Same crossword, attributed to DA in the print version, and apparently wrongly to to LR it seems in the online version. I don’t know if either will mind, LR being a protege of DA, but with a lighter touch..
A typical DA today. I’d never heard of 29a; nor could I parse it. I got help after completing all intersecting clues. Never heard of 28a nor one meaning of 7d. 2d & 5d are good starters. I don’t like the double duty in 12a.
First time commenter, confused by 27a and 29a. I get the definition words for each, but don’t understand how the remainder of the clues work. Would appreciate any clarity.
I’m still confused by 27A. I have what must be the answer but can’t see any connection between the five letter word and ‘range’. Also why does ‘not a la mode’ mean removing the last two letters?
My best attempt to parse this one is: A synonym of ‘range’, which then loses a synonym of ‘a la mode’.
One of the definitions of chain in Chambers dictionary is a mountain range. “a la mode” means fashionable, or “in” which is then removed.
Thanks guys. I failed to make the connection with ‘mountains’ and had an entirely wrong idea about ‘a la mode’. Might have been confusing it with ‘a la carte’ !!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks DAJunkie. I get 27a now. Realised I meant 28a, not 29a- I did like that musical clue, thought it was very clever.
with 28a, I know the answer and can see a connection to 27a and ‘range’- I’m thinking mountains and a soundalike for the first three letters. But I don’t quite understand how to get there with the way the answer is spelled, and the rest of the clue.
Yes DAJ, when I read Mercurial that role was the first thing that came to mind but I couldn’t remember the name for a while until I had the crossers. I think I was at the same uni at the same time as one of ‘them’, which probably shows you how old I am.
Yes, it was BM and IC, but I think I got my dates wrong (at least for his Bachelor’s degree) which would make me a few years younger than you. He took longer over his postgrad degree (36 years) than I did. I had the same “A levels” as him.
Looked like a simpler than normal one this week, based on first round of 15, but getting the rest proved troublesome, particularly in lower half. FOI 6A, 9A, 11A; LOI 29A, 24D, 27A.
2D, 6D, 14D, 22D and18A most enjoyable to work out.
Thanks DAJ for explanation of 27A, had the answer but couldn’t get the wordplay.
Inspired me to look into the derivation of that saying – learn something every day! I should have paid more attention when studying Shakespeare 🙂
re 12A, I don’t quite get the word play please. I get letters 1, 2, 7; then how to get the other 4 letters? Perhaps another word with a similar meaning to the answer, but missing the last letter. If so, what says to drop that 5th letter?
Tim C suggested above to read the clue very carefully. The punctuation mark after the first word of the clue makes up the first 5 letters of the answer. From there, the solution is obvious.
That’s the one I said that you had to read the clue carefully in my first post. 1-5 comes from the mark after the first word in the clue. 6-10 is ending (finishing) with the top off.
DA Trippers 
Maybe I missed something? As much as I enjoy LR’s work on a Tuesday, I was wondering where DA (his cryptic at least) has gotten to this week?
It seems hard for an LR!?!
There’s DA in my paper. What are you guys talking about?
DA Quick but cryptic is LR online
Same crossword, attributed to DA in the print version, and apparently wrongly to to LR it seems in the online version. I don’t know if either will mind, LR being a protege of DA, but with a lighter touch..
DA (in the paper). First pass 1a,9a,19a,1d,2d,4d,5d,13d,16d,22d. Last 2 – 15a,12a. Make sure you read the clue very carefully for 18a! 🙂
DA OK everywhere online for me.
A typical DA today. I’d never heard of 29a; nor could I parse it. I got help after completing all intersecting clues. Never heard of 28a nor one meaning of 7d. 2d & 5d are good starters. I don’t like the double duty in 12a.
Graham, 12ac is meant to be &lit, so double-duty is unavoidable.
First time commenter, confused by 27a and 29a. I get the definition words for each, but don’t understand how the remainder of the clues work. Would appreciate any clarity.
B,b&b,
27A – “range” gives a 5 letter word. ”not a la mode” removers last 2 to leave the 3 letter answer.
29A – “hit” gives 1,2,3. ”one shock trailer” gives 4,9. ”sex” gives 5,6,7,8.
Hope helps.
I’m still confused by 27A. I have what must be the answer but can’t see any connection between the five letter word and ‘range’. Also why does ‘not a la mode’ mean removing the last two letters?
My best attempt to parse this one is:
A synonym of ‘range’, which then loses a synonym of ‘a la mode’.
One of the definitions of chain in Chambers dictionary is a mountain range. “a la mode” means fashionable, or “in” which is then removed.
Thanks guys. I failed to make the connection with ‘mountains’ and had an entirely wrong idea about ‘a la mode’. Might have been confusing it with ‘a la carte’ !!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks DAJunkie. I get 27a now. Realised I meant 28a, not 29a- I did like that musical clue, thought it was very clever.
with 28a, I know the answer and can see a connection to 27a and ‘range’- I’m thinking mountains and a soundalike for the first three letters. But I don’t quite understand how to get there with the way the answer is spelled, and the rest of the clue.
B,b&b,
28A – sorry, not as you describe – the answer is the last letters of words 2,3,4,5,6 in clue, reversed ie:
“rangE tO stocK thE shoP”.
(“bases to the west”).
Also a first time commenter! Got 29A with your help DAJunkie (and having 16D already), but why mercurial??
V_R – look up the roles he has played and I think you will see why.
Yes DAJ, when I read Mercurial that role was the first thing that came to mind but I couldn’t remember the name for a while until I had the crossers. I think I was at the same uni at the same time as one of ‘them’, which probably shows you how old I am.
Very interesting Tim C.
So you and I are of a similar vintage.
And if the one of “them” is BM, then he and I have been involved in similar studies – but mine not at IC London.
Yes, it was BM and IC, but I think I got my dates wrong (at least for his Bachelor’s degree) which would make me a few years younger than you. He took longer over his postgrad degree (36 years) than I did. I had the same “A levels” as him.
Looked like a simpler than normal one this week, based on first round of 15, but getting the rest proved troublesome, particularly in lower half. FOI 6A, 9A, 11A; LOI 29A, 24D, 27A.
2D, 6D, 14D, 22D and18A most enjoyable to work out.
Thanks DAJ for explanation of 27A, had the answer but couldn’t get the wordplay.
TimC and DAjunkie, how funny I was at IC then too! I’m sure I remember the band playing but I didn’t go.
Is it just me, or has anyone else found today’s DS to be challenging?
He seems to have gone “full DA” today!
Satisfying when you finally finish, but my head is still swirling.
Had to resort to dictionary search to get the last one (6A).
I found it more difficult than normal, but not in the same league as DA. We could have been hoisted by our own 6A.
Inspired me to look into the derivation of that saying – learn something every day! I should have paid more attention when studying Shakespeare 🙂
re 12A, I don’t quite get the word play please. I get letters 1, 2, 7; then how to get the other 4 letters? Perhaps another word with a similar meaning to the answer, but missing the last letter. If so, what says to drop that 5th letter?
You have it right, Phil. The last letter is ‘n’ and needs to be dropped
The word “quite” tells you to drop the last letter (n as Jack says). Quite has the meaning of ‘somewhat’.
Thank you both!
Can someone parse 18a for me plz.
Tim C suggested above to read the clue very carefully. The punctuation mark after the first word of the clue makes up the first 5 letters of the answer. From there, the solution is obvious.
That’s the one I said that you had to read the clue carefully in my first post. 1-5 comes from the mark after the first word in the clue. 6-10 is ending (finishing) with the top off.
Thnx, got it now, very clever 😀