Tuesday 31 March 2009

No 9494, Tuesday, 31 Mar 09, Nita Jaggi

Somehow I did not like todays CW as such I have some unsolved, some of the clues were not good at all in terms of the wordplay. (Addendum - adding the unsolved)
ACROSS
4 - Cheers for the primate covering a mountain resort in America (8) – AP{PLA<-}{US}E
8 - Girl knocked out, in coma (6) – MONICA*
9 - Walker at a street crossing (10) – PEDESTRIAN [2]
10 - Suitable to pull apart the layer (4) – (Addendum - RIP{E})
11 - Start off to crop areas of body parts (4) – (-f)ARMS
13 - One is extremely prone to illness (6) – UN{WELL} Not a very good clue
15 - Former partner has damaged the meter to the limit (7) – EX{TREME}*
17 - Almost call the man without motion (4) – CAL(-l)M
18 - Slow kind of birds! (4) – OWLS*
19 - Attack us, alas to cause damage on Tuesday (7) – ASSAUL*{T}
21 - Mother around the social worker reading the holy word (6) – M{ANT}{R}A
22 - Like one road in the continent (4) – AS{IA}
25 - Large snake on the river animal (4) – BOA{R}
26 - Short message in a book for a friend (10) - DEDICATION [CD]
27 - Sculpture of iron turned back for a small illustration at the end of the day (6) – EF<-{FIG}Y
28 - Never defeated the knight to live at a point in United Nations (8) – U{N}{BE}{AT}{E}N
DOWN
1 - Fashionable vehicles overturned (5) – SMART<-
2 - Partnership at lunchtime for each shooter (6) - (Addendum - SN{I}PER SN is the partnership from Bridge)
3 - Army comes up through the dim light (5) – TA{PER} ?
4 - Sedan sped by the mountain range (5) – ANDES*
5 - Time gone by the river grass land (7) – PAST{URE}
6 - Plant a sign on an open way for the audience (9) – ARROW{ROOT} How is Root connected to audience I wonder if the setter has used audience to indicate a homophone for Root (~route)
7 - Make an informal conversation to kill time (5,4) – SMALL TALK [CD]
12 - Set up a smart establishment (5) – MARTS*
14 - Emperor has a point before an operation (9) - CAESAR{E}AN
15 - Half of them take the way that is easy at the beginning to understand (9) - (-th)EM{PATH}ISE (is easy - asy) Word play not good here
16 - Ways to earn wealth (5) – MEANS [2]
19 - First man and the worker are not flexible (7) - ADAM{ANT}
20 - Gain power for taking up Information Technology (6) – P{ROF<-}IT
22 - Reorient one shipping company in a sound way (5) – A{LIGN} (~line)
23 - Hidden feeling for the local king (5) – INN{ER} Annotation for ER not clear
24 - Carriers of light beams (5) – T{RAYS}

Monday 30 March 2009

No 9493, Monday, 30 Mar 09, Nita Jaggi

Monday morning blues again added to the late night return from Coimbatore, my brain just refuses to work on Mondays.
ACROSS
1 - Learn a chapter in the music school (4) - {C}RAM ? (RAM - Royal Academy of Musicians ?)
9 - Greeting in business situations following the favourable lump sum compensation (6,9) – GOLDEN HANDSHAKE [2] Are handshakes done only in business situations?
10 - Indian gathering for the first person in a large city (4) - {ME}LA
11 - Gold coin for the aristocrat (5) – NOBLE [2]
12 - An unpleasant sound over a period of time (4) - [Addendum with help from Orkut community - VILE (~while)]
13 - Overheard of a food shop in the capital city (5) – DELHI (~deli)
14 - Beginner of the basic course (7) – STARTER [CD]
16 - To supply no one in to rush in excitement (7) – {NO}UR{I}SH*
18 - Neckwear on a small bed (5) – {A}S{COT}
22 - Colour found inside a battle cruiser (4) – ECRU [T]
23 - Royal male disturbed in the domain (5) – {R}EALM*
24 - Members in a side (4) – TEAM [CD]
25 - Noted lads absurd in using rules applied unfairly (6,9) – DOUBLE STANDARDS*
26 - Alien turns back on South Island location (4) {S}{I}TE<- DOWN
2 - Spread energy from the sun for one in to have a wrong diet (7) - {RA}DIATE* RA being the Sun God
3 - Soldier at home has the way with ordinary people (3,2,3,6) – MAN IN THE STREET
4 - Game bag on the side (5) - POKE{R} Poke means a sack or a bag in southern US
5 - Painter has books for one scholar (5) - RA{BB}I ?
6 - Public announcements to edit seven diets in a mess (14) – ADVERTISEMENTS* I do not know from where the balance letters MART have appeared, does MART mean a mess?
7 - Pusher to stay very near after us (6) - SH{OVER} ? (Addendum - (us - u)S{HOVER})
8 - Workers having special abilities (7) - SKILLED [2]
15 - Leaders on the chief examination in High School (7) - H{ON}{CH}OS Cannot explain from where the second 'O' comes (Addendum - 'O' from O-level examinations)
17 - Kind of music to sing inside a large bar (6) – R{HUM}BA* This setter uses large as an anagram indicator I think. Rumba is more suited to a kind of dance than music
19 - Not at home in the end to survive (7) – OUT{LAST}
20 - Unwanted material is on a part of the body, overheard (5) – WASTE (~waist)
21 - Father and a large creature (5) – P{AND}A

Sunday 29 March 2009

No 2526, Sunday, 29 Mar 09

Had to scartch my head for a while, still have not managed a couple of answers
ACROSS
1 - Mind about boy pinching answer (6) - RE{A}SON
4 - Peer got harassed close to one female ward (8) - PROTEGE{E}
9 - TV series - it's funny, endless tease (6) - SIT*{COM}(-b)
10 - Girl from a French region (8) - LORRAINE [2]
12 - Daughter has more than only fish (5,4) - D{OVER} SOLE
13 - See eye to eye with a -conservationist? Not quite (5) - {A}GREE(-n)
14 - Path through the countryside an utter liar portrayed differently (6,5) - NATURE TRAIL*
18 - Jumping style shown off in horse opera part, reportedly (7,4) - WESTERN ROLL(~role)
21 - Humorist with name to memorise (5) - LEAR{N}
22 - Held back popular book (2,7) - IN RESERVE [2] Very nice double definition clue
24 - Behind the whole lot, when push comes to shove (5,3) - AFTER ALL [2] Another nice DD clue
25 - Lumber theologian place in auction (6) - SA{DD}LE
26 - How eggs may be served if done slowly (4,4) - OVER E?S?
27 - Female, 50, has spoken of a Roman goddess (6) - F{L}ORAL
DOWN
1 - I study in peace in local (8) - RES{I}{DEN}T
2 - Start to play a part, Evita, nervously (8) - {ACT}IVATE*
3 - Duck with grim smell (5) - O{DOUR}
5 - I adore joiner working in Port (3,2,7) - RIO DE JANEIRO*
6 - Informer set up boy wearing hat (9) - TAR<-{PAUL}IN
7 - Swelling, blood covering it (6) - GO{IT}RE
8 - Still supporting the Spanish sports team? (6) - EL{EVEN}
11 - Former PM defends town (5,7) - NORTH SHIELDS I had to google for this answer and guessed it after searching for the name of all the PMs of the UK
15 - Near tower, diseased mountain ash (5,4) - ROWAN TREE*
16 - Car thief brings girl, on one condition? (8) ?O?R?D?R (Addendum - JOY{RIDER})
17 - Flower girl in 1930s dance troupe? (8) - BLUEBELL ? Just a guess based on the crossings, looks correct as the Flower is right
19 - UK group steps in in US city (2,4) - EL PASO ? Got this from the crossings
20 - Chess piece thrown by the Parisian (6) - CAST{LE}
23 - Box squadron's leader, of more than average height (5) - S{TALL}

Saturday 28 March 2009

No 9492, Saturday, 28 Mar 09, Nita Jaggi

In a hurry, no links being added, and leaving some unsolved
ACROSS
2 - Sit back for one beverage (6) - TIS<-???
7 - Low side area (4) - ???R
9 - Orderly in appearance, head nun to take a meal (4) - {N}EAT
10 - To fool, saint left in great happiness of famous people (13) - CON{ST}EL{L}ATION What is the link between famous people and constellation?
12 - Girl guide in tears is wrong to stand unsteadily (7) - STA{GG}ER*
13 - Last month, Adam’s wife going around one to mislead (7) - {DEC}E{I}VE
15 - Refreshments offered at an exhibition, overheard (4) - FARE (~fair)
17 - Protective covering on an insect’s body (5) - SHELL [2]
18 - Mobile room (4) - CELL [2]
19 - An official has the time to advise professionally (7) - CONSUL{T}
21 - Standard units for a large mould to start off the car (7) - MODUL*(-c)AR
23 - Make excessive use of the benefit resulting after a camera shot (4,9) - TAKE ADVANTAGE [CD]
27 - Cut short open way for an overwhelming defeat (4) - ROUT(-e)
28 - Finishes in cigarette butts (4) - ENDS [2]
29 - Gives up extra things! (6) - SPARES [2]
DOWN
1 - Haircut roughly for the animal (6) - ???C?T
2 - Grants in order again for the German soldier to break law (10) - TRANSG*RE{SS}
3 - Start to separate out feather tufts lacking hardness (4) - {S}{O}{F}{T}
4 - Exactly locate the spike (4) - NAIL [2]
5 - Not in favour of myself after the social worker (4) - ANT{I}
6 - Rival can destroy a public celebration (8) - CARNIVAL*
8 - Change the shape of the moon (5) - PHASE [CD]
11 - Each short disturbance within which sound is audible (7) - {EA}RSHOT*
13 - Cover taken up on an Austen novel is a difficult choice (7) - DIL<-EMMA
14 - Half seen resolution in society motivates them (10) - (-se)EN{COURAGE}S
16 - Pain to-do a different act of accepting a child (8) - ADOPTION*
20 - Permission to depart politely (5) - LEAVE [CD]
22 - A general day is incomplete without a list of things to be done (6) - A{GEN}DA(-y)
24 - Flying object has a container at a point (4) - KIT{E}
25 - Patch up a musical accompaniment (4) - VAMP ?
26 - Bridge opponents are almost not far away (4) - {N}{E}AR(-e)

Friday 27 March 2009

No 9491, Friday, 27 Mar 09, Neyartha

Hi everyone, the delay was on account of the train journey and some bank work. Bought the paper at Erode and finished it before reaching CBE obviously without computer aid.
ACROSS
1 - One in this probably does business with any 12 Dn (7,6) - SELLERS MARKET [CD]
9 - Perfume product made from gold and tallow for the listener (9) - AMBER{GRIS} (~grease)
10 - Cuban steps to get electric current discharge from barium compound (5) - RUMBA* (barium - i)
11 - Vietnamese premier overwhelmed by railway termini in Cuban city-state (7) - HA(-v){RY}ANA
13 - Operator’s cut for fake tip (4-3) - RAKE OFF*
14 - Put down cheap wine (5) - PLONK [2]
15 - Kulcha cooked on a skillet initially in 11 Ac (9) - PAN{CHKULA}*
17 - Article pocketed by doctor on-screen reveals rapport (9) - RESON{A}NCE*
18 - No accounting for this when it is a matter of preference (5) - TASTE [2]
20 - Counterstrike, after swallowing awful pain, in 11 Ac (7) - PA{NIPA*}T
22 - Ravi almost gets caught in the shadow at the dig (7) - T{RAV(-i)}AIL
23 - Reportedly take legal action against the woman serving cold rice dish (5) - SU(~sue)SHI(~she)
24 - No good disciple can wear the Spanish underclothes (4,5) - LO{NG} JOHN{S}
26 - Examples of laxity that the Titanic exudes at sea (13) - INEXACTITUDES*
DOWN
1 - Tennis shot in court results in damage (5,2) - SMASH UP [CD]
2 - Difficult to design biro in a university in Asian country (9) - LA{BORI*}O{U}S
3 - It may be boxed as a punishment (3) - EAR [CD]
4 - Shastri announces the featured band (5) - STRIA [T]
5 - Pledge of confidence (9) - ASSURANCE [2]
6 - Epic discourse site in 11 Ac (11) - KURUKSHETRA [CD]
7 - Encountered westbound river on the beat (5) - TEM<-PO
8 - Curious affair of the palm tree (6) - RAFFIA*
12 - 1 Ac may imply that this is unlikely to go down (6,5) - ASKING PRICE [CD]
15 - Cigar made using sodium found in a bone (9) - PA{NA}TELLA
16 - Bleeding staunched without a scratch (9) - UNSCATHED*
17 - Phosphorus replaces carbon in modified meal (6) - REPAST (recast -c +p)
19 - Secures bow lost by crafty larcenists (7) - ENLISTS(-arc)*
21 - Turn in oddly missed ascetic to the second generation American (5) - NI<-SEI (ascetic -actc)
22 - Corporate network concealed from view (5) - TENET [T]
25 - Ethnic group seen around U.P. landmark (3) - JAT<-

Travelling on 26-27 Mar night

I will be travelling to Coimbatore on 26-27 Night so the CW of 27 Mar will be posted late after I reach Coimbatore maybe by evening only after I finish my work there.

Thursday 26 March 2009

No 9490, Thursday, 26 Mar 09, Neyartha

Have always found Neyartha's CWs to be a little tough especially these starred ones. However I manged to crack this one, still left with two answers though. Not adding links as there is some outage on this site today . Addendums based on comments of Bhargav and Shuchi
ACROSS
1 - Nature of regional films that may reach a wider audience? (9) - SUBTITLED [CD]
6 - *Oriental island’s capital retreat (5) - {E}ELAM<- 9 - Stop Arthur from exhibiting illusory paintings (2,3) - OP ART [T]
10 - *Knight in violent combat around the north provides scarf for the student (4,5) - MO{N}T B{L}A{N}C*
11 - *Skirt around to the storehouse, reportedly for starters (7) - KASHMIR Annotation eludes
12 - *Revolutionary leaves Hooks Cove building (6) - KOSOVO* (hooks cove -che)
14 - Approaches the stands with a point for the bishop (5) - NEAR{S} Annotation eludes me
15 - BITS, Pilani’s power supreme (9) - KNOWLEDGE [CD]
17 - Fail the student leaving with staff notes for jazz (4,5) - F?N? MUSIC
19 - Flash of flames (5) - BLAZE [2]
20 - Obvious that the page removed by the student is hidden (6) - {L}ATENT Again annotation eludes (Addendum - (-p)(+l)ATENT)
22 - Female Greek character in America turns reddish-purple (7) - FUCHSIA (F+USA+CHI)*(Correction to typo - FUSCHIA)
24 - English doctor about to eat Mexican dish sent back with oil (9) - {E}{MB}R{OCAT<-}E
25 - Boxer’s purchase said to be an excuse (5) - {ALI}BI (~buy)
26 - Accidentally stain fabric (5) - SATIN*
27 - *Close box for flustered cashier without hesitation (5,4) - AK{SAI CH*(-er)}IN
DOWN
1 - Rollicking fests provide what may be needed during Christmas time (8,7) - STOCKING FILLERS*
2 - Officer, one framed in Botswana rebellion (9) - BOATSWA{I}N*
3 - Land bridge that may be tampered with for canal building (7) - ISTHMUS Annotation eludes
4 - Mark claims alternative evolution theory (10) - LAMARCKISM*
5 - Sound impression (4) - DENT [2]
6 - Mix up in chromosome extraction from eggs detailed on Israeli site (7) - EMBR(-y)O{IL}
7 - Plain to see that everyone is upset by this Bond movie (except the doctor) (5) - LLA>-(-dr)NO
8 - Odd Mao criterion includes information about a solution to the energy crisis (15) - MICRO{GEN}ERATION*
13 - Pressure sustains lubricating systems (5,5) - FORCE FEEDS [2]
16 - Suicidal urge created by cracked wheat in menu item (5,4) - D{EATH W*}ISH
18 - Regular requirement for Indian farmers (7) - MONSOON [CD]
19 - Leading British artiste (Slumdog Millionaire actor) tastes Indian rice (7) - B{?C?A?I} (Addendum after correction above - B{ASMA}{T}{I})
21 - *Aditi betrothed in hiding (5) - TIBET [T]
23 - Mary’s follower, reportedly a religious leader (4) - BABA [2]

Wednesday 25 March 2009

No 9489, Wednesday, 25 Mar 09, Sankalak

Nothing much to talk about in today's CW, learnt a few new things though
ACROSS
1 - City life, transformed, is a cause for happiness (8) – FELICITY*
5 - Can he make a hostel a prison, though? (6) – WARDEN [2]
10 - Capital may bend accountant back (5) – AC<-CRA<-
11 - Have another go? Right, have a meal, make the mouth water (9) – R{EAT}TEMPT
12 - Appetising, like some hot, scooped out tomato preparation (9) - {T(-omat)O}{OTH*}SOME
13 - Phial containing a drop of remedy for a kind of disease (5) – VI{R}AL
14 - A curb, but in America it means money (5) – CHECK [2]
16 - What a prisoner observed is implied (8) – CON{NOTED}
18 - Employ a swimmer as a paid worker (8) – HIRE{LING}
20 - Technically, nostrils in a human are small (5) - NARES [T]
24 - Stand-in doctor, say (5) – LOCUM [CD]
25 - Hardy favourite, a great one with numbers (9) - RAMANUJAN [CD] See link for explanation of answer. Got stuck for sometime here as I was thinking of Thomas Hardy
27 - Army officer in drab rig? That is funny (9) – BRIGAD{IE}R*
28 - Musical chord echoing a tune in the borders of Trinidad (5) – T{RIA<-}D
29 - Girl in money that is used for processing leather (6) – T{ANN}IN Tannin is found in tea also
30 - Poisonous gas in the north — sheep go crazy (8) – PHOSGE{N}E* Infamous for its use as a Chemical Weapon during WW I
DOWN
1 - Desperate for Swiss money, accepts note (7) – FRAN{TI}C
2 - Salt, eco-treated, becomes sugar (7) – LACTOSE*
3 - First to celebrate, reckless: result, collapse of business (5) – C{RASH}
4 - Sluggishness shown by an actor portraying lethargy (6) – TORPOR [T]
6 - Remedy for snakebite developed in Vienna, leader in toxicology (9) – AN{T}IVENIN*
7 - Weary? Me included? Looking back, that is a minus point (7) – DE{ME}RIT<-
8 - Abstinent learner in want gets stung (7) – NE{TT}{L}ED
9 - King Arthur’s capital (7) – CAMELOT [CD]
15 - Fabric painting technique developed by a Karaikal man originally (9) – KALA{M}KARI* Got it staright away from the many sarees that my wife has
17 - Robot puts DRDO in a fix (7) – ANDROID* Didn't know that this word had Greek origins
18 - Fish that is almost an excuse in humble dwelling (7) – H{ALIB(-i)}UT
19 - Removal of first four in teaching causes uproar (7) – (-inst)RUCTION
21 - Express happiness about author of Ulysses, say (7) - {RE}JOICE (~joyce from James Joyce)
22 - How is a legislature adjourned usually? (4,3) – SINE DIE [CD]
23 - Station Master, Indian Railways, with honour — or a stain? (6) – SM{IR}CH
26 - Money for components in music (5) – NOTES [2]

Tuesday 24 March 2009

No9488, Tuesday, 24 Mar 09, Sankalak

Another easy CW today, my answer to 15D though needs review as I have never heard of such a word!! (Corrections added after some discussion in the comments section)
ACROSS
1 - Insect that makes a begging chap sit back (7,6) – PRAYING MAN{TIS<-} This insect d always fascinated me as a child
10 - Outstanding brother-worker hosts sick one (9) – BR{ILL}{I}ANT
11 - Composer of some simple harmonies (5) – LEHAR [T]
12 - Plant showing beginnings of yellowing under certain conditions abnormally (5) – YUCCA [T]
13 - Such words have inflections that do not conform to rule (9) – IRREGULAR [2]
14 - Rupee spent in return for a nappy (6) – DIAP<-ER<- 16 - One generous when counting a dozen? (5) – BAKER [CD] See the origins of the Bakers Dozen at the link
19 - Police officer that is left with an implausible story (5) – SP{IE}L
20 - Right of admission to a meal or part of it (6) – ENTRÉE (~entry)
25 - Partner, not necessarily a sleeping one (9) – BEDFELLOW [CD]
26 - He runs errands but may take a pound away from Tiger Woods perhaps (5) – GO(-l)FER
27 - Cold, by the sound of it, but it is hot on the tongue (5) – CHILI (~chilly)
28 - In revamped GH, bribe is something difficult to understand (9) – GIBBERISH*
29 - Be impatient for action, like a horse raring to go? (5,2,3,3) – CHEWS AT THE BIT [CD] (Correction - CHOMP AT THE BIT)
DOWN
2 - Wet weather cover (8) – RAINCOAT [CD]
3 - WW II Conference venue in which some loyal tacticians figured (5) – YALTA [T]
4 - A vitamin for a murderer back at home (6) – NIAC<-{IN} This vitamin prevents the disease which is the answer of 17D below
5 - Such an uncle can be motherly (8) – MATERNAL [CD]
6 - Colour derived from an African flower (4,5) – NILE GREEN [CD] See the colour of the Nile in the picture at the link
7 - Breathe in (6) – INHALE [CD]
8 - Old boy, observed, carried out orders (6) – OB{EYED}
9 - A large amount for chromium bearing mineral (5) – CR{ORE} Ten million to an American
15 - “Pre-owned” for “second-hand”, for example (9) – EXPREVIEW ??? (Correction - EUPHEMISM)
17 - All-grape preparation for a condition resulting from dietary deficiency (8) – PELLAGRA*
18 - The writing on the wall, some times rude (8) – GRAFFITI [CD] Also known as street art
21 - Lacking politeness, they are endlessly devious (6) – EARTHY*(-e)
22 - Plant an article between sailor and accountant (5) – AB{A}CA Looks so much like the Banana tree
23 - Old English cricketer who made a journalist affluent (6) – ED{RICH}
24 - Petty idiot suppresses rising body odour (3-3) – TW{O B}IT
26 - One of them is a goose (5) – GEESE [CD]

Monday 23 March 2009

No 9487, Monday, 23 Mar 09, Sankalak

No Monday morning blues today. Had to google for 27A and felt like a fool when I got the relatively simple answer
ACROSS
1 - Support an American in a spot (7) – S{US}TAIN
5 - Large bird but a bit of an incubus tardily noticed (7) – BUSTARD [T] See the Great Indian Bustard
9 - Somehow a creation livens conscription (8,7) – NATIONAL SERVICE*
10 - A beam that would permit nothing in return (6) – LIN<-TEL<-
11 - Such a record has to be word-for-word (8) – VERBATIM [CD]
13 - Pamphlet, one about treatment for muscles perhaps (8) – TRACT{I}ON
15 - A pistol that can raise the temperature? (6) – HEATER [2]
18 - Vicious attitude of one caught by a man (6) – MAL{I}{C}E
19 - Lack of confidence in unfeeling members (4,4) – COLD FEET [2]
22 - The idea is to include reserves in a series of signs (8) – NO{TA}TION
24 - Demanding, like a ruler (6) – AS{KING}
27 - The voice of the people is the voice of God? Alcuin did not think so (3,6,3,3) – VOX POPULI VOX DEI
28 - A serene guest has it in him to break a promise (7) – RENEGUE [T] This is a variant of the spelling Renege
29 - In the drink, spouse finds fish (7) - ALEWIFE
DOWN
1 - Undergarment for one not married on time (7) – SINGLE{T}
2 - Material for a day at home (5) – SAT{IN}
3 - He has no appetite for creation, caught unawares (9) – ANORECTI*{C}
4 - Point supported by a listener close by (4) – {N}EAR
5 - Eight-gallon container (6) – BUSHEL [CD]
6 - Drink in a vehicle returning, taking 60 minutes (5) – S{HR}UB<-
7 - Artist Leo’s interpretation of Greek philosopher (9) – ARISTOTLE*
8 - A visionary, the German consumes a lot of paper (7) – D{REAM}ER
12,17 Good-good French sweet (6) – BON BON [2]
14 - Turn fax into a contaminant (9) – AF{L}ATOXIN*
16 - Mysterious code opens a diagnostic tool (9) – ENDOSCOPE*
17 - See 12
18 - Fur used in a short skirt, verily halved (7) – MINI{VER} See the picture of the Stoat used to get thie fur, how can one slaughter such beautiful animals just to get some fur?
20 - The point of a joke brings a tingle, oddly (3,4) – TAG LINE*
21 - A unit of a spacecraft of the French captured by a spy (6) – MO{DU}LE
23 - Redhead leaves crowd in a skimpy bathing garment (5) – TH(-r)ONG
25 - Black-and-white lemur caught in rain, dripping wet (5) - INDRI [T] A popular animal for CW setters
26 - A writing tip rejected in M.P. town (4) - BIN<-A I remember it as an important railway junction have passed it many a time

Sunday 22 March 2009

No 2525, Sunday, 22 Mar 09

Oh boy today is a real tough one, stumped for answers at plenty of places. I suppose one will have to be a Britisher to get many of these. Sunday has always been tough on me. (Addendums - with help from the ORKUT community)
ACROSS
1 - Rascal affected by onset of school (5) – {S}CAMP Annotation for Camp not clear
4 - Spike on brass choker (8)- NECK{LACE} Annotation for Neck not clear
10 - Heavenly body of huge celebrity (5,4) - GIANT STAR [CD]
11 - Follow suit, holding hearts (5) – C{H}ASE
12 - SW19 catchphrase? (6,3,6) - (Addendum - ANYONE FOR TENNIS) SW19 being the suburb forWimbledon
13 - Book finally reduced (5) – ATLAS (-t)
14 - LA or Lima, otherwise a city in Texas (8) - AMARILLO*
17 - Amaze son with it, playing in wood (8) – AS{TONIS*}H
20 - Singer from Crete? No, Rhodes (5) - TENOR [T]
22 - To settle argument, hold the best there is (4,3,4,4) - HAVE THE ???R WORD Maybe HAVE THE LAST WORD but it does not fit with 6D (Addendum - HAVE THE LAST WORD is correct)
24 - Name old boy, one in service (5) - R{OB}{I}N
25 - Goddesses - possibly three, if us (3,6) – THE FURIES*
26 - Composer almost bitten by boy's dog (8) - (Addendum - AL{SATI(-e)}AN)
27 - Handy baroque composer (5) - HAYDN*
DOWN
1 - Dispense with guidepost on a path (4,4) - SIGN AWAY [CD]
2 - Flower girl left, pinched by naughty Lisa (9) - (Addendum - A{MARY}{L}LIS* also known as Naked Lily)
3 - What to do with a trainer making blunder? (3,4,4,2,2) – PUT ONES FOOT IN IT Annotation not clear
5 - Play in a tie (abandoned) in Potter's place? (7)
6 - Out of play (abandoned)?(6,4,5) - KICKED INTO ROUGH [CD] (Addendum - KICKED INTO TOUCH)
7 - A profit in return (5) – A{GAIN}
8 - Flat's old, nevertheless (4,2) - EVEN SO
9 - Employees on a Scottish island (6) - STAFF{A}
15 - Smoke with city girl (6,3) - LONDON IVY [CD] Don't know if this is correct Google search did not throw up anything
16 - Exploits rated silly by boy (6,2) - {TRADE*}S ON
18 - Sloth? One near it is trembling (7) – {I}NERTIA*
19 - Fire gun? (6) - (Update - HEATER [2])
21 - Language from that woman inside hydro (6) - (Addendum - S{HER}PA)
23 - Feelings caused by bishop - (Addendum - VI{B}ES This clue was not printed correctly both in the print and online editions. The actual clue as it appeared in THE OBSERVER of UK is 'Feelings caused by Bishop entering contests', hence the VIES)

Saturday 21 March 2009

No 9486, Saturday, 21 Mar 09, Sankalak

Finished very early today so plenty of time to add some interesting links from the net. I have a sneaky feeling that Sankalak is the nom de plume of an ex-serviceman, lot of military like clues today
ACROSS
 1 - Control, compel and strengthen (9) – REIN{FORCE} Nice and simple clue
 5 - Allow honour to be reversed in roadside resting place (5) – MO<-LET
 8 - It is used in labs to assess the underground (4,4) – TEST TUBE [CD]
 9 - When one is not moving? (2,4) - AT REST [CD]
11 - Express a view on work in English (5) – OP{IN}E
12 - He speaks for his group and, beginning to satirise, prods soldier (9) – S{POKES}MAN Did’nt know that CW setters use MAN to indicate soldier, normally they use GI. So am I an ex-man?
13 - Fish crossing current in comfort (6) – SOL{AC}E
14 - Wine duly processed is awkward to manage (8) – UNWIELDY*
16 - One helping the priest to change, say — a lad (5,3) – ALTAR BOY [CD] Is there any other annotation for this answer? (Update as per comment below - ALTAR (~alter) BOY)
18 - For example, good tea-holder may be seen on the breakfast table (6) – EG{G}CUP I always thought this was a hyphenated word, ie., egg-cup or two separate words all together
22 - Where the Little Boy was dropped in 1945 (9) – HIROSHIMA [CD]
23 - Open sore, a bit painful certainly (5) – ULCER [T]
24 - A note in European capital providing protective cover for radar antennae (6) – R{AD}OME
25 - Mite that may be small and reportedly escape (4,4) – SAND FLEA (~flee) I have had the terrible misfortune of being bitten by these fleas on the beach at Havelock in the Andamans on two occasions. A terrible terrible itchy and painful experience. These fleas are so small that you just can't see them and they come through mosquito netting. Was bitten by them on a beach at Cape Hatteras as well, they are called see-no-me’s in the US.
26 - A wallaby’s stuck in a bottomless pit here (5) – ABYSS [T]
27 - The Frog and the Princess, for one (5,4) - FAIRY TALE [CD]
DOWN
 1 - Proportion points to food allowances (7) – RATIO{N}{S}
 2 - Gradually introduce a modern distilling plant (7) – IN{STILL}
 3 - A welcome caller for kids, come December (6,9) – FATHER CHRISTMAS [CD] Often synonymous with Santa Claus
 4 - Strong old boy covered by result of oxidation (6) – R{OB}UST
 5 - A time for children to honour parent (9,6) – MOTHERING SUNDAY [CD] Never heard of this christian festival before. See the link
 6 - In total loss, girl’s mother is hot (7) – T{HER}{MA}L (total – ota)
 7 - Dormant quality shown by any Celt in trouble (7) – LATENCY*
10, 15 - Type of tournament for a full, plump bird (5,5) – ROUND ROBIN [CD]
15 See 10
16 - A guru, like Vinoba Bhave? (7) - ACHARYA [CD]
17 - Try idle spell in a weary way (7) – TIREDLY*
19 - Body part makes each colonel briefly suffer (7) – COCHLEA* (col+each) Ah my rank appears in the crossword today. Heard of the ENT doctor, who does these cochlear implants? Before the operation he tells his patients the charges are One Thousand and after the operation he bills them One lakh, when queried he tells them they didn't hear him properly as they were deaf before the inplant.
20 - Cost of carrying wine over a period of time (7) – PORT{AGE}
21 - Greeting one with a sausage (6) SALAM{I} Yummy

Friday 20 March 2009

No 9485, Friday, 20 Mar 09, Sankalak

Another ho-hum CW went through without a ripple, methinks we need a litttle more challenge
ACROSS
 1 - What the job seeker wants in Poland — a binding thing (9) – P{LACEMENT}
 5 - Milk producer about to return and cringe … (5) – COW{ER}
 8 - … wary about Indian rumpus (6) – SH{IND}Y Anyone can give me the answer to as to why the setter has put those dots after the last clue and before this one? I don't see any connection. The last time they appeared there was a connection but not so this time, at least to my eyes.
 9 - Popular Kolkata track (8) – TRAMLINE [CD] See a youtube clipping of the Kolkatta Tram at the link
11 - Coral formation in a rare effusive vein (4) – REEF [T]
12 - What the work-weary eagerly awaits? (10) – RETIREMENT [CD]
14 - Note, an artist with a crown (5) - TI{A}RA
15 - Austrian associated with William Tell legend, half German, less devious (7) – GE{SSLE*}R
16 - Amusing person with one account relating to the heart (7) – CARD{I}{AC}
17 - Money spent to treat old gout (5) – O{UTGO*}
19 - A conservative nobleman and worker — one dealing with financial records (10) – {A}{C}COUNT{ANT}
20 - Peak of excellence achieved by state administrator in extremes of abundance (4) – A{CM}E
22 - In Cal I am an aberrant, affected by mental disorder (8) – MANIACAL*
23 - Meat to satisfy an alien (6) – FILL{ET}
24 - __ vita — a life of wealth and pleasure (5) – DOLCE [CD] From La Dolce Vita
25 - An arm of the Pacific between Australia and New Zealand (6,3) – TASMAN SEA [CD]
DOWN
 1 - Sweet thing makes tense Roy lose heart (6) – PAST{R(-o)Y}
 2 - All food normally has to go through it (10,5) – ALIMENTARY CANAL [CD] I wonder if the origin of the word has any link with 'elementary'?
 3 - Headless bear in a whirlpool (4) – (-t)EDDY
 4 - Critical moment when circling over specific location (7-5) – TURNING POINT [2]
 5 - Provide redress to ace postmen in trouble (10) – COMPENSATE*
 6 - They fight diseases with treated wool, best chilled (5, 5, 5) – WHITE BLOOD CELLS*
 7 - Get back in (2-5) – RE-ENTER [CD]
10 - Canal critter, provoked, is defiant (12) – RECALCITRANT*
13 - Carefully handle troubled inmate Paul (10) – MANIPULATE*
16 - Leader of cubs, hurt but captivated (7) – C{HARMED}
18 - Wide, long collar on dress worn by women in a sober thatched hut (6) - BERTHA [T] Shakespeare was always portrayed with one on, see the link.
21 - Picture a craving for unsuitable food (4) PIC{A} See the explanation at the link about this medical disorder regarding an abnormal appetite

Thursday 19 March 2009

No 9484, Thursday, 19 Mar 09, Sankalak

We are back with Sankalak's CW's. quite a smooth and easy outing today, not too much of head scratching
ACROSS
 1 - Money for new business, speculative, half proven, oddly true money (7,7) - VEN{TURE*} CAPITAL
 8 - Dish that leads to 40 winks in church (6) - C{ANAP}E They look really Yummy
 9 - Large space that is designed for a particular use (8) - ESPECIA*{L}
11 - See, in a spot her wisecracks are different (9) - OTHERWISE [T]
12 - Go for a holiday (5) - LEAVE [2]
13 - Group support in a bit of trouble (7) - SET{BACK}
15 - Investigation using a query in another form (7) - ENQUIRY*
17 - American engineer, diminished, serving no purpose (7) - US{E}LESS
19 - Student beginning to laud breadwinner (7) - L{EARNER}
21 - Salad vegetable planted in many acres simultaneously (5) - CRESS [T] Anyone knows what is the Indian market name for Cress?
23 - A code word deployed for a conifer product (5,4) - CEDAR WOOD*
25 - A game soldier with a written defence for his behaviour (8) - A{POLO}GI{A}
26 - A union is something to add enjoyment, including the dawn of love (6) – SP{L}ICE
27 - Giant gendarme’s embroiled in increasing power and prestige (14) - AGGRANDISEMENT*
DOWN
 1 - There have to be losers to make them what they are (7) – VICTORS [CD]
 2 - What the Choral Symphony is in the works of Beethoven in the numerical order (5) - NINTH [CD]
 3 - Capital kind of characters from a superior situation (5,4) - UPPER CASE [CD]
 4 - Tea user turns unrelenting (7) - AUSTERE*
 5 - Perfect concept followed by student (5) - IDEA{L}
 6 - Disturbance often resorted to in politics (9) - AGITATION [CD] Ask us Indians about agitations!!!
 7 - Somnolent old general gets caught by agent (6) - S{LEE}PY
10 - One of 40 in a nap (4) - WINK [CD]
14 - Recurrent melody that disturbs gent’s home (5,4) – THEME SONG*
16 - Make one into four (9) - QUADRUPLE [CD]
17 - With nothing on, pawnbroker drops the French boy (6) - UNC(-le)LAD
18 - Part of a class in school notices change (7) - SECTION*
19 - Swimming pool providing cover, love! (4) - LID{O}
20 - Socialist reportedly dispatched for something of little value (3,4) - RED CENT(~sent) See the origins and the meanings of the phrase at the link
22 - Trail followed by a hunter is small, insufficient (5) - S{POOR}
24 - Growth with a ‘peaceful branch’? (5) - OLIVE [CD]

Wednesday 18 March 2009

No 9483, Wednesday, 18 Mar 09, M.Manna

In a hurry so no comments. (Update - Had to rush off in the morning to take my 1956 model FIAT car for repairs)
ACROSS
 1 List made out for operation of handguns (7) PISTOLS* (list+ops)
 5 Tree arrives with second person from France in the vehicle (7) (Update - {AR}BU{TU}S)
 9 Anger at Lawrence for not using this substance in chemical test (7) REAGENT*
10 Nuts lie scattered in the kitchen drawer possibly (7) UTENSIL*
11 Shuffle and be evasive in an argument (5) HEDGE [2]
12 Finished sketch gains credit (9) OVER{DRAFT}
13 Tied up — are prepared to cast off (9) REPUDIATE*
15 Add seasoning to food (5) DRESS [CD] Dressing is not adding seasoning in the classical sense
16 Set of principles that many N.American Indian tribes follow (5) CREE{D}
18 Attending the trial, being a witness (9) AT{TESTING}
21 Foreign boy accepted first of all was put off (9) (Addendum - ALIEN{A}{TED})
24 Chose to settle with the top journalist (5) OPT{ED}
25 Musical drama the heartless act (7) {THE}A(-c)TRE (Correction - OPERA{T(-h)E})
26 Angered at put into confusion (7) DERANGE*
27 Shaken at sight of deceased on road, strained to vomit (7) RATTLED (Correction - R{ETCHE}D) Annotation of ETCHE not worked out
28 Made alterations to remove faults (7) EMENDED [CD]
DOWN
 1 Bird balanced on a high rod (7) PERCHED
 2 Be plausible, but ignore date (5,2) STAND UP [2]
 3 Such a discussion gives opportunity for falling out (4,5) OPEN ENDED[CD]
 4 Bearing with an island race, none will cause contention (3,2) {SE}T T{O}
 5 Think people should be allowed in at pleasure (9) A{MUSE}{MEN}T
 6 Money for livelihood (5) (Addendum - YIELD ?) (Correction - BREAD [2])
 7 Lawrence needs to set down fully, a valid will (7) TE{STATE}
 8 Honours formally by discharge of cannons (7) SALUTES [CD]
14 A role he and I had in segregation (9) A{PART}{HE}{ID}
15 Note the way around is to talk (9) DIS{COURSE}
16 Our gripping instrument first made a loud noise (7) (Addendum - {CLAM}OUR)
17 It was clear I had been included in the race (7) EV{ID}ENT
19 Prepared Ned to chant in musical notes (7) INTONED*
20 One who provides unexpected but much needed support (7) GODSEND [CD]
22 Put hat in quarter, somehow at the back (5) (Addendum - {NE}ATH*)
23 Shift about to evade (5) DODGE [CD]

Tuesday 17 March 2009

No 9482, Tuesday, 17 Mar 09, M.Manna

Reasonably easy CW today, though some clues left much to be desired.
ACROSS
 1 - Recorded snub (3,4) - PUT DOWN [CD]
 5 - Take it for protection (7) - SHELTER [CD]
 9 - Compel payment for old performance (5) - EX{ACT}
10 - To add detail is complicated (9) - ELABORATE [CD]
11 - Expresses amusement at the long distance on board ship (6) S{MILE}S
12 - Be humiliated but keep hair on perhaps? (4,4) LOSE FACE [CD]
14 - Theatrical representation (5) - DRAMA [CD]
15 - Sectional building at the seaside (9) - COASTLINE*
18 - Most //learn// otherwise when an //ally// is routed (6,3) - NEARLY ALL*
20 - Exerted influence on the French cad (5) - AC{TE}D* I though Le or La was 'the' in french, no anagram indicator for cad
22 - //A teach-in// arranged for home brewers? (5,3) - CHINA TEA* Why home brewers only? is it not brewed in hotels?
24 - Used horse roughly to perform household tasks (6) - C{HORES*}
26 - Send for a taxi? (9) TRANSPORT [2]
27 - Tilts aircraft to turn (5) - BANKS [CD]
28 - //Has the// wrong case to put it into (7) - SHEATHE*
29 - He //held son// loosely (7) - SHELDON* I wonder why our setter cannot use Indian names?
DOWN
 1 - Continued to exert influence on English lecturer (7,2) - PRESS{E}{DON}
 2 - Worker’s up, taking in dress for Indian empress (7) - T{SARI}NA<- Spelt this way in english otherwise it is TSARITSA see the link
 3 - Where the hammer should hit without delay (2,3,4) - ON THE NAIL [CD] 'Hit the nail on the head' is one of my favorite sayings
 4 - Quarter paid to Edward for his requirement (4) - NE{ED}
 5 - Like cold weather in winter, as one wraps up in a fur (10) - S{EASON*}ABLE
 6 - Ever at party to eat away! (5) - ER{OD}E No reversal indicator for party
 7 - Catch one going round an Italian port (7) - TRAP{AN}{I}
 8 - Veer out to point a high official (5) - REEV*{E}
13 - Just get there and prepare the house for repainting (6,4) - SCRAPE HOME [2]
16 - Everyone included in the list may be given instruction (9) - T{EACH}ABLE
17 - He is expected to succeed (6,3) - ELDEST SON [CD] What is the grammatical difference between 'eldest son' and 'oldest son'? anyone for the explanation? My wife always corrects me when I use it in the wrong context
19 - A private American art gallery causing disquiet (7) - A{GI}TATE This clue has become stale
21 - Man in the Dutch capital was seated (7) - TH{RON}E{D} Never thought throned was a word, had heard of dethroned though
22 - Calls chief engineer to sit out in court (5) - {C}IT{E}S* Not a very well formed clue
23 - When put by, it’s worth having (5) - ASSET [CD]
25 - Use square to accommodate N.American Indian people (4) - U{T}ES

Monday 16 March 2009

No 9481, Monday, 16 Mar 09, M.Manna

Its monday morning blues again, I wonder why the brain just refuses to react on a Monday morning? Stuck in a lot of places. Adding some updates with some help from Orkut Commmunity
ACROSS
1 - Having caught it in the river, cause quite a stir (6) - EX{C}{IT}E
4 - Makes a speech that brings it home to? (8) - (Update - DELIVERS [2])
10 - “The screen play “I interposed,” is genuine” (7) – S{I}NCERE*
11 - Friend no good, being a clumsy sportsperson (7) - (Update - {PAL}OOKA The annotation for OOKA beats me) (Further Update - {PAL}{O}{OK}A)
12 - They shall inherit the world (4) - MEEK [CD]
13 - Self-financed lowland pleasure jaunt (5,5) - DUTCH TREAT [CD]
16 - Most recent fashion displayed on tardy street (6) – LATE{ST}
17 - Go off in great perturbation to execute in America (7) - (Update - (-m)MIGRATE , does not appear correct) (Another view - GAR{RO<-}TE*)
20 - Al is alert in the direction of the side (7) – LATERAL*
21 - Cause injury to Adam to appear as example (6) – DAMA*GE<- 24 - Releases plenty to give a taste of what’s in store (4,6) – FREE S{AMPLE}
25 - The church in charge is smart and elegant (4) - CH{IC}
27 - Put the bug gently inside to examine it (7) – INS{P}ECT
29 - Unusually large one taking part of N. Africa (7) – ALGER*{I}{A}
30 - They form some unit of the Canadian police (8) – MOUNTIES* They look resplendent in their Red Jackets
31 - Say about fuel what you said about it before? (6) – RE{PEAT}
DOWN
 1 - Musicians in costume (8) - ENSEMBLE [2]
 2 - Decrease the volume while you think (11) - CONCENTRATE [2]
 3 - Little supporters running water (4) - TEES [2]
 5 - Extraordinary eastern policeman (8) - (Further Update - {E}SPECIAL)
 6 - Attempt to intimidate that doesn’t work? (4,6) - IDLE THREAT [CD]
 7 - Image of oneself, for example with nothing (3) - EGO
 8 - A timid little creature hiding in the shack (6) - SH{ANT}Y
 9 - Detail budget in order to correct program faults (5) – DEBUG(-t)*
14 - What put your electricity bill up? (5,6) – EXTRA CHARGE [CD]
15 - Agree about the mess being bad, with the rating (10) – ASSE{SSME*}NT
18 - Friend met Lawrence to show old architectural ornament (8) – PAL{MET}TE
19 - Write music, demonstrating a certain partiality (8) – PEN{CHANT}
22 - Vouch for Anglo-French corporation (6) – {A}{F}FIRM
23 - To put down the rebel, everybody gave assent (5) – ALL{AY}
26 - The French go around to cast amorous glances (4) – OG<-LE
28 - Even a tiny amount of money is not with us (3) – S{O}U*

Sunday 15 March 2009

No 2524, Sunday, 15 Mar 09

Enjoyed today's Sunday CW, though I am still unable to unravel 22A, 24A, 12D and 18D. Will be back to complete it after breakfast which I have to cook today being a Sunday, we all have to chip in at the kitchen, so I am off for Omlettes, Sausages, Bacon and mashed potatoes
ACROSS
1 - Bribe Greek, and rest from work (6) - GR{EASE}
4 - Takes in son with permits (8) - S{W}ALLOWS
9 - Air in a southern French city (6) - A{MIEN}S See a beautiful picture of the Amiens Cathedral
10 - At trial, editor is vouched for (8) - AT{TEST}ED
11 - Serving //a purpose// around the East in thick fog (9) - PEASOUP{E}R* Interesting origins, this is also the name of the machine which produces the thick smoke which you see in movies etc
13 - More carried by Wessex Trains (5) - EXTRA [T]
14 - Lost impetus, as old trains did, lacking sufficient coal? (3,3,2,5) - RAN OUT OF STEAM [CD]
16 - Animal, //bearcat, calm in// winds? (8,5) - BACTRIAN CAMEL* I have had the good fortune of seeing these double humped camels in the higher reaches of Leh, Hunder to be exact, on the old Silk route where these camels were abandoned and have flourished now and are a tourist attraction
17 - Notice nothing about girl (5) - LIN<-DA<- 19 - Main man drinking wine in it (9) - I{M{PORT}AN}T
22 - Standing for president, I get beaten (8) - (Update - {PRES}TIGE*)
23 - Familiar with a hospital shown in large book (2,4) - AT {H}OME
24 - Gale heading for Newfoundland, coming from the Arctic? (8) - NORESTER ? Does not seem to be right as there is a Noreaster and Norwester but not a Norester which I have put down 9Update - NORTHER{N})
25 - Popular school for cricket, perhaps (6) - IN{SECT} Thought about the game of cricket for a long time till the other meaning of Cricket hit me
DOWN
1 - Grip end of big file with teeth (5) - G{RASP}
2 - Girl, one in care, abused (5) - ER{I}CA*
3 - Drink associated with a Victorian tramp? (9) - SUN{DOWNER} Must try this cocktail when I have my next drink
5 - Battle about winning coursing trophy (8,3) - WATERLOO CUP [CD] and initially I thought it was about sailing, see the article at the link its all about racing hounds!!!
6 - European city, say, featured in story (5) - LI{EG}E
7 - Oxford University //athlete//, terribly shabby (3,2,4) - {O}{U}T AT HEEL* Don't know if this right as I could not find a reference to it anywhere
8 - //Admires// new weapon (7) - SIDEARM*
12 - Ryder Cup captain may make a clever remark in support of play (4,7) - (Update - PAUL AZINGER)
14 - Storyteller in //court, near// to collapse (9) - RACONTEUR*
15 - Helpful type, boy, accompanying a girl, 24 (9) - SAM{A}RITA{N}
16 - Nonsense writer' enclosure (4,3) - BULL PEN [CD]
18 - The full version of Beethoven's Fifth? (5) - (Update - AITCH [~h])
20 - Make amends for displaying a temper (5) - A{TONE}
21 - Pay for another surprise gift (5) TREAT [2]

Saturday 14 March 2009

No 9480, Saturday, 14 Mar 09, M.Manna

Hmmm.... a reasonably okay mix of clues today unlike yesterday, there are only 10 CD's today which translates to around one-third of the total clues
ACROSS
1 - Ted’s canned concoction for one coming after (10) - DESCENDANT*
6 - Opts to bring things to a standstill (4) - STOP*
9 - Changes gears, points and lubricants (7) – GREAS*{E}{S}
10 - Little crawler going around quietly to investigate (7) – INS{P}ECT
12 - Wraps up the party on time (8) – BAND{AGE}
13 - Play being performed by Catholic historian (5) – ACT{ON}
15 - Deem to have an accumulation of fluid in the tissue spaces (5) – EDEM*{A}
17 - Jack Dyer is a non-voter (9) - ABSTAINER [CD]
19 - Possibly rue never being other than environmentally aware (9) – (-n)EVER{GREEN}
21 - Henry rode around with a wandering tribe (5) - {H}ORDE*
23 - Right poem makes one move around aimlessly (5) – MOPE*{R}
24 - Sham claim (8) – PRETENCE [CD]
27 - Northern climb just being formed (7) - N{ASCENT}
28 - Flags and turns pink (7) – COLOURS [CD]
29 - With a sudden movement daughter gets involved with art (4) - D{ART}
30 - The person looking for gold, seeing spoor, crept off (10) - PROSPECTOR*
DOWN
1 - Taunts at hardworking students (4) – DIG{S}
2 - Make out an attendant is responsible for the leak (7) – SEE{PAGE}
3 - Made comfortable to be free from pain (5) – EASED [CD]
4 - Mark’s made a note to subscribe in time (9) – D{E}{SIGN}ATE
5 - You may hang on to them (5) - NAILS [CD]
7 - In New Jersey, say, fashion has a split inside (7) – T{RENT}ON
8 - Arrange for goods to be delivered (3,2,5) - PUT IN ORDER [CD]
11 - Place in Wales where the past has been rewritten (2,5) – ST ASAPH*
14 - Decided to be resolute (10) - DETERMINED [CD]
16 - A gravel compound in Portugal (7) – ALGARVE*
18 - Condemns pieces of writing (9) – SENTENCES [CD]
20 - It permits access of light (7) – EXPOSER [CD] Not a very nice clue could have been worded as ' An old model'
22 - Tell some soldiers to number (7) – RE{COUNT}
24 - Fisherman, favourite of the queen (5) - PET{ER}
25 - She gives out the French lie (5) - EL<-LIE
26 - His behaviour towards others depends on serving a purpose (4) – USER [CD] Long winded clue for a simple word

Friday 13 March 2009

No 9479, Friday, 13 Mar 09, M.Manna

Too many Cryptic definitions for my liking I stand by my remarks of yesterday. Posting with a lot of blanks. Addendum - final answers added after a lot of googling. 19 out of 30 ie 63% were Cryptic Definitions or double definitions, did not enjoy the CW AT ALL, today was worse than yesterday
ACROSS
1 - A word that meant nothing (6, 7) - BROKEN PROMISE [CD]
8 - Most of the book, old version initially, was to do with the dynasty (7) - ROMAN{OV}
9 - Look fixedly at holy trees around summer houses (7) - GAZE{BOS}
11 - Fire escape on board ship (6) - FUNNEL [CD}?? Funnels are not fire escapes if my answer is correct
13 - Importance of cardinal’s address? (8) EMINENCE [CD]
15 - Perhaps the fish was off (5) - (Addendum - SMELT [CD]) Dont know what relation it has with Perhaps and off
16 - Work of low relief? (7) - (Addendum - LINOCUT [CD])
18 - Wrapping pasty is wise in a seaside place (7) - (Addendum - S{WAN}AGE)
19 - Ann has no young to trouble (5) - ANN{O}{Y}
21 - Can a rich character be promoter of lawlessness? (8) - ANARCHIC*
23 - The French pope changed the order of masses (6) - PEOP*{LE}
25 - Detectives have an art in cracking Chinese secret societies (7) - TRIA{DIC} ??No indication for reversal of detective, clue indicates detective in plural. Annotaion for I not clear
26 - Splendid stock (7) - CAPITAL [CD]
28 - What is the meaning of life? (5, 8) - HARSH SENTENCE [CD] ??
DOWN
2 - Story of upright type going to church (7) - ROMAN{CE} ?
3 - They belong to the same family (3) - KIN [CD]
4 - Church body (4) - NAVE [CD]
5 - How a military unit was systematically organised? (10) - REGIMENTED [CD]
6 - Hindmost sails of a three masted vessel (5) - MIZEN [CD]
7 - Lowest division of a large body (7) - (Addendum - SUBUNIT [CD])
8 - Won’t do it. Won’t become an entertainer (6, 2, 3) - REFUSE TO ACT [CD]
10 - Still life of a slice of bread and a piece of cheese? (7, 4) - SCENERY MEAL {CD}??
12 - One more small part he has in the film (5) - EXTRA [2]
14 - Show you were itching to see? (4, 6) - (Addendum - FLEA CIRCUS [CD])
17 - Somehow cater for a packing case (5) - CRATE*
18 - Resilience exhibited by parts of a flower (7) - STAMINA [2]
20 - Having favourites, relatively speaking (7) - NEPOTIC [CD]
22 - Conversion of many poems from one form to another effected by set of rules (5) - C{ODES}
24 - Direction can be given for a critical examination (4) - S{CAN}
27 - Erstwhile small Indian coin (3) - PIE [CD]

Thursday 12 March 2009

N0 9478, Thursday, 12 Mar 09, M.Manna

Too many cryptic definitions today looks more like an easy crossword rather than a cryptic one, as such I am stuck on 28A, 19D and 22D. Thanks toJohn from the Orkut community for the answers to the ones I never got, seeing the answers I dont think I would ever have got 28A and 19D
ACROSS
1 - Colour deeply when Grannie is awkward (7) - ENGRAIN*
5 - Caught in a maze of detail, in a manner of speaking (7) - DIALE{C}T*
10 - Lose weight and slow down (6) - REDUCE [2]
11 - Giving free medical attention? (8) - TREATING [2]
12 - Put in proper learned person to teach (6) - PUN{D}IT*
13 - Respected English opener went quickly, we hear (8) - E{STEEMED} (~steamed)
14 - Occupant has number one book (6) - TEN{A}NT
15 - Henry to pass lake anyway to have a spatter with water (6) - SP{L}AS*{H}
18 - Beg to rid damaged structure spanning a river (6) - BRIDGE*
20 - Soldier takes Ivan around a deep narrow gorge (6) - R{AVIN*}E The corps to which I belonged appears again
23 - As the bulletin is by the erudite newscaster (4,4) - WELL READ [CD]
25 - Running water disturbing rest after midnight (6) - STRE*{AM}
26 - When women propose disposing of an early ape (4,4) - LEAP YEAR* I never knew of this tradition, see the explanation at the link
27 - Left, hundred left agitated (6) - EX(-c)ITED
28 - Ascetic sect from all quarters, except west? (7) - (Addendum - ESSENES An excellent clue hats of to the setter)
29 - Seeing a family member put inside, many a newspaperman would be appalled (7) - D{AUNT}ED
DOWN
2 - Venus may have a pigmented spot (6) - N{A}EVUS
3 - Moon faced parliamentarian (9) - ROUND{HEAD}
4 - Inherent property of matter, wherein unless constrained continues to rest or in motion (7) - INERTIA [CD]
6 - Imagines a sea diet may suit him (7) - IDEATES*
7 - Machine for shaping articles at the Los Angeles building (5) - {LA}THE
8 - Summarise study twice on two points (8) - CON{DEN}S{E}
9 - Costers on the open market (6,7) - STREET TRADERS [CD]
16 - As a rule, it is extensive (4,5) - LONG REIGN [CD]
17 - Their beastly business is increasing (8) - BREEDERS [CD]
19 - He interprets outdated notes about contract (7) - (Addendum - {EX}E{GET}E I don't think I would ever have got this answer)
21 - Take care force does not damage abdominal organs (7) - VIS{CERA*} Annotation for VIS not clear, it must be something to do with 'force' (vise)? Hear of it quite often in murder investigations
22 - Game made in quarter of riding school (6) - (Addendum - MA{NE}GE* did think of this word but didnt check it out earlier)
24 - In slip of memory, left peas cooking (5) - {L}APSE*

Wednesday 11 March 2009

No 9477, Wednesday, 11 Mar 09, M. Manna

Another okay outing, though it takes a little time when the compiler changes and one has to get used to his/her style, like reinventing the wheel. Have a feeling this compiler prefers American spellings

ACROSS

1 - Old friend involved in deadlock (9) - STALE{MATE}
6 - Not an outstanding occupational protest (3,2) - SIT IN [CD]
9 - Delicate ornamental fabric made to scale (5) - LACES*
10 - Offering Her Majesty an MC (9) - PRESENT{ER}
11 - With which a ship avoids rocks at sea (10) - STABILISER [CD]
12 - A play by Shakespeare, she concludes (4) – BETH [CD]
14 - Silver in pods found in temples (7) – P{AG}ODAS
15 - Ran on time to sit in a conveyance across a distance (7) - T{RAN}SI<-T
17 - Logs fee generated for having sung to notes of the scale (7) - SOLFEGE*
19 - Part of gun used by one attempting to capture a horse (7) - TRIGGER [2]
20 - I get embraced by the woman’s successor (4) – HE{I}R
22 - Have a lower opinion of, anyway (10) - REGARD{LESS}
25 - Firm offering place with all speed (9) - STEAD{FAST}
26 - Appeal to a poor player over in Nebraska (5) - O{MAH<-}A
27 - Set up before going to Connecticut (5) – ERE{CT}
28 - Bond, given in welcome, set about the guys! (9) - AGREE{MEN}T

DOWN

1 - Offer on board ship, alcoholic drink at reduced prices (5) - S{ALE}S
2 - Russian port for a godly servant (9) - ARCHANGEL [2] Spelt as Archangelsk in Russian
3 - Where Sadie Stein comes from (4,6) – EAST INDIES*
4 - Offers oneself as candidate (7) - APPLIES [CD]
5 - Men on square get around General to explain the first principle (7) - ELE<-MEN{T}
6 - Stock check? (4) - STEM [2]
7 - It maybe the tenth part of stock taken as tax (5) – TITHE [CD]
8 - Polaris calls for colonel Ollie’s seaman (5,4) – {NORTH S}TAR Ollie held my rank in the US army
13 - A reviver, or tot, would be (10) - PALINDROME [CD]
14 - Quickly get past those dithering (9) – POSTHASTE*
16 - Set apart for Easter egg making (9) – SEGREGATE*
18 - Tea made to correct unhealthy mass of swollen tissues (7) - EDEMATA*
19 - Fields, or what may be used to cultivate them (7) - TRACT{OR}
21 - You may find her when in dire need (5) – IRENE*
23 - Seem surprised, to begin with (5) – START [2]
24 - Tied up to prepare text for publication (4) – EDIT*

Tuesday 10 March 2009

No 9476, Tuesday, 10 Mar 09, Gridman

Sailed through today, nothing much to talk about in the CW. 6D eludes me though (Update cracked 6D also)
ACROSS
1 - Eagerness for a huge amount of money to write endlessly on end to magnanimity (8) - A{LAC}RIT(write-w-e)Y
5 - Short preliminary event leads to women and lovers kicking under pressure (6) - WALK UP [T]
10 - Objected to Rogan bending to the newspaper boss … (7) - GROAN*ED
11 - … and wandering off to Zambia for material (7) - ORGAN*{Z}A
12 - Finding artist is at home results in a fruity experience (6) - RA{IS}IN
13 - Finding he’s in a low resort can be sticky (8) - AD{HES}IVE
15 - They may be expected to be monkeying around (4) - APES [CD]
16 - It causes merriment to female Indian cartoonist on stormy night (5,5) - F{UNNY} THING* See some cartoons by Unny at the link provided
18 - Can manage to discipline a plebe catching sickly coot (4,2,4) - ABLE TO COPE*
20 - Limits blurring in sacred Israeli town (4) - ACRE (sacred-s-d)
23 - Bird with sex appeal in limits of Erukkancherry gives long time (8) - E{TERN}IT{Y}
24 - Somewhat mute about princess being lost in weariness (6) - TE{DI}UM*
26 - Saying it’s end of time to two animals (7) - E{PIG}RAM
27 - Persistently question relative about vegetable (7) - PUMP{KIN}
28 - Bound you once with fabric (3-3) - TIE D{YE}
29 - Blogs, perhaps, on dismantled stop-sign (8) - POSTINGS*
DOWN
1 - One schooled in this may not show indignation all too quickly (5,10) - ANGER MANAGEMENT [CD]
2 - Pulverise some at one go! (7) - ATOM{I}SE*
3 - Indian queen and daughter trapping leading corrupter is spoiled (6) - RAN{C}I{D}
4 - Orderly one dead in the limits of Trichy (4) - T{I}{D}Y
6 - Excellent! Greet vigorously one going in feathers (8) - A?G?E?T? (Update {AI}GRET{T}E*) Don't know where the second T came from
7 - The last of fisherfolk working on one tub hauled up the raft (3-4) - K{ON} {TIK<-}I Thor Heyerdhals journey in this raft must have been a real experience. Anyone remembers the instrumental KONTIKI by the SHADOWS from the 60s, check it at the link
8 - These are signed to end hostilities (5,10) - PEACE AGREEMENTS [CD]
9 - Hundred used pictures in spells of winter weather (4,5) - C{OLD} SNAPS
14 - Interval for an intake (5-4) - LUNCH BREAK [CD]
17 - Straying away to fish (8) - STINGRAY*
19 - General and boy close to home where there is tranquillity (3-4) - LEE SIDE Wrong word, no-one says LEE SIDE or PORT SIDE (Update - Ignore my comments, LEE SIDE is there in the dictionary, though I always thought it was LEEWARDS)
21 - Smart to see fowl (7) - CHIC{KEN}
22 - The man comes ahead of the setter in light head covering (6) - {HE}L{ME}T I wonder when our country will wake up and pass a national law to make helmets compulsory for two wheeler riders, including the pillion, but I wonder what the rest of the family who are also on the two wheelers will do !!!
25 - Turn, please turn over till (2,2) - {U}P TO

Monday 9 March 2009

No. 9475, Monday, 09 Mar 09, Gridman

No Monday morning blues today, an easy outing
ACROSS
1 - What a stand-up artist finally wants to do? (3,4) - SIT DOWN [CD]
5 - Cove roughed up a learner of the same period (6) - COEV*{A}L New word for me
9 - You say Saul broke down? It’s not new! (5)- {U}SUAL*
10 - Micky’s mouth? Not exactly! (9) - MOUSETRAP [CD]
11 - Supporter of the board (7) - TRESTLE [CD]
12 - Immediately, a number at the edge of lawn gets place (7) - STAT{IO}N
13 - Musical records? (5) - NOTES [2]
14 - Crazy hint about weird kicks of a blockhead (9) - THICKSKIN*
16 - Not the sort of gathering for a beauty parade? (4,5) - UGLY CROWD [CD]
19 - Pulse found in the cooked broth (5) - THROB*
21 - Most gentle son almost frequently meets a good man (7) - SO(-n)FTE{ST}
23 - Perk up! Pilot to look out for his place (7) - {COCK}PI(-lo)T
24 - One thousand fellas in a sultanate for a Government investigator (9) - O{M}{BUDS}MAN
25 - Online discussion site for sources of Urdu music (5) - FOR{U}{M}
26 - Author Dostoyevsky, for one (6) - FYODOR [CD]
27 - Desire to grab classified list of Russia’s first president (7) - YE{LTSI*}N
DOWN
1 - Saying nothing! Quiet, small operation on for closing business (8,2,4) - SHUTTING UP {SH}OP
2 - Most tense letter in Greek upon examination (7) - TAU{TEST}
3 - Old boys accommodating tardy monks (7) - OB{LATE}S
4 - One who goes to the pitch with 8 (6,3) - NUMBER TWO [CD]
5 - Suit for places where members gather (5) - CLUBS [2]
6 - I cried out: “Rely on this for visionary operations” (3,4) - EYE BANK [CD]
7 - Such a person would hate to take a flight (7) - AIRSICK [CD]
8 - Striker who faces the first ball in an innings (7,7) - OPENING BATSMAN [CD] Sachins 163 yesterday was awesome
15 - Need cynic resort to filth? (9) - INDECENCY*
17 - He has his ups and downs in his career (7) - LIFTBOY [CD]
18 - "Belief” — journalist transmitted message in the past (7) - CREED{ED}
19 - Showing sensitivity for the head of team’s work on flu management (7) - T{ACT}FUL*
20 - Gives an account of Rex leaving out ten harbours (7) - RE(-x)PORTS
22 - Mate bends to defer finally to a circus employee, perhaps (5) - TAME*{R}

Sunday 8 March 2009

No 2523, Sunday, 08 Mar 09

Sunday mornings are lazy mornings with my waterloo the Sunday CW. Have not unravelled 21 and 22A and 17D will be back with them later
ACROSS
1 - Talented, learner driver entering Lincoln? (4) - AB{L}E
3 - Older girl's crime, perhaps (6) - BIG{AMY}
8 - Belt of identical colour brought in (3,6) - SAM {BROWN}E Wore this belt for many years in the army on ceremonial occasions, till it was replaced by the Single belt as we call it. Police still wear this belt on ceremonial occasions.
9 - Plain over in Gabon, alluvial (5) - LLANO<- 11 - See the renowned navy at sea, periodically (5,3,3,4) - EVERY NOW AND THEN*
12 - Show former head of House one piece (7) - EX{H}I{BIT}
14 - English stay in charge, being flexible (7) - E{LAST}IC
15 - Notice appropriate editor changed (7) - AD{APT}ED
17 - Extremely heavy girl is from a Cape Cod resort (7) - GR{ANN}IS (Addendum - HY{ANN}IS)
19 - A sign in a plant? (4,2,9) - STAR OF BETHLEHEM [CD] Nice clue
21 - He's seen in wings in Carmen Jones (a musical) (5) - (Addendum - CUERS ??)
22 - Bear on island in apparent distress (9) - (Addendum - APPERTA{I}N* ??)
23 - Spinner quietly stopping team getting runs (6) - S{P}IDE{R}
24 - Ruler in eastern border needing backing (4) - {E}MIR<- DOWN
1 - Severe south wind on top of Eiger (7) - AUSTER{E}
2 - Capable, Thelma working in important London residence (7,6) - LAMBETH PALACE*
3 - Dismiss Cockney yobbo? (4,3) - {BOW}L OUT
4 - Source of extreme danger if tossed (7) - GRENADE [CD]
5 - Play short tune, hit by Anastacia initially (9) - MELOD(melody - y){RAM}A
6 - Dramatist's written about a brawl (4) - FR{A}Y
7 - Brandy in clubs can go up (6) - {COG}NAC<- 10 - A jab to good effect? (1,4,2,3,3) - A SHOT IN THE ARM [CD]
13 - Last drink cheers (7,2) - BOTTOMS UP [CD]
15 - US cash used in a particular capacity (2,4) - AS SUCH*
16 - Expert fish worker (3,4) - DAB HAND [CD]
17 - Rough up short rash fellow (7) - (Addendum - HOTSPUR*)
18 - Major, for the most part, runs conference (7) - SEMINA{R}
20 - Instrument used by Simply Red (4) - LYRE [T]

Saturday 7 March 2009

No 9474, Saturday, 07 Mar 09, Gridman

At first glance thought 4D and 10D were a printers error, turned out to be different answers however. don't know if 25A is correct as I could not find it anywhere. Not providing many links or remarks as I have a dental appointment
ACROSS
 1 -Hasten extra to peak in Black Hills (8) - RUSH{MORE}
 5 - You heard undies I discarded abroad are still in the original package (6) - {U}NUSED* (undies - i)
 9 - Cutting tart (7) - CAUSTIC [2]
10 - Advocates will speak volumes for this (7) - LAWBOOK [CD]
11 - How sweater-makers may hang together (5-4) - CLOSE KNIT [CD]
12 - Send stopwatch back (5) - REMIT<- 13 - Flier gets supply to edge of Erode (4) - KIT{E}
14 - Circumnavigate the donkey right within the enclosure (4,5) - P{ASS} {R}OUND
17 - Formidable task that high-rise builders can fulfil (4,5) - TALL ORDER [CD]
19 - Worst defeat? (4) - BEAT [2]
23 - Examine accounts of praise without backing of record (5) - AUDIT (plaudit - pl)
24 - When one might hear “ayes” and “nays” (5,4) - VOICE VOTE [CD]
25 - Hairstyle in the billiards room? (3-4) - CUE BALL [2] I suppose this is a kind of hairstyle the ladies sport and looks like a figure of eight
26 - List in chapter on business (7) - IN{C}LINE
27 - Hear Catalogue X is without its cover (6) - LIST{EN}
28 - Kind of bowling that’s not cricket! (8) - UNDERARM [CD]
DOWN
 1 - Angry Eric to get crusty dish (4,4) - RICE* CAKE [CD]
 2 - Screened from view (4-3) - SHUT OUT [CD]
 3 - Mean something to discuss (6) - MATTER [CD]
 4 - If a book is this, it is most likely to be on the front shelf of a shop (6,7) - RECENT ARRIVAL [CD]
 6 - One to give you a proverbially clean sweep? (3,5) - NEW BROOM [CD]
 7 - He can’t stand the heat! (7) - SNOWMAN [CD]
 8 - All right to rise with facts marshalled about old commercial plane (6) - DA{KO<-}TA The HINDU used to have one to deliver its paper, wonder if they still have it
10 - If a book is this, it is most likely to be on the front shelf of a shop (6,7) - LATEST EDITION [CD]
15 - How much that apartment costs? Anyway, you can’t negotiate! (4,4) - FLAT RATE [CD]
16 - Tau and he-men scattered around the reading room (8) - ATHENEUM* Not sure as again I could not find a direct definition for it
18 - You can’t find one who does not have it, so to speak (7) - ADDRESS [2]
20 - Former wife has one coat scattered among Bohemian stuff (7) - {EX}OT{I}CA*
21 - Car’s crashed by a learner. The rogue! (6) - RASCAL*
22 - Engineer’s getting the stimulus for salvation (6) - RES{CUE}