Monday, August 31, 2009 (DT 25908)

This puzzle was originally published Tuesday, April 21, 2009 in The Daily Telegraph

Introduction

Today the National Post has skipped ahead a few puzzles. It is not a very big jump, as only three puzzles have been skipped, which puts us at DT 25908.

I found today's puzzle to be moderately difficult. With perseverance, it was solvable - albeit with the assistance of my Tool Chest. It was not that the clues were terribly difficult (at least not in hindsight) but some of them were rather tricky.

Today's Glossary

Some possibly unfamiliar abbreviations, people, places, words and expressions used in today's puzzle

I didn't pick up anything of particular note in today's puzzle.

Today's Links

I found four questions on AnswerBank discussing today's puzzle. They (together with the clues to which they relate) are:

• AnswerBank [DT 25908]-a: 1ac, 14ac
• AnswerBank [DT 25908]-b: 20d
• AnswerBank [DT 25908]-c: 27ac
• AnswerBank [DT 25908]-d: 13d

Gazza's review of today's puzzle may be found at Big Dave's Telegraph Crossword Blog [DT 25908].

Commentary on Today's Puzzle

11ac Water bearer? (8)

For a while, I was thinking that the solution might be Aquarius which, of course, somewhat hindered solving the intersecting down clues.

12ac Seen in mirror, dainty frock (6)

This meaning for "frock" was new to me, although I have heard of a priest being "defrocked". I guess it only stands to reason that one must first be frocked before one can be defrocked.

Signing off for today - Falcon