*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism
Across | ||
---|---|---|
1 | Coalesce: Ales in [s]occe[r]*. | |
5 | Elicit: E + licit. | |
9 | Reminder: Re Minder (eighties TV series with Dennis Waterman). | |
10 | Swivel: W in levis<. | |
12 | Venus De Milo: (Menus I loved)*. | |
15 | Gusto: Hidden in august office. | |
17 | Anecdotal: Deacon* + tal[k]. | |
18 | Inelegant: [F]ine leg (cricket fielding position) + ant. | |
19 | Rodin: Robin with b replaced by d. | |
20 | Sierra Leone: Err a Leo in sine. | |
24 | Mirage: Mi + rage. | |
25 | White Lie: Whit + eli[t]e. | |
26 | Take to: Hom of “take two”. | |
27 | Operates: [C]ope + rates. | |
Down | ||
1 | Caravaggio: (A vicar agog)*. | |
2 | Administer: Mini in ads + ter. | |
3 | Ennis: Sinne[r]. | |
4 | Creme Caramel: Creel around camera* + m[eringue]. | |
6 | Low Loader: (Road well)* around o. | |
7 | Cove: Odd letters of “cool view”. | |
8 | Toll: “Cost in damage ? It could be found in change”. Cost is probably the def, but not sure of the rest. | |
11 | Directorship: Di[g] + rectors + hip. | |
13 | Studio Flat: (Lads outfit)*. | |
14 | Blunderers: “Group containing number of French and Irish mostly, group involved in trip?”. I assume the number of French is un and Irish mostly is ers[e], but don’t see the group. | |
16 | Oversight: Sigh in overt. Def is supervision. | |
21 | Later: La[ugh]ter. | |
22 | Omit: Address to college = “O, MIT”. | |
23 | Trek: Hidden, rev in walker tirelessly. |
8 Bells toll and are rung in changes.
14 BLUR [a modern beat combo] around UN [Fr number] DE [Fr of] +ERS[e]
I thought about Blur, but I don’t see how it works. That would give you two Us and there is only one in blunderers.
I see it now – it’s just number (n), de (of French) in Blur ers[e].
I fancy BLUNDERERS to be BLUR around N (number) DE (of French)ERS (mostly ERSE). I have to say it’s not the most elegant clue I’ve ever solved. The rest was good: I liked SWIVEL and SIERRA LEONE in particular.
Beat me to it, Neal. Since I couldn’t see it, I’d put in PLUNDERERS, on the basis that they go off on a trip when they do that rape and pillage stuff. Thanks for the blog, btw.
8d. TOLL as in bell-ringing, where the term CHANGE appears…
Had this one for lunch, and came to 15 Squred with exactly the same query! Very nice puzzle, as usual in The Indy.
I parsed 14 like KD, which works fine, but I don’t like the definition ‘group involved in trip’: surely a group of blunderers (or even blunderers as a class/group) would be involved in trips, not trip; unless they all contrived to stumble or bang into a number of lampposts at the same time – but then they wouldn’t really be blunderers.
Thanks Neal.
I didn’t find this as easy as you but thought it was a pretty good puzzle.
I always enjoy a puzzle with a wide range of references which this one certainly had.Artists,sculptors,80’s T.V. programmes,British pop groups,cricket, – a fairly diverse list!
Favourite clues for me – 1 and 20 across and 14 down.
V enjoyable puzzle, agree with those who say it was quite tough with some intricate, but v precise wordplay.
Like yesterday did top half pretty quickly and struggled with bottom half.However did all but 14d which I understand how it was solved but would never have got it.Guessed at 20a with letters I had.Same with 25a.Enjoyable