Wednesday, 4 December 2013

No 10947, Wednesday 04 Dec 2013, Arden

Some delightful clues from Arden to round off this round.

ACROSS
1   One is ready for the way bands play on the fourth of July (6,2) STANDS BY {ST}{ANDS B*}{Y}
5   Attack the beast and fall sick (6) ASSAIL {ASS}{AIL}
10 Agree to be happy getting time off for Saturday (7) CONSENT CON(-t+s)SENT
11 To err is…. anyway, make merry! (7) ROISTER* Liked this clue
12 Avoid review — indeed a very important point (5) EVADE [T<=]
13 Animals and people, I agree are different (9) MENAGERIE {MEN}{I+AGREE}*
14 Noble Queen leaves stubs (12) COUNTERFOILS {COUNT}{ER}{FOILS}
18 Crime works, derision follows (12) MANSLAUGHTER {MANS}{LAUGHTER}
21 On the ship he makes a terrific cocktail (9) ARTIFICER*
23 They may write to me, about some help (5) MEDIA {ME}{DIA<=}
24 Drink a nastier version (7) RETSINA*
25 Banal relationship within…mostly within (7) INSIPID {INSI{PI}De}
26 Party days for the French…a stroll in the park (6) DODDLE {DO}{D}{D}LE}
27 Felt really bad when San Diego was shaken (8) AGONISED*

DOWN
1   Long time carrying school bag (6) SACHET {S}{ACHE}{T}
2   Girl gets a trainee to toughen (6) ANNEAL {ANNE}{A}{L}
3   The German and the Spanish covered in dirt finding fuel (6,3) DIESEL OIL {DIE}{S{EL} OIL}
4   It is malicious, but no problem as fuel (10,4) BITUMINOUS COAL*
6   Toss a drink (5) SLING [DD]
7   Flower for Roman God rising from a heavenly body (8) ASTEROID {ASTER}{OID<=}
8   A top British College takes ages to accept writing, but shows magnanimity (8) LARGESSE {L{A{R}GES}SE}
9   Bearing superficial cost could start damaging an ideal suitor (6,8) PRINCE CHARMING {PRI{N}CE} {C}{HARMING}


15 Release mother and child from one from the lodge (9) FREEMASON {FREE}{MA}{SON}
16 Afflicted when I have a partner (8) IMPAIRED {I'M}{PAIRED}
17 Doctor, a dentist kept in office (8) INSTATED*
19 A day suitable for school tailors (6) ADAPTS {A}{D}{APT}{S}
20 Open and shut in police department (6) CANDID {C{AND}ID}
22 Stuff having the right trim (5) FRILL {F{R}ILL}

39 comments:

  1. Extract from latest update on the IXL final.

    "Sharing details of the IXL 2013 finals, Singh said a preliminary round would be conducted. It would have questions based on quiz, aptitude and crossword clue making and solving.

    Four contenders would be eliminated in it. The top six would qualify for the grand finale.

    “The grand finale would be played in a bit different way and would be interactive in nature,” Singh said, adding that its details would be sent to participants soon. The winner of the competition would be awarded with “Mentathlete” trophy."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Delightful crossword today! Good beginning to the day since I actually finished it before 8:30 am for the first time :)

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  3. Interesting, engaging CW with well crafted anagrams. Somehow I found it a little tougher today with a few gaping holes in the grid. 4th of July was a good red herring!

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  4. 16 Afflicted when I have a partner (8) IMPAIRED {I'M}{PAIRED}

    Is "I have" = I've accepted as I'm for I am ?

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  5. mB

    The whole phrase "I have a partner" must be seen as "I'm paired"
    I hope I have guessed what you mean and have answered your query.

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  6. I agree that many clues in this puzzle are excellent.

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  7. Thanks, Col Sir. Yes, when read as a whole phrase "I have a partner" it does mean "I'm paired"

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks to Col Sir, all these notes are possible!

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  9. Long time carrying school bag (6) SACHET {S}{ACHE}{T}

    Carrying to indicate precedes?

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am not sure if 26D should be 'dawdle' in place of 'dawdle'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doddle is correct

      Party = DO
      days = DD
      for
      the French = LE
      …a stroll in the park = {DO}{D}{D}{LE}

      Delete
    2. So, "A stroll in the park" = DODDLE = "A task or an activity that is very easy" and it has nothing to do with STROLL meaning ""To walk somewhere in a slow relaxed way" ?

      May be "A stroll in the park" is an IDIOM/PHRASE. I am not sure.

      Delete
    3. Yes it is
      A stroll (actually walk) in the park, Cakewalk, Piece of cake etc all mean the same

      Delete
    4. This discussion reminded me of the song Una paloma blanca...

      Sunday morning, up with the lark, I think I'll take a walk in the park, Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful day

      It has been a beautiful Wednesday morning, nevertheless...

      Delete
  11. Regarding 9d
    def - ideal suitor - prince charming
    cost - price
    could start - c
    damaging - harming

    I am not sure how we get n from bearing superficial. Can someone enlighten?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Compass bearings (N,S,E,W) are known as Bearings in short. Superficial is the indicator for bearing(N) being inside cost(price)

      Delete
  12. Ooops! It should read as if 26D should be 'dawdle' instead of 'doddle'.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Very large voter turn out in Delhi, today. Long lines, already, at 8:30 am.
    Came back, after voting, then sat down to an enjoyable CW.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tough one, I mean the Delhi poll !! The whole country is looking at you eagerly to know the trend. No wonder there is a large turnout.

      Delete
    2. RM: You could be a fan of Usha Uthup nee Iyer. I had posted a link to a clipping of a recent stage performance of hers in this blog on Nov 30. I am not sure if you have seen it. Just in case, check here.

      Delete
    3. Thanks, Richard. Yes, Usha Uthup is a great favourite. We were in Calcutta in the late 70s, and saw her on Park Street a few times. She has also performed at the Delhi Gymkhana Club, a couple of times, to great applause!

      Delete
  14. Thanks Col.
    Have booked tickets from MAS-SBC for Dec 20th night. :) to see the grand finale

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  15. Have been doing crossword in the evenings so not been blogging - but got to it early today, and very good it was - always enjoy Arden

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  16. Your comments are welcome in the evenings too.We do see a lot of comments in the evenings.

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  17. Hard to beat Arden -- bearded in his own den . Great crossie and thoroughly enjoyable one.

    Clues of my day: PRINCE CHARMING AND DODDLE( a new word in crossword for me -- one always learns !) Got stumped when I thought it was Bitumenised coal but won't fit in. There lies the charm of beguiling the solver !
    Sachet is a clever red herring thrown- as school bag is a satchel !

    Thanks Col for the update on the IXL 2013 finals. As I have never participated in any such contests, sounds all strange to me.

    CV: hope we have a chance to go at the online solving, post-the finals.

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  18. Nice clues.smooth surfaces. I like punch in 23a &25a.equally e.jnoyed punch in the defi.inition in26a. Its a thorough entertainer today.

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  19. 25 Banal relationship within…mostly within (7) INSIPID {INSI{PI}De}

    How is "relationship" linked to "PI" in the Anno please ?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Replies
    1. Thanks, Paddy. I too felt it had something to do with 'Pi' the Mathematical term, but was not sure. Now that you mentioned 'Ratio', it clearly leads to 'relationship' and thereby to 'Pi'.

      Delete
  21. What about 18A? Derision is laughter. Where does the "Mans" part come from? Also, explain 1A please?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 18A - Mans = Works

      1A
      One is ready for = Definition = STANDS BY
      the
      way = street = ST
      bands = Anagram fodder
      play = Anagram Indicator (so bands play = {ANDSB*}
      on the
      fourth of July = Y (Fourth letter of July)

      {ST}{ANDS B*}{Y}

      Delete

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