It’s good to see Phi back in his normal slot.
We had to check a couple of entries here. We had never heard of 13ac although, once we had a few crossing letters, it was fairly straightforward to solve. 4d was a new one too. Again, with all the crossing letters in, we were able to hazard a guess. Regarding 8d – we haven’t seen a page 3 for years so cannot comment on whether they are still a regular feature in some tabloids.
We cannot see a theme today – have we missed something?
This will be our last blog before the festivities begin next week – we would like to wish Phi and everyone who is part of 225, a very Happy Christmas.
A reversal (‘turned’) of UP around or ‘carrying’ F (first letter or ‘bit’ of food) inside or ‘amid’ HELL (havoc)
ETC (other things) reversed or ‘brought back’ inside or ‘secured by’ LE (French for the) and RN (navy)
CAmPER (holidaymaker) without or ‘losing’ M (money)
An anagram (‘breaks’) of DECENT LEG
STARt (premiere) without or ‘ignoring’ last or ‘latest’ letter
FrACTIOUS (quarrelling) around IT and without or ‘dismissing’ R (rule)
EARL and OBE are both British honourees
A reversal or ‘going over’ of E (electronic) GRID (network)
HEAT (passion) around or ‘about’ R (right)
S (special) COURaGE (valour) without or ‘ousting’ A
ACHED (showed pain) after REPRO (modern version)
Hidden (‘some’) and reversed (‘around’) in sEEN Kerb
BAT (cricketer) R (runs) inside or ‘amidst’ A LOSS (defeat). In golf, an albatross is 3 strokes less than a par on a hole.
AG (solver) GROup (band) without UP (in prominent position)
ERR (mistake) and A (area) inside TIN (output of Cornish mining)
An anagram (‘arranged’) of PAIR + LAY (bet)
An anagram (‘works’) of HE and TRUCKS
A reversal or ‘overturn’ of PAL (mate)
FIR (tree) E (last letter or ‘end’ of lifE)
L (student) + N (name) inside or ‘included in’ an anagram (‘revival’) of MATINEE
pLIGHT (difficulty) without or ‘cutting’ P (power)
CHEST (trunk) + R (first letter of received or ‘initially’) in ETON (English School)
pEAT (fuel) without P (pressure)
A reversal or ‘elevation’ of I (one) D (day) inside SUN (tabloid) + M (male)
AI (excellent) RIP (tear) around or ‘keeping’ SH (quiet)
ON (broadcasting) around or ‘including’ VERy (extremely) missing last letter or ‘reduced’ RU (sport – Rugby Union)
An anagram (‘represented’) of CARTOONS around S (South) A (America)
D (first letter or ‘start’ to Develop) and an anagram (‘repairs’) of PIPES SAY
REM (rock group) in CE (church) ON (regarding) Y (unknown)
B (book) REST (support) around or ‘admitting’ A
CROW (sound triumphant over) N (new)
HARd (difficult) missing last letter or ‘mostly’ with I (one) inside or ‘entering’
Double definition
LEG (on) reversed or ‘rising’
Nice misdirection in CEREMONY which had me thinking regarding=RE and wondering about MON being a rock group I’d never heard of. I enjoyed this.
Thanks for 12a.
I wondered how to make STAR[mer] work
Had to look up 20a SCOURGE = “tyrant” – “It’s not in Chambers“(’93), but it is on oed.com) [5a Etc = “and other things”]
[Some GK: 6d CHESTERTON (born 1874, a sesquicentennial)]
I wasn’t happy with AIRSHIP. I’ve come to believe that every word counts in the Indie cryptic clues and there seemed to be too many As. Otherwise much enjoyed to thanks Phi and B&J.
Solid puzzle with same dnk’s as our bloggers. ALBATROSS my favourite clue.
Thanks Phi and B&J
https://chestertonacademystl.org/blog/christmas-carol
First couplet in each verse may show some familiar words.
Merry Christmas
Thanks Phi for dropping in and revealing what we had missed.
Merry Christmas to you too.