===[**CDM**]=== crossword clue chain

By way of reminder, the object of this game is to solve (and briefly explain) the clue presented by the previous poster and then set your own clue.

Anything from the (worldwide) crossword arena is acceptable by way of clue style, but if you stray too far from the pure path beware the scourge of... Pandora's WET NOODLE!

The puzzle could be an old favourite or something of your own making. Don't be shy: this is for everyone, not just the old hands!

For those unfamiliar with crossword clues who want to give it a try, there is plenty of guidance online and a quite entertaining and instructive book (not just for beginners) available from amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Times-Crack-Cryptic-Crosswords/dp/0007546521/ref=dp_ob_image_bk and no doubt elsewhere, and for those who like British Crosswords you may like to try these (which are free): http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords and https://www.ft.com/crossword.

There is nothing to prevent (say) a couple of related clues if offering a single clue cramps your style.

If there are multiple answers involved, there is no restriction against one person solving all and the solver of the final clue/part is the one who goes next.

Obviously you need to await confirmation of a correct answer before posting your own puzzle, but please then do so reasonably promptly: if having answered correctly you are not going to be able to set a follow-up clue within about the next 18 hours, please pass your turn to someone else so that the game does not stall.

To save the poor demented solvers from excessive brain damage , you should consider revealing one letter of the answer when the question is set, unless the answer is very short/easy so that provision of a letter hint at the outset would spoil the sport!

If no-one is biting within about 24 hours you should start dropping additional hints, and to try to give everyone a fair crack of the whip, the immediately previous setter is asked not to post a solution to the current clue within the first 24 hours.

Constructive criticism and cheerful badinage are to be expected, not to mention a certain amount of national rivalry, but above all, have a bit of fun.

The weighty trophy to be passed to whoever solves your clue is the jewel-encrusted CanukDenis Memorial Championship Belt
===[**CDM**]===

This thread is so named in honour of our late dear friend Denis Borris (aka CanukDenis) who was an ever cheerful and quick-witted presence on this forum, posting many an iffy crypt just to stir the pot, and intrigued by all things linguistic, mathematical and beyond.
RIP CD - we hold you in our hearts as we play on!

Next clue to follow shortly courtesy of current Belt holder, the winsome damsel Sherlock.

Thank you kindly, Lex!

One error-prone horn player holds first of notes (7)

Direct on the left.

Two vowels, one of which is an e. Container indicator.

cvcccec

Well, as there are no other takers and as it has suddenly popped into my mind, bungler = one error-prone - bugler (horn player) containing (holds) n (last of notes)

No bungling that answer, Lex! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you!

Fair where dancing bear on sale (10)

reasonable (anag.) Hi, Lex. Hope all is well on the Isle

Spot on, young fellah! Here you go: ===[**CDM**]===

All well here, thanks, at least until the borders are reopened..., but we are still being careful and I always wear a mask for shopping despite the fact that supposedly the Island is currently clear of the virus. Stay safe.

Thank you Lex. Good to hear that you and the Isle of Man are all free and clear. Keep safe.

Inventor left in bed (6)

no e's

Fu(l)ton

Pandie ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks!

Sit on a horse for unsurpassable trip (8)

Double definition

cvcccvcv

Bestride - good one!

That puts you back in the saddle, Lex! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Panda Sue (have you delved into Baba is You yet...?)

Powerlessness in a place like Washington with Trump installed (10)

I haven't even bought it yet, Lex. I've got a couple dozen games on Steam just waiting for me to enjoy. Baba is in my future. I love having your stamp of approval on it.

It's one to play in between bouts of more substantial/serious gaming...

and as for the current clue, no e and the direct is on the left

A stretch maybe......in cap a city

Right on the money: ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Lex

Traditional girl -- one in 200 (7)

c(lass)ic

This was made just for you Pandie **CDM**

You're a classy guy, manxie.

Hit a piece of hose? (4)

sock double def?

Hi Sue.

Sock it to me, Remi! ===[**CDM**]===

You reminded me of Judy Carne on laugh-in.

It’s machine-washable, but won’t go on the couch? (6, 9)

Double Def. One 'e'

cccvcc cecvccvcc

Think of a professional (slang) that requires a couch.

cccicc ceciccacc

That helps, Remi!

Shrink resistant

Good answer Rog. ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Remi!

Distance equal to time (6)

Hints:

Direct on the left
Wordplay 3+3
cvccvc

... it's a very biiig distance and quite a small time

par sec

That be it, manxman! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you UW

Cart pulled up a distance (4)

yard/dray

Well done Sherlock ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, manxy!

White flower in back of a research site (9)

Direct on left. 4 vowels total, 3 of which are the same.

1 indicator
vcvcvccvc

a+lab+aster

White you are, Sue! Here's your prize. ===[**CDM**]===

Chalk one up for me! Thank you, Cheryl!

In that spot, attending plays (7)

the(at)re

Well played, Cue! ===[**CDM**]===

No doubt I'm just being dense, but where does "at" come from in the justification?

In that spot, attending plays (7) = theatre

that spot = there
attending = at

at is "in" there

Lex, I even used "your" spelling!

Thanks: I was discounting at as an abbreviation for attending, but of course if you attend something you must be at it!

I am sooo sorry. I forgot I posted on this thread

Thanks, Pandora

Ron gets back before the start of something bad as usual (6)

normal (usual)
nor (ron back) mal (something bad)

Nice solve, as usual manxman ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Cue

Dawn comes back to joke with us (5)

sunup (pun us reersed)

Right you are Sherlock ===[**CDM**]===

And, I thank you!

Useless data: how old your clothes are? (7)

garbage

Clever!

Congratulations, Sue! You get to wear this beautiful belt! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Cheryl. It's sparkly!

Small area of land, I'll say (4)

Isle (sounds like I'll)

I'll take that answer, manxie ===[**CDM**]===

thank you Pandie

Game permitted in street (8)

rouLETte

Good answer UW and fast too ===[**CDM**]===

Just happened by at the right time!

Tramp in lane scrambled a bit of egg (7)

Direct on the right....

albumen ("bum" in "lane", scrambled.)

Eggsactly! ===[**CDM**]===

Fragmented ice layers remain resilient (7)

e(last)ic

That's it! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you muchly!

Turn over statistic for a baseball player? (7)

Direct on left. Wordplay 3 + 4.

cvccvcve

capsize

That's it! ===[**CDM**]===

thank you Sherlock

Jogger takes a rest (9)
2 e's

rem(a)inder

Well done Cue ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, manxman

All-encompassing troupe in program (9)

Direct on right. No e's

ccvvccvcc

broad/cast

You're with the program, Cheryl. Wear this at your next gig ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Cue!

An M-1 is something found in a bed (7)

Direct on the right. Word play 2+2+3

vcvcvcv 2 e's

Anemone ( an + em + one)

[I had been googling carbine to see whether it was a type of flower...]

Nice job, Lex! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, and apologies for delay

Harry Hole author - thin, extremely patronising (6-4-4)

Direct on the right, one indicator cvcvvc-ccvc-ccvv

Holier than thou (Harrying "hole thin author")

Nice one, Rog. I never knew that definition of "harry"

Correct young Rog: ===[**CDM**]===

Cue, I agree with you that it is an interesting use of "harry:" it took us a while to work out that it was an anagram indicator rather than the clue having anything to do with Jo Nesbo!

Thank 'ee, Lex!

Writer in small university city in Florida, say (9)

Getting on for hint time:

Direct on the right
Wordplay 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 2
"say" is not a homophone indicator

pen/in/s/u/la

Thumbs up indeed, Cheryl! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Rog!

"Why don't we?" said Green (7)

lettuce (let us)

Let us reward you with this belt, Sue! ===[**CDM**]===

Cute!

Thanks, Cheryl

Trade back hands (4)

Swap ("paws" backward)

(although I guess the reverse is equally legit )

Let us paws to admire your quick solve! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks Sue!

Interchangeable component of gunpowder (5)

I rather liked this one...

Hints:

Direct in the right
One indicator
cvccv, (or if you live in the US, cvcvc )

... the indicator is not "component"

(Methinks I hear the sound of a fresh pack of noodles being broke open)

To make an anagram you change the letters

i.e. the order of the letters is cha...

After much brain bashing, nitre (another name for saltpetre) which is a component of gunpowder - anagram of inter, hence interchangeable

Good one Rog - Denis would have approved!

Fun to sail close to the wind once in a while!

Nice solve, Lex - take it away: ===[**CDM**]===

Sorry Rog, but the letters of a word to be anagrammed must be provided, not clued. This will hurt me more than it does you. Five lashes!

I will take my punishment like a man, but have I not provided the letters?

inter changeable

You're right, Rog. I got excited and carried away. I will gladly take the lashes myself.

I'll keep them as credit Sue, then one day I can do a real Denis and get away scot-free!!

Lucky Panda Sue, getting excited and carried away...!

Thank you Rog.

This one kept us scratching our heads for a while until the penny dropped (does that expression have a US version?):

And next - Clue text - Right here? - Oh dear! - Stand out - To shout - I think - Clue stinks! (8)

By way of first hint, I have reduced the clue to a single line (having previously shown it as it had been in the paper where we found it)

acrostic

In the heart of the pocket!
===[**CDM**]===

About time for a new thread which I am setting up, so please post your clue there