Clues by Curmudgeon and Grid by Chalicea
Enter the prize draw by 31 October.
The background for this puzzle is a xiSerge photo of a swarm of honeybees hanging from a tree.
In which we are introduced to Curmudgeon and Chalicea and the crossword and the explanation begins.
Here is Curmudgeon, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of her head behind Chalicea. Curmudgeon has created a 3D crossword based on a conventional 7x5x7 grid provided by Chalicea. This puzzle celebrates the 100th anniversary of 4ac, 7d (3 words, hyphenated, unclued). All the characters (including one who appeared two years later than the others) feature in the grid (with wordplay only) and in 30ba, 29to, 26ac (7,4,4, also unclued).
In which we are given further explanation and another task.
Clues are numbered in alphabetical order of their solutions. The letters in the peach-shaded cells are an anagram of a name, and solvers should submit this name with their solutions.
In which we are subjected to the final remarks.
Curmudgeon has organdized a splendidly appropriate and charming puzzle from Chalicea’s grid. Perhaps like me you are a Solver of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother you. All you need is a little rissolution and you will find your way to an enchanted place.
In which Gin and Philostrate and etc give Hints.
Day 9
Lost opportunity of alumni intermittently entering churches (7)
“alumni intermittently”: There are two choices of three letters. Even letters or odd. Either side of your choice: abbreviation for church and initials of a religion making 7 letters. Solution: an uncertain opportunity. [GS]
Day 15
Mortgagee taking sides about test for students (5,2)
Not taking sides in a partisan sense, but removing the ‘sides’ of ‘Mortgagee’ to leave an anagram of obsolete student slang for final exams at Oxford or Cambridge. [JP]
Day 16
Animal apathy enables captures (5)
When the penny drops you want to scream! Why? The solution is written in front of you in the clue. Take the end of one word and the beginning of the next for the name of an animal (indicator: captures).[GS]
Day 20
Island cattle on Skye churned up earth (7)
Think of a Scots word for cattle (2 letters rather than the usual 3) and add an anagram (churned up) of earth to give the name of an island. [JP]
Day 22
Thug unveiled anger developing round tower (7)
“Thug unveiled” leaves you the letters hu + anger (7 letters) gives you an anagram for a word meaning round tower. [GS]
Day 26
One admitting sad experience after daughter’s absconded (5)
A sad experience (6 letters) removing “daughter” leaves 5 letters meaning one that acknowledges something. [GS]
Day 28
Suffer after torture’s brought back (6)
A short word for suffer (in the Biblical sense of permit) preceded by the reverse (brought back) of an unusual spelling of a short slang word for torture. This charmingly gruesome surface has no definition and leads to a playful thematic character. [NI]
Day 31
Temporary colour right in itself (5)
Take a letter for right followed by a Latin expression for in itself, leading to a word meaning a temporary colour (for example of hair). [NI]
Day 34
Trail run I’m sorry to go over (5)
Start at the back (go over) with an abbreviation for run and a word for “I’m sorry” to give you another word for trail. [JP]
In which Gin, Philostrate and etc come to a conclusion, and we leave them there.
I am grateful to the other members of the Hints & Tips team: Garry Stripling (Gin) and Jim Pennington (Philostrate).
Happy solving!
Nick Inglis (etc)
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