Solving time: 67:48
I struggled to get on Dean’s wavelength for this one, particularly in the NW corner. But it was certainly worth persevering with, as most of the clues were quite brilliant.
As for a COD, just pick any of them!
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this
Across | |
---|---|
1 | DEFROCK = DECK (floor) about (FOR)* – ‘sack cloth’ was a wonderfully disguised definition. |
5 | SHUTTER = SH (not a word) + UTTER (to say) |
9 | SPROG = S |
10 | TREMBLING = TREBLING (making 3000 from 1000) about M (1000) |
11 | ALIENATOR = (RATIONALE)* |
13 | NYLON – hidden |
14 | LONGSHORE DRIFT = (LORD OF THE RINGS)* – a marvellous anagram. |
17 | HIGHLAND CATTLE = (A CLAN HELD TIGHT)* |
19 | CRIER = RE (on) + I (one) + RC (Catholic) all rev |
20 | TV DINNERS = T |
22 | RETICENCE = |
24 | VEGAN = EG (for one) in VAN (front) – well disguised wordplay |
25 | SURP |
26 | MARS + HAL – Curiosity is the name of NASA’s roving vehicle currently exploring Mars, and HAL 9000 was the malfunctioning computer in Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey |
Down | |
1 | DI(SMALL)Y |
2 | FOREIGN MINISTER = REIGN (power) + MINI (little) in FOSTER (advance) |
3 |
|
4 | KIT – “strip” is the definition, as in football strip. The wordplay is |
5 | SPEARHEADED = A + RHEA’D all in SPEED |
6 | URBAN AREA = U + (BAR NEAR A)* |
7 | TRIAL OF STRENGTH = (OR FLATTER THINGS)* |
8 | REGINA = (A + NIGER) all rev |
12 | TWO-MAN TENTS = (MATT NEWTON’S)* |
15 | SPHERICAL = LAPS rev about (H + ERIC) – It’s a great excuse for a YouTube clip of the great Eric Morecambe. |
16 | PER + SON + AL |
18 | ICARUS = IS about CAR (wheels) + U |
21 | NEVER = R + EVEN all rev |
23 |
|
By an amazing coincidence I also took 67 minutes to solve it but as I don’t record seconds I can’t say whether I just beat your time, Dave, or vice versa. Congrats on the blog, it can’t have been easy.
I just remembered there was one minor quibble re 2dn. Assuming we’re talking the UK parliament (a reasonable assumption in the Times) a foreign minister doesn’t have to be an MP. Those old enough may remember the Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home who had previously been Foreign Secretary in the MacMillan government whilst sitting in the House of Lords.
Edited at 2012-11-04 03:08 am (UTC)
Edited at 2012-11-04 05:00 pm (UTC)
Lenny