HAPPY NEW YEAR

No 9728, Thursday 31 Dec 09, M Manna

ACROSS
1 - Fellow in biblical tale deserving forgiveness (10) - {PARDON}{ABLE} (Correction - PAR{DON}ABLE - Thanks to Anokha, see comments)
6 - Vera appears to declare positively (4) - AVER*
9 - Raises volume — rejecting piano, used a forte (5,2) - {F}{A}{DES U}{P} <- )
10 - Form of art in the spirit and propriety (7) - {DECO}{RUM}
12 - Badly dressed woman, but strict about Latin (8) - S{LAT}TERN
13 - There may be an inn to stay in this country of Western Africa (5) - {BE}{NIN*}
15 - Take heed girl, avoid giving evasive statement (5) - HED{G}E* Why avoid giving?
17 - Waiting for an escort (9) - ATTENDANT [DD]
19 - One fractionally on top (9) - NUMERATOR [E]
21 - Revise poem from time to time (5) - {T}{EMPO*} Nice clue
23 - Gong brings many in to dinner, for example (5) - MODEL Anno pending (Addendum - ME{D}AL - See comments below)
24 - Destroys the star’s composure (8) - SHATTERS*
27 - Get on line for Internet market information (7) - NIELSEN Anno pending
28 - They’re prepared for a row when they meet (7) - OARSMEN [E]
29 - The fate of great many (4) - LOTS [DD]
30 - Indicatory anagram book (10) - DICTIONARY*
DOWN
1 - Become distended (4) - PUFF [CD]
2 - Doctor idled about a problem difficult to understand (7) - R{IDDLE*}D MM's Definition needs a re-look
3 - The attack is beginning (5) - ONSET [DD]
4 - Is one upset? In part — place is falling apart (9) - APPLECART*
5 - How the full cargo ship left a Yemeni port (5) - {L}{ADEN}
7 - Her majesty in the Victoria and Albert gallery (7) - {V}{ER}{AND}{A}
8 - Thinking disaster’s overwhelmed mark (10) - RUMINATION Anno pending, first I thought this was (-p)REMONITION but I could find no such word, though it fits the grid (Correction - RU{M}INATION - Ignore the earlier comment)
11 - It can be made to display china (7) - CABINET* Nice anagram
14 - Help one man in trouble? Remarkable! (10) - PHENOMENAL*
16 - Senor for a couple of pounds registers himself (7) - ENRO{LL}S*
18 - Evict a seaman? That’s a volte-face! (4,5) - {TURN} {AB}{OUT}
20 - Having obliged around five hundred, the good man is most resentful (7) - {MA{D}DE}{ST}
22 - Doctor taken in by girl on African xylophone (7) - MARI{MB}A

24 - A Muslim given backing in student body (5) - {SUN<-}{NI<-} )
25 - Roots out a piece of writing left unfinished (5) - TORSO* [DD]
26 - Young Dan turns out for him (4) - AND*{Y}
GRID

No 9727, Wednesday 30 Dec 09, M Manna

ACROSS
1 - Freedom is necessary in some French debates (13) - DE{LIBERATION}S
8 - Putting people in the wrong situation results in misery (7) - TOR{MEN}T
9 - Coach with one shoe? (7) - TRAINER [DD]
11 - Oriental combine that’s come to light (6) - {E}{MERGE}
13 - They also step around to initiate great moral reforms (8) - APOSTLES*
15 - Pole having to bear with a great many (5) - {TOTE}{M}

16 - In the finish the listener shows affection (7) - {END{EAR}S}
18 - A number leave one country for another (7) - AUSTR(-a-l)IA
19 - Foreign currency row with Argentinian leaders (5) - {DIN}{AR}
21 - Sporting plaid, Tom is a tactful sort abroad (8) - DIPLOMAT*
23 - Empire disintegrated before the intended time (6) - PREMIE* Nice clue
25 - Improved spiritually if a deed was corrected (7) - EDIFIED* I for A
26 - Ancient Egyptian who tossed seamers (7) - RAMESES*

28 - Sort of job popular with Indian mail employees (9,4) - {PERMANENT} {POST} Why Indian mail?
DOWN
2 - The pledge given is to be taken seriously (7) - EARNEST [DD]
3 - It’s a rage in Ireland! (3) - IRE [T]
4 - Little creatures abandoned on course having been decapitated (4) - {(-l)EFT}S

5 - All black, say, painted on — a mistake (10) - ANTIPODEAN*

6 - Muslim leaders (5) - IMAMS [E]
7 - No French mathematical sign should cause bewilderment (7) - {NON}{PLUS}
8 - Sporting venue can give better grind (5,6) - TRENT BRIDGE*
10 - Deer on grass, possibly in parks (4,7) - ROSE GARDENS*
12 - Amusement activities (5) - GAMES [CD]

14 - Endure terrible danger in a riotous assembly (4,6) - {BEAR} GARDEN*
17 - A creature of the summer (5) - ADDER [DD]

18 - New paper is brought out to inform (7) - APPRISE*
20 - Meissen shattered — that’s retribution (7) - NEMESIS*
22 - Substance that could make one stupefied (5) - OPIUM [E]
24 - Light up your face in amusement (4) - GRIN [CD]
27 - Represent an area on a flat surface (3) - MAP [CD]

GRID

No 9726, Tuesday 29 dec 09, M Manna

Manna has really stumped me today
ACROSS
1 - Peak the day before others (7) - {EVE}{REST}
5 - Tom Jolly — a single master, we hear (7) - ?A?B??? (Addendum - {CAT}{BOAT} - Thanks to Maddy, see comments)

10 - See not a single church (6) - {NOT}{I}{CE}
11 - For once, rang and said something nice about (8) - {EX}{TOLLED}
12 - Select Sidney for England team despite being a pest (6) - {CAP}{SID}
13 - Stable part of unattached wood (5,3) - {LOOSE} {BOX}
14 - May be lit for votive purposes (6) - CANDLE [CD]
15 - Moved sideways with daughter to slide out (6) - SIDLE*{D}
18 - First Olympic games held in this city (6) - ATHENS [E]

20 - One van used for nine days to carry out catholic prayers (6) - NOVENA*
23 - Begin to attack (3,5) - SET ABOUT [DD]
25 - Jabber to provoke teasingly (6) - NEEDLE [DD]
26 - One rightly ridiculed hoop-la, for instance (4,4) - FA{I}{R} {GAME} ?
27 - Having an appearance of a beauty (6) - LOOKER [DD]
28 - Why late changes result in having lots of money (7) - WEALTHY*
29 - Caught the horse with a lariat noose (7) - LASSOED [CD]
DOWN
2 - Garden flowers placed on musical instruments (6) - VIOLAS [DD]

3 - Check condition and replace (9) - REINSTATE [CD]
4 - Put up house in a shelter (7) - SHEDDED ?
6 - Events of a drama (7) - ACTIONS [CD]
7 - Attractive call for the English (5) - {BELL}{E}
8 - Notices new kinds of poison (8) - ??E?O?E?
9 - Bed time story lover’s plea? I don’t believe it! (4,2,7) - TELL ME ANOTHER [DD]
16 - Relaxing one’s guard is risky (9) - DANGEROUS*
17 - In the main it’s the cheapest way to travel (8) - STEERAGE [E]
19 - Had no desire for an argument (7) - STOMACH [CD]
21 - House holding an orchid (7) - V{AN}ILLA

22 - Complex legal point to imply in court (6) - ALLEG*{E}
24 - Month to play tricks on her (5) - APRIL [DD]
GRID

No 9725, Monday 28 Dec 09, M Manna

ACROSS
1 - The French region about which to make a choice (9) - SE{LE}CTION
6 - Finish with one’s tail in the air (3,2) - {END} {UP}
9 - A jain takes course in martial arts (5) - NI{N}JA* Ninja is not a martial art, but it is someone who pursues a martial art!!
10 - Graduates put in to transform old school (4,5) - AL{MA} {MA}TER
11 - One being impudent without being able to stop the flow of current (10) - INSUL{A}TING Don't know how A comes in
12 - Flood survivor apparently declined threat inspection (4) - {NO}AH Anno eludes me
14 - It drives one to drink when you are parched (7) - THIRSTY Anno pending
15 - Fit to be eaten for bees, so take lid off (7) - EDIBLES*
17 - Nora had to go to the river to find her (7) - {ELE}{ANOR*} ? Couldn't find any river named ELE
19 - Declares that it’s a lock-up (7) - A{SSERT<-}S Nice clue
20 - Vortex guy? (4) - EDDY [DD]
22 - Current way to produce greater efficiency (10) - {STREAM}{LINE}
25 - A great egg concoction to get together (9) - AGGREGATE*
26 - A few in the Tyneside area find this simple (5) - N{A}{IV}E NE from Tyneside being in the NE area of the UK and IV being a few!!
27 - Cancel because having entered before (5) - ER{AS}E
28 - Will change statement (9) - TESTAMENT* Nice clue
DOWN
1 - Moses received the 10 Commandments on its Mount (5) - SINAI [E]
2 - A natural slip of landladies lacking a bent for it (9) - LANDSLIDES(-a)*
3 - Early form of rock music (6,4) - CRADLE SONG [CD]
4 - Not suitably done to sleep in it (7) - {I{NAP}T}LY Don't ask me where LY came from
5 - Refusal by colliery to take on English candidate (7) - {NO}{MINE}{E}
6 - She has them shortened to a degree (4) - {(-th)EM}{MA}
7 - Time to do it in the same manner (5) - DI{T}TO*
8 - Secures leverage (9) - PURCHASES [DD]
13 - Declines nothing — kind of frenzy in compulsive drinking (10) - {DIPS}{O}{MANIA}
14 - The ones here confront ante-revolutionary legislature (3,6) - {THE SE}{NATE*}
16 - Idle vicar, running wild, will polish off the grub! (9) - LARVICIDE*
18 - Pull out car fallen by accident in crater (7) - RE{T}RACT T meaning Model 'T' of FORD?
19 - Set ways stuff for remaining young looking (7) - AGELESS [DD]
21 - Closely follow a well qualified person’s teaching (5) - {DOG}{MA}
23 - Difficult to let engineer be chosen for office (5) - EL{EC}T*
24 - In short we are what we used to be (4) - WE'RE Nice clue
GRID

No 2564, Sunday 27 Dec 09

ACROSS
1 - Wound soldiers surrounding German's room (6) – T{RAUM}A
4 - Usher in very dirty bar (5,3) – {BLACK} {ROD} Never heard of this earlier
9 - Go round (run round) gallery (6) – {R}{O}{TATE}
10 - A titled woman crossing border in novel (4,4) – {A}{DAM {BED}E}
12 - Touring in the more historic Welsh county (9) – MERIONETH* Had to Google this
13 - Stuff round end of profiterole? (5) – CR{E}AM

14 - One may be used to break rocks in prison, around side by hospital (12) – SL{EDGE}{H}AMMER

18 - Adventuress lends from all, unwisely (4,8) – MOLL FLANDERS*
21 - A member, separated (5) – {A}{PART}
22 - Clear river containing single rodent (9) – EX{ONE}{RAT}E
24 - English poet, Arnold, drunk at public house (8) – {RANDOL*}{PH}
25 - Empty container into large tank (6) – VA{CAN}T
26 - Sluggish beast, before noon, followed by worker (8) – {STAG}{N}{ANT}
27 - Break in bay (6) – RECESS [DD]
DOWN
1 - Dessert - is it a rum concoction? (8) – TIRAMISU* Google result

2 - Lawyer to sailors caught in a further capsizal (8) – {A}{T{TO}{RN}EY<-} )
3 - Saw German chap stalking maiden (5) – {M}{OTTO}
5 - Mistress from Holland may, struggling with it (4,8) – LADY HAMILTON*
6 - Tell all to turn up ahead of fair (4,5) – {COME} {CLEAN}
7 - Mention about Ecstasy in jacket (6) – RE{E}FER
8 - Lovely and vague (6) – DREAMY [DD]
11 - Film a whole planet exploding (6,6) – LETHAL WEAPON*
15 - Good landlord won't fancy an empty place (5,4) – {G}{HOST} {TOWN*}
16 - Jude Law, a rep in part, bringing one to this US state (8) – DELAWARE [T]
17 - Fireproof material, like finest used by sailor (8) – {AS}{BEST}{OS}
19 - Sign male's ignored in reference book (6) – T(-he’s)AURUS
20 - Iran, an amazing land for children? (6) – NARNIA*
23 - To remove all trace of epoch's close to impossible (5) – {ERAS}{E}



GRID

No 9724, Saturday 26 Dec 09, Gridman

17 & 22D have me stumped for now. 17D looks like MISMATCH but then 28A doesn't match!!
ACROSS
1 - Associate to come round father and medical officer (8) - COM{PA}{DR}E
5 - Avoid playing chess with bridge player (6) - ESCH{EW} Where did one S go?
10 - Boor holds remains of attack (4,3) - L{ASH} OUT
11 - I said: “See, it’s on the tail of a peacock!” (7) - (~i){EYE}{SPOT}

12 - Reptile – one, unknown, driven out of South American country (6) - {I}{GU(-y)ANA}

13 - Rumour about block-buster: V-1 (4,4) - {BUZZ} {BOMB}

15 - Detail in one piece (4) - ITEM [CD]
16 - Now, end-term changes arouse curiosity (10) - WONDERMENT*
18 - Relative, after sleep, to phone for place-setting part (6,4) - {NAP}{KIN} {RING}
20 - Hurried with small hamper (4) - {S}{PED}
23 - On church, Rome’s dilly-dallying again (4,4) - {ON}{CE} {MORE*}
24 - Lathe-worker to shift with hesitation (6) - {TURN}{ER}
26 - ”Too much,” old teacher returns rice dish (7) - {RIS<-}OTTO Anno pending (Addendum - {RIS<-}{O}{TTO<-} - Thanks to Chaturvasi, see his comments) 27 - Chart drawn up on each windpipe (7) - {TRACH*}{EA}
28 - Not an altruistic quality (6) - EGOISM [CD]
29 - Yanked hatch up: last character is within. That’s tenacity! (8) - CHUT{Z}PAH*
DOWN
1 - The way to a crash? (9,6) - COLLISION COURSE [E]
2 - I am up to clever lures to produce disorder (7) - {MI<-}{SRULE*}
3 - Tot up a pony (6) - {A}{MOUNT}
4 - Rubbish Oriental method of learning (4) - {ROT}{E} Could never do this at school
6 - They make explosive expirations (8) - SNEEZERS [E]
7 - Greeting, lead an individual to a joint (7) - {HI}{PB}{ONE}
8 - How the opener of an innings would walk to the pitch and beard the bouncers – very nervously (4,5,6) - WITH BATED BREATH [DD] (Addendum - {WITH BAT{ED BREATH*} - Thanks to Suresh, see comments)
9 - Underproductive Delhi’s top worker is no longer needed (9) - {REDUN*}{D}{ANT}
14 - Drilled, we hear, Rex to bellow back in corporate meeting place (9) - (~bored){BOARD}{R}{OOM<-} )
17 - A pair of shoes that is not actually a pair (8) - ?I?M?T?S (Addendum - MISMATES [CD])
19 - Painter’s picture presented to small association (7) - {PIC}{ASSO}
21 - Old English magazine on high scrap (5-2) - {PUNCH}-{UP}
22 - Where you may find rich Arab bores (6) - ?U?A?T (Addendum - KUWAIT [CD] Good one - Thanks to Richard see his comments below)
25 - Sibyl without inordinate desire (4) - (-w)ITCH


GRID

No 9723, Friday 25 Dec 09, Gridman

A MERRY CHRISTMAS to all visitors
ACROSS
1 - Wait endlessly with relation after relation each deserting new neighbourhood of Honolulu (7) - {WAI(-t)}{KI(-n)}{KI(-n)}
5 - Managing the arrival with Papa in the place of Mama (6) - CO(-m+p)PING
9 - Fabric, only new stuff (5) - NYLO*{N}
10 - Green Oriental learner accepts support for describing a column (9) - {VERT}{E}{BRA}{L}
11 - Silent on a lot of money being given to icon-breaker (7) - {LAC}{ONIC*}
12 - Store woman’s report (7) - {SHE}{BANG}
13 - Quotes in report some pages from the Web? (5) - CITES(~sites)
14 - Travelling, having restless nite in moving train (9) - ITINERANT*
16 - Be in bed unaware of the alarm ringing (9) - OVERSLEEP [CD]
19 - Simpleton gets artist out of imprisonment (5) - DU(-ra)NCE
21 - Classify; if so, one might reach heights (4,3) - {SORT} {OUT}
23 - Somewhat pert with a no-good sea-slug (7) - {TREP*}{A}{NG} Seen plenty of these while at Port Blair, I believe they are a delicacy in the Far-east as they have Aphrodisiac properties; scores of smugglers used to come to the Andamans to harvest these sea-cucumbers.

24 - Where all visitors are welcome (4,5) - OPEN HOUSE [E]
25 - Sailor, accountant and setter get counting frames (5) - {AB}{AC}{I}

26 - Staff has right to go on a hunger strike (6) - STA{R}VE
27 - Capotes exchanged for shoe parts (7) - TOECAPS*

DOWN
1 - Straight wagers on course (3,5,2,4) - WIN PLACE OR SHOW [CD] Was never interested in horce racing so had to look this up on the net.
2 - Hot, bad one to call endlessly (7) - {ILL}{I}{CIT(-e)}
3 - Knock lands recovered from the seas (7) - INNINGS [DD] Never knew the second meaning
4 - Bad language in CV invitee presented (9) - INVECTIVE*
5 - Provides check for sidewalk borders, we hear (5) - CURBS(~kerbs)
6 - Lead rep, being clumsy, takes son, we hear (7) - {PRE*}{CEDE}(~seed)
7 - Nair wanders around vehicle in bliss (7) - NIR{VAN}A*
8 - Goods that aren’t well-earned (3-6,5) - ILL-GOTTEN GAINS [CD]
15 - Pat in time turned testy (9) - IMPATIENT*
17 - Serious listener Sten is distracted (7) - {EAR}{NEST*}
18 - Suppress Tom’s lifting that woman (7) - {SMOT*}{HER}
19 - When a new arrival is expected (3,4) - DUE DATE [E]
20 - Canadian falls (7) - NIAGARA [E]

22 - Peace pact is genuine about first of contingencies (5) - TRU{C}E

GRID

No 9722, Thursday 24 Dec 09, Gridman

Too many CD, DD and E's for my enjoyment as such didn't like today's CW
ACROSS
1 - Dress beau, hatless, in customary manner (8) - {HABIT}{(-d)UDE}
5 - Caught, terrorist’s leader is scratched and struck (6) - T(-r)APPED Should have been lightly struck.(Correction (-t)RAPPED - See Sandhya's comments)
9 - Being tense, adjusted for final settlement (5,2) - WOUND UP [DD]
10 - Exclusive circle where outsiders won’t be allowed (2-5) - IN-GROUP [CD] Never heard of this group before
11 - Steward army officer, mood being nasty (5-4) - {MAJOR}-{DOMO*}
12 - I go around the scholar — an insect, in fact (5) - {I}{MA}{GO} Watch the video in the link
13 - Fools with playthings (4) - TOYS [DD]
14 - King of kings in India (9) - MAHARAJAH [E]
17 - Emphatic agreement with a cartoonist’s work? (3,4,2) - YOU SAID IT [DD]

19 - Late announcement? (4) - OBIT [E]
23 - Don’t begin to dally with firearm (5) - (-t)RIFLE
24 - Burmese leader and more smarmy one discarded shoulder belt (9) - {B}{AND}{O(-i)LIER}
25 - Durable in residence? (7) - ABIDING [DD]
26 - Partially inspect rare images (7) - SPECTRA [T]
27 - Going back to silver dole-out (3-3) - {AG}{E-OLD*}
28 - Gang leader on street calls for supplies for strippers (1-7) - {G}-{ST}{RINGS}
DOWN
1 - Good watcher gets doctor the tailless insect of the Sphinx family (4,4) - {HAWK} {MO}{TH(-e)}

2 - Sad, stupid bird (4,3) - {BLUE}{JAY}

3 - Old English-Welsh rulers’ stud or shed (6) - TUDORS*
4 - Attaché case? (10,3) - DIPLOMATIC BAG [E]
6 - Discovered ANC gal in church (8) - ANGLICAN*
7 - Fairly shared in Rome? (3,4) - PRO RATA [E]
8 - Journalist put up plan to position the troops (6) - {DE<-}{PLOY}
10 - As a policy these nations don’t get entangled with others (13) - ISOLATIONISTS [E]
15 - It is not ordinary even on losing face (8) - ESPECIAL [CD]
16 - Battles among denizens of the tinsel town? (4,4) - STAR WARS [CD]
18 - Nothing following confused desi referee’s call (7) - {OFF}{SIDE*}
20 - There from the start, like some kitchen shelves (5-2) - BUILT-IN [DD]
21 - Force fit girl (6) - {ARM}{ADA}
22 - So pure, yet in a way affected person (6) - POSEUR*



GRID

No 9721, Wednesday 23 Dec 09, Gridman

Back in Bangalore. Gridman almost had another Pangram today, only J,W and Z are missing. Nice combination of 16A, 19A and 25A !!!, don't know if Gridman intended it

ACROSS
1 - Attempt to wear a banian in disguise (8) - TR{A}{VEST}Y
6 - Once more without a profit (4) - (-a)GAIN
9 - Early stage reached more by accident (6) - EMBRYO*
10 - Unwelcome greeting? (4,3) - KEEP OUT [E]
13 - Groups that make appearances in theatres (9) - AUDIENCES [CD]
14 - Artist with one word of thanks for Indian side-dish (5) - {RA}{I}{TA}
15 - Stop a story: “King bugged” (4) - {K}{ILL}
16 - Involve in fighting and be ready for marriage? (3,7) - GET ENGAGED [DD]
19 - Become entangled in a Hindu union? (3,3,4) - TIE THE KNOT [DD]
21 - Repeat Election Commission on hold-over (4) - {EC}{H}{O}
24 - Question union leader on measure to put down (5) - {Q}{U}{ELL}
25 - Be unexpressive? (4,5) - KEEP QUIET [E]
26 - A fellow I hang cruelly for money (7) - {A}{F}{GHAN*}{I}

27 - In the hub of a shadowy back-street (6) - {A}{MID<-}{ST}

28 - Direction to serve a portion of savouries during tea-break (4) - EA{S}T*
29 - That’s all! (8) - EVERYONE [CD]
DOWN
2 - Give a face-lift to mere, old circus (7) - REMODEL*
3 - Educated in poetry? (6) - VERSED [CD]
4 - Test to see if there’s a stain? Not exactly! (4-5) - SPOT CHECK [CD] Nice clue
5 - Wow! Word of agreement to infuse one thousand! (5) - Y{I}{K}ES
7 - Appreciating a party band (7) - {A}{DO}{RING}
8 - The nitty-gritty of what may be in the tool-box (4,3,5) - NUTS AND BOLTS [DD] (Reminds me of the story of the short headline for the Rapist who escaped 'NUT SCREWS AND BOLTS'
11 - Anger gran touring within the borders of Erode (6) - E{NRAG*}E
12 - Where the dealings are unprejudiced? (6,6) - MARKET SQUARE [CD]
17 - Let go without any charge (9) - EXONERATE [E]
18 - Indian dinner-plate to a Greek goddess (6) - {THALI}{A}

20 - Combines after one at last crops up (7) - {E}{MERGES}
22 - Embarrassing colour? (7) - CRIMSON [E]
23 - Balance money? (6) - EQUITY [DD]
25 - It goes with fork (5) - KNIFE [E]

GRID

No 9720, Tuesday 22 Dec 09, Gridman

Today's blog is by Richard Lasrado (alias Richlas) whom I requested as I was not sure of Internet access on the train (little modifications of colours etc done by me to meet my style of posting). I am aboard the Sampark Kranti again on my way back to Bangalore
ACROSS
1 - Timers on way to work with guards (11) - {ST}{OP}{WATCHES}
9 - Mailer's determined tendency to face facts (7) - REALISM*
10 - Hoisting equipment gets crier swept dramatically into empty dock (7) - {D(-oc)}{ERRIC*}K}
11 - Strange shape of the moon, perhaps (5) - PHASE*
12 - A busy or humble person is not one to make this kind of crow (4,5) - IDLE BLAST ? (Addendum - IDLE BOAST Thanks to Shuchi)
13 - Below, fellow is caught in rainfall (5) IN{F}RA
15 - Lightning bugs (9) - GLOWWORMS Lightning or lighting?

18 - Fan of the Capricorn's attack on learner ended (4,5) - {GO}{AT} {L}{OVER}
21 - Moor's entanglement (3-2) - TIE-UP [DD]
22 - But they don't chime in camps (4,5) BELL TENTS [CD]
24 - Don't begin to shield runaways in the capital (5) (-s)DELHI*
26 - Rum's not constituent of cure-all (7) - NOSTRUM*
27 - Adjust anew to girl in oddly pert case (7) - RE{ADA}PT*
28 - The sort of rock maestri deny belting out (11) - SEDIMENTARY *
DOWN
1 - Youth to expose fish (9) - {STRIP}{LING}
2 - Mantra's expression of surprise in U.S. city (5) - {OM}{AHA}
3 - We, with all fussing about, get this kind of tyre (9) WHITEWALL*
4 - Pressing — old Bob is out pressing (7) - TAMPING Anno pending (Addendum - (-s)TAMPING Thanks to Shuchi)
5 - Nobleman: "Hi! Happy to come up with a ring" (7) - {HI}{DALG<- strong="">O}
6 - Clean tree (5) - SCRUB [DD]
7 - Say 'no' to boy on the rise with a craving that's endless (8) - {DIS<- strong="">A}{GREE(-d)}
8 - Take off garment without voyeur at last (4) - SKI(-r)T ?
14 - Brave female not giving attention? (8) - {F}{EARLESS}
16 - Comedian, hard-working, won no Oscar — is offish (9) - {WIT}{HDRA*}{W(-o)N}
17 - Concession to man's attempt at clever argument (9) - {SOP}{HIS}{TRY}
19 - Having poisoned, leaderless workers stealthily moved around (7) - V{(-m)EN}OMED*
20 - Talking point? (7) - ROSTRUM [CD]
22 - Put up with nonsense? (4) - BUNK [DD]
23 - They are served in coolers (5) - TERMS [CD]
25 - Pack animal brings everything up around morning (5) - {LLA<- strong="">MA<- span="" style="color: white;">)

Richard Lasrado
GRID

No 9719, Monday 21 Dec 09, Gridman

Continuing from Nagpur
ACROSS
1 - Hundred going through summer in France tear-jerking with the others (2,6) - {ET {C}E}{TERA*}
5 - Mean fortuneteller (6) - MEDIUM [DD] Is a Medium a fortuneteller?
9 - Izzat of swine going around others with a bit of enthusiasm (8) - {P{REST}IG}{E}
10 - Get easily into a kind of sandals (4,2) - SLIP ON [DD]
12 - It may get filed (4) - NAIL [CD]
13 - Musical groups from Trinidad bend least to manipulation by leader of strings (5,5) - {STEEL BAND*}{S}
15 - Material for the first three of fabulously rich (6) - {FAB}{RIC}
17 - Emirate to question a sailor (5) - {Q}{A}{TAR}
20 - Poor, born and dead before youth leader (5) - {NEE}{D}{Y}
21 - Cover put around mischievous fellow, it’s clear (6) - L{IMP}ID
24 - Envy hep PTA going all out on a celebration (5,5) - HAPPY EVENT*
27 - Jump-start to woman in island (4) - {J}{AVA}
29 - Field of vision? (6) - OPTICS [CD]
30 - Issac, tic is set right; another complaint is here (8) - SCIATICA* (Addendum - Seems to be an error here, I think Gridman intended ISAAC and not ISSAC)
31 - Turn on many in retreat with ultimate prurience (6) - {EX{C}IT}{E}
32 - Not that you use this almanac once in twelve months (8) - YEARBOOK [CD]
DOWN
1 - Use some complex pendulums (6) - EXPEND [T]
2 - Believe old statesman changed diet (6) - {CR}{EDIT*}
3 - One may say it or hear it while leaving (2-2) - TA-TA [E]
4 - Not initiating alarm is good (5) - (-f)RIGHT
6 - From the books of 41 in Electricity Board (2,3) - E{XLI}B
7 - One member, frail, putting in appeal for freedom from punishment (8) - {I}{M}{PUN{IT}Y}
8 - Service car on street line (8) - {MINI}{ST}{RY}
11 - The first of whizkids became suspect on casting off last computer accessory (6) - {W}{EBCAM(-e)*}
14 - Clownish hit not completed on New York’s leader (4) - {ZA(-p}{NY}
16 - Dwell over an experience again (6) - RELIVE [E]
17 - Who in France gets Puducherry’s capital joke? (4) - {QUI}{P}
18 - Measure article about man put in a high position (8) - {EN}{TH{RON}E}
19 - Hastily-posted in-charge is tyrannical (8) - {DESPOT*}{IC}
22 - Icon’s a different appearance in gambling house (6) - CASINO*
23 - Material mother produced on query (6) - {DAM}{ASK}
25 - Craft brings end to any chat going off course (5) - {Y}{ACHT*}
26 - Opening of house in pleasant corner (5) - NIC{H}E
28 - Beautiful exhibition (4) - FAIR [DD]


GRID

No 2563, Sunday 20 Dec 09

Posting from Nagpur
ACROSS
1 - US rock star encountered crossing a lounge (4,4) – {ME{A}T} {LOAF}
5 - Training on first of April, leader of Dambusters took off (4) – {A}{PE}{D}
8 - Crouch down by bed to get large bag (8) – {RUCK}{SACK}
9 - Style, class to a T (6) – {FORM}{A}{T}
11 - Demand made by former partner to behave (5) – {EX}{ACT}
12 - Love playing Chartres in big band (9) – {O}{RCHESTRA*}
14 - Dutch painter depicting seedy boys' home with urchins (10,5) – HIERONYMUS BOSCH* Had to google search this even though it was an anagram
16 - Throughout most of term, terribly strict (4,4,2,5) – {FROM STEM TO*} {STERN}
20 - Terrorise giddy merrymaker (9) – ROISTERER*
21 - Number one cricket club with a hallowed ground (5) – ME{CC}{A} ?
23 - Warm current in lake, one abroad (2,4) – E{L} NINO*
24 - Book, say, with Dickens character causing envy (8) – {B}{EG}{RUDGE}
25 - Lost, excellent fabric (4) – {L}{ACE}
26 - Small ballistic missile, ear-piercing (8) – {S}{TRIDENT}
DOWN
1 - Angry mother describing parking in NE town (7) – MOR{P}ETH* Had to google search this
2 - Bill, artist in African capital (5) – {ACC}{RA}
3 - The Parisian, so hot running in African country (7) – {LE}{SO}{THO*}
4 - Fruit, fish and vegetable retailer, initially (7,4) – {ANCHOVY} {PEA}{R} Result of another google search, never heard of this one

6 - Saw lead choking dog? (7) – P{ROVER}B
7 - Cup of tea? Missed out (9) – DEMITASSE*
10 - Close to tent, spots rubbish (5) – {T}{RASH}
13 - Forge iron bar initially on it (11) – {COUNTER}{FE}{IT}
15 - Moving, English poet to Alabama (9) – {E}{MOTION}{AL}
16 - Warning about onset of thunder (loud) (5) – FOR{T}E
17 - Disappointed, no end, having received a bronze - that's diabolical (7) – {S{A}{TAN}IC(-k)} Not sure of Anno
18 - Warriors will achieve odd reversal in Asia, possibly (7) – SA{MUR<-}AI*
19 - Most closely related are placed in home (7) – NE{ARE}ST
22 - Group of activists worry about introduction of democracy (5) – CA{D}RE


GRID

No 9718, Saturday 19 Dec 09, Nita Jaggi

On board the Sampark Kranti Express from Bangalore to Nagpur. Not adding any links and photo's cause as usual none of the charging points are working in the compartment, so much for our Indian Railways. Will check the blog again after I get to Nagpur tonight.
ACROSS
 1  - A puff of air may extinguish the candles in a party (4,3) - BLOW OUT [CD]
 5  - Very excited for a jacket to be shortened (6) - {A}{BLAZE(-r)}
10 - Priests finally answer the king initially reporting in this language (8) - {S}{ANS}{K}{R}IT IT from? (Addendum - {S}{ANS}{K}{R}{I}{T})
11 - Usual feature of fast food restaurants (6) - BURGER [E]
13 - Stumbles with ease around the Rolls Royce (4) - E{RR}S
14 - Money put in the large mints even in Thailand (10) - INVESTMEN*{T}
16 - Grossly inadequate (6) - MEAGRE [CD]
18 - No lava is spread on the side road of the hill station (8) - LONAVA*{L}A Last A from?
21 - Man is holding a member for the number one returning as the title-holder (8) - {CHA{M}P}{ION<-} )
22 - Please the furious dean in difficulty (6) - E{NDEA*}R
25 - Fabric? Can be rubberised in nature (10) - WATERPROOF [CD]
27 - Make connection with a secret agent (4) - BOND [DD]
30 - Turn up to come together following the far end of the side (6) - {E}{MERGE}
31 - Long time to transform an entire treaty on both sides (8) - ETERNI*{T}{Y}
32 - A very easy task (6) - D?D?L? (Addendum - DODDLE [E])
33 - Men are out in the dark country (7) - D{ENM*}ARK
DOWN
 2  - Nothing to be taken up by the soldiers on the ship (5) - {LIN<-}{ER<-} )
 3  - Watch over corpse on an island (4) - WAKE [DD]
 4  - Marriages in the United Nations namely are not for the scions (6) - {UN}{(-sc)IONS} Don't know how SC gets deleted
 6  - Direct infield hit circles low (5) - B{L}UNT
 7  - Total amount of coarse material (9) - AGGREGATE [DD]
 8  - Point lacking in the greatest kind of birds (7) - EGRETTA(-s)*
 9  - Admire the tournaments coming up after the initial events (6) - {E}{STEEM<-} )
12 - Defective product for the French doctor is known at last (5) - {LE}{MO}{N}
15 - Cut in the credit operation (4) - {CR}{OP}
17 - Parade hit by mistake by racial segregation (9) - APARTHEID*
19 - Family member is a social worker around Uruguay (4) - A{U}NT
20 - Dried coconut in front of the house portal regularly (5) - {CO}{P}{R}{A}
21 - Gathered a crowd, eh! for the hired hand (7) - COWHERD*
23 - Showing anger, I travel on an overnight flight (3-3) - {RED}-{EYE} ?
24 - Arrange insurmountable boundaries of an aircraft mission (6) - {SORT}{I}{E}
26 - Note, the girl is fit for the king (5) - {RE}{GAL}
28 - Sire is somehow following the ring on the tree (5) - {O}{SIER*}
29 - Seed weight (4) - GRAM [DD]


GRID

No 9717, Friday 18 Dec 09, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
 1  - One may throw a party to bid them goodbye! (8) - FAREWELL [CD]
5  - Lively dance on the carpet (4) - SHAG [DD]
 9  - Pious leader has a short time for the duke (8) - REVEREN(-d+t)T
10 - Kofi’s second American lawyer is in a state of bliss (6) - {ANAN}{DA}
12 - Gumbo ingredient is acceptable by soldiers (4) - {OK}{RA}

13 - Payment of the bill for a small community (10) - SETTLEMENT [DD]
15 - It may be granted to the male staff at the time of their newborn! (9,5) - PATERNITY LEAVE [E]
17 - Terrorist may get shot in this kind of staged killing! (5,9) - CLOSE ENCOUNTER [CD]
21 - Engineer has a right to be in the workshop that is heat-resistant (10) - {RE}{F{R}ACTORY}
22 - Jane Austen’s strange girl (4) - EMMA [E]
25 - Regular Turk, exactly signs an agreement (6) - {T}{R}{E}{A}{T}{Y}
26 - Mates manage to secure your gemstone (8) - AME{THY}ST*

27 - Pinkeye? Can be tender in the morning (4) - SORE [CD]
28 - Left out an issue of the prisoners ordered to follow an elected leader (8) - IN{SPIRER(-son)*} Where did IN come from?
DOWN
 1  - The French cover the tube in a line in the trench (6) - {F{U}R}{ROW}
 2  - Wanderer has a machine (5) - ROVER [DD]
 3  - Small protuberance on the trimmed plant material taken up (4) - WART(-s)<- )
 4  - Note the new bird lamp (7) - {LA}{N}{TERN}
 6  - Thinner lad is in distress in a remote area (10) - HINTERLAND*
 7  - Drink for a soldier in general is intoxicating (6,3) - {GI}{NGER ALE*}
 8  - Hairdo for a heartless pal is accepted for sex appeal (5) - {P(-a)L}{A}{IT}
11 - Editing mark is anyhow set by the typist in front (4) - STE*{T}
14 - Supporter is in an inner room with a sequence of letters for the performer (10) - {BEN}{EF}{ACTOR}
16 - Lesson of a different kind of human nature (9) - ALOOFNESS*
18 - Money for an official letter (4) - NOTE [DD]
19 - Rower will arrive with us in the country (7) - O{AR}{S}MAN
20 - Uncle turns up thrice with the teacher (6) - {MAS<-}{TER}
21 - Tries to organise the ceremonies (5) - RITES*
23 - Politician in the fringe of Madras always has an alternative (5) - {M}AY{OR} Anno eludes me
24 - Do not start on the way to work (4) - {ST}{OP}


GRID

No 9716, Thursday 17 Dec 09, Nita Jaggi

Most of the clues are absolute nonsense today from the surface reading point of view
ACROSS
 8  - Safe plan for an officer to promote debt collection (6,8) - {CO}P{PER BOTTOMED*} This should have been shown as (6-8) and where did the P come from?
 9  - Foreigner has a queen bird (6) - {SCOT}{ER}

10 - Employing eight in front of a nagging character (8) - {E}{NGAGING} E from eight?
11 - Misfortunes for a group of cabs covering the initial kilometres (8) - {SET}{BAC{K}S*}
13 - They may be the clues solved from left to right (6) - ACROSS [CD]
14 - Hostility in the country to capture its borders (6) - {MALI}{CE} its borders is I and S and not C and E
16 - Request the worker to hold the tap on the street (6) - {BE{H}E}{ST} Tap and H ?
19 - Fish part is cut with a bit of oil in Norway (6) - {TARP*}{O}{N}

21 - Beat signifying the rhythm of life (4-4) - L?B?-D??? (Addendum - LUBB-DUPP [CD] Se comments of Dayquest in comments section- This is a new word for me)
23 - One in an ethnic community in Italy has a disease (8) - BER{I}BER{I}
24 - Scared to be alone in the beginning in the French capital at four (6) - A{F}RAID Anno eludes me
26 - Abandoned side favoured the sudden movement (4,2,3,5) - {LEFT} {IN} {THE} {LURCH}
DOWN
 1  - I yell aloud that it is cold (8) - ICECREAM (~i scream) Should be (3-5) or (3,5)
 2  - Mark the location (4) - SPOT [DD]
 3  - This system has a point (6) - METRIC [E]
 4  - Leaderless mob, severely injured out in the city on the opposite side (7) - (-m){OB}{VERSE(-ely)}
 5  - Do nothing in an administration covering the regular agendas (8) - STA{G}{N}{A}TE
 6  - Left George in a position holding the hard, half head of the turtle (10) - {L}{OGGER{H}E}{(-he)AD}

 7  - Finest kind of mock actions (6) - FEINTS*
12 - Scholar and a couple of learners aim to scribble in the beginning with pens (10) - {BA}{LL}{POINT}{S}
15 - Refers to the companies (8) - CONCERNS [DD]
17 - Gas absent in the first-rate lantern (3,5) - T?? LIGHT (Addendum - {TOP} LIGHT Don't know how though) (Correction thanks to Maddy - TOP (-f)LIGHT)
18 - Cardamom is good in Chile for its variety (7) - EL{AI}CHI* No indication about language
20 - Apes are at the Spanish borders of the eateries (6) - {AT}{EL}{ES}

22 - Church official has a rosary mostly for the French (6) - {BEAD}{LE}
25 - Uncommon part of an umbra region (4) - RARE [T]

GRID