Solving time : 9:35…
… but with one mistake (11A). Otherwise a very enjoyable puzzle. All the clues read well, and there are some really funny ones, especially 1A.
Across
1 | QUART(O) – because it is about two PINT(O)S! A very pleasant surprise to find something so outrageous in the Times |
11 | ROVER – Apparently there are teams (football I think) called Bristol and Doncaster Rovers. Not knowing this, I guessed RIVER (well, it seemed more likely than RAVER, and it runs…) |
14 | [b]ROGUE |
16 | [f]IBBER in GISH (=sigh (anag)) |
25 | HE + [pi]LOT – a serf apparently, originally in Sparta, where helots were ritually maltreated (Wikipedia article) |
26 | HIN(DEMI)T+H – I know this composer’s name, but little else |
28 | O(PEN) UP – Oxford University Press being the publisher |
Down
5 | O(TT)ER – I think I have come across “TT” meaning Tee-Totaller not in a crossword, but not for many years |
6 | GA(ROT)TE – ROT being TOR reversed. A bit of a stretch from “up-hill” |
7 | CIVIL LIST – double definition, and the last clue I solved correctly |
8 | TURF – being “fruit” reversed without the “i” |
13 | CHANNEL-HOP – double definition. The word “seeing” isn’t entirely necessary to the clue, but it helps to misdirect by making “surf” seem like a noun rather than a verb |
15 | GAMBOLLED (=gambled) |
19 | DI(GIT)AL – How very like the Times to indicate “GIT” with “silly chap” |
20 | FRAME-UP – because a snooker-player who is a frame up is leading |
23 | UNION – it took me a little time to see how this worked – “Union” could be seen in the middle of the phrase “Grand Union Canal”. But it couldn’t be anything else so I filled it in and worked it out after I had finished |
24 | O(HI)O |
Sadly, this is the only crossword I will have time to do today. Perhaps others will chip in.
Solving time: unknown, probably around 20 mins, but spread over a couple of hours as I’ve been quite busy at work today.
Andy
I liked this puzzle – enjoyed the clues and managed a good time for me, 10:39 – seemed to be on the setter’s wavelength for some reason.
Mike O,
Skiathos
Chris Lear
10a Structural expert rebuilt a station across motorway = ANATOMIST (astation m )*
12a Play we halt, interest failing = THE WINTERS TALE (we halt interest)*
18a In a stream, see crazy old animal – ARMADILLO (a r mad ill o)
20a Joy keeps to bed = FUTON (Fu to n)
21a Why we calibrate scales, as finishing touch? = FOR GOOD MEASURE
27a Scruffy gold parrot is standard = OLD GLORY (gold)* lory (sort of parrot). Standard = flag, Old Glory is another name for Stars & Stripes?
1d Time for mercy, when rent’s due? = QUARTER DAY
2d Mouth open for feast = AGAPE
3d Deceive a couple on newspaper = TWO TIME (S)x
17d Looking healty and prosperous, banking pounds = BLOOMING (b £ ooming)
22d Different theory almost worked = OTHER (theor)* (y)x