Times Club Monthly

[cheaton]

Can anyone pls help me confirm my last clue?

10a 'House almost straddling tip of promontory? (5)

I think AYRIE - or maybe AERIE as I have the A-R-E.....

Any help gratefully received.

[Town Crier]

Well the house is one of the signs of the zodiac - ARIES. Almost would be ARIE but cannot quite work out the remainder of the clue. Hope this helps.

[kettledrum]

Y is one tip of promontorY

[barmy]

AERIE is an eagle's nest, therefore the house bit.

[Town Crier]

Well yes kettledrum but where then is what the answer should be? I do not do the Times but is this clue using 'house' or 'promontory' as part of the clue as well as the answer to be looked for? That is what confused me.

[kettledrum]

I don't know Town Crier....I'm as confused as you are, but I was trying to justify why it should be ayrie rather than aerie

[JerryB]

House is ARIES as Town Crier pointed out.
Almost means remove one or more letters - in this case, take the S off, leaving you ARIE (again as Town Crier said)
kettledrum pointed out one "tip" of PROMONTORY is the Y
"straddling" means wrap one set of letters around the other - A-Y-RIE
I think it's pushing it to call a nest a 'house', but if it is AERIE, then what does the straddling, tip and promontory bit of the clue give you ?
I have to say I agree with AYRIE

[cheaton]

Thanks guys - you have set my mind at rest... the 'house almost' is ARIE straddling 'tip of promontory' is indeed Y making the spelling AYRIE.

I didn't know the signs of the zodiac were known as houses - so that clears that up.

Many thanks for all your help.

[GetOverIt]

Cheaton - the solution is now on the Times site, and the answer was AYRIE.