Sat Tel GK

[Aquagility]

Michael M. likes to drop in his little tease. 43a. Pink and yellow sponge cake. Battenburg or Battenberg? I think I'll stick with Mr Kipling and Battenberg. Any views?

[paulineward]

I have put Battenburg.

[sarumite]

As it can be spelt either way I think both answers should probably be acceptable. I have put Battenberg but am not convinced it is preferable.

[JoolsTwo]

I have gone with Battenberg, whether it is the answer MM wants or not is another matter. :-)

[TeeGee]

Either would do, I prefer BattenbUrg, its germanic root.

[sarumite]

Hi Pauline, hope you are well... only picked up your recent message the next day so did not respond. Will be off to rugby away match very shortly so out all day, as soon as mothers care arrangements have been sorted!

[Aquagility]

Sarumite, I'm interested that you think either spelling may be acceptable. Have you ever seen alternatives given in the published solutions?

[sincnoel]

The Chambers dictionary, which I think MM uses, spells it THREE different ways ... Battenburg, Battenberg or Battonberg. Pays yer money and takes yer choice ...

Re 9d ... I'm baffled. "Used figuratively to describe something that lacks interest and variety." 10 letters.

[Aquagility]

Colourless

[sincnoel]

Thank you, Aquagility. I got it about five seconds after I'd posted the question. But thanks anyway

[cheshunt]

I have put battenburg. Several websites spell it this way.
Re 29 across, both Anthony Hopkins & Richard Burton were born in disticts of Port Talbot but Neath isn't far away so I suppose that was good enough for our MM.

[porilo]

Damn!! I finished my last piece of cake a couple of days ago and have thrown the wrapper away. I'm going with BattenbUrg but I'm sure that the alternative spellings will be acceptable. I've always been more interested in eating the cake than looking how they spell the name. :-)

Gregory

[Brooksy]

Occasionally one sees a printed solution with a / and the two alternative letters in the square (bit of a squeeze though!).