Sunday Times 4555 (15 Sep 2013) by Tim Moorey

Author   daveperryPosted on Categories Weekend Cryptic
Solving time: 37:04

I found this one generally straightforward for the most part. A lot of the answers went in without much thought required. There were a few, though, that took a fair bit of thinking about – 1a, 9a & 20a being the pick of the bunch for me.

I think 1a has to be my COD for its particularly sneaky definition.

cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this

Across
1 ACROSS = C in (A + ROSS) – What follows 1 here, in 1 across. Obvious really. But one of my last ones in.
5 PANCAKE = (PEAK CAN)* – ‘land in a bad way’ is the definition, as a verb applied to aeroplane pilots
9 POUND NOTES – dd
10 TrUCK
11 SEED CORN = (CENSORED)*
13 tEARFUL
14 HAL + FINCHES – ‘Half-inch’ being CRS for pinch or steal
16 TUTU = “TWO-TWO”
17 GOrdON
18 TAP-DANCERS = (CARPET AND Suchlike)*
20 LAMINA = ANIMAL rev
21 CAMP + BEDs
23 rubBISH
24 HOUSE MUSIC – cd
26 GO SPARE = GORE about (S + PA)
27 SETTLE = SEATTLE without the obamA
Down
2 COOl
3 O(W)NE + D
4 SUN + DOWN
5 PUT IN THE PICTURE = THE (article) in PUTIN PICTURE
6 NESTERS = (ERNES)* about ST
7 ART CRITICS – cd
8 ENCOUNTERED = (COUNT + ‘ERE) all in (DEN)*
12 ELABORATING = O (love) in (ABLE)* + RATING
15 FAN(LIGHT)S
18 TRACHEA = TRAvel about ACHE (long)
19 AIMLESS = (MELISSA)*
22 BLUNT – dd – Anthony Blunt was the Soviet spy
25 ILL – dd

4 comments on “Sunday Times 4555 (15 Sep 2013) by Tim Moorey”

  1. This took me forever, but somehow I managed it, although I didn’t know the connection between HALF-INCHES and lifts, and I’d never heard the term GO SPARE, which I ‘got’ at once and couldn’t believe it was right until forced to. So in 12d, ‘jolly’ is the anagram indicator? I was trying to force RM into the solution.
  2. Just under 14 mins for this enjoyable puzzle. I agree with jackkt about the chicken/animal connection.
  3. a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying puzzle with no quibbles other than to note ‘T’ for ‘tenor’ at 13ac which might be considered a bit unusual in a daily puzzle. Last in was 20ac where ‘animal’ for ‘chicken’ proved elusive.
  4. 30 minutes for this but it felt longer,possibly because it took me a while to get going. But a nice steady solve thereafter. Ann

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