This puzzle by Sirius uses an eight dials torus grid with some adjustments and notes three anniversaries of 125, 60 and 24.5 years. Not 2 and 10, though they do represent a start for someone. Themed grid solutions do not always have a definition, nor in some cases, any clue at all. The third 'anniversary' is derivative of the second. Solvers must complete the eight dials torus grid and Day 36’s extension rods.
There are a few adjustments to the eight dials grid. It is fairly easy to see that the two rightmost cells on the fifth level have been divided into two. Much less obvious without using magnification is that the cell numbered 28 is combined with the cell to its left. The lack of a dividing line is somewhat obscured by the lightly-shaded central shaft. The clearest indication that this is all one cell is that the pale blue shading extends to the left of the central shaft. This adjustment explains why Day 26 is listed as 28di. The other easily-missed adjustment is that the central cell on the fifth level extends to the southwest to form a keyhole shape. This means that in the hyphenated answer to Day 29, the central cell is the third letter. This also means that the two halves of Day 29 end in the same letter.
Two different spellings of the same word appear to fit Day 43, but this ambiguity is immediately resolved by Day 44, which shares the first three letters.
The theme should become apparent once you have considered all the clues, and the unclued entry 2d (an abbreviated proper name) is the main theme. The first three of Day 36’s extension rods should prove straightforward (and probably fill some letters in unsolved entries). The fourth extension rod may cause you to doubt your sanity. This rod, which is spelt out letter by letter, starts as if it is going to be an expected long word, but it is correctly split into several words. This is because this answer is derivative of the long word you were expecting. In a witty change of direction Sirius has instead given a famous (in certain quarters) headline that is a play on the long word.
This is a real tour-de-force by Sirius. There is a job to be done, but there’s an element of fun. Pay close attention to the adjustments to the grid and every task you undertake will become a piece of cake. Spell out the fourth extension rod carefully and then you’ll find your task is not a grind. We trust that solvers will slide up the banisters to the solution.
Day 4
Wholesome top-class fruitcake that’s eaten cold not drunk? (5)
Think of a single letter for top (or upper) class and add a short word for a ‘fruitcake’. Then insert (eaten) an abbreviation for cold to leave you with a word that can mean whole as well as not drunk. [JP]
Day 8
Sirius shafted for unusually long spell? (8)
You need a short abbreviation for Sirius (the setter) placed in a shaft (for the escape of fumes). The whole is not a real word (unusually long spell maybe indicates that it is an extended version of a real word), but appears in a famous song sung by Day 36 (see his second extension rod). [NI]
Day 18
Celtic godmother is in Gloucestershire paramilitaries at end of the line in Mozambique (5)
Typically we expect the definition at one end of the clue and the wordplay at the other, but here Sirius has two different definitions with the wordplay in between. Look for a short dialect (Gloucestershire) or archaic form of 'is' followed by an abbreviation for a paramilitary group. The whole is either a Celtic goddess or a Mozambique port. [NI]
Day 20
Friend of 36 what’s spilt tea around home (5)
Not the actual name of a real friend found in the theme but a word for a friend used by someone of this social class. First a slang word for tea (also 3 letters) and then ‘at home’ inserted within. Think cockney slang for 'mate'. [GS]
Day 27
Nice old car perhaps cut in half by log of a lifetime (2)
Think place rather than pleasant for Nice. A well known car usually preceded by two, so take away one (cut in half) for a working history. [JP]
Day 29
Top tips about small insertion in top to toe arrangement. Come on now! (4-4)
Insert an abbreviation for small in top tips and then top to toe arrangement indicates we should reverse the whole thing. The answer won’t be found in any dictionary, but is a catchphrase of 2d when she wants something done at once. Note that the central cell extends to the Southwest forming a keyhole shape, so the two halves of this word share their final letter.
I had loads of trouble with Day 29, so I’ll also give a hint to the Frank Paul clue. Take an American word for a tap, remove an abbreviation for gallon and replace it with an abbreviation for teaspoon. [NI]
Day 32
Passage of play not very poetic ended (3)
Take a short passage of play in a summer game and remove an abbreviation for very. The answer, which includes an apostrophe, is a poetic word for ended. [NI]
Day 34
I wish you liked nicoise olives from Italy’s Inverso for entrees (2,4)
Firstly clue needs a neat solution with easy references = answer. Day 34 is a charming variation of this where the first letters are collected backwards. [GS]
Day 38
Epic editor needs to slim — regular chips out and perhaps refrain from MacDonalds (5)
Interesting surface suggesting dieting, but think again. Regular chips out tells you to take away the even letters of part of the clue to leave you something referring to a particular farm rather than a fast food outlet! [JP]
Day 53
Sex toy wrong way round as Ingrid put to Sam (4,2)
You must consider sex and toy as separate terms. A two letter euphemism for sex and a four letter verb for toy. Then reverse them giving (4,2). Easy peasy for fans of Casablanca (1942). [GS]
I am grateful to the other members of the Hints & Tips team: Garry Stripling (Gin) and Jim Pennington (Philostrate).
