Solution to 30A 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
7 See 25
8 Lao museum built building in memory of departed person (9) MAUSOLEUM*
11 Hint: Medicinal alcoholic solution used by doctors long back (8) TINCTURE [DD]
12 Force mother to appear before English trade union before beginning of May (8) MOMENTUM {MOM}{EN}{TU}{May}
14/27 Aerial performers zip cruising wildly around top of church (6,6) FLYING CIRCUS {FLY} and {CRUISING}* over {Ch...h}
16 Cheat the French to let a little flow (7) TRICKLE {TRICK}{LE}
18 Arrange ten logs having maximum length (7) LONGEST*
25/7 Buoyant components of the skeleton? (8,4) FLOATING RIBS {FLOATING}{RIBS}
 |
| Floating ribs (in blue) |
29 Damaged top hat too may be something likely to be dropped (3,6) HOT POTATO*
30 Killed a large number (4) S?E? (Addendum - SLEW [DD] - See comments)
DOWN
1 Rob a creature (4,4) WILD BOAR {ROB+A}* [RA]
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4/23 Government servants following traditions looking forward to their bit of duty? (7,8) CUSTOMS OFFICERS {OFFICERS}<=>{CUSTOMS} Semi&lit
5 Fat donor dancing back and forth (2,3,3) TO AND FRO*
6 Latest model salamander (4) NEWT {NEW}{T}
13 Heard Bond’s boss goes ahead of the real chief of MI6 to become Master of Ceremonies (5) EMCEE (~ em{M} before cee{C})
15 At last, lady who sang Hindi lyric is referring to an Indian system for good health (5) YOGIC {ladY}{whO}{sanG}{h..dI}{l..iC} Tail Acrostic
17 See, pill is returned before operation to obtain sweet (8) LOLLIPOP {LO}{PILL<=}{OP}
19 Her odd US design’s hidden (8) SHROUDED*
20 Minimal activity when gal wore make-up (3,4) LOW GEAR*
22 Mix bleach without a burp (5) BELCH BLEaCH*
24 Agent to take into account (6) FACTOR [DD]
26 Does recast cast (4) ACTS*
28 Trustee conceals result of oxidation of metal (4) RUST [T]
Reference List
English = EN, Zip = FLY, The in French = LE, Left = L, Model = T, Bond's boss = M, Chef of MI6 = C
30A: SLEW (DD) past tense of slay (to kill) also large number of something.
ReplyDelete30 A SLEW
ReplyDeleteThank you Incognito for making my day
I would like to suggest to the daily scheduler of THC to randomly schedule incognito's puzzle once a week so that at least one day a week I can feel good abput nyself
What is the annotation?
DeleteTHE BROTHERS & THEIR SISTER
ReplyDeleteAs an Investment banker, working in the US, only ONCE IN A BLUE MOON, do I get a chance to take a holiday. Last year, my wife & I visited Europe for a month. In the 2nd week, as the CALORIMETER was pointing towards sunny times, we decided to drive along the foothills of the Alps, towards Verona in Italy
Enroute we were stopped by 2 boys, the HEROES of this story, selling strawberries. Not much older than my own sons back home, they appeared to be brothers in their early teens. Since the strawberries looked GENUINELY fresh & juicy, we bought a huge basket, without bargaining. The boys, though shabbily dressed, INTERESTED me with their well mannered countenance. When my wife wanted to taste the fruits, the younger one rushed to CLEANSE it with water from his can. Bidding them farewell we moved along.
Upon reaching Verona, a medieval town, famous for its setting of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, we checked into a hotel near the Town square. Late evening, after shaking off the RESIDUES of travel tiredness, my wife & I stepped out for an evening stroll. Imagine our surprise, when the same boys were shining shoes in a corner of the Town Square.
Engaging them in a conversation, I discovered they were Nicola (13) & Jacopo (12), who did a multitude of tasks from morning to night to earn & save money. They picked & sold fruits through the day, shined shoes late evening & managed a VENDING machine till midnight. Apart from this, they acted as Tourist guides over the weekend.
I was so taken in by their innocence, charm & disarming smiles that I ASSIGNED them to show me around the town, over the weekend. A UNESCO Heritage Centre, the city had many beautiful places to visit. The Aviary with NESTLINGS & birds of many diverse species, the ECOLOGICAL Herb gardens full of BORAGE & other herbs, the Piazza Erbe with Madonna Fountain, Lamberti Tower & the Juliet House surrounding it. The Piazza itself was excellently planned along AXIAL grids dotted with sculptures & fountains.
The brothers having grown up locally were excellent guides. The highlight of the city tour was the Verona Arena, a huge 1st century Open Amphitheater. Currently the QUADRENNIA festival of Music, Dance & Drama was being held there. On consecutive nights we attended an Opera with beautiful SONNETS & a dance show, illuminated with FLOOD LIGHTS.
Through the weekend, we became close to the brothers & my wife felt that Nicola seemed UPSET most of the time. We found out the brothers were orphans, having lost their father recently & had an elder sister & an AGNATE uncle, their guardian. When my wife bought them buns, fresh from the OVEN, Jacopo accepted them eagerly while Nicola seemed to show NEEDLESS reserve. He however insisted on Cash being the only MODE of payment acceptable to them.
My wife & I were really curious as to why the boys were working so tirelessly & saving so diligently. The mystery solved itself when we were ready to leave Verona on Wednesday afternoon. The boys helped us load our luggage & shined my shoes. As I was about to tip them for the last time, Nicola asked me, if I could offer them a lift. To Poleta, 30kms from Verona which fell along my exit route.
ReplyDeleteI readily agreed & they travelled with me. At Poleta, a small village, they directed me to a square red building. Getting out, they thanked me profusely & rushed towards the entrance gate. Just outside the gate, I saw Nicola, empty his pockets & count out all his cash. Then with a satisfied look, they marched inside.
Intrigued beyond control, I asked my wife to wait in the car, as I walked up & entered the building. To my surprise it was a convalescent Sanatorium. At the reception, all my questions were answered. The boys' elder sister Lucia was admitted there, suffering from tuberculosis, for the last 4 months. A private healthcare facility, they demanded weekly payments for her stay & treatment there. The young boys, with no one to turn to & no help had taken on the full responsibility of their sister & worked tirelessly to pay for her treatment.
I was so moved hearing this, I immediately offered to pay for her entire treatment & arranged for transfer of funds. By the time, I finished my transactions & was leaving the building, the boys also came out. They were surprised to see me still there.
I decided to HOLD ALL THE CARDS close to my chest thus ELIMINATING any embarrassment to the dignity & self respect of the boys. I told them I had lost my way & so came back for directions. I asked them, if they wanted to be dropped back.
Holding his head high, Nicola thanked me & said - That would be an inconvenience to you Sir. Travelling in a reverse direction. You carry on! We will make our way back.
That was the last time I saw the boys. The Sanatorium informed me that Lucia had been fully cured & released 10 months later. I am sure the trio is happy & content under the Verona skies.
Adapted from 'TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA' by A.J. Cronin.
A nice narrative told in a nicer way. What an enjoyable way to revisits classics. Keep up the good work. My list (to be read/re read) keeps growing. Thank you Gowri.
DeleteThe story is so engrossing that I lose count of the solution words and need to revisit the capitals.
DeleteA fitting tribute to AJ's CW and she must be feeling happy.
Thank you Gowri! What a touching story for my grid! I feel personally honoured.
DeleteI am fully assured now that you can build beautiful structure on any given base.
Thank you.
When I read Gowri's stories I forget that the theme of solut5ion words.
DeleteI am waiting for Gowri's publication of her short stories. Or maybe a full length novel too.
Same here, and I have been asking Gowri to go writing in a big way!
DeleteAJ - I hope u realised, the story was chosen becos of the author - who shares his initials with u. A.J.CRONIN.
DeleteSo it was fitting one AJ's words into another's theme.
😊
Thank u all for ur encouraging words. Should help me to be more regular in my writing. 😊
DeleteThank you Gowri for a wonderful story, must be true, very well told , poignant and touching.
ReplyDeletePotato was too hot!!
ReplyDeleteLoved 3 & 4D. Customs & Traditions! 3D was a compact clue,if I may say so.
Slew was clever and Col. again picked right. Last to fall for me.
Thank you Incognito. Had a great time solving.
30A: Killed = Large number = SLEW (DD)
ReplyDelete4d/23a - Didn't get the OFFICERS part of the answer
ReplyDeleteGovt.servants (officers) following customs (traditions)
DeleteEnjoyed Customs Officers(being one!). And the pun on duty!
ReplyDeleteIncognito is primarily a punster.
Delete+1
DeleteDon't think government servants equate to officers, though the duty pun is great!
ReplyDeleteExcellent solvable clues, that is the speciality of Incognito!
ReplyDeleteBravo, Gowri!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone. Bye till next...
Thank u Kishore for a lovely grid + confidence boost as pointed by others. Could not parse EMCEE (C).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gowri
DeleteHeard = homophone indicator
Bond’s boss = M
goes ahead of the = position indicator
real chief of MI6 = C (C is the real chief, of MI6, not M as mentioned in the Bond universe)
to become Master of Ceremonies (5) EMCEE (~ em{M} before cee{C})