have over stressed while watching England play rugby this afternoon.

    Thanks to Senf and Dada.

  26. Yikes – that was tough. Would only have managed half without the hints. Hadn’t heard of 7d, and I thought 25a meant something different? Thanks to Dada and Senf.

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