*=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. |
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.
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.
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 …)
Leicester City FC: by far the greatest team the world has ever seen. [Repeat.] Thanks Hypnos, and here’s hoping we stuff Forest tonight.
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! 😉
And we’ve felled the Trees! I believe Conrad Cork is from Leicester too.
For goodness’ sake, you lot, concentrate on the crossword. You know off-topic stuff is not allowed. But seats still available for the 29th.
“You know off-topic stuff is not allowed.”
So what’s banned on 29th then – crosswords or football?
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.
Bloody football!
There should be a separate series in the separate Sport sections for those setters who want to parade their obsession.
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.
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.