Independent 7526 by Hypnos
Posted by NealH on November 29th, 2010
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 7 | Catnap: CD. |
| 8 | Foreign: F(ine) o(ld) + reign. |
| 9 | Feistier: F(ellow) is around e(nergy) + tier. |
| 10 | Fabric: Fab (short for fabulous) + ric[h]. |
| 11 | Chest Notes: Chess around tote around N. |
| 13 | Seek: Hom of sikh. |
| 14 | Wattle and daub: Wa[ll] + (abutted land)*. |
| 17 | Lamp: Lap around m(ale). |
| 19 | Backstreet: Back + st around tree. |
| 20 | Menial: Meal around NI. |
| 22 | Verdelho: (Held over)*. |
| 24 | Pioneer: One in pier. |
| 25 | Imbues: IS around MBE around U. | Down |
| 1 | Game Show: (WAG’s home)*. |
| 2 | Onus: [B]onus. |
| 3 | Optional: Op + t + Iona + l. |
| 4 | Drifts: Rift between d(aughter) and s(on). |
| 5 | Limb: Limb[o]. |
| 6 | Unwise: W(arden) in uni + s[ever]e. |
| 8 | First Day Cover: (Verdict say for)*. |
| 12 | Sit up: (Puti[n]‘s)<. Putin is currently prime minister rather than president, although it appears he will get the job back soon. |
| 13 | Stair: Rats< around i. |
| 15 | Distrain: Disdain with tr replacing d. |
| 16 | Brezhnev: Verb< around zone with h replacing o. |
| 18 | Aleppo: (A pole)* around p. |
| 19 | Belief: Be + lie + f(ollowing). |
| 21 | Igor: Leading letters of “Russian orchestras getting inspiration”<. |
| 23 | Elbe: Hidden in yokel beside. |
November 29th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Thanks NealH for the blog, and Hypnos for an enjoyable crossword to start off the week.
For a change spotted the Nina round the perimeter (and a footballing one at that!). It’s also a coincidence, after last Saturday’s Tolstoyan theme, that there are 3 Russian references in today’s puzzle.
Favourite clues were 19A BACKSTREET, liked “elder”=TREE, 22A VERDELHO, easy after last Saturday’s SHIRAZ, and 15D DISTRAIN.
November 29th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
As a Leicester lad I was surprised by the Nina and it’s timing.
Fairly easy, Nina helped a bit but not much. Thanks Neal and Hypnos.
November 29th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Thanks, Neal.
I wouldn’t say it was that easy, although strangely I got the Nina early doors, which is very unusual for me. The FC bit was a help.
I liked it. There were some reasonably easy get-you-going clues on the first pass, and the rest came eventually. I too thought DISTRAIN was good, although I can’t say I knew the word, and CATNAP also hit the spot.
Hypnos is a Leicester City fan, then? Each to his own, but if he were to come to the Derby S&B event on January 29th, Raich and I could tell him what it’s like to support a proper football team (and of course enjoy his company …)
November 29th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Leicester City FC: by far the greatest team the world has ever seen. [Repeat.] Thanks Hypnos, and here’s hoping we stuff Forest tonight.
November 29th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Yes, careful, K’s D. Although I prefer the oval-ball game [where. it has to be admitted, my local team do rather better] if Hypnos, flashling and rightback were all to turn up with me on Derby Day, you might get a run for your money!
November 29th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
And we’ve felled the Trees! I believe Conrad Cork is from Leicester too.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
For goodness’ sake, you lot, concentrate on the crossword. You know off-topic stuff is not allowed. But seats still available for the 29th.
November 29th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
“You know off-topic stuff is not allowed.”
So what’s banned on 29th then – crosswords or football?
November 29th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Hmm, how can the nina be off topic!? Me to blog in the morning, St Andrew’s day and Tuesday seems to be theme day. Mind you, the Indy probably has a different trick up its sleeve.
November 30th, 2010 at 1:19 am
Bloody football!
There should be a separate series in the separate Sport sections for those setters who want to parade their obsession.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:55 am
I don’t think it detracted much from the crossword. It would be a fairer criticism if it was a grid full of the names of players and football terms.
November 30th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
I agree with Neal. I’m sure Mike’s comment was tongue-in-cheek, but it didn’t make the puzzle unsolveable, and what about setters who, for example, want to parade their obsession with Wagner? They’re both things of great beauty.