Some computer problems today, which caused me to do the blog in the old way. Not the usual nice layout with bells and whistles, but you should be able to see what’s going on. I’ve had to type the clues in by hand, so hope they’re OK. A typically sound and enjoyable crossword today, as on all Fridays so far as I can see.
Definitions are underlined.
One of the advantages of the software that I generally use is that when you talk about the Nina you can hide what you write from passing observers, which I don’t seem to be able to do here, so I’ll say little. Not that I could say much anyway; all I can see is that the central column of unches is a bit unusual. Perhaps that’s all, and it’s all I want from a Nina, but my suspicion is that this is just the start of what Phi is doing.
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rhino runs into deep (5) — BRASS — b(r)ass |
| 4 | Is engaged in air support, backing identification (9) — DIAGNOSIS — (s(is)ong aid)rev. |
| 9 | Senior abuse all over the place in capital (6,5) — BUENOS AIRES — (senior abuse)* |
| 10 | Response to assault by left winger? (3) — OWL — ow! l |
| 11 | Some gambling facilities will accommodate motorcycle racing (5) — LOTTO — lo(TT)o |
| 12/13 | Acknowledge agreement on an intermittent basis? (4,2,3,6,4) — SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE — a sort of CD I think: the fact that the line is dotted makes it intermittent |
| 16 | Weather that’s damp, nothing less (4) — MIST — m(0)ist |
| 18 | Member of privileged classes is positive no longer (4) — WASP — was p [= positive] — White Anglo-Saxon Protestant |
| 19 | Series of clues provided about one in charge of laboratory work? (10) — SCIENTIFIC — (sc(1)ent if) i/c |
| 22 | Sobbing ahead of holiday for an opener (4,5) — TEAR STRIP — tears trip — I didn’t know this term, being more familiar with tear-off strip, but it does exist |
| 24 | Composer lecturer included in retro fashion (5) — ELGAR — (rag(l)e)rev. |
| 26 | A singular and special fool (3) — ASS — a s [= singular] s[= special] |
| 27 | Provoking memory regarding perfume sample? (11) — REMINISCENT — re mini-scent, a fanciful possibility |
| 28 | Solid Act 1, lively, affecting the heartbeat (9) — DIASTOLIC — (solid act i)* — evidently not affecting in the usual sense, but affecting = connected with |
| 29 | Be apprehensive about degree study (5) — DREAD — d read |
| Down | |
| 1 | Old money’s governed contribution to winter sports (7) — BOBSLED — bob’s [= old money’s] led — the bob was the old shilling |
| 2 | Warning: American service of poor quality after Republican’s put in (5) — ALERT — A le(R)t — let as in tennis |
| 3 | Spinner’s first and best set of deliveries? It’s not much of a break (8) — STOPOVER — S{pinner} top over [as in cricket] |
| 4 | Aspirations denied English lots of whisky (5) — DRAMS — dr{E}ams |
| 5 | Condescension seen in poor-quality organ care (9) — ARROGANCE — (organ care)* |
| 6 | Boy picked up methodology? That’s not what appears (2-4) — NO SHOW — (son)rev. how |
| 7 | Rebuilding of the pits? It’s an arresting call (4,5) — STOP THIEF — (of the pits)* |
| 8 | Very much left to express anger, having the wherewithal (7) — SOLVENT — so l vent |
| 14 | Cheers, securing a small religious building in Antipodean area (6,3) — TASMAN SEA — t(a s manse)a |
| 15 | Representation of Mary, all round church, displaying tears (9) — LACHRYMAL — (Mary all)* round ch. |
| 17 | Stone handled by mason not initially under pressure (8) — STRESSED — st. {d}ressed |
| 18 | Let loose, stick around the marshes (7) — WETLAND — w(etl)and, the etl being (let)* |
| 20 | Some editor acknowledged heading up major arterial route (7) — CAROTID — Reverse hidden in eDITOR ACknowledged |
| 21 | Minister French are pushing higher, showing wit in Paris (6) — ESPRIT — priest with the es [= the French for are as in tu es] moved to the front |
| 23 | Reduced choice in containing a Nationalist agitation (5) — PANIC — p(a N)ic{k} |
| 25 | Endless gluttony limiting black bird (5) — GREBE — gre(b)e{d} |
I did spot the central column, but only when i’d finished so no help in solving, as usual, and I can’t see any other theme, also as usual. Maybe Diastolic (a new word) at the bottom and Diagnostic at the top are involved?
Standard Phi difficulty, thanks to Phi and John (wot no bird link for Grebe…..?)
I can never see Ninas either and doubtless it’s under our nose. That central column could be a 13 or a 22, couldn’t it? But I also noticed an ominous number of suggestions of a visit to the cardiologist (4a, 28a, 22d) and a less than sanguine state of mind (23a, 29a, 15d, 17d), so I hope all is well with Phi.
A good steady solve with no real problems once we’d done ‘lift and separate’ on ‘air support’ and ‘left winger’. Actually, DIAGNOSIS was our LOI, spotted by the Apprentice.
All good stuff, so no real favourite.
Paul A @1: No bird link for Owl, either. Where’s Pierre when you need him – briefing his legal team?
Thanks, Phi and John.
I’m guessing that the central column is a representation of 12/13 (and perhaps 22). There’s probably more to it than that but if so I can’t see it.
Great stuff as ever from Phi.
The “I”s have it.Very nice.
Thanks, John. Technology is wonderful when it works …
Good puzzle as always to end the week in the Indy. No idea about the I’s; in fact I am that uninterested in playing Hunt the Nina that I didn’t even notice them.
OWL was very well clued and a good surface. Probably a reference to Laura Kuenssberg’s bodyguard at the Labour Party conference the other week. Pity about the lack of bird links, but I think’s it’s Pierre’s turn to blog on Monday, so if there’s not a golf theme then you might see one there.
A very good week in the Indy – well done to setters and the ed. Good weekend to all.
Ah the I’s – hadn’t even noticed, sadly. Though blatantly obvious now, and yes it looks like a perforation.
Enjoyed it very much anyway. I liked BUENOS AIRES, SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE, MIST, the cricket clue (unusual for me), DRAMS, and I thought LACHRYMAL was good.
Many thanks Phi for a great puzzle and many thanks, John , for persevering with IT challenges.i
10a defo my fave today. Thanks to Phi and to John for blogging in the face of techno-fail.
I was out this evening and didn’t get to finish this until just now. 24ac was nearly my LOI, which is embarrassing as you’ll never guess whose music I was listening to whilst solving (and indeed listening to a lot this week).
I never noticed the central column until it was pointed out here.