Solving time: 1:43:07
Nothing too taxing in this one. Quite a pleasant stroll through. Nothing much to say about it.
cd = cryptic def., dd = double def., rev = reversal, homophones are written in quotes, anagrams as (–)*, and removals like this
1 | JACK(AS)S |
5 | SYCAMORE = (SO + RE) about (Y |
9 | KNOCKS = “Knox” – Ronald Knox was an English priest who translated the St Jerome Latin Vulgate Bible into English. |
13 | GRANDFATHER CLOCK – cd – overweight woman being GRAND FAT HER |
14 | P + OUNCE |
16 | LE + M(ON)ADE |
17 | KEEN – dd |
18 | EARTH + LING |
20 | PITFALLS = FALL (autumn abroad) in (PIT + |
21 | ENCHANTMENT – dd |
24 | RANDOMISE = AND (with) + OM (high honour) all in RISE (advance) |
25 | OPEN-EYED = PEN (writer) + E |
26 | ETNA = ANTE rev |
29 | SCHOOLHOUSE = ( |
31 | S(TORY + T)ELLER – ‘pork pies’ being CRS for lies |
33 | COPPERPLATE = COPPER (busy, as in policeman) + |
36 | WHEELBARROW = W + ROW (bank) after HEEL BAR (cobbler’s place) |
38 | TIDY – dd |
39 | DRY + CL(E)AN |
41 | REGRETFUL = (GUL |
44 | STICK (flak) + IN SECT |
45 | I’M PROP + ER |
48 | PIGGY BANK – cd – Tamworth being a breed of pig – anyone remember the Tamworth Two? |
49 | IAGO = I |
50 | INTERIOR = IN (not out) + (RIOTER)* |
52 | LOLL + OP |
53 | COME TO A STICKY END – cd |
54 | RUBBER – dd |
55 | NEOLITHS = (THIS ONE)* about L |
56 | ELDER + L |
Down | |
---|---|
1 | JUGGLE = JUG + EG rev about L |
2 | CLAMMY – dd |
3 | ANDANTINO = A + N + DAN + TIN + O |
4 | STAND OF FISH |
5 | S(O)HO |
6 | CORNERSTONE = CORNER (hole, as in predicament) + (ON SET)* |
7 | MALINGERERS = (ERRING MALES)* |
8 | RECHERCHE = RE (soldiers) + R in CHE/CHE – A word that translates from the french as ‘sought after’, as in the title of Proust’s classic, although it also means elegant and refined, which is where ‘choice’ comes in, I suppose. |
10 | NEOPHYTE = (ONE)* + “FIGHT” |
11 | CONTINENTAL + DRIFT |
12 | SLEIGHT = “SLIGHT” |
15 | CREAMERY = (MY CAREER)* |
19 | ALLELUIA = U in ALL ELIA – Elia being the pseudonym of essayist Charles Lamb |
22 | CROSS + CUT |
23 | IN THE PUDDING CLUB – dd – ‘Expecting’ is the straight def, the rest is more cryptic |
27 | AARDWOLF = AA (drivers) + FLOW rev about RD – I remember trying to read an encyclopedia when I was quite young. I didn’t get very far, but the aardwolf has always stuck in my head ever since. |
28 | MEGA – hidden |
30 | ODER = “ODOUR” – a slightly archaic usage of the word odour, I would have said, but a perfectly legitimate one |
32 | OVERRIPE – dd |
34 | PA + RENTAL |
35 | ELECTRIC EEL – cd – the answer was fairly obvious, although I wouldn’t have known it was native to South America. |
36 | WINNING + POST |
37 | LEGIONNAIRE = LEGION + N |
40 | CHEEKBONE = CHEEK + ONE about B (key) |
42 | EWE-NECKED = “YOU” + NECKED |
43 | OKEY-DOKE = O + K + E all about (KEY + DO) |
44 | SUPPL |
46 | L(IN)EAR |
47 | FR(ID)AY |
51 | ISIS – hidden – The River Thames at Oxford |
C.ONG’ARA,
Nairobi.