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I was very grateful for the feedback for the pretty tough 5/5 rated puzzle last weekend, so thank you, all. Well, we're back to the beginning of another month, so I reset the difficulty rating for today's crossword. I hope this 1/5 offering presents enough of a challenge to keep the experts awake, and is friendly enough for those who are have less experience with my style.
And a reminder ... the Sunday slot is still open for anyone who wants to post his or her own, original crossword. Just contact me and I will help you with the mechanics of compiling and posting.
Across
1 Hardwood settles, without ends, found in the kitchen (9)
6 Get Augustus to show some spirit (5)
9 Used to write in the Alpes (4,5)
10 A second one for the Germans in Paris (5)
11 Before you get the urge to put back the LPs, spend the money! (7)
12 "Inter-rack" the one following the other (7)
13 American character in "Quizone" (3)
14 Maybe Iraq WRZ1? (3,4)
17 Diana stood by Arafat, and his comrade's mother ... that's a cert (7)
19 An American tree that's twisted and very stark (7)
22 Do it yourself outside? So be it ... ignore the rules! (7)
24 A low 100,000 (3)
25 That's grand, you wait and I will find a neighbour for the Iraqi (7)
26 Tell me why you ran around at such a rate (7)
29 XL praise (5)
30 Starting to write Nick's name perhaps, on the tombstone? (9)
31 Father has rights, and so moves quickly (5)
32 Before you, but after Dee and Les, cope with the viewer (9)
Down
1 That paper ... it's crazy about me (5)
2 There's no marriage for a girl at the middle of July (5)
3 Therefore, take in the MBA that puts an end to most sales (7)
4 Swing this part up with ease, say (7)
5 Quoted after my old girlfriend, Ro, used this (7)
6 It's illuminating to slam it in the gap (3,4)
7 Bob gets a grand after combining S, Sn & K, creating something that assaults the senses (5,4)
8 Done with a very new mix, just pop it in the cooker (4-5)
14 We have a need to follow ... Kay's likely to give in easily (4-5)
15 Being in the roster, we must return with a gift for the lady ... perhaps (4,5)
16 Ronald came back with neither (3)
18 Ones following Henry V, father of Elizabeth I (3)
20 Might one be arm-in-arm with Edward and Lesley getting some things to eat? (7)
21 Met with nine at sea and celebrated (7)
22 Terribly glad about one in Ulster? (7)
23 Outdo and soundly overtake the knight (7)
27 This morning I go to see a friend (5)
28 Better than a bird, i.e. it soars high into the sky (5)
Here is each clue alongside its answer, with an explanation of the link between clue and answer. I hope it all makes sense! As always, I welcome feedback via comment and/or email. I’m particularly interested in hearing about clues that were too obvious or easy, and clues that were annoying or perhaps caused frustration. But, I’ll listen to all suggestions on how to make my puzzles more challenging and more fun!
Across
1 Hardwood settles, without ends, found in the kitchen (9)
TEAK-ETTLE
Hardwood (TEAK) s-ettle-s, without ends (ETTLE) = TEAKETTLE: found in the kitchen.
6 Get Augustus to show some spirit (5)
GUS-TO
Get Augustus (GUS) to (TO) show = GUSTO: some spirit.
9 Used to write in the Alpes (4,5)
MONT BLANC
Used to write (MONT BLANC pen) = MONT BLANC: in the Alpes.
10 A second one for the Germans in Paris (5)
S-EINE
A second (S) one for the Germans (EINE) = SEINE: in Paris.
11 Before you get the urge to put back the LPs, spend the money! (7)
SPL-URGE
Put back the LPs (SPL) before you get the urge (URGE) = SPLURGE: spend the money.
12 "Inter-rack" the one following the other (7)
T(RACK)ER
In-ter (T-ER) rack (RACK) = TRACKER: the one following the other.
13 American character in "Quizone" (3)
ZEE
Character in Qui-z-one (ZED) American = ZEE.
14 Maybe Iraq WRZ1? (3,4)
W-AR Z-ONE
W (W) R (AR) Z (Z) 1 (ONE) = WAR ZONE: maybe Iraq?
17 Diana stood by Arafat, and his comrade's mother ... that's a cert (7)
DI-PLO-MA
Diana (DI) stood by Arafat and his comrades (PLO) mother (MA) = DIPLOMA: that's a cert.
19 An American tree that's twisted and very stark (7)
A-US-TERE
An American (A US) "tree" that's twisted (TERE) = AUSTERE: and very stark.
22 Do it yourself outside? So be it ... ignore the rules! (7)
DI(SO-BE)Y
Do it yourself (DI-Y) outside "so be" it (SO BE) = DISOBEY: ignore the rules
24 A low 100,000 (3)
M-OO
1,000 (M) 00 (OO) = MOO: a low.
25 That's grand, you wait and I will find a neighbour for the Iraqi (7)
K-U-WAIT-I
That's grand (K) you (U) wait (WAIT) and I (I) will find = KUWAITI: a neighbour for the Iraqi.
26 Tell me why you ran around at such a rate (7)
NAR-RATE
Ran around (NAR) at such a rate (RATE) = NARRATE: tell (my why you).
29 XL praise (5)
EX-TO-L
X (EX) next to L (TO L) = EXTOL: praise.
30 Starting to write Nick's name perhaps, on the tombstone? (9)
EN-GRAVING
Starting to write N-ick's name, (EN) perhaps on the tombstone? (GRAVING) = ENGRAVING.
31 Father has rights, and so moves quickly (5)
DA-RTS
Father (DA) has right (RTS) = DARTS: so moves quickly.
32 Before you, but after Dee and Les, cope with the viewer (9)
T-E-LES-COPE
Before you, 'U' (T) but after Dee, 'D' (E) and Les cope with (LES COPE) = TELESCOPE: the viewer.
Down
1 That paper ... it's crazy about me (5)
TI(ME)S
"It's" crazy (TI-S) about me (ME) = TIMES: that paper.
2 There's no marriage for a girl at the middle of July (5)
ANN-UL
A girl (ANN) at the middle of J-ul-y (UL) for = ANNUL: there's no marriage.
3 Therefore, take in the MBA that puts an end to most sales (7)
E(MBA)RGO
Therefor (E-RGO) take in the MBA (MBA) = EMBARGO: that puts an end to most sales.
4 Swing this part up with ease, say (7)
TRAP-EZE
This "part" up (TRAP) eith "ease" say, sounds like (EZE) = TRAPEZE: swing.
5 Quoted after my old girlfriend, Ro, used this (7)
EX-CITED
After my old girlfriend (EX) quoted (CITED) = EXCITED: ro-used this.
6 It's illuminating to slam it in the gap (3,4)
GA(S LAM)P
In the gap (GA-P) to slam it (SLAM) = GAS LAMP: it's illuminating.
7 Bob gets a grand after combining S, Sn & K, creating something that assaults the senses (5,4)
S-TIN-K BO(M)B
After combining S, SN & K (S TIN K) [Bob (BO-B) gets a grand (M)] creating = STINK BOMB: something that assaults the senses.
8 Done with a very new mix, just pop it in the cooker (4-5)
OVEN-READY
"Done" with "a very" new mix = OVEN-READY: just pop it in the cooker.
14 We have a need to follow ... Kay's likely to give in easily (4-5)
WE-A-K-K-NEED
We have a (WE A) Kay's (KK) a need to follow (NEED) = WEAK-KNEED: likely to give in easily.
15 Being in the roster, we must return with a gift for the lady ... perhaps (4,5)
ROS(E W-A)TER
Being in the roster (ROS-TER) "we" must return with a (EW A) = ROSE WATER: gift for the lady perhaps.
16 Ronald came back with neither (3)
NOR
Ronald (RON) came back = NOR: with neither.
18 Ones following Henry V, father of Elizabeth I (3)
III
Following Henry V (HENRY V) ones (III) = HENRY VIII: father of Elizabeth I.
20 Might one be arm-in-arm with Edward and Lesley getting some things to eat? (7)
ED-(I BE)-LES
With Edward on one arm (ED) one be (I BE) and Lesley on the other arm (LES) getting = EDIBLES: some things to eat.
21 Met with nine at sea and celebrated (7)
EMINENT
"Met" with "nine" at sea = EMINENT: celebrated.
22 Terribly glad about one in Ulster? (7)
D(ONE)GAL
Terribly "glad" (D-GAL) about one (ONE) = DONEGAL: in Ulster.
23 Outdo and soundly overtake the knight (7)
SURPASS
The knight (SIR) overtake (PASS) = SIR PASS, soundly = SURPASS: outdo.
27 This morning I go to see a friend (5)
AM-I-GO
This morning (AM) I go (I GO) to see = AMIGO: a friend.
28 Better than a bird, i.e. it soars high into the sky (5)
EAGLE
Better than a bird-ie (in golf) = EAGLE: it soars high into the sky.
Reveal-An-Answer
Need just one answer to get things moving? Here is the solution to today's puzzle, in a hidden format. To reveal any particular answer, highlight the whole line under the relevant clue.
Across
1 Hardwood settles, without ends, found in the kitchen (9)
TEAK-ETTLE
6 Get Augustus to show some spirit (5)
GUS-TO
9 Used to write in the Alpes (4,5)
MONT BLANC
10 A second one for the Germans in Paris (5)
S-EINE
11 Before you get the urge to put back the LPs, spend the money! (7)
SPL-URGE
12 "Inter-rack" the one following the other (7)
T(RACK)ER
13 American character in "Quizone" (3)
ZEE
14 Maybe Iraq WRZ1? (3,4)
W-AR Z-ONE
17 Diana stood by Arafat, and his comrade's mother ... that's a cert (7)
DI-PLO-MA
19 An American tree that's twisted and very stark (7)
A-US-TERE
22 Do it yourself outside? So be it ... ignore the rules! (7)
DI(SO-BE)Y
24 A low 100,000 (3)
M-OO
25 That's grand, you wait and I will find a neighbour for the Iraqi (7)
K-U-WAIT-I
26 Tell me why you ran around at such a rate (7)
NAR-RATE
29 XL praise (5)
EX-TO-L
30 Starting to write Nick's name perhaps, on the tombstone? (9)
EN-GRAVING
31 Father has rights, and so moves quickly (5)
DA-RTS
32 Before you, but after Dee and Les, cope with the viewer (9)
T-E-LES-COPE
Down
1 That paper ... it's crazy about me (5)
TI(ME)S
2 There's no marriage for a girl at the middle of July (5)
ANN-UL
3 Therefore, take in the MBA that puts an end to most sales (7)
E(MBA)RGO
4 Swing this part up with ease, say (7)
TRAP-EZE
5 Quoted after my old girlfriend, Ro, used this (7)
EX-CITED
6 It's illuminating to slam it in the gap (3,4)
GA(S LAM)P
7 Bob gets a grand after combining S, Sn & K, creating something that assaults the senses (5,4)
S-TIN-K BO(M)B
8 Done with a very new mix, just pop it in the cooker (4-5)
OVEN-READY
14 We have a need to follow ... Kay's likely to give in easily (4-5)
WE-A-K-K-NEED
15 Being in the roster, we must return with a gift for the lady ... perhaps (4,5)
ROS(E W-A)TER
16 Ronald came back with neither (3)
NOR
18 Ones following Henry V, father of Elizabeth I (3)
III
20 Might one be arm-in-arm with Edward and Lesley getting some things to eat? (7)
ED-(I BE)-LES
21 Met with nine at sea and celebrated (7)
EMINENT
22 Terribly glad about one in Ulster? (7)
D(ONE)GAL
23 Outdo and soundly overtake the knight (7)
SURPASS
27 This morning I go to see a friend (5)
AM-I-GO
28 Better than a bird, i.e. it soars high into the sky (5)
EAGLE
6 comments:
Hello Bill,
I just finished your WEB Crossword and found it more challenging than I expected for a 1/5.
However once I figured out TEAKETTLE and WAR ZONE things fell into place.
I felt EMINENT was right for 21 Down as an anagram of 'met' & 'nine' but your use of 'at sea' had me confused for a while.
Overall a very enjoyable quiz with some clever clues for a lazy Sunday.
Enjoy the Super Bowl tonight.
It's a hot whiskey and an early bed for me (trying to shake off a winter head-cold).
Mike
Hi Mike,
Thanks for checking out the puzzle.
You know, I find it must difficult to set a 1/5 puzzle, and I always seem to miss the mark creating something more difficult than I intend. It's happened month after month now. I will have to get closer next time.
Yes, "at sea" is a great anagram indicator, I think. I like to use once in a while, but then throw "at sea" in a clue in a non-cryptic nautical sense too, just to keep the solver guessing :)
I'm working on a 2/5 puzzle for next Sunday, and I am thinking it shouldn't be too different than today's in terms of difficulty. It does have a Valentine's Day bent, given that Sunday is the 14th.
Sorry to hear about the cold. But hot whiskey is a great man ...
Thanks again, Mike.
Hi Bill and Mike
It's taken me til the MCC hour to get around to dropping by to comment!
Very nice puzzle Bill...and I'd agree with Mike...not a pushover for a 1/5...but still, it was gentle enough, with plenty of smiley stuff going on!
Got STINK BOMB...without fully realising why (or even that!) SN was substituted by T...but of course I should always remember that it's Bill-of-the-Chemiclues we're dealing with of a Sunday!
Last in was III...was trying to make a word, beginning and ending in 'I' before the aha moment! doh!
You're building up a nice little repertoire of anagram indicators Bill...and working them nicely into the clues...'terribly glad about one in Ulster?' read really well!...as did the 'at sea' clue!
Among my favourites today were
TEAKETTLE, SPLURGE (always think it's a very expressive word), smiley MOO, DARTS, EXCITED, WEAK-KNEED, DONEGAL, SURPASS and finally EAGLE, which was a great clue with all that lovely birdie wordplay!
And the inclusion of solutions to 9a and 22d got me thinking...today's wasn't MONT BLANC...more a gentle stroll in the Hills of Donegal...and nothing at all wrong with that!
Hope you're enjoying the Super Bowl...and a superglass of Guinness or something!
Liz
Hi Bill
I agree with the others that this was more challenging that I expected for a 1/5. A great way to pass a bit of Sunday. Like Liz, III was my last but thankfully I'd remembered that Henry VIII was Elizabeth I's father so the penny finally dropped. My favourites were DIPLOMA,DISOBEY,MOO,KUWAITI and obviously DONEGAL.
Martina
Hi Liz,
Thanks for remembering to leave a comment for me! I really do appreciate the feedback, and it is helping me when setting new puzzles.
It's pretty clear that I am much better at gauging the degree of difficulty with the harder puzzles, and always seem to have trouble getting down to the 1/5. I will be extra careful next month!
Re STINK BOMB
I try hard not to use chemical symbols too much, because I know they come easier to me than most, but sometimes I cannot help myself!
Re III
I thought twice about using III as an answer, seeing as it isn't really a "word", but when I checked my cryptic reference books, I found it to be acceptable, so went for it. I thought it might be a nice change to have a Roman numeral as answer instead of a clue!
Those anagram indicators are so tough to come up with, without being completely obvious. You guys keep me on my toes. Thanks for noting "terribly" glad about one for DONEGAL ... I was proud of that one!
As always, Liz, thanks for the comprehensive feedback.
Martina,
Thanks for checking out the puzzle, even though it clearly was not the expected 1/5. I reckon I'll have to set next week's 2/5 about the same level.
I'm glad you picked up on the historical note. I tried to pick some fact that wasn't too obvious, yet sufficiently clear to make the point!
I threw DONEGAL in there for you, Martina, so I am glad you liked it :)
Thanks for taking the extra time to comment. It really helps!
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