A straightforward offering from Magwitch.
Only one slight niggle with AMBER, but other than that, this was generally tight in terms of wordplay and had some fine surfaces. I did this on the train and it took about ten minutes to complete, and I am about to go into a meeting, so my apologies if I’ve missed a NINA or a theme, although there wasn’t anything obvious.
| Across | ||
| 1 | DEPOSIT | Pledge to rest after overturning moped without a helmet (7) |
| <+(m)OPED + SIT | ||
| 5 | RIPPLES | Ice-creams produced by non-US suppliers (7) |
| *(ppliers) (SUPPLIERS – US)
As in Raspberry Ripple, probably my least favourite ice cream flavour! |
||
| 9 | PHOTO | Starts to paint oils to hide stolen picture (5) |
| HOT in P(aint) O(ils) | ||
| 10 | ABOMINATE | Intensely dislike a dessert pub reportedly had for dinner (9) |
| Homophone of A BOMBE INN + ATE | ||
| 11 | OVERCOMES | Arrives on the heels of past masters (9) |
| COMES on OVER | ||
| 12 | TONGA | Found in spot on Galapagos archipelago (5) |
| Hidden in “spoT ON GAlapagos” | ||
| 13 | EXACT | Precise piece of legislation now repealed? (5) |
| An EX ACT would be a “piece of legislation now repealed”. | ||
| 15 | THUNDERED | Violently denounced journalist following turn he’d messed up (9) |
| *(turn he’d) + ED (“journalist”) | ||
| 18 | IDENTICAL | The same model initially includes numbers trimmed in chrome (9) |
| N(umbers) T(rimmed) I(n) C(hrome) in IDEAL | ||
| 19 | YEARN | Long period at the centre of attention (5) |
| YEAR + (atte)N(tion) | ||
| 21 | FUDGE | Sweet compromise (5) |
| Double definition | ||
| 23 | BEMOANING | Complaining about Naomi returning after I left off being around (9) |
| <=NAOM(i) + BEING | ||
| 25 | STATEMENT | Government reportedly intended to make a declaration (9) |
| STATE + homophone of MEANT | ||
| 26 | BANAL | Top UN official has a student flat (5) |
| BAN (Ki-Moon) + A L | ||
| 27 | SLANDER | It smooths over Labour leader’s false report (7) |
| L(abour) in SANDER | ||
| 28 | DERIDES | Ridicules extremely disagreeable fairground attractions (7) |
| D(isagreeabl)E + RIDES | ||
| Down | ||
| 1 | DEPLORE | Deeply regret daughter learning about record (7) |
| D (EP) LORE | ||
| 2 | PROMENADE | In favour of people getting stated equipment to help walk (9) |
| PRO + MEN + homophone of AID | ||
| 3 | STOIC | Resigned to supporting son and niece regularly (5) |
| S + TO + (n)I(e)C(e) | ||
| 4 | TRAUMATIC | Shocking hoax almost secures gold rug (9) |
| AU + MAT in TRIC(k) | ||
| 5 | RIOTS | I sort out public disturbances (5) |
| *(I sort) | ||
| 6 | POINTEDLY | Practise without note I’d revised explicitly (9) |
| *(note I’d) in PLY | ||
| 7 | LEARN | With a fresh approach, desire to become skilful (5) |
| YEARN (“desire”) becomes LEARN if it has a “fresh approach” | ||
| 8 | STEWARD | Marshal turns up in part of a wetsuit with ripped edges (7) |
| <= A WETS(uit) + R(ippe)D
If my parsing is correct, I don’t like this clue as “part of” is not precise enough for my liking. |
||
| 14 | TITLE DEED | This document supports your claim for publication of French edition (5,4) |
| TITKE (“publication”) + DE (“of French”) +ED. | ||
| 16 | UNLIMITED | Endless messy mud I let in (9) |
| *(mud I let in) | ||
| 17 | REALIGNED | Changed sides for money to get shelter with soldier in return (9) |
| REAL (“money”) + <=DEN G.I. | ||
| 18 | INFESTS | Overruns popular party with socialists primarily (7) |
| IN + FEST + S(ocialists) | ||
| 20 | NIGGLES | Worries about German trap set by the French (7) |
| <=G GIN + LES | ||
| 22 | DRAMA | Acting doctor has a higher degree (5) |
| DR. + A M.A. | ||
| 23 | BLEAR | At first background laughter leads to hearing being indistinct (5) |
| B(ackground L(aughter) + EAR | ||
| 24 | AMBER | Get ready to go away from embargo muddle (5) |
| *(embar) (EMBARGO – GO)
Definition is too loose – “get ready to go” is a little better, but then “go” would be doing double duty. |
||
*anagram
Well done Magwitch. You have restored my faith in true crypticology. I was taught how to do cryptics 65 years ago – no dictionaries, atlases or electronics. Crosswords were done on the train (as per today’s helper) or bus or in the office.
Hear,hear Wagonman. It’s much more rewarding when you’ve finished. I thoroughly enjoyed today’s from Magwitch (although not very keen on 6dn POINTEDLY). Thanks, loonapick.
Nice solve. Not tricky but plenty to enjoy.
Re AMBER.
Having a broad definition which can then be “extended” by borrowing adjacent words already used for other purposes is usually referred to as an “extended definition” and considered by most to be kosher – in fact rather encouraged.
It’s not considered to be double duty provided the short definition is of itself valid as a definition – even if it is a very broad one.
Of course (contrary to the claims of the ximmies) there are lots different valid approaches – so some may disagree and quibble – but that seems to be the most generally accepted view these days.
Many thanks to setter and blogger.
I have to agree with #1 and #2 concerning traindoability – ie old-fashioned traindoability – before the possibility of googling etc on smartphones. It is most certainly a virtue.
Thanks Magwitch and loonapik
This reminded me of a path around the Botanical Gardens, not too taxing and able to be run around in 10 minutes or sauntered through at leisure and savour the journey. I would normally do the former, today it was the latter.
Today I enjoyed the sometimes wordy clues that for most part were not wasted, the subtle misdirection and the use of everyday words in the solutions.
The only minor, minor wince was at 7d with the use of YEARN (the answer of 19a) in it’s wordplay.
The rest was all thumbs up and a nice ease into a lazy Sunday morning !
Thanks loonapick and Magwitch.
I’m with the rest of you on this.
Not too taxing, and completed in a few leisurely visits without aids.
A proper old fashioned solve.