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

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. English setter John Halpern's website may also be of interest www.johnhalpern.co.uk.

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 from Sherlock as heiress apparent.

Thanks, Cue! And Lex!

Found the standard as hail stormed (8)

Direct on left. 2 vowels, each used twice.

vcvcvcvc
Word play is 3, 5

The two vowels are a and e

Another word for hail that's not a weather event (might be something you hear on Sunday morning) + a word for stormed.

Averaged = found the standard - ave (hail) + raged (stormed)

Neat clue!

Thanks, Lex!

And here's your reward. ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you!

As a vehicle for verse (8)

Direct on right, four vowels of which two are the same, begins and ends with a consonant

Wordplay 3 + 5

quatrain?

Da's da one! ===[**CDM**]===

Da's good!

Confused patient takes chlorpromazine - initially a small amount (8)

pittance (anag. patient c)

But here's a whole bunch of praise, manxie. ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Pandie. So sorry I took so long to post.

Sprightly sculptor (7)

chipper, Dbl Def. ??

Good one Curly ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks mxm.

Composition from Bliss on a tape (6)

sonata (hidden word)

Nice one Cheryl. ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Remi!

A signal of approval - okay taking new painkillers (8)

Direct on the right.
Four vowels, all different.

vcvcvcec

Starts with "a".

acocycec

anodynes = painkillers - a + nod + yes containing n(ew)

I was not previously aware of this use of the word, so an educational start to my day!

Winning this belt is painless, Lex! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Cheryl!

Saw, for example, in heart of Belgium (6)

Direct on the left and not an e in sight

Wordplay 3 + 2 + 1, all letters different

say + in + g

Very clever, Lex

Take it away, Pandora!
===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Lex.

Feathers going this way (4)

Down ?

You nailed that down very quickly, Rog! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, m'dear - right time, right place!

French veto on soup or alternative that's waterproof (9)

(non)porous

Mais oui! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Rog!

Summing up about common key for "Constant Craving" (9)

Addi(c)tion = constant craving

You can add this belt to your collection, Lex! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Sherlock, I am duly hooked!

Source of fruit - one greater after treatment (6,4)

Anag (one greater) -> orange tree

Herewith the fruits of your labour Rog
===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Lex!

Registered milk supplier finds means of changing direction (6)

Direct on the right

Wordplay 1 + 5

Two (different) vowels

r udder

Udderly correct, Cue! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Rog

Ricochet results in horrific aroma (5)

carom (hidden word)

All I can think of if "Bing Bing BINGGGG....Ricochet Rabbit"

Good one, manxman ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Cue

Cat sausages, reportedly (4)

lynx (sounds like links)

good one Sherlock ===[**CDM**]===

Thanx, Manx!

Expensive wheels included in some amount of legal support (7)

Direct on the right. One indicator. No e's

a(limo)ny

That's the one, Cue! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Cheryl

Smear covers bad finish mix-up (7)

Direct on right. Two letters are vowels, one is an e. Two indicators

CCVccvC

SMEAR
"bad" finish

A clue in color seriously needs to be solved!

I think it's "blunder", but that would mean "end" was anagrammed and that would have been illegal, so we'll see.

*puts pot on to boil*

Oh no, Pandora! My keyboard must have gone rogue on me! I'm sure I typed "bad end" but somehow it came out "bad finish". I hate technology, don't you? Who would have thought that was even possible!!

Yeah, that's the one. I'd fight the law but the law would win

You should probably keep this safe. I wouldn't want any noodle debris to get on this prestigious belt. ===[**CDM**]===

I'll let it slide this time, Cue. I do understand rogue keyboards. And making me laugh is always a good idea.

Reportedly find a buyer for a small room (4)

Cell (sounds like "sell")

Sure does, Rog! ===[**CDM**]===

My thanks knows no bounds...

Not working behind royal university (9)

Early hints:

Direct on the right
Two indicators
Wordpaly 6 + 3

Prince/ton

A princely solve, Cheryl! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Rog! I hate it when I forget that I even tried to solve a crypt.

Small and delicate links feel fine (5)

Direct on the left. 1 e.

Hmmm.... might be a fave cryptic of mine....

Thanks Cheryl - "feEL FINe"

Hope this belt isn't too small and delicate for you, Rog! ===[**CDM**]===

I was looking for a hidden word and missed it!

Thanks, Cheryl! Bit small for my waist, but I can wear it as a garter...

Manage to find brand before party (4,2)

oops missed a whole page of answers

Early hints:

Direct on the left
cvcv cv
Uses a synonym that is probably more common in the UK

... and another:

"manage" is as in "get by", not "run" or "organize"

Make do, perhaps

"Make do" indeed, Lex - a brand plus a party ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, and sorry for dawdling

Flatter fizzy drinks for the audience (4)

coax (sounds like cokes)

Have a rum and coke while sporting this:
===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Lex, but I prefer bourbon.

Trick a woman into wrongly identifying stars (13)

Con Stella tion ("into" wrongly)

This belt will make you shine like a star, Rog! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks Cheryl!

Speaker is an online messenger (7)

Think Donald Trump

Think hi-fi...

Further hints:

ccvvcvc, all the vowels the same

How did that nice Mr Trump send his online messages?

tweeter (someone's got to put you out of your misery, Rog!)

Thanks, Cheryl! ===[**CDM**]===

No sedative lost at sudden plunge towards the ground (8)

nosed(-at)ive

Don't let this belt bring you down, Sue! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Cheryl!

Previously in concert (4)

Once = previously - hidden word

Once you see it, you can't unsee it. ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you: at first it was quite hard to see!

Limit short show with clowns, medium and writer (12)

Direct on the left, only 4 vowels - two of which are the same

circumscribe

circu m scribe

Scripted to perfection, good sir!
===[**CDM**]===

Merci

Cut fabric price (8)

lace/rate

Nice solve, Cheryl ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Cue!

Dark gold Φ’s start to multiply, being of two kinds (10)

Wow!

Dark = dim
Gold = or
Φ’s = phis
Start of multiply = m

Glue 'em all together => dimorphism

Hope you didn't get too sticky with that one, Rog! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Cheryl!

One that tickled our collective fancy:

Hot at the end of three months (5)

Direct on the left, vccvc

Maybe "It's hot..." would have been better

Think of the last 6 months of the year - what do three of them have in common?

Well...if you're going to give it away, I'll scoop it up

ember

A perfect scoop, Cue! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Rog

Clear-cut price changes sees 50% off (7)

Direct on left - 2 e's

Price changes = preci
50% off sees = se

Clear-cut = precise

Precisely, Rog. ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Cue!

Pubs round America are uncivilised (9)

barbarous

I liked that one too, Cheryl! ===[**CDM**]===

Of course they are!

About time for a new thread I think, so please post the next clue there Cheryl (as I see you did last time).