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}
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}
Extract from latest update on the IXL final.
ReplyDelete"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."
Delightful crossword today! Good beginning to the day since I actually finished it before 8:30 am for the first time :)
ReplyDelete+ 1. Very deftly created clues. Delectable crossie.
Delete+1 :)
DeleteInteresting, 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!
ReplyDelete+ 1. I, for one, had too many gaping (man)holes !!
Delete16 Afflicted when I have a partner (8) IMPAIRED {I'M}{PAIRED}
ReplyDeleteIs "I have" = I've accepted as I'm for I am ?
mB
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
I agree that many clues in this puzzle are excellent.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Col Sir. Yes, when read as a whole phrase "I have a partner" it does mean "I'm paired"
ReplyDeleteCorrection : Please read CV Sir for Col Sir.
DeleteThanks to Col Sir, all these notes are possible!
ReplyDeleteLong time carrying school bag (6) SACHET {S}{ACHE}{T}
ReplyDeleteCarrying to indicate precedes?
Carrying meaning 'on top of' in a down clue
DeleteI am not sure if 26D should be 'dawdle' in place of 'dawdle'
ReplyDeleteDoddle is correct
DeleteParty = DO
days = DD
for
the French = LE
…a stroll in the park = {DO}{D}{D}{LE}
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" ?
DeleteMay be "A stroll in the park" is an IDIOM/PHRASE. I am not sure.
Yes it is
DeleteA stroll (actually walk) in the park, Cakewalk, Piece of cake etc all mean the same
Thanks, Col Sir.
DeleteThanks everybody.
DeleteThis discussion reminded me of the song Una paloma blanca...
DeleteSunday 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...
Regarding 9d
ReplyDeletedef - 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?
Compass bearings (N,S,E,W) are known as Bearings in short. Superficial is the indicator for bearing(N) being inside cost(price)
DeleteThanks Col
DeleteOoops! It should read as if 26D should be 'dawdle' instead of 'doddle'.
ReplyDeleteVery large voter turn out in Delhi, today. Long lines, already, at 8:30 am.
ReplyDeleteCame back, after voting, then sat down to an enjoyable CW.
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.
DeleteRM: 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.
DeleteThanks, 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!
DeleteThanks Col.
ReplyDeleteHave booked tickets from MAS-SBC for Dec 20th night. :) to see the grand finale
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
ReplyDeleteYour comments are welcome in the evenings too.We do see a lot of comments in the evenings.
ReplyDeleteHard to beat Arden -- bearded in his own den . Great crossie and thoroughly enjoyable one.
ReplyDeleteClues 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.
Nice clues.smooth surfaces. I like punch in 23a &25a.equally e.jnoyed punch in the defi.inition in26a. Its a thorough entertainer today.
ReplyDelete25 Banal relationship within…mostly within (7) INSIPID {INSI{PI}De}
ReplyDeleteHow is "relationship" linked to "PI" in the Anno please ?
I think it is the ratio 'Pi'
ReplyDeleteThanks, 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'.
DeleteWhat about 18A? Derision is laughter. Where does the "Mans" part come from? Also, explain 1A please?
ReplyDelete18A - Mans = Works
Delete1A
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}