A relatively straightforward one this week. While I had a couple of disagreements here and there, this was for the most part excellent entertainment, peppered with well worked, witty clues and offering the kind of steady progression I like.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has not only failed to put away any of the felt-tipped pens it was using but left all the lids off too then you might find my Just For Fun page of benefit, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the buggers. Elsewhere there are the usual ancient book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of fellow solvers once their pens are stilled. If you’ve recently discovered my little corner of the interwebs then welcome aboard, the more the merrier! Till next time, stay safe out there, kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Unsuccessful with money? This’ll get you a raise! (9)

Answer: SOURDOUGH (i.e. “this’ll get you a raise”, as in how bread rises when being baked). Solution is SOUR (i.e. bad or “unsuccessful”) followed by DOUGH (i.e. slang for “money”).

6. One’s back with writer touring about in hired vehicle (7)

Answer: MINICAB (i.e. “hired vehicle”). Solution is I’M (i.e. “one is”, specifically a contraction of I AM) reversed (indicated by “back”) and followed by NIB (i.e. “writer”) once wrapped around or “touring” CA (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”), like so: M’I-NI(CA)B.

10. Start in college of western America where pupils are trained? (5)

Answer: FOCUS (i.e. “where pupils are trained”). Solution is C (i.e. “start in college”, i.e. the first letter of “college”) and OF all reversed (indicated by “western” – this being an across clue), then followed by US (i.e. “American”), like so: (FO-C)-US.

13. Possessing joint, tested nudge theory, perhaps (7)

Answer: ELBOWED. Solution satisfies “possessing joint” and, playfully, “tested nudge theory”.

14. Punishment not unknown in west country town (7)

Answer: PENANCE (i.e. “punishment”). Solution is PENZANCE (i.e. “west country town”) with the Z removed (indicated by “not unknown in…” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns).

15. Regarding who sits on the throne? (7)

Answer: LOOKING (i.e. “regarding”). When written as LOO KING the clue playfully satisfies “who sits on the throne” – throne can be a slang word for a toilet or LOO. Great clue! Still makes me laugh.

16. It’s made in lab, I tell agency cryptically (11,8)

Answer: GENETICALLY MODIFIED (i.e. “it’s made in lab”). The remainder of the clue plays on how the solution “cryptically” satisfies “I tell agency”, in that it is the word “GENETICALLY” MODIFIED or made into an anagram. Nicely played.

17. Island floors (3)

Answer: KOS (i.e. Greek “island”). Solution also satisfies “floors”, as in a recognised abbreviation of “knocks out”.

18. Refuse tablets to take orally (6)

Answer: ESCHEW (i.e. “refuse”). Solution is ES (i.e. “tablets” – a reference to ecstasy, its street name being E) followed by CHEW (i.e. “to take orally”).

20. Exhausted, due to change in unique selling point (4,2)

Answer: USED UP (i.e. “exhausted”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “to change”) of DUE placed “in” USP (a recognised abbreviation of “unique selling point”), like so: US(EDU)P.

21. Prisoner, not “caught” in a manner of speaking, in nick (9)

Answer: CONDITION (i.e. “nick”, as in being in good nick). Solution is CON (i.e. slang for a “prisoner”) followed by DICTION (i.e. “manner of speaking”) once the C has been removed (indicated by “not ‘caught’” – C being a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games), like so: CON-DITION.

23. Two US states beset by inconsistent man’s rule (10)

Answer: PATRIARCHY (i.e. “man’s rule”). Solution is RI and AR (i.e. “two US states” abbreviations, specifically Rhode Island and Arkansas respectively) both placed in or “beset by” PATCHY (i.e. “inconsistent”), like so: PAT(RI-AR)CHY.

25. Cough and rasp, as unwell? A case for mummy! (11)

Answer: SARCOPHAGUS (i.e. “a case for mummy”). “Unwell” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of COUGH and RASP AS.

29. Appeal of returning to low pub (5)

Answer: OOMPH (i.e. “appeal”). Solution is MOO (i.e. “low”, a variant meaning being the noise a cow makes) reversed (indicated by “returning”) and followed by PH (i.e. “pub”, specifically a Public House), like so: OOM-PH.

30. Objections got well covered up (8)

Answer: OBSCURED (i.e. “covered up”). Solution is OBS (i.e. “objections” – over to Chambers, an ob is: “an objection (in the phrase ob and sol objection and solution). [From the marginal note ob in old books of controversial divinity]”) followed by CURED (i.e. “got well”).

31. Strand marine creature, last but one straying westward (8)

Answer: SEASHORE (i.e. “strand”, a variant meaning of the word). Solution is SEAHORSE (i.e. “marine creature”) with the penultimate letter or “last but one” advancing a few notches or “straying westward” – this being an across clue), like so: SEAHOR(S)E => SEA(S)HORE.

34. What’ll make for tidy life? Not messing around! (8)

Answer: FIDELITY (i.e. “not messing around”). “What’ll make” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TIDY LIFE. Nicely done.

36. Implying only one gender counts, consciousness-wise? (8)

Answer: MENTALLY (i.e. “consciousness-wise”). When written as MEN TALLY the solution playfully satisfies “implying only one gender counts”.

37. A bit of work that’s key for raising capital? (5)

Answer: SHIFT. Solution satisfies “a bit of work” and “key for raising capital” on a keyboard. Another nicely worked clue.

39. Criminal I arrested on purpose (6,5)

Answer: RAISON D’ÊTRE (i.e. “purpose”). “Criminal” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of I ARRESTED ON.

41. Customer’s out of line, though outwardly so rational (10)

Answer: SCIENTIFIC (i.e. “rational”). Solution is CLIENT (i.e. “customer”) with the L removed (indicated by “out of line” – L being a recognised abbreviation of “line”) and the remainder placed with IF (i.e. “though” – can be interchangeable in a sentence starting “it’s not as if/though…”) in or having “outwardly” SIC (i.e. Latin for “so” or thus), like so: S(CIENT-IF)IC.

43. Pooh Bear in plastic, not right being on novelty watch? (9)

Answer: NEOPHOBIA (the fear of new things, which might playfully place one on “novelty watch”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “plastic”) of POOH BEAR IN once the R has been removed (indicated by “not right” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “right”).

45. Company’s importing sound equipment for stand-ups (6)

Answer: COMICS (i.e. “stand-ups”). Solution is CO’S (a recognised abbreviation of “company” with a contraction of is) wrapped around or “importing” MIC (i.e. “sound equipment”, short for a microphone), like so: CO(MIC)’S.

47. Show audience programme beforehand (6)

Answer: APPEAR (i.e. “show”). Solution is EAR (i.e. “audience”) placed after or having “beforehand” APP (i.e. short for application or computer “programme” – I disagree. When it comes to computing the American spelling, program, should be used), like so: APP-EAR.

49. Beverage to take in back to front (3)

Answer: TEA (i.e. “beverage”). Solution is EAT (i.e. “to take in”) with the last letter placed at the beginning (indicated by “back to front”), like so: EA(T) => (T)EA.

50. Under the circumstances, I’m open to offers! (3,6,10)

Answer: ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. Solution satisfies “under the circumstances” and, playfully, “I’m open to offers”. Cleverly done.

52. National symbol that can get you down (7)

Answer: THISTLE. Solution satisfies “national symbol” of Scotland and “that can get you down”, referring to the fluff you can get on thistle heads.

53. One to bat – watch stroke (7)

Answer: EYELASH (i.e. “one to bat” – another I’d disagree with. I thought one batted eyelids or eyes, not eyelashes). Solution is EYE (i.e. “watch”) followed by LASH (i.e. “stroke” of a whip).

54. During work duties, I carouse (7)

Answer: ROISTER (i.e. “carouse”). Solution is ROSTER (i.e. “work duties”) “during” which is placed I, like so: RO(I)STER.

55. Stopped working around mid-evening and had a meal (5)

Answer: DINED (i.e. “had a meal”). Solution is DIED (i.e. “stopped working”) wrapped “around” N (i.e. “mid-evening”, i.e. the middle letter of “evening”), like so: DI(N)ED.

56. Miss Haversham’s dresses tell all when discovered (7)

Answer: ESTELLA (i.e. “Miss Haversham’s” first name, from Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations). “Discovered” suggests the solution has been hidden in the clue, i.e. by uncovering DRESS(ES TELL A)LL.

57. Mark house and pass on (9)

Answer: SEMICOLON (i.e. punctuation “mark”). Solution is SEMI (i.e. “house”) followed by COL (a mountain “pass” often seen in cryptic crosswords) and ON.

Down clues

1. Band who had Christmas hit broadcast rode with Santa? (8)

Answer: SLEIGHED (i.e. “rode with Santa”). “Broadcast” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of SLADE (i.e. “band who had Christmas hit”).

2. Head covering, apparently worn on top in city (5)

Answer: URBAN (i.e. “city”). Solution is TURBAN (i.e. “head covering”) with the first letter removed or the “top” “worn” away.

3. Sensible, with gravity? (4-2-5)

Answer: DOWN-TO-EARTH. Solution satisfies “sensible” and is descriptive of “gravity”.

4. Jack abandoning boat and gathering up fish to leave port (6)

Answer: UNDOCK (i.e. “to leave port”). Solution is JUNK (i.e. “boat”) with the J removed (indicated by “jack abandoning…” – J is a recognised abbreviation of “jack” used on playing cards) and the remainder wrapped around or “gathering” COD (i.e. “fish”) once reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: UN(DOC)K.

5. Flailing about, loses speech – a non-starter (8,4)

Answer: HOPELESS CASE (i.e. “non-starter”). “Flailing about” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LOSES SPEECH A.

6. Sun follower looked rich (7)

Answer: MONEYED (i.e. “rich”). Solution is MON (i.e. “Sun follower”, taking Sun as a shortened form of “Sunday”) followed by EYED (i.e. “looked”).

7. Officer and soldiers confined to station – one’s gone upstairs (3,6,6)

Answer: NON COMPOS MENTIS (i.e. not being sound of mind or “gone upstairs”). Solution is NON-COM (i.e. “officer”, short for a non-commissioned officer) followed by MEN (i.e. “soldiers”) once placed in or “confined to” POST, then I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”), like so: NON-COM-POS(MEN)T-I’S.

8. Trust one in suit to have means of paying (6,4)

Answer: CREDIT CARD (i.e. “means of paying”). Solution is CREDIT (i.e. “trust”) followed by CARD (i.e. “one in suit” of playing cards).

9. Taurus and Leo displaying common character? Solid gold! (7)

Answer: BULLION (i.e. “solid gold”). Solution is BULL and LION (i.e. symbolising astrological signs “Taurus and Leo” respectively) joined together and sharing an L (indicated by “displaying common character”), like so: BUL[L]ION.

10. Banishes darkness from swamp lands (11)

Answer: FLOODLIGHTS (i.e. “banishes darkness”). Solution is FLOOD (i.e. to “swamp”) followed by LIGHTS (i.e. comes down from or “lands”).

11. Hang around sides of playing surface for curling (9)

Answer: CRINKLING (i.e. “curling”). Solution is CLING (i.e. “hang around”) wrapped around or forming the “sides of” RINK (i.e. “playing surface”), like so: C(RINK)LING.

12. Registers omen hanging over child (5,2)

Answer: SIGNS ON (i.e. “registers”). Solution is SIGN (i.e. “omen”) followed by SON (i.e. “child”).

19. Alleged medical blunders (7)

Answer: CLAIMED (i.e. “alleged”). “Blunders” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of MEDICAL.

22. Eddy, rejecting kiss in embrace of rascal, was frolicking (8)

Answer: CAVORTED (i.e. “was frolicking”). Solution is VORTEX (i.e. whirlpool or “eddy”) with the X removed (indicated by “rejecting kiss”) and the remainder placed “in embrace of” CAD (i.e. “rascal”), like so: CA(VORTE)D.

24. I’m not sure this is a secret (3,5,3,4)

Answer: YOU NEVER CAN TELL. Solution satisfies “I’m not sure” and “this is a secret”. Another nicely worked clue.

26. Unaccompanied royal’s autobiography? (3,2,3)

Answer: ONE BY ONE. Solution satisfies “unaccompanied” and, playfully, “royal’s autobiography”, riffing on how royals stereotypically refer to themselves as “one” and how autobiographies are written by the subject themselves. An excellent clue, and another that still makes me laugh now. Very well played.

27. Detective’s dodgy hustle (6)

Answer: SLEUTH (i.e. “detective”). “Dodgy” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of HUSTLE.

28. Chest – one troubled by it, audibly? (6)

Answer: COFFER (i.e. “chest”). “Audibly” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of COUGHER (i.e. “one troubled by [chest]”). Again, nicely done.

32. First of rods I dropped into frozen hole (7)

Answer: ORIFICE (i.e. “hole”). Solution is R (i.e. “first [letter] of rods”) and I both placed or “dropped into” OF ICE (descriptive of “frozen”), like so: O(R-I)F-ICE.

33. Without uniform level, ambassador’s surrounded by fools (12)

Answer: PLAINCLOTHES (i.e. “without uniform”). Solution is PLAIN (i.e. “level”) followed by HE (i.e. “ambassador”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of His Excellency) once placed in or “surrounded by” CLOTS (i.e. “fools”), like so: PLAIN-CLOT(HE)S.

35. Told tale about tipsy male, cunning and bold (11)

Answer: LIONHEARTED (i.e. “bold”). Solution is LIED (i.e. “told tale”) wrapped “about” ON (i.e. “tipsy”), HE (i.e. “male”) and ART (i.e. “cunning”), like so: LI(ON-HE-ART)ED.

[EDIT: clarifying “ON”, Chambers offers this definition: “on the way to being drunk (slang)“]

37. Puck’s back issue? (7,4)

Answer: SLIPPED DISC. Solution satisfies “back issue” and, playfully, a “puck” used in ice hockey, ice being slippery n’ all.

38. What may be achieved by nail file (10)

Answer: ATTACHMENT. Solution satisfies “what may be achieved by nail” and “file” – think email attachments.

40. Number one coming up with sequence of three notes penned in quarantine (9)

Answer: ISOLATION (i.e. “quarantine”). Solution is NO (a recognised abbreviation of “number”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) reversed (indicated by “coming up” – this being a down clue) and wrapped around or “penning” SO LA TI (i.e. “sequence of three notes” in the sol-fa notation), like so: I-(SO-LA-TI)-ON.

42. Framework for crossword – hard pitch in US (8)

Answer: GRIDIRON (i.e. “pitch in US”, specifically an American football field). Solution is GRID (i.e. “framework for crossword”) followed by IRON (i.e. “hard” – I guess suggestive of something stern or inflexible. A bit of a stretch for me, but my Bradford’s backs it up).

43. No fan of rock and roll, presumably, on paper? (7)

Answer: NOTATED (i.e. “on paper”). When written as NOT A TED the solution also satisfies “no fan of rock and roll, presumably” – a Ted being a shortened form of Teddy boy.

44. Busy person’s picked up mask inside to buy (7)

Answer: BELIEVE (i.e. “to buy” into something claimed). Solution is BEE (i.e. “busy person”) wrapped around or having “inside” VEIL (i.e. “mask”) once reversed (indicated by “picked up” – this being a down clue), like so: BE(LIEV)E.

46. Mother’s covered a mark with make-up (7)

Answer: MASCARA (i.e. “make-up”). Solution is MA (i.e. “mother”) wrapped around or “covering” A and SCAR (i.e. “mark”), like so: M(A-SCAR)A.

48. Retreat from remains of cigarette butt (6)

Answer: ASHRAM (i.e. a “retreat” for a religious community, often in India). Solution is ASH (i.e. “remains of cigarette”) followed by RAM (i.e. to “butt”).

51. Mammal after a time switching sides (5)

Answer: RATEL (i.e. “mammal”). Solution is LATER (i.e. “after a time”) with the first and last letters or “sides” “switched”, like so: (L)ATE(R) => (R)ATE(L).

For the most part this was a relatively straightforward puzzle spiced up with a few toughies and some good cluing to enjoy.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has playfully destroyed the entire downstairs of your house after huffing too much elephantnip then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the blighters. Elsewhere there are the usual ancient book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks again for the kind words and feedback. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once the dust settles. Till next time, stay safe out there, kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Jailer might carry this barrel around your home (3,4)

Answer: KEY RING (i.e. “jailer might carry this”). Solution is KEG (i.e. “barrel”) wrapped “around” YR (a recognised abbreviation of “your”) and IN (i.e. at “home”), like so: KE(YR-IN)G.

5. Obliged to live with mature fowl outside (8)

Answer: BEHOLDEN (i.e. “obliged to”). Solution is BE (i.e. “to live”) followed by OLD (i.e. “mature”) once having “outside” HEN (i.e. “fowl”), like so: BE-H(OLD)EN.

9. It’s used in school periods with ruler (6)

Answer: ERASER (i.e. “it’s used in school”). Solution is ERAS (i.e. “periods”) followed by ER (i.e. “ruler”, specifically Elizabeth Regina). Nicely worked.

13. Spirituality of poetry in different spheres? (16)

Answer: OTHERWORLDLINESS (i.e. “spirituality”). Solution is LINES (i.e. “poetry”) placed “in” OTHER (i.e. “different”) and WORLDS (i.e. “spheres”), like so: OTHER-WORLD(LINES)S.

14. Maureen struggles to make films (6)

Answer: MOVIES (i.e. “films”). Solution is MO (shortened form of “Maureen”) followed by VIES (i.e. “struggles”).

16. Bring round popular award for tearful woman (5)

Answer: NIOBE (i.e. “tearful woman” – in Greek mythology Niobe was a mother whose overbearing pride in her children saw them murdered. Then, in her grief, Niobe was turned to stone because Greek mythology). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) reversed (indicated by “bring round”) and followed by OBE (i.e. “award”, specifically an Order of the British Empire), like so: NI-OBE. One remembered from a bygone Jumbo.

17. Delay American writer in South Dakota (7)

Answer: SUSPEND (i.e. “delay”). Solution is US (i.e. “American”) and PEN (i.e. “writer”) both placed “in” SD (US state abbreviation of “South Dakota”), like so: S(US-PEN)D.

18. What peers undergo in French with no jewellery (9)

Answer: ENNOBLING (i.e. “what peers undergo”). Solution is EN (i.e. “in French”, i.e. the French for “in”) followed by NO and BLING (i.e. “jewellery”).

19. Stray Italian in politician’s domain (9)

Answer: TERRITORY (i.e. “domain”). Solution is ERR (i.e. to “stray”) and IT (a recognised abbreviation of “Italian”) both placed “in” TORY (i.e. “politician”), like so: T(ERR-IT)ORY.

21. Study 100 in Spain filling southern church (7)

Answer: SCIENCE (i.e. academic “study”). Solution is CIEN (i.e. “100 in Spain”, i.e. the Spanish for “hundred” – thank you, Google Translate) placed in or “filling” S (a recognised abbreviation of “southern”) and CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England), like so: S-(CIEN)-CE.

22. Young reporter probing South Africa’s submarine tanks (5)

Answer: SCUBA (i.e. “submarine [air] tanks” used by divers). Solution is CUB (i.e. “young reporter”) placed in or “probing” SA (a recognised abbreviation of “South Africa”), like so: S(CUB)A.

23. Suggest leader should leave basically (5)

Answer: IMPLY (i.e. “suggest”). Solution is SIMPLY (i.e. “basically”) with its initial letter removed (indicated by “leader should leave…”).

25. English Daisy, say, initially getting spring treat? (6,3)

Answer: EASTER EGG (i.e. “spring treat”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by ASTER (i.e. “daisy” – ignore the misleading capitalisation), then EG (i.e. “say”, or for example) and G (i.e. “initially getting”, i.e. the first letter of “getting”).

27. Liberal lots of foreign cash for rock attraction (7)

Answer: LORELEI (i.e. “rock attraction” – over to Chambers: “in German legend, a siren of the Rhine who lured sailors to their death”. She was perched on a rock, presumably after finding all the deckchairs had been reserved. [Joke © the 1980s]). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “Liberal”) followed by ORE and LEI (i.e. “lots of foreign cash” – the former of assorted Scandinavian countries, the latter of Romania and Moldova).

29. Short Swedish girl in 49 is making complaint (9)

Answer: GASTRITIS (i.e. medical “complaint”). Solution is ASTRID (i.e. “Swedish girl’s” name) with its last letter removed (indicated by “short”) and the remainder placed “in” GT (i.e. “49” – the solution to 49a is SPORTS CAR; GT is short for gran turismo, “a motor car designed for touring in luxury and at high speed” (Chambers) – also Gran Turismo, a once great video game series(*) on PlayStation that has been reduced to yet another microtransaction-focused grindathon. To illustrate, in the newly released Gran Turismo 7 the most expensive car in the game costs 12,000,000 in-game credits. Following a recent update most races only offer a much-reduced 10,000 to 50,000 credits per win. Given each race lasts 5-10 minutes, that’s a lot of racing to grind through just to earn one car, and there are plenty other expensive cars in the game to earn. Of course, you could just get your credit card out and buy those in-game credits. Who cares that you’ve already spent £70 buying the game itself? Welcome to modern gaming, folks…), and followed by IS, like so: G(ASTRI)T-IS.

(*) Well, the first three games were pretty good, anyway.

31. Tweedledee, say, twirling in twilit dance (9,4)

Answer: IDENTICAL TWIN (i.e. “Tweedledee, say” – other examples of identical twins are available). “Twirling” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IN TWILIT DANCE.

34. Melbourne barrister? (6,7)

Answer: QUEEN’S COUNSEL (i.e. “barrister”). I don’t get it.

[EDIT: Sue has added in the comments: “A barrister is a QC (Queen’s Counsel). Lord Melbourne was Prime Minister (and adviser – hence COUNSEL) to Queen Victoria.” Cheers, Sue! – LP]

35. Don’t use compass to find this loyal PM (4,5)

Answer: TRUE NORTH (“the direction of the north pole, opposite to magnetic north” (Chambers), i.e. “don’t use compass to find this”). Solution is TRUE (i.e. “loyal”) followed by Frederick NORTH (i.e. “PM” or Prime Minister between 1770 and 1782).

37. It cuts chips oddly in gold circles (7)

Answer: INCISOR (i.e. “it cuts”). Solution is CIS (i.e. “chips oddly”, i.e. every other letter of CHIPS) placed in or “circled” by IN and OR (i.e. “gold” in heraldry), like so: IN-(CIS)-OR.

39. Play down grand muffler? (4,5)

Answer: SOFT PEDAL. Solution satisfies to “play down” and “grand [piano] muffler”.

42. Declining job in printers, maybe, with no energy required (5)

Answer: DYING (i.e. “declining”). Solution is DYEING (i.e. “job in printers, maybe”) with the E removed (indicated by “no energy required” – E being a recognised abbreviation of “energy”).

43. Runs into small bucket in retreat (5)

Answer: MEETS (i.e. “runs into”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and TEEM (i.e. to “bucket” with rain) all reversed (indicated by “in retreat”), like so: MEET-S.

45. Exhaust patience at first, cutting scrub (7)

Answer: DEPLETE (i.e. “exhaust”). Solution is P (i.e. “patience at first”, i.e. the first letter of “patience”) placed in or “cutting” DELETE (i.e. to “scrub”), like so: DE(P)LETE.

47. Workers breach a keen contract (9)

Answer: AGREEMENT (i.e. “contract”). Solution is MEN (i.e. “workers” – I hope the weather’s nice for you all the way back there in the 19th century, setter) placed in or “breaching” A and GREET (i.e. “keen” – a variant Scottish meaning of the word is to weep or “keen”), like so: A-GREE(MEN)T.

49. Son left mark, driving this? (6,3)

Answer: SPORTS CAR (i.e. “driving this”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by PORT (i.e. “left” in sailor-speak) and SCAR (i.e. “mark”).

50. Repeated statement quietly, causing pitfall (7)

Answer: MANTRAP (i.e. “pitfall”). Solution is MANTRA (i.e. “repeated statement”) followed by P (i.e. “quietly”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “piano” in musical lingo).

52. Stop patient swallowing tablet (5)

Answer: CEASE (i.e. “stop”). Solution is CASE (i.e. “patient”) wrapped around or “swallowing” E (i.e. “tablet” – E taken to be the street name of the drug ecstasy), like so: C(E)ASE.

54. One leaving home before boxing fighter (6)

Answer: ÉMIGRÉ (i.e. “one leaving home”). Solution is ERE (poetic form of “before”) wrapped around or “boxing” MIG (i.e. “fighter” jet plane), like so: É(MIG)RÉ.

55. Having travelled so far, Susan grasps marsh plant (5-2-9)

Answer: GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS (i.e. “marsh plant”). “Having travelled” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SO FAR SUSAN GRASPS.

56. Former nurse welcomes a day in the country (6)

Answer: SWEDEN (i.e. “country”). Solution is SEN (i.e. “former nurse”, specifically the now defunct State Enrolled Nurse) wrapped around or “welcoming” WED (i.e. “day”, specifically a shortened form of “Wednesday”), like so: S(WED)EN.

57. His pony’s faltered under such treatment (8)

Answer: HYPNOSIS (i.e. “treatment” – “under” is also a nod to this). “Faltered” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of HIS PONY’S.

58. Rail worker and crew following cart about (7)

Answer: YARDMAN (i.e. “rail worker”). Solution is MAN (i.e. “crew” – can be used as a verb, taken to mean manning a ship) placed after or “following” DRAY (i.e. “cart”) once reversed (indicated by “about”), like so: YARD-MAN.

Down clues

1. Ignoramus working with nerd lifted object (4-7)

Answer: KNOW-NOTHING (i.e. “ignoramus”). Solution is ON (i.e. operational or “working”) and WONK (i.e. “nerd”) both reversed (indicated by “lifted” – this being a down clue) and followed by THING (i.e. “object”), like so: (KNOW-NO)-THING.

2. Swift creature loves fodder to be flipped (5)

Answer: YAHOO (i.e. Jonathan “Swift creature” in his novel, Gulliver’s Travels). Solution is O and O (i.e. “loves” – being zero scores in tennis) and HAY (i.e. “fodder”) all reversed (indicated by “to be flipped”), like so: YAH-O-O.

3. One crazy king’s over supporting current ME citizen (7)

Answer: ISRAELI (i.e. “ME citizen” – ME being Middle East). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by LEAR’S (i.e. “crazy king’s”, specifically from William Shakespeare’s King Lear) reversed (indicated by “over”), then I (a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current” used in physics), like so: I-S’RAEL-I.

4. Household effluent potentially a measure of economy? (5,8,7)

Answer: GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT. Solution playfully satisfies “household effluent potentially” and also “a measure of economy”. I’ll admit this raised a smile when I twigged it.

5. Good shots which are aimed at cow? (5-4)

Answer: BULLS-EYES (i.e. “good shots” in assorted sports). When written as BULL’S EYES the solution also playfully satisfies “which are aimed at cow”.

6. Very healthy hedges split down the middle (5)

Answer: HALVE (i.e. “split down the middle”). Solution is HALE (i.e. “healthy”) wrapped around or “hedging” V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”), like so: HAL(V)E.

7. Baseball shot bordered stream briefly (4,5)

Answer: LINE DRIVE (i.e. a powerful “baseball shot” driven low to the ground – not one Chambers supports, but my Oxford lists it). Solution is LINED (i.e. “bordered”) followed by RIVER (i.e. “stream”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: LINED-RIVE. New MLB season starts 7th April on BT Sport, baseball fans. (Or there’s Spring Training coverage from Monday, if you’re really keen.)

8. Oriental plant occupying narrow space (7)

Answer: EASTERN (i.e. “oriental”). Solution is ASTER (i.e. “plant”) placed in or “occupying” EN (i.e. “narrow space” – in printing, an en is a space the width of a lower case n), like so: E(ASTER)N. A significantly easier get considering the lion’s share of the solution is found in 25a.

10. Old doctor in mad rush to obtain lozenge (7)

Answer: RHOMBUS (i.e. a “lozenge” shape). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and MB (i.e. “doctor” of medicine or Medicinae Baccalaureus) both placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “mad”) of RUSH, like so: RH(O-MB)US. One I knew, weirdly.

11. Singular religious ceremony’s song? (9)

Answer: SPIRITUAL (i.e. “song”, specifically “a black American religious song” (Chambers)). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”) followed by PI (i.e. “religious”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “pious”) and RITUAL (i.e. “ceremony”).

12. Acceptance of the inevitable departure from office (11)

Answer: RESIGNATION. Solution satisfies “acceptance of the inevitable” and “departure from office”.

15. It may be patent where academic lives? (12,8)

Answer: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (i.e. “patent”). Clue plays on academics being INTELLECTUAL and people living in PROPERTIES. Another that made me smile.

20. Sally’s part of speech originally stopping ceremony (7)

Answer: RIPOSTE (i.e. “sally”). Solution is POS (i.e. “part of speech originally”, i.e. the first letters of “part”, “of” and “speech”) placed in or “stopping” RITE (i.e. “ceremony”), like so: RI(POS)TE.

21. Sort of agents casing city (7)

Answer: SPECIES (i.e. “sort”). Solution is SPIES (i.e. “agents”) wrapped around or “casing” EC (i.e. “city”, specifically the City of London’s postcode area. ‘s a London paper, innit, guvnor, so wot yer gonna do?), like so: SP(EC)IES.

24. After close of play, faces male supporter (1-6)

Answer: Y-FRONTS (i.e. “male supporter”). Solution is Y (i.e. “close of play”, i.e. the last letter of “play”) followed by FRONTS (i.e. “faces”).

26. Mean character invested in slick wheels (3,2)

Answer: GET AT (i.e. “mean”). Solution is ETA (i.e. “character”, specifically the seventh letter of the Greek alphabet) placed “in” GT (i.e. “slick wheels” – our gran turismo from 29a again. Which leads me back to the sad old world of Gran Turismo 7. Recall I mentioned how a recent update to the game changed the entire in-game economy mere weeks after its release. Creators Polyphony Digital made damn sure they secured decent review scores on Metacritic (average 8.7/10) before issuing that update. Because reviewers might not have looked so kindly upon the game had they known it was really going to be a grindathon. Comically, the excuse Polyphony Digital gave for changing the game’s economy was so players would feel a greater sense of achievement and value in the cars they unlock – which would be fine were it not for those ever-present microtransactions patiently awaiting your credit card. “Cynical” barely covers it, as the somewhat less favourable user reviews on Metacritic can testify (average 2.5/10). Modern gaming, folks… Honestly, you’re better off picking up a book), like so: G(ETA)T.

28. Checked about learner given new inside cover (7)

Answer: RELINED (i.e. “given new inside cover”). Solution is REINED (i.e. “checked” or brought into line) wrapped around L (a recognised abbreviation of “learner”), like so: RE(L)INED.

30. Society party’s completely rejected chip suppliers (5)

Answer: SPUDS (i.e. “chip suppliers”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “society”) and DUP’S (i.e. “party’s”, specifically the Democratic Unionist Party) all reversed (indicated by “rejected”), like so: S’PUD-S.

32. Obscure bits of film hidden in engine casing (7)

Answer: ECLIPSE (i.e. to “obscure”). Solution is CLIPS (i.e. “bits of film”) placed or “hidden in” EE (i.e. “engine casing”, i.e. the first and last letters of “engine”), like so: E(CLIPS)E.

33. Give out bitter sent over when conflict’s raging (7)

Answer: WARTIME (i.e. “when conflict’s raging”). Solution is EMIT (i.e. “give out”) and RAW (i.e. “bitter” or freezing) all reversed (indicated by “sent over”), like so: WAR-TIME.

34. Which French unknown beats posers? (11)

Answer: QUIZMASTERS (i.e. “posers”, i.e. those posing questions). Solution is QUI (i.e. “which French”, i.e. the French for “which”) followed by Z (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns) and MASTERS (i.e. “beats”).

36. Drug stolen from summit: motive for serious crime (4,7)

Answer: HIGH TREASON (i.e. “serious crime”). Solution is HEIGHT (i.e. “summit”) with the E removed (indicated by “drug stolen from…” – reference to ecstasy again) and the remainder followed by REASON (i.e. “motive”), like so: HIGHT-REASON.

38. Monk taking care of snack, holding one up (9)

Answer: COENOBITE (i.e. “monk”). Solution is C/O (short for “care of”) and BITE (i.e. “snack”) both wrapped around or “holding” ONE reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: C/O-(ENO)-BITE. A win for my Bradford’s. Me and religion: like oil and water.

40. Order member’s forenames to be broadcast (9)

Answer: FREEMASON (i.e. “order member”). “To be broadcast” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FORENAMES.

41. Paris had resolved to import first of German copiers (9)

Answer: DIAGRAPHS (i.e. “copiers”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “resolved”) of PARIS HAD wrapped around or “importing” G (i.e. “first of German”, i.e. the initial letter of “German”), like so: DIA(G)RAPHS.

44. Release TV for nothing (3,4)

Answer: SET FREE (i.e. “release”). Solution is SET (i.e. “TV”) followed by FREE (i.e. “for nothing”).

46. Paint wine with fish (7)

Answer: PORTRAY (i.e. to “paint”). Solution is PORT (i.e. fortified “wine”) followed by RAY (i.e. “fish”).

48. Decrypted name in patisserie (2,5)

Answer: EN CLAIR (i.e. “deciphered”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”) placed “in” ÉCLAIR (i.e. “patisserie” – can refer to the shop and also its wares), like so: E(N)CLAIR.

51. Poles surround old fine bays? (5)

Answer: NOOKS (i.e. “bays”). Solution is N and S (i.e. “poles”, recognised abbreviations of north and south respectively) wrapped around or “surrounding” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and OK (i.e. “fine”), like so: N(O-OK)S.

53. Tea service brought up after start of autumn (5)

Answer: ASSAM (i.e. “tea”). Solution is MASS (i.e. religious “service”) reversed (indicated by “brought up” – this being a down clue) and placed “after” A (i.e. “start of autumn”, i.e. the first letter of “autumn”), like so: A-SSAM.

A medium strength offering this week, and one where solvers had to take the rough with the smooth. There were plenty of well worked clues to enjoy, but the setter was at times too loose with their definitions.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them useful. If a recent Jumbo has rolled itself up in toilet tissue and ran throughout the house, then you might find my Just For Fun page of help, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things. Elsewhere there are the usual ancient book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve put down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there, kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Go to enlist jockeys surrounding horse race expert (11)

Answer: ETHNOLOGIST (i.e. “race expert”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “jockeys”) of GO TO ENLIST wrapped around or “surrounding” H (i.e. “horse”, both street names for heroin), like so: ET(H)NOLOGIST.

7. A benefit, with view to invest around development stage (11)

Answer: ADOLESCENCE (i.e. “development stage”). Solution is A followed by DOLE (i.e. “benefit”), then SCENE (i.e. “view”) once wrapped around or “investing” C (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”), like so: A-DOLE-SCEN(C)E.

13. Get lost in Amerindian territory’s westernmost part (3,2)

Answer: HOP IT (i.e. “get lost”). Solution is HOPI (i.e. “Amerindian” – over to Chambers: “a Pueblo people living chiefly in NE Arizona”) followed by T (i.e. “territory’s westernmost part”, i.e. the first letter of “territory” – this being an across clue).

14. Abnormal beginnings of delirium tremens, drinking water (7)

Answer: DEVIANT (i.e. “abnormal”). Solution is D and T (i.e. “beginnings of delirium tremens”, i.e. the first letters of “delirium” and “tremens”) wrapped around or “drinking” EVIAN (i.e. “water”), like so: D-(EVIAN)-T. Nicely worked.

15. Outrageous quality of criminal across the Channel, it’s suggested? (9)

Answer: FLAGRANCE (i.e. “outrageous quality”). Solution is LAG (i.e. “criminal”) placed in or “across” FRANCE (i.e. “across the Channel”), like so: F(LAG)RANCE.

16. Converted barn unfortunately bagging zero profit (4-5)

Answer: BORN-AGAIN (i.e. “converted”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unfortunately”) of BARN wrapped around or “bagging” O (i.e. “zero”) and followed by GAIN (i.e. “profit”), like so: B(O)RNA-GAIN.

17. One makes request flexibly, mostly? It’s beyond me (10)

Answer: SUPPLICANT (i.e. “one makes request”). Solution is SUPPLY (i.e. “flexibly”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder followed by I CAN’T (i.e. “it’s beyond me”), like so: SUPPL-I-CAN’T.

20. Rang about Republican getting provoked (7)

Answer: TROLLED (i.e. “provoked”, usually online). Solution is TOLLED (i.e. “rang”) wrapped “about” R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”), like so: T(R)OLLED.

22. Shady way of working from the east, I sense (7)

Answer: OMINOUS (i.e. sinister or “shady” – too loose for my liking). Solution is MO (i.e. “way of working” or Modus Operandi) reversed (indicated by “from the east” – this being an across clue), followed by I and NOUS (i.e. good “sense”).

24. Clean frames using computers to make image (7)

Answer: PICTURE (i.e. “image”). Solution is PURE (i.e. “clean”) wrapped around or “framing” ICT (i.e. “computers”, a recognised abbreviation of Information and Communication Technology), like so: P(ICT)URE.

25. In power lighting once again, it’s lacking (8)

Answer: REIGNING (i.e. “in power”). Solution is REIGNITING (i.e. “lighting once again”) with the IT removed (indicated by “it’s lacking”).

26. No cooler aboard vessel, touring delta in uncertain venture (1,4,2,3,4)

Answer: A SHOT IN THE DARK (i.e. “uncertain venture”). Solution is AS HOT IN THE ARK (i.e. “no cooler aboard vessel”) wrapped around or “touring” D (“delta” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: AS-HOT-IN-THE-(D)-ARK.

28. Crooks in a car dropping back on motorway (5)

Answer: MAFIA (i.e. “crooks”). Solution is A followed by FIAT (i.e. “car” make) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “dropping back”). These are then placed “on” or after M (a recognised abbreviation of “motorway”), like so: M-(A-FIA).

29. Taps in bathrooms turned for group under water (6)

Answer: SCHOOL (i.e. “group under water”). Solution is C and H (i.e. “taps”, specifically recognised abbreviations of “Cold” and “Hot”) placed “in” LOOS (i.e. “bathrooms”) once reversed (indicated by “turned”), like so: S(CH)OOL.

30. Brought down personnel blocking public grant (10)

Answer: OVERTHROWN (i.e. “brought down”). Solution is HR (i.e. “personnel”, or Human Resources) placed in or “blocking” OVERT (i.e. “public”) and OWN (i.e. “grant”, both taken to mean an admission of something), like so: OVERT-(HR)-OWN. A bit of a swine, this one.

33. Foolishly ennoble any wife at court (4,6)

Answer: ANNE BOLEYN (i.e. “wife at court” of Henry VIII. Not sure “wife at court” is a strong enough nod to Henry VIII. That said, given my relative lack of interest in history, I’m hardly the best judge). “Foolishly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ENNOBLE ANY.

35. Jack getting together with Elizabeth’s sister (6)

Answer: ABBESS (i.e. “sister”). Solution is AB (i.e. “Jack” – both terms for a sailor) followed by BESS (i.e. shortened form of “Elizabeth”). Made significantly easier after BESS appeared in a Jumbo a few weeks ago.

37. Publication with The Times is for enchanting fellow (5)

Answer: MAGUS (i.e. “enchanting fellow”). Solution is MAG (i.e. “publication”, short for magazine) followed by US (i.e. “The Times”, being the paper hosting the crossword).

39. Likely to drop billions, say, implicated in crime (14)

Answer: BUTTERFINGERED (i.e. “likely to drop”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “billions”) followed by UTTER (i.e. “say”) and FINGERED (i.e. “implicated in crime”).

41. We’re told superior room is suitable for priests (8)

Answer: HIERATIC (i.e. “suitable for priests”). Solution comprises homophones (indicated by “we’re told”) of HIGHER (i.e. “superior”) and ATTIC (i.e. “room”). One nailed through the wordplay.

44. Not as engaging setter working for one with pride (7)

Answer: LIONESS (i.e. “one with pride” – pride being a collective noun for a group of lions). Solution is LESS (i.e. “not as” much) wrapped around or “engaging” I (i.e. “setter”, from the point of view of the setter) and ON (i.e. “working” or operational), like so: L(I-ON)ESS.

45. One who throws out European champion (7)

Answer: EVICTOR (i.e. “one who throws out”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) followed by VICTOR (i.e. “champion”).

46. Winger to tip over, getting hold of small right back (7)

Answer: KESTREL (i.e. “winger” or bird). Solution is KEEL (i.e. “tip over”) wrapped around or “getting hold of” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and RT (ditto “right”) once the latter as been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: KE(S-TR)EL.

47. Appoint entertaining quartet, as the case may be (10)

Answer: NOMINATIVE (i.e. “as the case may be” – a reference to nominative case, one of many cases found in the dry and joyless world of grammar). Solution is NOMINATE (i.e. “appoint”) wrapped around or “entertaining” IV (i.e. “quartet”, specifically 4 expressed in Roman numerals), like so: NOMINAT(IV)E.

49. An evil is ultimately forgiven – it could be this one? (6,3)

Answer: VENIAL SIN (i.e. within the context of the clue: “it could be this one”, in this case a sin that’ll be forgiven by Him Upstairs when you snuff it). “It could be” also acts as an anagram indicator. Solution is an anagram of AN EVIL IS and N (i.e. “ultimately forgiven”, i.e. the last letter of “forgiven”). Nicely worked, but another clue made somewhat easier by the solution’s relatively recent appearance in another Jumbo.

53. Supply fashionable and French fabric (9)

Answer: STOCKINET (i.e. “fabric”). Solution is STOCK (i.e. “supply”) followed by IN (i.e. “fashionable”) and ET (i.e. “and French”, i.e. the French for “and”).

54. Clear a bishop found with crack (7)

Answer: ABSOLVE (i.e. “clear”). Solution is A followed by B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess) and SOLVE (i.e. “crack”).

55. Rubbish military decoration initially five times greater (5)

Answer: DROSS (i.e. “rubbish”). Solution is CROSS (i.e. “military decoration”) with the “initial” letter made “five times greater”, i.e. going from C, the Roman numeral for 100, to D (500), like so: (C)ROSS => (D)ROSS.

56. Bachelor’s serious kind of crime in Washington? (5-6)

Answer: FIRST-DEGREE (i.e. “serious kind of crime in Washington” – the US recognises various degrees of murder within its legal system). When written without the hyphen the solution also satisfies “bachelor”, being the first university degree one attains.

57. Man picked up drink for hotel employee (5,6)

Answer: NIGHT PORTER (i.e. “hotel employee”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “picked up”) of KNIGHT (a chess piece; chess pieces are sometimes referred to as “men”) followed by PORTER (i.e. “drink”).

Down clues

1. Boxer hit out, punched by one in shower (9)

Answer: EXHIBITOR (i.e. “shower” or one who shows). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of BOXER HIT wrapped around or “punched by” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: EXH(I)BITOR.

2. Cosh, say, with excessive force and fake fervour (10,8)

Answer: HYPERBOLIC FUNCTION (i.e. “cosh”, a mathematical abbreviation of a hyperbolic cosine, a trigonometric function). Solution is HYPERBOLIC (i.e. “excessive”) followed by F (a recognised abbreviation of “force”) and UNCTION (i.e. “fake fervour”). Nicely worked.

3. East German capital erected in ancient Roman port (5)

Answer: OSTIA (i.e. “ancient Roman port”). Solution is OST (i.e. “east German”, i.e. the German for “east”) followed by AI (i.e. “capital” – A1 can refer to something that is excellent) once reversed (indicated by “erected” – this being a down clue), like so: OST-IA. Straight to Bradford’s the moment I saw “port”. Life’s too short to waste on made-to-fit rubbish.

4. Diverse articles coming from curious object in beach (4,3,4)

Answer: ODDS AND ENDS (i.e. “diverse articles”). Solution is ODD (i.e. “curious”) followed by END (i.e. aim or “object”) once placed “in” SANDS (i.e. “beach”), like so: ODD-SAND(END)S.

5. Bell, perhaps gold, under cool air (8)

Answer: INVENTOR (i.e. Alexander Graham “Bell, perhaps” – other inventors are available). Solution is OR (i.e. “gold” in heraldry) placed after or “under” – this being a down clue – IN (i.e. “cool” or fashionable) and VENT (i.e. to “air”), like so: (IN-VENT)-OR.

6. Tutors lacking current goal in broadcast (12)

Answer: TRANSMISSION (i.e. “broadcast”). Solution is TRAINS (i.e. “tutors”) with the I removed (indicated by “lacking current” – I is a recognised abbreviation of an electrical current used in physics) and the remainder followed by MISSION (i.e. “goal”), like so: TRANS-MISSION.

7. Particle, not ion, with part spinning round (10)

Answer: ANTIPROTON (i.e. “particle”). “Spinning round” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of NOT ION and PART.

8. Tripe found by ancient king on line (5)

Answer: OFFAL (i.e. “tripe”). Solution is OFFA (i.e. an “ancient king”) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”).

9. A romance to spread around, one ruling out bondage? (11)

Answer: EMANCIPATOR (i.e. “one ruling out bondage”, inferring one freeing from slavery). “Spread around” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A ROMANCE TO.

10. Record lasting lifetime, but only the covers (9)

Answer: CHRONICLE (i.e. “record”). Solution is CHRONIC (i.e. “lasting”) followed by LE (i.e. “lifetime, but only the covers”, i.e. the first and last letters of “lifetime”).

11. Lacking class, like New Yorker’s behaviour? (3-1)

Answer: NON-U (i.e. “lacking class” – U denotes the upper class, should you choose to observe such constructs). The remainder of the clue plays on how Americans (indicated by “New Yorker”) drop Us from their words, reducing “behaviour” to “behavior”. Good grief, this took a while to twig! Well played.

12. Something that happens briefly in flat (4)

Answer: EVEN (i.e. “flat”). Solution is EVENT (i.e. “something that happens”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”).

18. Get to the point that may make saga sag? (3,1,4,5,5)

Answer: CUT A LONG STORY SHORT (i.e. “get to the point”). The solution cryptically fulfils “that may make saga sag”, i.e. how “saga” (i.e. “A LONG STORY”) is CUT SHORT to get “sag”. Nicely done.

19. What gardener does without knowledge in time off (8)

Answer: WEEKENDS (i.e. “time off”). Solution is WEEDS (i.e. “what gardener does”) wrapped around or placed “without” KEN (i.e. “knowledge”), like so: WEE(KEN)DS.

21. Old fashioned script politician keeps close (6,1)

Answer: LINEAR B (i.e. “old fashioned script” – over to Chambers: “an ancient script (c. 1400BC) found in Crete, deciphered as a form of Greek seven centuries earlier than any previously known”). Solution is LIB (i.e. “politician”, short for a Liberal) wrapped around or “keeping” NEAR (i.e. “close”), like so: LI(NEAR)B. One I remembered from a previous Jumbo, if I’m honest.

23. More than one domestic goes AWOL around six (8)

Answer: SKIVVIES (i.e. “more than one domestic” – a skivvy is “a disrespectful name for a (especially female) domestic servant” (Chambers)). Solution is SKIVES (i.e. “goes AWOL”) wrapped “around” VI (i.e. “six” in Roman numerals), like so: SKIV(VI)ES.

27. Asian bread eaten by socialist born in US capital (8)

Answer: CHEYENNE (i.e. “US capital”, specifically the state capital of Wyoming). Solution is YEN (i.e. “Asian bread” or money) placed in or “eaten by” CHE Guevara (i.e. “socialist”) and NÉ (i.e. “born” – over to Chambers again! “(of a man) born, used in giving the original name of a titled man”, from the French), like so: CHE-(YEN)-NÉ.

28. Tiring complaint where one sees dancers mince (8)

Answer: MEATBALL (i.e. “mince” – I mean, one begets the other but I’d struggle to argue they’re the same). Solution is ME (i.e. “tiring complaint”, short for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) followed by AT BALL (i.e. “where one sees dancers”).

31. Contact sport breaking philosopher’s bone (7)

Answer: HUMERUS (i.e. “bone”). Solution is RU (i.e. “contact sport”, short for Rugby Union) placed in or “breaking” David HUME’S (i.e. “philosopher’s”), like so: HUME(RU)’S.

32. Don’t protect so much about perfect example (6,6)

Answer: OBJECT LESSON (i.e. “perfect example”). Solution is OBJECT LESS (i.e. “don’t protest so much”) followed by ON (i.e. regarding or “about”).

34. After sentence, con abandons morality for zoology? (4,7)

Answer: LIFE SCIENCE (i.e. “zoology”). Solution is LIFE (i.e. prison “sentence”) followed by CONSCIENCE (i.e. “morality”) once the CON has been removed (indicated by “con abandons”).

36. Possible pet to shove among group of extremists (5,6)

Answer: STICK INSECT (i.e. “possible pet”). Solution is STICK (i.e. “to shove” – again, too loose for me. The closest I can get is “to thrust”) followed by IN (i.e. “among”) and SECT (i.e. “group of extremists”).

38. Run over India and China is sensible (10)

Answer: LEGITIMATE (i.e. “sensible” – and, again, much too loose and an absolute horror show of a clue when you only have vowels to work with. Poor grid awareness, or a setter playing nasty? You decide). Solution is LEG IT (i.e. “run”) followed by I (“India” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by MATE (i.e. “China”, after the cockney rhyming slang “china plate”).

40. I heard hit film is one that grips the viewer (3,6)

Answer: EYE SOCKET (i.e. “that grips the viewer”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of “I”, followed by SOCK (i.e. to “hit”) and ET (i.e. “film”, specifically ET: The Extra-Terrestrial). Nicely done.

42. Criminal in cooler’s one appropriating territory (9)

Answer: COLONISER (i.e. “one appropriating territory”). “Criminal” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IN COOLER’S.

43. Composer’s brought in to good account of American abroad? (8)

Answer: TRAVELOG (i.e. “account of American abroad” – we would spell the word with a UE on the end – not a Jumbo for those annoyed by Americanisms!) Solution is Maurice RAVEL (i.e. “composer”) “brought in” between TO and G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”), like so: T(RAVEL)O-G.

48. Tail of sea bird moving around (5)

Answer: ASTIR (i.e. “moving around”). Solution is A (i.e. “tail of sea”, i.e. the last letter of “sea”) followed by STIR (i.e. “bird”, both taken to mean stretches in prison). That said, it seems Chambers disagrees on this one, suggesting that STIR is merely slang for a prison, not a stretch inside of one.

50. Car wheel is sound (5)

Answer: AUDIO (i.e. “sound”). Solution is AUDI (i.e. “car” make) followed by O (i.e. “wheel”). Simple, but nicely done.

51. A hand almost raised? Pull the other one (2,2)

Answer: AS IF (i.e. “pull the other one”). Solution is A followed by FIST (i.e. “hand”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “almost”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “raised” – this being a down clue), like so: A-SIF.

52. Show derision before king, one wanting culture (4)

Answer: BOOR (i.e. a coarse, ill-mannered person or “one wanting culture”). Solution is BOO (i.e. “show derision”) followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “king”, specifically the Latin Rex).

A relatively straightforward Jumbo this week with some nicely worked clues and the kind of steady progression I like.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them useful. If a recent Jumbo invited all his Jumbo pals over to watch the elephant polo game last night and left peanut shells absolutely everywhere then you might find my Just For Fun page of help, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the blighters. Elsewhere there are the usual ancient book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks again for the comments and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve put down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there, folks.

LP

Across clues

1. Woman wrapping a sort of porcelain bird (8)

Answer: FLAMINGO (i.e. “bird”). Solution is FLO (i.e. “woman’s” name, short for Florence) “wrapped” around A and MING (i.e. “sort of porcelain”), like so: FL(A-MING)O.

5. Generous offering to retired judge securing whiskey (6)

Answer: TWOFER (i.e. “generous offer”, informal shortening of “two-for-one” – my Chambers doesn’t want to know, but my Oxford backs it up). Solution is TO and REF (i.e. “judge”, short for referee), the latter reversed (indicated by “retired”) and all wrapped around or “securing” W (“whiskey” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: T(W)O-FER.

9. Medication supplied by a police department worker perhaps first (7)

Answer: ANTACID (i.e. “medication”). Solution is A and CID (i.e. “police department”, specifically the Criminal Investigation Department) both placed after or having “first” ANT (i.e. “worker perhaps” – other flavours of ant are available), like so: ANT-(A-CID).

14. Sport Alicia developed, devoted to fishing (11)

Answer: PISCATORIAL (i.e. “devoted to fishing”). “Developed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SPORT ALICIA.

15. Regret accepting delicate material primarily meant for substitution (11)

Answer: REPLACEMENT (i.e. “substitution”). Solution is REPENT (i.e. “regret”) wrapped around or “accepting” LACE (i.e. “delicate material”) and M (i.e. “primarily meant”, i.e. the first letter of “meant”), like so: REP(LACE-M)ENT.

16. Is it not commonly a lodging place with appeal? (5)

Answer: INNIT (i.e. “is it not commonly”). Solution is INN (i.e. “lodging place”) followed by IT (i.e. “appeal”, as in having it about oneself).

17. Baroque composer my girl briefly identifies (7)

Answer: Arcangelo CORELLI (i.e. “baroque composer”). Solution is COR (i.e. “my”, both exclamations) followed by ELLIE (i.e. “girl’s” name) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: COR-ELLI.

18. One speculates over blocking particular part of stair (9)

Answer: THEORISER (i.e. “one speculates”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “over” used in cricket) placed in or “blocking” THE RISER (i.e. “particular part of stair”), like so: THE-(O)-RISER.

19. Report of fellow not so lacking in colourfulness (7)

Answer: HUELESS (i.e. “lacking in colourfulness”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “report of”) of HUGH (i.e. “fellow’s” name) followed by LESS (i.e. “not so”), like so: HUE-LESS.

20. It identifies something specific? Sure thing (8,7)

Answer: DEFINITE ARTICLE (i.e. “it defines something specific”). Solution is DEFINITE (i.e. “sure”) followed by THING (i.e. “article”).

22. Principal items of bedding sometimes used on sailing vessels (10)

Answer: MAINSHEETS (i.e. “used on sailing vessels”). Solution is MAIN (i.e. “principal”) followed by SHEETS (i.e. “items of bedding”).

23. Join with enthusiastic females at first, and gush (6)

Answer: EFFUSE (i.e. “gush”). Solution is FUSE (i.e. “join”) placed after or “with” E and F (i.e. “enthusiastic females at first”, i.e. the first letters of “enthusiastic” and “females”), like so: (E-F)-FUSE.

25. Time not a single person gives up MDMA (4)

Answer: NOON (i.e. a “time” of day). Solution is NO-ONE (i.e. “not a single person”) with the E removed (indicated by “gives up MDMA”, commonly known as ecstasy or E).

28. Funny about men with sons oddly showing practical wisdom (14)

Answer: COMMONSENSICAL (i.e. “showing practical wisdom”). Solution is COMICAL (i.e. “funny”) wrapped “about” an anagram (indicated by “oddly”) of MEN and SONS, like so: COM(MONSENS)ICAL.

30. Composer possibly going about church in heatwave (8)

Answer: SCORCHER (i.e. “heatwave”). Solution is SCORER (i.e. “composer possibly”, as in one writing a musical score) wrapped “about” CH (a recognised abbreviation of “church”), like so: SCOR(CH)ER.

32. Former publication initially allowed to be bawdy (8)

Answer: EXPLICIT (i.e. “bawdy”. Chambers doesn’t agree, but my Oxford backs the setter up). Solution is EX (i.e. “former”) followed by P (i.e. “publication initially”, i.e. the first letter of “publication”) and LICIT (i.e. “allowed”).

34. Learning about her acts, agitatedly examining own feelings (5-9)

Answer: HEART-SEARCHING (i.e. “examining own feelings”). Solution is HEARING (i.e. “learning” of, say, the news) wrapped “about” an anagram (indicated by “agitatedly”) of HER ACTS, like so: HEAR(TSEARCH)ING.

37. Part of opera in which woman is beheaded (4)

Answer: ARIA (i.e. “part of opera”). Solution is MARIA (i.e. “woman’s” name – quite a few this week already) with the first letter removed (indicated by “beheaded”).

38. What youth leader accommodates paintings of a crude nature? (6)

Answer: EARTHY (i.e. “of a crude nature”). Solution is EH (i.e. “what”, pardon or come again) and Y (i.e. “youth leader”, i.e. the first letter of “youth”) all wrapped around or “accommodating” ART (i.e. “paintings”), like so: E(ART)H-Y.

39. E.g. pigeon enthusiasts keeping trendy gnomes (10)

Answer: FINANCIERS (i.e. “gnomes”, a facetious name for bankers). Solution is FANCIERS (i.e. “pigeon enthusiasts”) wrapped around or “keeping” IN (i.e. “trendy”), like so: F(IN)ANCIERS.

43. Lacking status in spite of everything (15)

Answer: NOTWITHSTANDING (i.e. “in spite of everything”). When written as NOT WITH STANDING the solution also satisfies “lacking status”. Nicely worked.

45. Here begins chapter one, page one, in current set of books (7)

Answer: INCIPIT (i.e. “here begins” – over to Chambers: “(Latin) (here) begins (commonly used as an introduction in medieval manuscripts)”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “chapter”), I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), P (a recognised abbreviation of “page”) and I (again, “one”) all placed “in” I (a recognised abbreviation of an electric “current” used in physics) and NT (i.e. “set of books”, specifically the New Testament of The Bible), like so: I-N(C-I-P-I)T. Another nicely worked clue.

47. Device driving ship, suitable for touring European lakes (9)

Answer: PROPELLER (i.e. “device driving ship”). Solution is PROPER (i.e. “suitable”) wrapped around or “touring” E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”), L and L (ditto “lake”, of which we have two), like so: PROP(E-L-L)ER.

49. Board in Parisian school (7)

Answer: ENTRAIN (i.e. to “board” a train). Solution is EN (i.e. “in Parisian”, i.e. the French for “in”) followed by TRAIN (i.e. to “school”).

51. Become confused, seeing theologian overcome by drink (5)

Answer: ADDLE (i.e. “become confused”). Solution is DD (i.e. “theologian”, specifically a Doctor of Divinity or Divinitatis Doctor that we’ve seen a number of times in recent Jumbos) placed in or “overcome by” ALE (i.e. “drink”), like so: A(DD)LE.

52. Politician breaking Irish law I briefly dub unrealistic (11)

Answer: IMPRACTICAL (i.e. “unrealistic”). Solution is MP (i.e. “politician”, specifically a Member of Parliament) placed in or “breaking” IR (a recognised abbreviation of “Irish”) and followed by ACT (i.e. “law”), then I and CALL (i.e. “dub”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: I(MP)R-ACT-I-CAL.

53. Strand property ultimately built with alacrity (11)

Answer: THREADINESS (i.e. “strand property” – nicely disguised). Solution is T and H (i.e. “ultimately built with”, i.e. the last letters of “built” and “with”) followed by READINESS (i.e. “alacrity”).

54. Entertain, offering port (7)

Answer: HARBOUR. Solution satisfies “entertain” and “port”.

55. Fat English king’s place for storing food (6)

Answer: LARDER (i.e. “place for storing food”). Solution is LARD (i.e. “fat”) followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and R (ditto “king”, specifically the Latin Rex).

56. Framework of ode finally penned by Tudor court poet (8)

Answer: SKELETON (i.e. “framework”). Solution is E (i.e. “ode finally”, i.e. the last letter of “ode”) placed in or “penned by” John SKELTON (i.e. “Tudor court poet”), like so: SKEL(E)TON.

Down clues

1. Work quietly dividing seafood, like a dandy (7)

Answer: FOPPISH (i.e. “like a dandy”). Solution is OP (i.e. “work”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “opus”) and P (ditto “quietly”, specifically “piano” in musical lingo) both placed in or “dividing” FISH (i.e. “seafood”), like so: F(OP-P)ISH.

2. A charge that’s inappropriate for the present? (11)

Answer: ABSENTEEISM (i.e. “charge”). Clue plays on “present” being taken to mean those in attendance. You get the idea.

3. Unsuitability of fashionable head drinking a pint (9)

Answer: INAPTNESS (i.e. “unsuitability”). Solution is IN (i.e. “fashionable”) and NESS (i.e. “head”, both geographical features) wrapped around or “drinking” A and PT (a recognised abbreviation of “pint”), like so: IN-(A-PT)-NESS.

4. County changing ends of council house register (15)

Answer: GLOUCESTERSHIRE (i.e. “county”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “changing”) of CL (i.e. “ends of council”, i.e. the first and last letters of “council”) and HOUSE REGISTER.

6. Aspect of nature, one Lord Liverpool originally introduced to spouse (8)

Answer: WILDLIFE (i.e. “aspect of nature”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), LD (a recognised abbreviation of “Lord”) and L (i.e. “Liverpool originally”, i.e. the first letter of “Liverpool”) all placed in or “introduced to” WIFE (i.e. “spouse”), like so: W(I-LD-L)IFE.

7. Far off Nigeria’s complex overseas relations (7,7)

Answer: FOREIGN AFFAIRS (i.e. “overseas relations”). “Complex” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FAR OFF NIGERIA’S.

8. Opera company employee regarding small ancient city (10)

Answer: REPETITEUR (i.e. “opera company employee”, a coach or tutor). Solution is RE (i.e. “regarding” – think email replies) followed by PETITE (i.e. “small”) and UR (i.e. an “ancient city” you often see in cryptic crosswords).

9. A Buddhist monk embracing top journalist in tree-lined walk (7)

Answer: ALAMEDA (i.e. “tree-lined walk”). Solution is A and LAMA (i.e. “Buddhist monk”) wrapped around or “embracing” ED (i.e. “top journalist”, specifically an editor), like so: A-LAM(ED)A.

10. Belonging to those people in that place, so to speak (5)

Answer: THEIR (i.e. “belonging to those people”). “So to speak” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of THERE (i.e. “in that place”).

11. Loosely woven material possibly used around Leicester? (11)

Answer: CHEESECLOTH (i.e. “loosely woven material”). Clue plays on Leicester being a variety of cheese. Made somewhat easier after last week’s Jumbo also referred to Leicester in this way.

12. Retired man slipped up, being discouraged (8)

Answer: DETERRED (i.e. “discouraged”). Solution is TED (i.e. “man’s” name, again with the names!) reversed (indicated by “retired”) and followed by ERRED (i.e. “slipped up”), like so: DET-ERRED.

13. Fulminate over this retailer of pork pies (4)

Answer: LIAR (i.e. “retailer of pork pies”, referring to the cockney rhyming slang for “lies”). Solution is RAIL (i.e. “fulminate”) reversed (indicated by “over”).

20. Devoted pet possibly carrying can (6)

Answer: DOTING (i.e. “devoted”). Solution is DOG (i.e. “pet possibly” – other pets are available) wrapped around or “carrying” TIN (i.e. “can”), like so: DO(TIN)G.

21. Like Hindu movement’s instant riches? Not entirely (7)

Answer: TANTRIC (i.e. “like Hindu movement”). “Not entirely” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, stripping away the ends of INS(TANT RIC)HES.

22. Debunkers may take it for a celluloid mouse (6)

Answer: MICKEY. Solution satisfies “debunkers may take it” and Walt Disney’s “celluloid mouse”.

24. Misguidedly mix and talk on camera! (11,4)

Answer: EXCLAMATION MARK (i.e. “!”). “Misguidedly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of MIX and TALK ON CAMERA.

26. Top academic’s opportunity to stop corruption: set up register (4,10)

Answer: VICE CHANCELLOR (i.e. “top academic”). Solution is CHANCE (i.e. “opportunity”) placed between or “stopping” VICE (i.e. “corruption”) and ROLL (i.e. “register”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “set up” – this being a down clue), like so: VICE-(CHANCE)-LLOR.

27. Black floor coverings seen around east European city (6)

Answer: BRUGES (i.e. “European city”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “black” used in chess) followed by RUGS (i.e. “floor coverings”) once wrapped “around” E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”), like so: B-RUG(E)S.

29. Old European capital starts to maintain its Japanese craft (7)

Answer: ORIGAMI (i.e. “Japanese craft”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by RIGA (i.e. “European capital” of Latvia), then M and I (i.e. “starts to maintain its”, i.e. the first letters of “maintain” and “its”).

31. Inquiring how Olivier appeared in Richard III (6)

Answer: ASKING (i.e. “inquiring”). When written as AS KING the solution also satisfies “how Olivier appeared in Richard III”.

33. Airborne soldier’s accepted standard, a staunch colleague, they say (11)

Answer: PARATROOPER (i.e. “airborne soldier”). Solution is PAR (i.e. “accepted standard”) followed by A, then a homophone (indicated by “they say”) of TROUPER (i.e. “staunch colleague”), like so: PAR-A-TROOPER.

35. Dash in in hurry? Mostly unsuitable (11)

Answer: INEXPEDIENT (i.e. “unsuitable”). Solution is EN (i.e. “dash” – an en-dash is a printing term for a dash the width of the letter n) placed “in” IN and EXPEDITE (i.e. “hurry”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: IN-EXPEDI(EN)T.

36. Like rhetoric or logic principally involving parts of Croatia (10)

Answer: ORATORICAL (i.e. “like rhetoric”). Solution is OR and L (i.e. “logic principally”, i.e. the first letter of “logic”) wrapped around or “involving” an anagram (indicated by “parts of”) CROATIA, like so: OR-(ATORICA)-L.

40. East End mate, male, about to draw parrot (9)

Answer: COCKATIEL (i.e. “parrot”). Solution is COCK (i.e. “East End mate”) followed by AL (i.e. “male” name – more names!!) once wrapped “about” TIE (i.e. “to draw” a game), like so: COCK-A(TIE)L.

41. Irritable foreign character in photo, Sarah’s first husband (8)

Answer: SNAPPISH (i.e. “irritable”). Solution is PI (i.e. “foreign character”, specifically the sixteenth letter of the Greek alphabet) placed “in” SNAP (i.e. “photo”), S (i.e. “Sarah’s first”, i.e. the first letter of “Sarah”) and H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”), like so: SNAP-(PI)-S-H.

42. Wrongly identify thin fog – it upset the Spanish (8)

Answer: MISTITLE (i.e. “wrongly identify”). Solution is MIST (i.e. “thin fog”) followed by IT and EL (i.e. “the Spanish”, i.e. the Spanish for “the”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue), like so: MIST-IT-LE.

44. Ultimately foolish senior citizen losing daughter’s leather case (7)

Answer: HOLSTER (i.e. “leather case”). Solution is H (i.e. “ultimately foolish”, i.e. the last letter of “foolish”) followed by OLDSTER (i.e. “senior citizen”) once the D has been removed (indicated by “losing daughter” – D being a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”), like so: H-OLSTER.

46. Time and justification for crime against the state (7)

Answer: TREASON (i.e. “crime against the state”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by REASON (i.e. “justification”).

48. Source of inspiration provided by lecturer at Oxford (5)

Answer: ERATO (i.e. “source of inspiration”, being one of the Greek muses). “Provided by” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: LECTUR(ER AT O)XFORD.

50. Live outside key Israeli port (4)

Answer: ACRE (i.e. “Israeli port” – chalk one to my Bradford’s). Solution is ARE (i.e. “live”) wrapped around or “outside” of C (i.e. musical “key”), like so: A(C)RE.