I can’t give a time as I’d just crept to the 10 minute mark with 1ac, 5ac, 11dn and 21ac yet to complete when I was interrupted. I came back to find the timer at an extremely large number.
Anyone who struggled and is wondering how people got faster times should realise that it’s all a continuum. The fast solvers here will look with equal awe at Mark Goodliffe’s performance at the weekend – https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/times-crossword-king-does-not-dither-in-regaining-his-crown-vmhrlhmrq (to whom – well done!).
A brief note to other bloggers – I’ve been having problems copying into the blog and (despite trepidation) had to resort to the new editor version. I hope it can be viewed OK.
ACROSS
1. At work see about upper limit, finding way out (6)
ESCAPE – anagram (at work) of SEE around (about) upper limit (CAP) – not an easy starter.
5. Dog with hardly any time to come in? (6)
CURFEW – dog (CUR), hardly any (FEW).
8. Proud now — unexpectedly getting a fall? (8)
DOWNPOUR – anagram (unexpectedly) of PROUD NOW.
9. Get tender initially with US soldier on return (4)
TWIG – (T)ender (W)ith, US soldier on return (GI backwards).
10. Just love Northern Line railway in the end (4)
ONLY – love (O), Norther(N) Lin(E) railwa(Y).
11. Derisive star having no time to meet academic in charge (8)
SARDONIC – star having no time (S)t(AR), academic (DON), in charge (IC).
12. Brief minute with the German bodyguard (6)
MINDER – brief minute (MIN), the in German (DER).
14. Tricks female animals, impressing Director-General? (6)
DODGES – female animals (DOES) taking aboard (impressing) Director-General.
16. Golf side’s sad, wretched existence (4,4)
DOG’S LIFE – anagram (sad) of GOLD SIDE.
18. From finalist, a brave attempt (4)
STAB – from finali(ST A B)rave.
20. Trip organised using rep first of all? (4)
TOUR – (T)rip (O)rganised (U)sing (R)ep. The definition being used with the parsing of this partial &lit.
21. Reckless one — drop out (8)
TEARAWAY – drop (TEAR), out (AWAY).
23. Calm, extremely sure at romantic meeting (6)
SEDATE – (S)ur(E), romantic meeting (DATE).
24. Person’s speciality encountered? That is right (6)
METIER – encountered – MET), that is (IE), right (R).
DOWN
2. Second musical instrument cut (5)
SHORN – second (S)econd, instrument (HORN).
3. Girl and boy failing to start — editor cross (7)
ANNOYED – girl (ANN), boy failing to start b(OY), editor (ED).
4. Self-image, say, associated with Oscar (3)
EGO – say (EG), Oscar (O – phonetic alphabet).
5. Tottering, carried G&T in container (9)
CARTRIDGE – anagram (tottering) of CARRIED G and T.
6. A tango in Rio leading to relationship (5)
RATIO – a (A) and tango (T – phonetic alphabet) inside Rio (RIO).
7. English daughter with doubt over cool building (7)
EDIFICE – English (E), daughter (D), doubt (IF), over cool (ICE).
11. In street I’ve arranged something to assist consumer (9)
SERVIETTE – anagram (arranged) of STREET IVE).
13. Brought up by hero, no-risk metal source (4,3)
IRON ORE – brought up (all upwards/backwards) of ‘by’ indicating inside/owned by the clue h(ERO NO RI)sk.
15. Aloof, I’d upset street worker (7)
DISTANT – I’d upset (DI), street (ST), worker (ANT).
17. Country, say, troika visited regularly (5)
SYRIA – (S)a(Y) t(R)o(I)k(A).
19. As you say, an inducement, moderate (5)
ABATE – homophone (as you say) of an inducement (a bait).
22. Target excellent month (3)
AIM – excellent (AI), month (M).
About 30 mins.
Struggled with shorn, curfew (COD), serviette, dogs life, tearaway (unparsed) and abate (LOI).
There is a typo in the blog, 16a, golf for gold.
Edited at 2019-12-10 08:34 am (UTC)
Edited at 2019-12-10 09:48 am (UTC)
FOI ESCAPE (tough clue, I immediately thought “This isn’t going to be easy”), LOI TEARAWAY, COD & POI CURFEW (so neat).
Thanks Hurley and Chris.
Templar
Edited at 2019-12-10 11:11 am (UTC)
I had a feeling this would be tricky as soon as I saw the definition for 6dn “Ratio”. As a result, 9ac, 11dn and 14ac probably took longer than they should (Tricks = Dodges? – I can see it, but it wasn’t obvious). Didn’t help that I also started pondering the difference between “Serviette” and “Napkin” (is there one or is it a class thing?).
FOI = 4dn “Ego”
COD = 6dn “Ratio”
Thanks as usual.
Phone for the fish knives, Norman
As cook is a little unnerved;
You kiddies have crumpled the serviettes
And I must have things daintily served.
Are the requisites all in the toilet?
The frills round the cutlets can wait
Till the girl has replenished the cruets
And switched on the logs in the grate.
It’s ever so close in the lounge dear,
But the vestibule’s comfy for tea
And Howard is riding on horseback
So do come and take some with me
Now here is a fork for your pastries
And do use the couch for your feet;
I know what I wanted to ask you-
Is trifle sufficient for sweet?
Milk and then just as it comes dear?
I’m afraid the preserve’s full of stones;
Beg pardon, I’m soiling the doileys
With afternoon tea-cakes and scones.
Thanks for the blog
Curfew, abate, serviette and tearaway all took time, serviette being last to fall, despite being an anagram with all the crossers in place.
Normally as I edge towards 15 mins I throw my toys out of the pram and give up, but plodded on today.
A good test.
Philip
Misocapnic