No 2607, Sunday 31 Oct 10

ACROSS
1   - Become aware of truck just after (4,2,2) – {PICK UP} {ON}
5   - Cat in piece of ground adjoining old church (6) – {O}{CE}{LOT}

10 - A chief at the front (5) – {A}{HEAD}
11 - Odd, Eric pinching c-coin of little value (9) – {E{C}{CENT}RIC}

SEE THIS CARTOON

12 - University, a scene of frantic activity in London (9,6) – {CAMBRIDGE} {CIRCUS}
13 - Happy, girl given ring by American (6) – {JOY}{O}{US}
15 - A wizard, master playing ball (7) – {MAESTR*}{O}
18 - Male with Karen, forced to listen (7) – {HE}{ARKEN*}
19 - Firework plant (6) – ROCKET [DD]

21 - The Express newspaper's report? (8,7) – {DEFINITE} {ARTICLE}
24 - Begin industrial action abroad (6,3) – {STRIKE} {OUT}
25 - State leaders from Iowa detained at Heathrow overnight (5) – {I}{D}{A}{H}{O}
26 - A lemur? Yes, indeed (3-3) – AYE-AYE [DD]

27 - Supports leading baseball player (8) – {BACKS}{TOP}
DOWN
1   - Fish one caught in lodge (6) – {PLA{I}{C}E}

2   - Drink large quantity during passage (5,4) – {C{REAM S}ODA}
3   - Imprisoned naked, yonder, luck having run out (5,4,3,3) – UNDER LOCK AND KEY*
4   - Nymph in folklore, a dryad (5) – OREAD [T]
6   - Swindle kind of eccentric comic (10,5) – CONFIDENCE TRICK*
7   - London theatre having a light quality (5) – LYRIC [DD]
8   - Gathers before dance in confectionery store? (4,4) – {TUCK S}{HOP}
9   - Bird in sensational headline (8) – SCREAMER [DD]

14 - Authorise punitive action (8) – SANCTION [DD]
16 - Acerbic, worker after cut (9) – {TRENCH}{ANT}
17 - Name of country's changed, so I heard (8) – RHODESIA*

20 - Get back about palace revolution (6) – {RE}{COUP}
22 - Ticket price about 100 for play? (5) – {FAR{C}E}
23 - Car in fast race (5) – ASTRA [T]

GRID

No 9987, Saturday 30 Oct 10, Sankalak

Took me just 10 minutes today without exaggeration
ACROSS
1   - Area where fuel is found could transform a cold life (9) - COALFIELD*
5   - Unearth, looking for dirt may be (3,2) - DIG UP [DD}
8   - Building that batsman would hate to be back in (8) - PAVILION [CD]
9   - Relating to a cover for the lungs, say, more than one (6) - PLURAL (~pleural)
11 - Play it slow or fast time, love! (5) - {LENT}{O}
12 - The status of the gatecrasher (9) - UNINVITED [CD]
13 - Number that gets doubled in normal vision (6) - TWENTY-twenty
14 - The place for a bender renovated around the east (8) - {ABERD{E}EN*}
16 - Without warning, would a university deny LSD's wrong? (8) - {S(U)DDENLY*}
18 - Pharaoh who had a governor held by policemen (6) - {C{HE}OPS}
22 - Joint decision to solve green meat mystery (9) - AGREEMENT*
23 - Gather, or start gathering, French and English articles (5) - {G}{LE}{AN}
24 - Girl goes back into a shady place to cause a split (6) - {DIV{ID<-}E}
25 - Set apart a pound, find a place for it (8) - {A}{L}{LOCATE}
26 - It helps navigation in flying for a daredevil stunt (5) - RADAR [T]
27 - Severe blow in hot weather in Rajasthan perhaps (4,5) - DUST STORM [CD]
DOWN
1   - Flier, one trapped in business conspiracy (2-5) - {CO}-{P{I}LOT}

SEE THIS CARTOON

2   - Go ahead with payment upfront (7) - ADVANCE [DD]
3   - A game that, for wealth, old Lee fixed (6-3-6) - FOLLOW-THE-LEADER*

SEE THIS CARTOON

4   - Big departure that featured Paul Newman on screen (6) - EXODUS [DD]
5   - Staff officer delighted over arrangement to fulfil a promise (7,3,5) - {DELIVER THE GO(O)D(S)*}
6   - The thug's tool (7) - GAROTTE [CD]
7   - Knight errant puts boy in suffering (7) - {PA{LAD}IN}
10 - Arms, legs and wings (5) - LIMBS [E]
15 - He will grow to be a proverbially slippery one (5) - ELVER [CD]

16 - Damaging words make a Fijian, for one, lose head (7) - (-i)SLANDER
17 - The right number in performance is obtained from another (7) - {DE{R}{IV}ED}
19 - It seasons the food of a wild ass going up after a bit of oilcake (7) - {O}{REGANO<-}

20 - Solar smile! (7) - {SUN}{BEAM} &lit
21 - They support circus performers (6) - STILTS [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

GRID

No 9986, Friday 29 Oct 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
1   - But, in grammar, it does not mean that the future will be free of stress! (4,5) - PAST TENSE [CD]
5   - Cousin suffering loss of ring in a part of the ear (5) - INCUSo*
8   - Great start, deserter is free of charge! (6) - {G}{RAT}{IS}
9   - To beg for things is a strange, no-good course (8) - {SCROU(NG)E*}

SEE THIS CARTOON

11 - Sullen physician goes around open university (4) - {D{OU}R}
12 - Vacant and idle (10) - UNOCCUPIED [DD]
14 - Middle-easterner, originally overseas Indian, soldier at heart (5) - {O{MAN}I}
15 - Oranges trampled by wild asses (7) - ONAGERS*

16 - Is it also a variant of “compensations for disappointment”? (7) - SOLATIA*
17 - Abnormal fluid collection here may impede management (5) - EDEMA [T]
19 - Vitamin for treatment of frail bovine lacking energy (10) - RIBOFLAVINe*
20 - Time of fast advanced (4) - LENT [DD]
22 - Heaven is seen in military display (8) - {PARAD{IS}E}

23 - Once a messenger perhaps, now a dirty chap, one troubled (6) - {PIG}{EON*}
24 - College teacher accommodates the old, respected group member (5) - {DO{YE}N}
25 - Such a speech cannot be spontaneous (9) - REHEARSED [CD]
DOWN
1   - Shrine for one worshipped in American state (6) - {P{A}{GOD}A}

2   - France's landmark gift to America (6,2,7) - STATUE OF LIBERTY [CD]

3   - End of jest over false hair: see the joke? (4) - {T}{WIG}
4   - The reference work to be consulted, should the conservative policy need a revamp (12) - {ENCY(C)LOPEDIA*}
5   - Protected against disease? No, kept in ICU tardily, died (10) - {I{NO}CU}{LATE}{D}
6   - Study team deserves to include three points, being mindful of others' feelings (15) - {CON}{SIDE}{RATE{NES}S}
7   - They show how fast you are going to give profound return in a call for help (7) - {S{PEED<-}OS}
10 - Chair cover which is about as smart in a new design (12) - {ANTIMA{CA}SSAR} New word for me. Had to google this.

13 - Picture to the west of which you could find paradise? (4,2,4) - {EAST OF} {EDEN}
16 - Good man with last word on journalist, wearing coloured bands (7) - {ST}{R.I.P}{ED}
18 - Made up for sound quality in plug (6) - {A{TONE}D}
21 - Mineral formed in a cataclysmic action (4) - MICA [T]

GRID

No 9985, Thursday 28 Oct 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
1   - He facilitates communication between parties, but not for illicit contacts! (7,7) - LIAISON OFFICER [CD]
8   - A city within four walls, say (6) - INDORE (~indoor) Famous for Maheshwari from yesterday's monologue.
9   - Fence for protection against loss before fight (8) - {HEDGE}{ROW}
11 - Dance thus arranged is without suffering damage (9) - UNSCATHED*
12 - Product of two different cats (5) - TIGON [E]

13 - Irritation I replaced with ecstasy — a work of art (7) - (-i+e)ETCHING
15 - Entry to underground work! (7) - MANHOLE [CD]
17 - He searches for food for containing anger (7) - {FO{RAGE}R}

SEE THIS CARTOON

19 - It provides shade to a soldier — a big star (7) - {PARA}{SOL}
21 - A time to confine endlessly boring grown-up (5) - {A}{DULl}{T}
23 - Fruit, divine food in the east… (9) - {NECTAR}{IN}{E}

25 - … and food for a soldier, containing energy, in the making (8) - {C}{R{E}ATION}
26 - Brief cover for an atoll (6) - BIKINI [DD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

27 - Prickly plant found in tent, glistening mysteriously (8,6) - STINGING NETTLE* In hindi I think this is called 'Bichhu booti'

DOWN
1   - The French, free from doubt, take one in for relaxation (7) - {LE}{I}{SURE}
2   - Range — 5000 miles, sporting some of the grandest scenery (5) - ANDES [T] 4,300 as per wiki

3   - Alien vacates path for a ruler, running, barely (9) - {STREet}{A}{KING}

SEE THIS STREAKER

4   - But it should be tempered with responsibility (7) - FREEDOM [CD]
5   - Bit of metal that sailors obtained (5) - {IN}{GOT}
6   - Ego urges one to turn shocking (9) - EGREG(I)OUS*
7   - Stab of pain suffered by Lawrence, swallowing part of a bird (6) - {T{WING}E}
10 - Top cover, hard inside, for old politician (4) - {W{H}IG}
14 - Abusing port, uncle became very fat (9) - CORPULENT*
16 - To bring about order, Bellini's opera girl lies outrageously (9) - {NORMA}{LISE}
17 - Fine business, protecting administrators in a catastrophe (6) - {F}{IAS}{CO}
18 - Domestic art sounded a bell before oil spill (7) - {RANG}{OLI}

19 - Type size used in a typical print out (4) - PICA [T]
20 - Old general possibly right in a sheltered part (3,4) - {LEE} {SIDE}
22 - Ill-fated craft lost one hundred to one of great strength (5) - TITANic
24 - Paper girl backs a stupid person (5) - {ID}{IOT}<-

GRID

No 9984, Wednesday 27 Oct 10, Cryptonyte

ACROSS
1   - Money a person gives inconspicuously to keep quiet (5,4,4) - {PURSE} {ONES} {LIPS}(Correction - {PURSE} {ONE}{S LIPS})
9   - Give father a hand to cut vegetable (7) - {PA}{R}{SNIP}
10 - Cryptic clues editor reviewed and put away from the rest (7) - {SECLU*}{DE<-}
11 - He hits top layer of metal vigorously? (5) - {S{M}ITH}
12 - Directions to support one supplying extras perhaps (9) - {N}{E}{W}{S}{STAND}
13 - Philosophies that idolise ego in an unhealthy manner (10) - IDEOLOGIES*
15 - Country representative coming back for all to see (4) - {PER<-}{U}

17 - Boast about clothing (4) - {GA{R}B}(Correction - GARB<-)
19 - Point anger to strike for every spy (10) - {W}{IRE}{TAP}{PER}

22 - Nowadays wardrobe does the talking (9) - {AD}{DRESSES}
24 - Fuss about love (5) - {ADO}{RE}
25 - Scolded kid not getting fifty “Study!” (7) - {CHIlD}{DEN}
26 - A thermodynamics term made by first, second and zeroeth law practising groups (7) - {I}{S}{O}{BARS}
27 - They steal from the pocket! Animals in a way (13) - KLEPTOMANIACS*
DOWN
2   - Institute you express approval of (7) - {U}{PRAISE}
3   - Transgression by king — an imbroglio causing depression (8) - {SIN}{K}{HOLE}
4   - Live-forever or quietly stay at home (5) - {OR}{P}{IN}
5   - Tested wheels before in another place (9) - {ELSEWH*}{ERE}
6   - See crop spoiled primarily on the inside by insect (6) - {LO}{CU{S}T}
7   - Fruit kept to ripen in a bunch of feathers (7) - {PLUM}{AGE}
8   - Coins have a noggin on the top or the base (12) - {HEAD}{QUARTERS}
9   - A talented footballer is capable of this fling (7,5) - PASSING FANCY [DD]
14 - Islands go haywire, continuous sliding causes this (9) - GLISSANDO*
16 - Mother's cooking: I. A corn pasta (8) - {MA}{CARONI*}
18 - Bore again with over exercise (7) - {RE}{DRILL}
20 - Commonplace to wear capris with a hole (7) - {PR{O}SAIC*}
21 - Assistance from the French coming in but delayed (4,2) - {HEL{D U}P} 
23 - When rising, captures photo of a star (5) - {S{PIC}A<-}

GRID

No 9983, Tuesday 26 Oct 10, Spiffytrix

Today's CW, less 22A, is truly Indian.
ACROSS
1   - It will signal end of weekend anytime now — what a dampener! (7) - {MON}{SOON}
5   - Outrage about splitting a source of Veerappan's income? (7) - {S{C}ANDAL}

9   - Torn tees with pants — an indicator of conditions of days gone by (4,5) - PAST TENSE*
10 - Smack contains heroin and Indian cannabis (5) - {B{H}ANG}
11 - To maintain discipline, punish that girl falling short at sea (3,1,5,4) - RUN A TIGHT SHIPl*
13 - Not one bachelor is virgin (8) - UNMARRiED
15 - Get rid of mother for property (6) - {DO{MA}IN}
17 - Sorry, no new book for duplication (6) - REPEntAnT
19 - Fundamentally sound to a certain extent (2,1,5) - IN A SENSE (~in essence)
22 - Guy from England participated in this plan to let loose grown-up, old pet (9,4) - GUNPOWDER PLOT*
25 - Harass genuine soldier out of boredom (5) - ENNUIgi*
26 - Elected an army officer without bias (2,7) - {IN} {GENERAL}
27 -  Look outside the French craft (7) - {S{LE}IGHT}
28 - Capable saint executed (7) - {S}{KILLED} Is S for Saint acceptable?
DOWN
1   - Feel dejected with setter's work (4) - {M{OP}E} Definitely not with this Setter's.
2   - No way alcohol can be a cure for all ills (7) - {NO}{ST}{RUM}
3   - Frequently turned up in internet forums (5) - OFTEN [T<-]
4   - It may make a batsman nervous en route to a landmark (8) - NINETIES [CD]
5 - Openers of Sri Lankan eleven did get encouraged to mouth obscenities on the cricket field (6) - {S}{L}{E}{D}{G}{E}

6   - Reportedly, Einstein advanced with a score well below par (9) - (~albert){ALBAT}ROSS Anno  pending for ROSS. If Spiffytrix meant ROSS~rose, I don't think it is correct pronunciation.
7   - Play about British honour and old money (7) - {DRA{CH}MA}
8   - Bowler's on top? (3,7) - {LEG} {SPINNER} Anno for LEG ? (See Bhavan's comments for Anno of LEG)
12 - Exposed manipulators on boats (10) - {OUT}{RIGGERS}

14 - Thinking about a boy in Gujarat's capital (9) - {RE}{A}{SON}{IN}{G}
16 - He could be representing a singer without a hint of talent (5,3) - {INER{T} GAS*} Nice one
18 - Write to an English Church for atonement (7) - {PEN}{AN}{CE}
20 - Real old city in South African province (7) - {NAT{UR}AL}
21 - Notice gulf at sea (6) - {AD}{RIFT}
23 - Air circulation is facilitated with this one garment (5) - {LUNG}{I} Air circulation is most definitely facilitated when wearing a Lungi!!!

24 - Learned person switched sides to be happy (4) - G(-r+l)LAD

GRID

No 9982, Monday 25 Oct 10, Spiffytrix

ACROSS
1   - Story about a revolutionary nobleman (7) - {A}{C}{COUNT}
5   - Good for nothing lawyer's endlessly late (7) - {DA'S}{TARDy}
9   - Assorted translation of Tamil with a bit of Urdu for a class (9) -{M{U}LTIa*}{FORM} How does A get deleted. Is 'bit' doing double duty?
10 - Arab ruler's a male always (5) - {A}{M}{EER}
11 - Bear chews pie with no honey — last of honey's run out (6,3,4) - WINNIE THE POOHy*

13 - Toss rupee on a Pole? (8) - EUROPEAN*
15 - Looking after queen's livelihood (6) - {CARE}{ER}
17 - Setter's white stick (6) - {I'M}{PALE}
19 - It traverses holes — primarily of cleats and espadrilles? (8) - {SHOEL*}{A}{C}{E} How did CAE become ACE. No AInd for 'holes'
22 - Haughty criminal's coming down (13) - {CON}{DESCENDING}

SEE THIS CARTOON

25 - Swift attack without power (5) - {RA{P}ID}
26 - Distribute beer for motivation (9) - {RATION}{ALE}
27 - No longer bound to compile crosswords for nothing (3,4) - SET FREE [DD]
28 - Fool sits awkwardly with supports (7) - {ASS}{ISTS*}
DOWN
1   - Donations from members change hands (4) - A(-r+l)LMS
2   - Ex-wife wearing Mini could be a source of conflict (4,3) - {C{OLD} {W}AR}

SEE THIS CARTOON

3   - No one turned up to support a Parisian's marriage (5) - {UN}{I}{ON<}
4   - Hot current carrying a hint of rain (8) - {T{R}OPICAL}
5   - Humble editor got work when retired (6) - {D{EMOT}E} <-
6   - Tie excited male into position (9) - {ST{ALEM*}ATE}
7   - Solvent of good quality (7) - {ACE}{TONE}
8   - Shady Arabs? Champions must be wary of them (10) - {DARK}{HORSES}
12 - Managed bad credits with electronic cheques? (5,5) - DEBIT CARDS*
14 - Grease starts to excite some directors of repute at the French movie awards (6,3) - {PALM}{E}{S} {D}'{O}{R}

16 - Church in Darjeeling may be smuggling a flavoured drink (5,3) - {CH}{IN}{A} {TEA} Church smuggling? Richard will object :-) By the way is there anything as 'China Tea - Flavoured drink'? I couldn't find it on the net.
18 - Detective turned up in Patna — fantastic Indian town (7) - {PAN{IP<}AT*} 
20 - Dogs almost had fangs removed (7) - {AFG(HAd)NS*}

21 - Gather a ship's company in the auditorium (6) - ACCRUE (~a crew)
23 - Straightens some hair on Sunday (5) - IRONS [T]
24 - Chaos in dining room (4) - MESS [DD]

GRID

No 2606, Sunday 24 Oct

ACROSS

1   - Perplexed, raised issue about eastern dramatist (10) – {B{E}{WILDE}RED}

6   - Stage favourites brought back (4) – STEP <-

9   - Dog following kind print worker (10) – {TYPE}{SETTER}

10 - Ring after European snubbed in game (4) – {POLe}{O}

12 - Where H may be freely available (2,3) – ON TAP [CD]

13 - Complicated procedure to get millions invested in capital function (9) – {RIG{M}A}{ROLE}

14 - Come out with a mild exclamation of surprise (6,1,5) – STRIKE A LIGHT [CD]

18 - Freedom to act for actress leaving on the wagon? That's about right (5,7) – {CA{R}TE BLANCHEtt}

21 - A royal has to name an Ivy League university (9) – {PRINCE}{TO}{N}

23 - French composer posed with one close to stage (5) – {SAT}{I}{E}

24 - Least likely to continue (4) – LAST [DD]

25 - One way shopper could get you a tiny jumper? (4,6) – {S{AND} HOPPER}

26 - Swear word used during set-to at home (4) – OATH [T]

27 - These areas, redeveloped, can bring peace of mind (6-4) – HEARTS-EASE*

DOWN

1   - Weaver's influence (6) – BOTTOM ?

2   - Animal with one crossing a quarry (6) – {W}{A}{PIT}{I}

3   - Miss card game and become exasperated (4,8) – {LOSE} {PATIENCE}

4   - Go in to register (5) – ENTER [DD]

5   - Myrtle, for example, always gullible (9) – {EVER}{GREEN}

7   - Complete, from beginning to end, hiding nothing (8) – {TH{O}ROUGH}

8   - Characteristic of conventional type? Not half! (8) – {PROPER}{TYpe}

11 - A film director should say what is to happen (4,3,5) – CALL THE SHOTS [CD]

15 - Uncomfortable, a guy after trouble (3,2,4) – {ILL} {A}{T EASE}

16 - Fizzy cola - a cup drunk in Mexican resort (8) – ACAPULCO*

17 - What comprises coaches on piece of track attached to rear of locomotive? (5,3) – TRAIN SET [CD] Not sure of Anno (Addendum - {TRAIN S}{E}{T} - See comments)

19 - More would have us believe this is the perfect place (6) – UTOPIA [CD]

20 - Tries English vehicle (6) – {HEARS}{E}

22 - Lowest point? A depth in Northern Ireland (5) – {N{A}{D}IR}

GRID

No 9981, Saturday 23 Oct 10, Neyartha

Today is Audio-Video day
ACROSS
1   - Elaborating on deporting ousted monarch (11) - EXPATrIATING 
9   - Spoke (multiple times) with the princess housed by Aishwarya (5) - {RA{DI}I} Neat
10 - Food for one taken out by the English supplier (9) - PROV(-i+en)ENDER
11 - Selection of ideas patented in a rush (5) - SPATE [T]
12 - Ace jester to develop a pilot's backup aid (7, 4) - EJECTOR SEAT*

I WANT ONE OF THESE !

13 - English chief shielded by political leaders from the east gets a fine fabric (6) - {SAT{E}EN<-}
14 - Remove and make separate place for a comb in error (4, 3) - WIPE OFF ?(Addendum {HIVE} {OFF} - See comments)
18 - Following remains the same despite the knight getting banished (7) -TRACkING
20 - Courthouse providing box for silver (6) - {HOM{AG}E}
24 - Gem in passageway said to be from Ireland (7, 4) - {EMERALD} {ISLE}(~aisle)
26 - Angling gear found with the auditor's old Spanish coins (5) - REELS (~reals)
27 - Record after 8 onto this cassette (9) - {VIDEO}{TAPE}
28 - Perfume ingredient concealed in the Secret Service counter (5) - ESTER<-
29 - Pull a flower out for the totalitarian (3-8) - ALL POWERFUL*
DOWN
1   - A shot of this might perk you up! (8) - ESPRESSO [CD] Didn't like this
2   - Design alternative for this optical device (9) - {PROJECT}{OR}
3   - Rate the hopeless playground? (7) - THEATRE*
4   - Summer (5) - ADDER [CD]
5   - Goddess giving shelter to old king backed by some Asians (8) - {IS{RAEL<-}IS}
6   - Cut determined by ostler losing margins with inedible part of meat (7) - {GRIt}{oSTLEr}
7   - Perfect European fish for the gangster (5) - {IDE}{AL}
8   - Picture on Roman poet's love goes down south to entertain Elizabeth I (5) - {(-o)VID{E}(+o)O}
15 - Pole in Arizona town (9) - FLAGSTAFF [DD]
16 - Wait period (8) - INTERVAL [DD]
17 - Slovene realises he is hiding a type of disease (8) - VENEREAL [T]

SEE THIS CARTOON

19 - Interruption in a plan brought up for introduction in California (7) - {C{A}{ESUR<-}A}
21 - Colour which upset Dolores (3, 4) - OLD ROSE*

22 - Injured opener goes out to get prepared for combat (5) - hARMED
23 - Accommodates chairs (5) - SEATS [DD] Wasted a lot of time with HOLDS here
25 - Sound from a ball for the model under investigation (5) - AUDIO Anno pending (Addendum - AUDI(-t+o)O - See comments)

GRID

No 9980, Friday 22 Oct 10, Neyartha

Was pleasantly surprised when I zipped through today's Neyartha offering, am I getting better or was this an easier offering from Neyartha.
ACROSS
1   - Formerly free hero to get upset (10) - HERETOFORE*
6   - Initially request some volunteering postmen to notify the host (1,1,1,1) - {R} {S} {V} {P}
10 - Carriage caught with mails in some fence parts (9) - {GATE}{POSTS} (Addendum - (~gait){GATE}{POSTS} - See comments)
11 - Family division (5) - CLASS [DD]
12 - Detected a respiratory disease, upon which Gogo gets worried (8,5) - WHOOPING COUGH*
14 - Wish for the student to get expelled by the Yankee master (5) - (-l+y)YEARN
15 - Part of a book and a note found on fur sent back by the date (5,4) - {TI}{TLE P<-}{AGE}
17 - Greek character leaves surprised Ecuadoreans with some phone numbers (4,5) - AREA CODESnu*
21 - Mental description of a psychological barrier (5) - BLOCK [DD]
22 - Bone of bear attached to the dagger (8,5) - {SHOULDER} {BLADE}
24 - Animal employed near a ravine (5) - {A{BY}SS} Nice one
25 - Fix flipped membrane outside the gut (9) - {IN{TES<-}TINE} 
26 - Saw psychopath in hiding (4) - CHOP [T]
27 - Trouble foreseen when protecting saint with some fruits (10) - {FREE{ST}ONES*}

DOWN
1   - Trunk road crew spots a bandit (10) - {HIGHWAY}{MAN}

SEE THESE HIGHWAYMEN

2   - Explanation for accidental alteration by missing model (9) - RATIONALEt*
3   - Pause first to get to the bottom and hold down the result of some strokes (7) - {(-s)TOP(+s)S}{PIN} Took a while to get the anno for this
4   - X turns up after a search for the meshed fabric (7) - {FISH}{NET<-}
5   - Pronounced lines on clip that was made almost hemispherical (4-3) - (~rows){ROSE}-{CUT}

7   - Hit that may be a big success (5) - SMASH [DD]
8   - Advertise to the press (4) - PUSH [DD]
9   - Champion claiming Charlie (American) is in charge (6) - {AC{C}{US}E}
13 - Seek beeper annoying the apiarists (10) - BEEKEEPERS*
16 - Plea to outlaw the Democrat's sideline pursuit (9) - AdVOCATION Another nice one
18 - Rowdy choirboys (except for the one-third in the centre) are difficult to please (6) - CHOOSYirb*
19 - Trifler to study write-up about trouble from the south (7) - {DA{LLI}ER} <-
20 - Unusual spectre with a ceremonial staff (7) - SCEPTRE*
21 - Take watchful responsibility for 24 Ac. briefly during the scrap (7) - {B{ABYSs}IT}

SEE THIS CARTOON

22 - Extract from the essay Sowmya wrote with authority (3-2) - SAY-SO [T]
23 - Speak about using carbon to extract potassium out of fine mineral (4) - TAL(-k+c)C

GRID

No 9979, Thursday 21 Oct 10, M Manna

Some vague clues besides some good ones today. Going out early so no pictures/cartoons and also leaving some Anno's unanswered, have a ball dissecting them.
ACROSS
1   - A slap to pal makes him faint (7) - APPALLS*
5   - Having endowment reduced in retirement (7) - {B{LESS}ED}
9   - Part of speech printed in journal (7) - ARTICLE [DD]
10 - Believing like a severest fool (7) - IDIOTIC Anno pending
11 - Soldier now becomes a proprietor (5) - OWNER* (re+now)
12 - Never going brown so maybe pine (9) - {EVER}{GREEN}
13 - Have the right money and demand food (5,4) - {EXACT} {FARE}
15 - Holds firmly to abstain from food (5) - FASTS [DD]
16 - Scoundrel Ted came across, was treated in improving behaviour (5) - {CUR}{ED}
18 - Ability to endure the permitted variation (9) - TOLERANCE [DD]
21 - In bars tea may be served for the teetotaller (9) - ABSTAINER*
24 - A fat boy ordered to come from behind (5) - {A}{(B)AFT*}
25 - They increase the volume finally (7) - {ADD}{END}{A} Anno doubtful. Last A from ?

26 - Firemen ordered to hide equipment (7) - {B{RIG}ADE} Brigade by itself is in no way Synonymous with Firemen
27 - Lee took men to square in determining fact in a problem (7) - {ELE*}{MEN}{T}
28 - Fill up at it, as perhaps given direction (7) - {SATIAT*}{E}
DOWN
1   - Jack by himself found edible shellfish on the coast (7) - {AB}{ALONE}

2   - Unite with dad to make an ornamental plant (7) - PETUNIA*
3   - The money, one warned must be cut (9) - {L}{ACE}{RATED} Are warned and rated Synonymous?
4   - Large number seen about particular business activity (5) - {S{C}ENE*} Business?
5   - The new wife happily going into prison (9) - {BRIDE}{WELL} Happily going - Well ?
6   - Carefully observing (5) -  EYING [E]
7   - Models one shouldn't miss (7) - SITTERS [DD]
8   - Moves to another area in the last month with the workers (7) - {DEC}{ANTS}
14 - Menial person present (9) - ATTENDANT [DD]
15 - One who is too pernickety to make an inventory (9) - {FORM}{A}{LIST}
16 - Heard Bill proposed and acted a riddle (7) - CHARADE* (heard+ac)
17 - Remainder acceptable to satisfy desire (7) - {RESID{U}E*}
19 - Falls back once more on the artist (7) - {NIAGA<-}{RA} The only decent clue in the lot
20 - The most violent to meet former resistance ring leader (7) - {EX}{T{R}EME*}
22 - At nine a girl gets agitated (5) - ANNIE*
23 - Arranges sober dresses (5) - ROBES*

GRID

No 9978, Wednesday 20 Oct 10, M Manna

ACROSS
1   - Granted it could be used for fishing (7) - DRAGNET*
5   - Nice tax arrangement — but it's not right (7) - INEXACT*
9   - Underground missile chambers (5) - SILOS [E]
10 - Coach in refreshment stop (9) - {RES{TRAIN}T}
11 - Permanent impression by experience changed the German (6) - ENGRAM*
12 - Matter of great significance (8) - MATERIAL [DD]
14 - Whiplash of leather, although no good it cut short (5) - THO{N}{G} Anno for THO pending
15 - Starts with stop, turns colour and it's over (9) - {REMAIN}{DER<-}
18 - Nuclear hazard calls for reciprocal aid in limited supply (9) - {RA{DIA<-}TION}

20 - Intended to find a Middle East worker (5) - {ME}{ANT}
22 - Make mock of the day one gets more money (8) - {SAT}{I}{RISE}
24 - Think a lot of one in wild dream (6) - {ADM{I}RE*}
26 - Free to go some way without ties (9) - {FOOT}{LOOSE}
27 - Separate, out of consideration (5) - APART
28 - Place of high standing, so to speak (7) - ROSTRUM [CD]
29 - Falsely profess friendship (7) - PRETEND [CD]
DOWN
1   - One not in agreement suffering from abnormal tiredness (9) - DISSENTER*

SEE THIS CARTOON

2   - Lively movement that exercises a left leg or back (7) - {A}{L}{LEG}{RO<-}
3   - Lost again — anyhow longing for home tie (9) - NOSTALGIA*

4   - Volunteers to join the navy where there's water (4) - {TA}{RN}

5   - Pound is given to me in immediate part payment (10) - {INSTA{L}{ME}NT}
6   - Uncanny point I have gone into before (5) - {E}{ER{I}E}
7   - Gave excuse for failure (7) - ALIBIED [E]
8   - Baby Albert has everything (5) - {TOT}{AL}
13 - Passionate outburst, almost entirely wet (10) - B{RAINSTORM} Annopending
16 - I am to intercede next (9) - {I'M}{MEDIATE}
17 - Went back and bought another round (9) - {RE}{TREATED}
19 - Obliged to give out dues as proper service (7) - DUTEOUS* New word for me
21 - Disturb a soldier by the gallery (7) - {A}{GI}{TATE}
22 - More secure and free from danger (5) - SAFER [E]
23 - Made to measure sovereign? (5) - RULER [DD]
25 - The French pop back to spring upward (4) - {LE}{AP<-}

GRID

No 9977, Tuesday 19 Oct 10, M Manna

ACROSS
1   - Rare confusion around the north-east for the bread winner (6) - {EAR{NE}R*}
4   - Earls, perhaps? That's right for an associate of the monarch (8) - {COURT}{IE}{R}
10 - Try brewing tea if you have the will (7) - {TEST}{ATE*}
11 - Person under medical treatment sustaining pain calmly (7) - PATIENT [DD]
12 - Temper the rise of destiny (4) - MOOD <-
13 - Weapon that increases the pulse rate? (3,7) - {PEA} {SHOOTER}
16 - Working out Easter may be a problem (6) - TEASER*
17 - Visionary paper held by the German (7) - {D{REAM}ER}
20 - Clown on jetty to go back to hill (7) - {PIER}{ROT<-}
21 - Colourless sort out on bail (6) - ALBINO*
24 - A caucus to learn about on opening one (10) - {C{ON}{VENT}{I}ON}

25 - Tract of land for cultivation at a distant to master (4) - {FAR}{M}
27 - Feature of life in Australia before (7) - {AUST}{ERE}
29 - Doodlebug is an example to a sluggard and smartly king (7) - ANTLION  Anno pending

30 - Public showing certain to have openness to danger (8) - {EXPO}{SURE}
31 - A point of view taken (6) - STANCE [E]
DOWN
1   - Reckon I'm splitting the estate (8) - {EST{I'M}ATE}
2   - Taking a breather before speech can improve the art (11) - {REST}{ORATION}
3   - Dash around the lane (4) - ELAN*
5   - They are against giving work to models (8) - {OP}{POSERS}

SEE THIS CARTOON

6   - Share with a colleague in a reasonable way (10) - {RATION}{ALLY}
7   - Thai rebels in anger were against their government (3) - IRE [T] Why such a long clue?
8   - Withdraw exhausted soldier first (6) - {RE}{TIRE}
9   - Gives way to top tennis players, say (5) - CEDES(~seeds)
14 - Fear of being partitioned, possibly (11) - TREPIDATION*
15 - Gun dogs (10) - RETRIEVERS [E]

18 - It can be worn for a wet exercise putting nothing aside (8) - {FO{O}TWEAR*}
19 - Men come around roughly to begin (8) - {COMMEN{C}E*}
22 - Erase properly the scar on record (6) - {SCRA*}{PE*}
23 - One doesn't settle on turning crazy (5) - {NO<-}{MAD}
26 - Test made to restore after marking for deletion (4) - STET*
28 - Trench made to approach hostile position (3) - SAP [E] New meaning for me !

GRID

No 9976, Monday 18 Oct 10, M Manna

Some excellent clues from the Maestro today.
ACROSS
1   - Numb hands, a problem for the old farmer (10) - HUSBANDMAN*
6   - Sound is far from poor (4) - LOUD [DD]
9   - Many resent accommodation made at resorts (7) - {C}{ENTRES*}
10 - Beam and matron's quite different (7) - TRANSOM*
12 - Miserly artist going in for fish (8,3) - {STING{RA}Y}

13 - Pilot officer ran around for a formal item of dress (5) - APRON* Formal item!!!
15 - Sailor to back remade fortune telling cards (5) - {TAR}{OT<-}
17 - Rebel gunners are deployed in it (9) - {I{NSURGEN*}T}

19 - Use fruit one can mix for the filling (9) - {APPL{I}{ANC*}E} Nice one
21 - Fruit that takes fellow to work! (5) - {MAN}{GO}

23 - Ducks meeting silly persons (5) - GEESE [DD]
24 - Salad served as the result of an old monarch's ruling (8) - {COLE'S}{LAW} Another good one
27 - In that place neither moved round (7) - THEREIN*
28 - He's not paid for taking a friend to the old city (7) - {A}{MATE}{UR}
29 - Lone ranger a coward, we hear? (4) - NOEL*
30 - A deep freeze that sends the cost of electricity soaring (4,6) - {HARD} {WINTER} [CD] Strange clue!

SEE THIS CARTOON

DOWN
1   - Wine or pop? (4) - HOCK [DD]
2   - Sore ant may find his way to the White House (7) - SENATOR*
3   - Jewish high priest (5) - AARON [E]
4   - Abandonment due to no one returning (9) - DESERTION [CD] (Addendum - {DESERT}{ION<-} - See comments)

5   - Suitably fit to play on time as arranged (5) - {AP{T}LY*}
7   - Keep watch (7) - OBSERVE [DD]
8   - Authority of monk over one country (10) - {DOM}{I}{NATION}
11 - A couple of beasts writing letters in some confusion (7) - {A}{NAG}{RAM}
14 - Tidy up with shattering effect (10) - STRAIGHTEN*
16 - Craft of three big banks? (7) - TRIREME [CD]
18 - Fish kept in animal enclosure — a way to achieve balance (9) - {ST{EEL}Y}{A}{RD} Hearing this for the first time, had to Google it.

20 - Lead producers being quiet about yield (7) - {P}{RECEDE}
22 - It's most stylish to take meals in the home (7) - {N{EAT}EST}
24 - Study in Georgia for Latin American dance (5) - {CON}{GA}
25 - A Hindu mystic (5) - SWAMI [E]
26 - Spoken in U.S. as brother, but in Britain with hesitation (4) - {BR}{ER}

GRID

Sunday 17 Oct 10

Yesterday being a holiday on account of Ayudha Puja there are no papers today and I decided to give the blog a rest. However last evening Kishore posted a language puzzle to keep those who are inclined, busy; the same is reproduced below, those interested may mail him directly with the solutions at kishoremrao@hotmail.com, DO NOT POST repeat DO NOT POST your solutions in the comments below this post

Here goes:

Late at the gate

Two words (three in one of the cases) which rhyme but with some other words in between, as in the subject line of this mail, described in a cryptic way:

1. Eager, to have formicidae in the trousers
2. Elite, rather than hoi polloi
3. Small thing, beginning of something larger
4. Any means possible
5. AWAC
6. Actual meaning of something
7. Unrealistic promise of rewards
8. SOB, more politely
9. Warm and comfortable
10. Extremely favourable offer
11. Safe, reliable and sure
12. Go on a buying spree
13. Keep your parking ticket visible

Have fun
Please mail your answers to kishoremrao@hotmail.com so that the suspense/fun continues for the others.

Have a great weekend.

Kishore

No 9975, Saturday 16 Oct 10, M Manna

ACROSS
1   - General can set free a corporal in senior role (5,8) - LANCE SERGEANT*
8   - One to make a deceitful appearance (7) - PHANTOM [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

9   - With pouch, Henry accompanies father to a mid-eastern capital (7) - {BAG}{H}{DAD}
11 - Pat makes Lawman suitably fit (6) - {AD{APT*}S*} {pat+das)? Lawman or lawmen?
13 - Agent causing physical pressure makes Ross go off to rest (8) - STRESSOR*

15 - Nit soldier rigged sodium carbonate (5) - {NIT}{ER*}
16 - Falls in heap like an acrobat (7) - TUMBLES [CD]
18 - The French place embargo on Middle-Eastern country (7) - {LE}{BAN}{ON}

19 - High pressure in a range of hills (5) - RIDGE [DD]
21 - Prospect of straw hat lined with gold (8) - {PAN{OR}AMA}
23 - Girl that Sam led around (6) - DAMSEL*
25 - The monsters on tows reversed (7) - {DRAG{ON}S} What is reversed here?

26 - Not the slow local train to state (7) - EXPRESS [DD]
28 - Self-esteem natural to a lioness with her cubs (8,5) - {PERSONAL} {PRIDE}
DOWN
2   - Unyielding pop star (7) - ADAMANT [DD]
3   - Arranged to act as a malicious woman (3) - CAT*
4   - Mentioned as before (4) - SAME [CD]
5   - Possibly giving men a better discount (10) - REBATEMENT*
6   - A hole in two strokes! (5) - EAGLE [E] Only for Par 4.
7   - New studs in the camp, could be brave men in cold climate (7) - NUDISTS* Why men only!

8   - Pretty smart? Hardly (5,6) - PLAIN STUPID [CD]
10 - Land dealers produced a split between Europe and Asia (11) - DARDANELLES*
12 - A strong quiver to affect the heartbeat (5) - THROB
14 - Manual worker and a graduate involved in weighty issue (10) - {STONE}{MA}{SON}
17 - Nora turned left to meet her (5) - {L}{ORNA*}
18 - Mark with a column of figures (7) - LINEATE [CD]
20 - Go down to be gracious when there's been a con (7) - conDESCEND
22 - Trios stirred up a wild revelry (5) - RIOTS*
24 - One cast in a church or a school (4) - BELL [CD]
27 - Father has right for equal value (3) - {PA}{R}

GRID

No 9974, Friday 15 Oct 10, M Manna

The understudy is back with a vengeance!!
ACROSS
1   - Figure set in advance (7) - {COM{PUT}E}
5   - What you reach when in deadlock (7) - IMPASSE [E]
10 - Savage fire troubled engineer (6) - {FIER*}{CE}
11 - Charm one's way in (8) - ENTRANCE [DD]
12 - You may find him to be the lone in charge (6) -{N{IC}OLE*} I thought this is a Girl's name!!
13 - Stain left by loose washer (8) - TIDEMARK
14 - Lawyer appears game, though hurt (6) - {DA}{MAGE*}
15 - Put back into normal condition (6) - REDUCE
18 - Bond agent (6) - CEMENT [CD]
20 - Showy in a frock with youth leader (6) - {DRESS}{Y}
23 - Spring in lock is an offence against neighbour (8) - {TRE{SPA}SS}
25 - The joint's without credit? That's a laugh! (6) - {S{CR}EAM}
26 - One person of religion takes a day to drown (8) - {I}{NUN}{DATE}
27 - Creature lifts thin plate (6) - ANIMAL<-
28 - Defence against main onslaught (3,4) - SEA WALL [CD]
29 - Coil — the average German article (7) - {MEAN}{DER}
DOWN
2   - One gin follows gold to its source (6) - {OR}{I}{GIN}
3   - Criminal firing boy servant — gets out of the manse (9) - {P{ARSON}AGE}
4   - The serving men bearing with a woman (7) - {THE}{RE}{S}{A} 
6   - Domino game or Spanish bull fighter (7) - MATADOR [DD]
7   - Frightening sound to burglar (5) - ALARM &lit
8   - A competition to fire people! (4,4) - {SACK} {RACE}
9   - Lightest of brushes for a daily (7,6) - FEATHER DUSTER [CD]

16 - Absence without leave (9) - DESERTION [CD]
17 - Boy, recent modification ‘e completed (8) - {TERRENC*}{E} Where did the 'R' come from?
19 - Drag round a number, though it's hard work (7) - {TR{A}{V}AIL}
21 - England's openers work very hard to dominate (7) - {EN}{SLAVE}
22 - May the monkey have a bite to eat? (6) - {CAN}{APE}

24 - Wines can be source of power (5) - SINEW*

GRID