Solution to 20D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.
ACROSS
1 What eager artist might do to decide at random? (4,4) DRAW LOTS [DD]
5 Consuming ecstasy, stumbles around, talks extravagantly (6) SPIELS {SL{E}IPS}<=
10 Ship’s crane lifted a vital part (5) DAVIT [T]
12 Tourism flourishing around trendy clubs perhaps (5,4) MINOR SUIT {TOURISM}* over {IN}
13 Crew enthusiastically keeps turning more creative (5) NEWER [T<=]
14 One receiving goods legally from worker without trouble (6) BAILEE {B{AIL}EE}
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20 Having arguments daily on vacation, getting tired (6) DROWSY {Dail{ROWS}Y}
22 Wrong about a name for month of Jewish calendar (5) NISAN {SIN<=}{A}{N}
24 Decline drink, manage to stay sober finally (9) DOWNTREND {DOWN}{T{s..eR}END}
25 Struggling by end of legs workout (9) STRAINING {legS}{TRAINING}
26 Love to lounge, taking in many a nostalgic number (5) OLDIE {O}{L{D}IE}
27 Hurt by lady stealing silver (6) DAMAGE {DAM{AG}E}
28 Shipment after receiving money transfer (8) TRANSMIT {TRANS{M}IT}
DOWN
1 Stupid person meeting scholar in African capital (6) DODOMA {DODO}{MA}
3 Uniting over the altar? Reckless way of solving problems (7,8) LATERAL THINKING {LINKING} over {THE+ALTAR}*
4 Decry bill breaking peace (7) TRADUCE {TR{AD}UCE}
6 Take a firm decision to accelerate vehicle (3,4,4,4) PUT ONES FOOT DOWN [DD]
7 Totter around, losing a bit of balance in joint (5) ELBOW WOBbLE<=
8 Renounce vows finally for a few romps (5,3) SWEAR OFF {vowS}{FOR A FEW}*
9 Stayed behind to pick up son and daughter (6) LASTED {LA{S}TE}{D}
16 Stream flowing alongside embankment in European city (9) AMSTERDAM {STREAM*}{DAM}
17 Worried by San Diego riots (8) AGONISED*
19 Nuts, free in European city (6) MADRID {MAD}{RID}
20 Dame’s conduct in bar, revolting (7) D?W?G?R ()
21 Revolutionary work by director on set, quirky and most unusual (6) ODDEST {DO<=}{D}{SET*}
23 Go away from small crowd (5) SCRAM {S}{CRAM}
Reference List
Ecstasy = E, Associate = A, Trendy = IN, Name = N, Many = D, Money = M, Victory = V, Power = P, Bill = AD, Son = S, Daughter = D, Director = D, Small = S
Thank you Dr. X for forty minutes of sheer enjoyment.
ReplyDelete40 minutes?! I spent more than an hour and still left unfinished. Obviously I did not have much of 3D- Lateral thinking!
Delete@Paddy
DeleteI thought that today’s CW was on the easier side. It is just coincidence that I solved 3d first without annotation. I got crossings for many other clues which confirmed 3d. After solving all clues I sat down and annotated 3d.
Paddy, if not for lateral thinking, I would have put my foot down and said: this Crissy couldn't be from Doc!
DeleteCrispy*
DeleteThanks! Yes, the crossword is on the easier side. Yesterday was tougher because of some of the grid words perhaps.
Delete@AJ- The long ones eluded me for a while and hence the delay. Reason for my earlier comment- no lateral thinking.
DeleteColonel- Can u kindly post my story too - from last night? I have mailed it to u. Thanx
ReplyDeleteIt is in yesterday's post
DeleteSorry. I missed it. That too right below Doctor's tale. What a place in the HONOUR BOARD!!!
DeleteWhat Katy did next
ReplyDeleteAn ODDEST OLDIE from MADRID
AGONISED many and hid;
To stop the DAMAGE
And make people manage,
LATERAL THINKING Katy was the whiz-kid.
👏👏👏👏
DeleteSpot on CGB! You specialize in serials.
ReplyDeleteMany Aha moments. Thank you Doc.
ReplyDeleteYou are always welcome Paddy!
DeleteDOCTORS' REUNION
ReplyDeleteThe ALUMNI of 1984, that graduated from Jipmer, Pondicherry, decided to have their 25th reunion in the walled town of Spello, at the foothills of UMBRIA, Italy.
To avoid any last minute STUMBLING BLOCKS, the itenary was planned almost 6 months back. So when a medical conference came up at LANCASTER, just 1 week earlier, Dr. RKE decided to travel by train from Lancaster to UMBRIA. This would be a contrast to the FULL FLIGHTS, that he was normally cursed to take.
He knew, he would be early for the reunion, by a couple of days, but it would give him some much needed time to unwind, from his normal routine which was nothing short of a TORTURE on most days.
As the train wound its way through scenic countryside, filled with ASPHODELS & daffodils, the doctor felt he could almost hear the songs of the SISKINS & the chirping of the HERONS, as they flew over the lakes, SKIRTING the hillocks, so skillfully.
Arriving at Spello, late evening, he was delighted to see a HANSOM CAB, at the station. Apparently, a tourist whim, the driver was willing to give the Doctor a ride, to his cottage, in the same resort, where the class would be meeting 2 days later.
As he was climbing into his carriage, the Doc couldn't believe his eyes. Was that Monica Belluci, the famous actress from the 80s? Even though she wore no make up, IDING her was easy. After all, she had been his favourite actress in college. He spent all the allowance ALLOTTED to him on watching her movies & buying posters of her, from the Trivia shop near his campus.
The cab driver informed him, that she owned a villa in town, which she frequented. She must be tired of always being IN THE PUBLIC EYE. Doc reminisced about her Bride of Dracula in Coppola's movie. Infact the black market rates for tickets of that movie, had created a record of sorts & for once, even the local SHERIFf had turned a blind eye. Only the SQUADDIES were sent to control the crowd.
After freshening up, the Doctor took a leisurely walk around the town square. The SILVER LINING was, even though he was in Italy, there were no Pizza parlours or Burger joints. He normally referred to these as FEED LOTS. Choosing a vegetarian restaurant, he chose a street side table.
Well who should he see, for the 2nd time that day!! Dressed in an OLIVE green gown, the way she glided, there were no ROUGH edges to her. And surprise of surprises, she stopped at his table & smiling, joined him for dinner. She said, she loved India & Indians. With great DILIGENCE, he relegated her with his fanboy moments. Frequently flashing her brilliant smile, they finished their simple dinner of pasta sprinkled with EMMENTHAL & a green salad of ROUGHAGE.
ReplyDeleteBidding her Goodbye with ' Arrivederci !' he almost skipped back to his cottage. He thought his day couldn't get any better, but he was wrong!
Who should he see, virtually outside his door, but Dr.X, his old classmate & room mate of 5 years? He too had arrived early for the reunion. When & how did they lose touch mystified both of them. The entire night was spent catching up & rehashing old stories like stealing PLANARIA from their lab for fun etc. They couldn't believe how DIRTILY maintained their hostel room had been, each blaming the other for it. Dr. RKE, shared his details of meeting Monica Belluci & together they tried to OPTIMALLY guess her age. After all, she had been the oldest Bond Girl in Spectre.
But their biggest surprise & delight came the next day morning. Dr.X confessed that his pet hobby was setting crosswords, difficult ones at that & these he did under the name of Brain picker. His Crosswords were featured regularly in a famous daily & today was the day of his 150th puzzle. More over, he actively participated in a blog, that solved these puzzles & discussed them on a daily basis
Dr. RKE, sheepishly confessed that he was an active member of the blog too & went under the name of Tale Spinner. What is more, he added a SUBPLOT, by spinning a tale, everyday, using the Crossword solutions.
They were aghast. They had been silent admirers of each other for so....long, without even knowing their real identities. This is bonding, in the true sense.
Well, the rest of the class arrived 2 days later & the highlight of the reunion was the last day Dinner & Dance, for which Monica Belluci was a special guest. Dancing with almost each one of them, she made it memorable. It was with a LEADEN heart, that they said their Goodbyes at the end of the week. But Dr.X & Dr. RKE exchanged ' Arrivederci!' which roughly translated to 'Till We Meet Again!'
With this promise & fresh hope in their hearts, they boarded their respective flights, knowing fully well that they would meet soon, in a sequel to this story.
Thanks for revealing things about me which I had not known myself. 😀
DeleteNice, keep it up Gowri
Sorry was busy yesterday. Just catching up. Very nice story Gowri!
DeleteSuperb tale! To include the tale spinner and the wordsmith , what imagination!
DeleteKeep going, Gowri!
My last night's tale in 2 parts. Finally posted. Earlier i had a hitch. 😊
ReplyDeleteWent over to yesterday's blog and just finished reading it. Imagination running riot!
ReplyDeleteSo topical and to involve 2 great doctors was indeed great!
I note there is a clear indication of a sequel.
Spent over two hours attempting today's grid and could solve just seven of the clues. My answer to 10-A as WINCH left me stranded though I rightly guessed 3-D to be LATERAL THINKING.
ReplyDeleteAll said and done, hats off to both the doctors and Mme. Gowri too..
Gowri is turning into a great spinner. Great imagination and great tales!
ReplyDeleteOn the easier side today comparatively. My COD 3D.
ReplyDeleteThank u Doc. For making it easier & restoring my confidence. 😊
ReplyDeleteCOD - ofcourse LATERAL THINKING
Nice crossword
ReplyDelete