No 9520, Thursday, 30 Apr 09, Sankalak

Another easy outing building up towards a tough weekend I suppose
ACROSS
 1 - Is Longman scared off by one who loves to gossip? (13) - SCANDALMONGER*
10 - Prosperity of a dealer in stolen goods carrying infection (9) - AF{FLU}ENCE Appropriate with the Swine flu going around nowadays
11 - Bit of a rare curiosity that may happen again (5) - RECUR [T]
12 - Invitees give up time to make an inference (5) - GUES(-t)S
13 - Specialist in one sense, would love to record Indian time (9) - {OTO}{LOG}{IST}
14 - Girl in outskirts of Trinidad is browned (6) - T{ANNE}D
16 - Very pale cover for four or six (5) - L{IV}ID
19 - Archer’s weapon that is a kind of knife (5) - BOW{IE}
20 - Snake encircles general in slumber (6) - AS{LEE}P
25 - Remarkable things bring, for men, a new hope perhaps (9) - PHENOMENA*
26 - Look, American English from a mean chap! (5) - {LO}{US}{E}
27 - An hour after midnight in Michigan? No, in Florida (5) - M{IAM}I
28 - What smoking may turn out to be (9) - ADDICTIVE [CD]
29 - Going easy with some mild cycling (4-9) - SOFT PEDALLING [CD]
DOWN
 2 - What is it in it in tea that may make it 28? (8) - CAFFEINE [CD]
 3 - In grammar, they may be proper (5) - NOUNS [CD]
 4 - Embryonic cover seen back in Locarno in mammals (6) - AMNION<- [T]
 5 - An aid to memory that married men coin (8) - MNEMONIC*
 6 - Illegal drugs found in North Arcot by old civilians (9) - {N}{ARCOT}{ICS}
 7 - He made geometry somehow lucid, after end of muddle (6) - {E}UCLID*
 8 - Tom’s contribution to the strings in the orchestra? (6) - CATGUT [CD] Has nothing to do with cats though!!
 9 - Beginning today, compassion is a proven fact (5) - T{RUTH}
15 - An expert maybe but he need not necessarily advocate thrift (9) - ECONOMIST [CD] Amartya Sen for one
17 - Able to read and write but tardy about strange rite (8) - L{ITER*}ATE
18 - Mistaken belief, one of those associated with grandeur (8) - DELUSION [CD]
21 - Kitchen device for old English leader with queen’s support (6) - {PEEL}{ER}
22 - Resort to litigation involving post master, fume and froth (5) - SPUME* (sue+pm)
23 - Smooth and flowing bit of music gets support at start of orchestration (6) - {LEG}{AT}{O}
24 - A girl among students and radicals (6) - SANDRA [T]
26 - Neighbourhood watering hole (5) - LOCAL [CD]

No 9519, Wednesday, 29 Apr 09, Sankalak

Today's CW was too simple, managed to get 25 out of 30 without even looking at the grid
ACROSS
 1 - Poetry not to be expected from a professional writer? (4,5) - FREE VERSE [CD]
 5 - Open the bottle! (5) - UNCAP [CD]
 8 - A construction by new guild in capital of Belgium (8) - {B}UILDING*
 9 - Afraid of attention in South Dakota (6) - S{CARE}D
11 - Caterpillar’s future (5) - IMAGO [CD]
12 - Master in casino suffering from lack of sleep (9) - INSO{M}NIAC*
13 - A reformed criminal perhaps (2-4) - EX-HOOD [CD]
14 - After the note of an awfully loud mate (8) - MODULATE*
16 - Act according to rules in theatrical work? Good! (4,4) - PLAY FAIR [CD]
18 - Financial part of Qaddafi’s calculations (6) - FISCAL [T]
22 - Poor writer with half your promissory notes (9) - {PEN}{(-yo)UR}{IOUS}
23 - Cavities in body of an artist imbibing a drop of tea (5) - AN{T}{RA} Could also be clued as an Indian musical term
24 - Shutting down, dropping hundred and becoming the poorer for it (6) - (-c)LOSING
25 - Preparation for an exam about a faculty (8) - RE{VISION}
26 - What may be missing in 1 Ac. (5) - RHYME [CD]
27 - Prison inmate, reportedly occupying chair, is arrogant (9) - {CON}{CEITED} (~seated)
DOWN
 1 - Feverish? Relief possible with a bit of bother (7)- FE{B}RILE*
 2 - The last word (7) - EPITAPH [CD]
 3 - Live discussion using modern means over confidence-building around the east (15) - VIDEOCONFERENC*{E}
 4 - ”Managed” detectives are sour (6) - {RAN}{CID}
 5 - What a Trappist monk may be (15) - UNCOMMUNICATIVE [CD]
 6 - Island made famous by Bonaparte (7) - CORSICA [CD] I think ELBA and St Helena were made more famous
 7 - A part of a plant gets tailless lice deep in trouble (7) - PED{ICL(e)*}E* This word has so many meanings
10 - A place to bet, for one from Edinburgh, say (5) - {A}SCOT Also famous for the outlandish Hats worn by women to the Ascot races, see one example at the link
15 - Fielder on a highway party, beginning now (3-2) - MI{D O}{N} For non-cricket buffs see the explanation at the link
16 - Kind of front for a left-wing group (7) - POPULAR[CD]
17 - Many set free in general pardon (7) - AMNESTY* Nice clue
19 - Head of conservation at money-making unit, a plant (7) - {C}AT{MINT}
20 - Old English king, young hooligan but erudite (7) - {LEAR}{NED}
21 - A small bird at the tail of an airplane (6) - {A}{S}TERN

No 9518, Tuesday, 28 Apr 09, Sankalak

An easy error free outing today except for the extra 'i' in 19A
ACROSS
 1 - Canine racer for a reported elegist to pursue (9) - {~gray)GREY{HOUND}
 5 - Fundamental computer programme (5) - BASIC [DD]
 8 - Hammer’s partner in communist symbolism (6) - SICKLE [CD]
 9 - Kiss an outsize copper tardily (8) - {OS}{CU}LATE
11 - Slippery swimmers caught in a creel somehow (4) - EELS [T]
12 - Indian greeting a new red-back amphibian (10) - SALAM{A}{N}{DER<-}
14 - Kind of optical lens, a bit of a historical development (5) - TORIC [T]
15 - A heavy smoker maybe, needing a sweep from time to time (7) - CHIMNEY [CD]
16 - What the temple visitor gets — an audience (7) - DARSHAN [DD]
17 - Sailors heard in a Cheshire town (5) - CREWE (~crew)
19 - Give up devious inquiries involving left hand (10) - RE{L}INQUIS*{H}
20 - The same but different flat-topped hill (4) - MESA* Named Walker's Table in Phantom Comics
22 - They travel for pleasure, agents escorting teacher in retreat (8) - TOU{RIS<-}TS
23 - Weaver’s aid, in extremes of gravity, is depressing (6) - G{LOOM}Y
24 - Thing that strains is back with girl (5) - SI<-{EVE}
25 - One who shells out local taxes, a rare type however (9) - RATEPAYER*
DOWN
 1 - Good theatre attendant but an overeffusive person (6) - {G}USHER
 2 - In a contract it takes care of variations in cost (9,6) - ESCALATOR CLAUSE [CD]
 3 - A golfer’s objective, one of many on course (4) - HOLE [CD]
 4 - Box for papers to which, oddly, pet had access (8,4) - DESPATCH CASE*
 5 - Treated savagely, reserve force student is wounded externally (10) - BRU{TA}{L}ISED
 6 - Do not sit over ritual, insist on formality (5,2,8) - STAND ON CEREMONY [CD]
 7 - Leaders of class before time, without doubt (7) - {CL}EARLY
10 - One that is not conducive to current flow? (3,9) - BAD CONDUCTOR [CD]
13 - Awful oriental peril surrounding egg producers is catching (10) - PRE{HENS}ILE*
16 - Downgrades engagements involving emergency room (7) - D{ER}ATES
18 - What one my hear in Budapest (6) - MAGYAR [CD]
21 - Black sauce causes a spot on the radar screen (4) - {B}LIP

no 9517, Monday, 27 Apr 09, Sankalak

As Chaturvasi mentioned we are over to Sankalak today and the change is perceptible .....
ACROSS
 1 - The prevailing circumstances need a fresh, safe staff ratio (5,2,7) - STATE OF AFFAIRS*
 8 - Half a moment that is totally empty (6) - {MO}{IE}{T(-otall)Y} Totally new word for me
 9 - One like Ferdinand whose death sparked a great war (8) - ARCHDUKE [CD]
11 - Passe, churlish, Chief Engineer may get what he needs from someone else (9) - {OUT}{SOUR}{CE}
12 - Extinct birds are so odd, somehow (5) - DODOS*
13 - Thralldom, say, in deceptive garb (7) - SLAVERY Anno eludes me (Addendum with help from Chaturvasi SL{AVER}Y )
15 - Buy food to eat at home (4,3) - TAKE OUT [CD]
17 - City Improvement Trust involved in a genuine performance (7) RE{CIT}AL
19 - Protection from slipping after a shower (4,3) - BATH MAT [CD]
21 - A meeting to discuss the Foreign Office spirit (5) - {FO}{RUM}
23 - Factional race isn’t a novelty (9) - SECTARIAN This appears in 14D which is a no-no in crosswords
25 - A game involving amphibian progress (8) - {LEAP}{FROG} This should have been shown as (4-4) as it is a hyphenated word
26 - He works for a club and with clubs (6) - CADDIE [DD]
27 - Designed to reduce sweat, it traps painter in disarray (14) - ANTPERSPIRANT*
DOWN
 1 - A call to court (7) - SUMMONS [CD]
 2 - A soldier’s beginning to turn into one who treats older people unfairly (5) - {A}{GIS}{T} Another new word for me
 3 - Mover is hemmed in by one-time abstainer, one who likes company (9) - {EX}T{ROVER}T 
4 - Prefer men to contain confusion? (7) - FERMENT [T]
 5 - Greenfly, say, that a state concealed (5) - {AP}{HID} Why say?
 6 - A rum word on destroying parasitic nematode (9) - ROUNDWORM*
 7 - Wealthy high-flyers! (3,3) - JET SET [CD]
10 - System of weights? Right in a plaything! (4) - T{R}OY
14 - Make sure of a sectarian distribution (9) - ASCERTAIN*
16 - Ali, joining a North Indian dance, makes it South Indian (9) - {KATHAK}{ALI}
17 - Another glassful for laid-back convict, a drop of lemonade (6) - REFIL<-{L}
18 - The girl is so meticulous and graceful to an extent (7) - LISSOME [T]
19 - German composer returning in a hot taxi (4) - BAC<-{H}
20 - Brown man representing a ratio in a triangle (7) - {TAN}{GENT} or popularly known as TAN in Trigonometry
22 - Civilian clothes, not uniform (5) - MUFTI [CD]
24 - Indian god or part Indian-Egyptian god (5) - {IND}{RA}

No 2530, Sunday, 26 Apr 09

Some interesting clues today otherwise reasonably easy for a Sunday THC except 9D. (Addendum - anno for 23D added with thanks to Chaturvasi)
ACROSS
1 - Recently stolen items, things of outstanding interest (3,5) - HOT STUFF [CD]
5 - Turning point in cold river, the Thames at Oxford (6) - {C}{R}{ISIS}
10 - Furious, corsair losing face (5) - (-p)IRATE
11 - Ruling passion of old boy at meeting (9) - {OB}{SESSION}
12 - Keeps that man's heroin and cannabis (7) - {HAS}{HIS}{H} Nice clue
13 - Pop has injection after 12 (7) - {POT}{SHOT}
14 - Loaded with gold, both row boat out (5,1,3,2,3) - WORTH A BOB OR TWO*
17 - To add to distress of platoon, hygiene is badly affected (4,2,3,5) - PILE ON THE AGONY*
21 - Capital Jack provided, got by force? (7) - {CARD}{IF}{F}
23 - Almost prevent Dr No seizing one young child (7) - BAMBINO ( {BA(-n)}{MB}{I}{NO} )
24 - River rose unexpectedly, forming a lake (9) - RESERVOIR*
25 - Left A-Z on one round Italian region (5) - {L}{AZ}{I}{O}
26 - Mother meeting grandmother tomorrow (6) - {MA}{NANA} (With grumpy Mr Manna one is expected tomorrow) is my clue for this :-)
27 - Hungry? Tureen is prepared (8) - ESURIENT*
DOWN
1 - Stature of hard rowing crew (6) - {H}{EIGHT}
2 - Contemptible person with small weapon, a jacko'-lantern? (9) - {TOAD}{S}{TOOL}
3 - Poet's new titles describing love (1,1,5) - T S ELI{O}T*
4 - All over the farm, food, too contaminated (4,4,2,4) - FROM HEAD TO FOOT* From head to toe is more popular I think
6 - A German schoolmaster served up an Italian dish (7) - {RIS}{OTTO}<-
7 - Smart wife is employed by southern hospital (5) - {S}{W}{IS}{H}
8 - Support a coercive measure (8) - SANCTION [CD]
9 - Boss put career in jeopardy, accepting ring as bribe (1,3,2,8) - A SOP TO CERBERUS* I had to do a google search to get this one even though it was only an anagram
15 - Money girl needed for an old car (3,6) - TIN LIZZIE [CD]
16 - Range of toasted crumpets (8) - SPECTRUM*
18 - Greek character, moronic criminal (7) - OMICRON* Nice clue
19 - Good writer of thrillers is better (7) - {G}{AMBLER}
20 - Closed trunk as well (2,4) - TO {BOOT} Anno for To eludes me
22 - Sticky substance found in hare's innards (5) RESIN [T]

No 9516, Saturday, 25 Apr 09, Neyartha

Chemistry was my downfall in school and college, I could never remember chemical names, atomic numbers and formulae, today however I fared well, 21D was the first to fall in the starred clues after which the rest was easy. An excellent CW with some outstanding clues. I leave it to visitors to work out the portion regarding the area of Hawaii. (Addendum as a refinement)
Note: The five starred clues carry no direct definition, but their solutions share a rare commonality. At the end of each solution, you will also find an isolated area in an Hawaiian island retreat, which is unclued.
ACROSS
1 - Sir, her shoes were trampled by draught animals! (5,6) - SHIRE HORSES*
9 - Prior leaves Father’s office with the address (5) - (-pri)ORATE (Addendum - (-past)ORATE)
10 - *Yankee rail conductor (Rob) loses heart (9) - {Y}{TTE}{R(-o)B}{IUM}
11 - Fold the contents of the purple attache (5) - PLEAT [T]
12 - Baffled courier holds a coin of western focus (11) - EURO{CENT}RIC*
13 - Takes care of harbours (6) - NURSES [DD]
14 - Rig the net gains to include a large vase (7) - F{URN}ISH
18 - *Dry year-round (7) - {Y{TT}R}{IUM}
20 - Navy chief leaves orphans upset in the lighthouse (6) - PHAROS*(-n)
24 - Need (unwritten) inside rickety canoe when you fall over (11) - O{VERBAL}ANCE*
26 - Enthusiastic people may be full of this (5) - BEANS [CD]
27 - Pulls back to interrupt the erratic siren with the guides (9) - IN{SPIR<-}ERS*
28 - Present? It is not our auditor’s (5) - THERE (~their)
29 - Troops from the east captured by scheming Maori rep in Nero’s kingdom (5,6) - ROMA{N EM<-}PIRE*
DOWN
1 - Oil source revealed in an odd story about 26 Ac (8) - {S}{O}{Y}BEANS
2 - Explain the note found inside the malfunctioning printer (9) - IN{TE}RPRET*
3 - Area destroyed by revolutionary because of a canal issue (7) - EARA*{CHE}
4 - Greek hunter loses the right to a new kitchen bulb (5) - O(-r+n)NION
5 - *A degree held by the senior (8) - {S{A}{MA}R}{IUM}
6 - Fake coupons identified by touch (7) - SOUPCON*
7 - Mined aluminium is partially returned and taxed (5) - LADEN [T<-] 8 - Harbour hammock (5) - BERTH [DD]
15 - An almost tranquil gite built in the African grassland (9) SEREN(-e){GETI*}
16 - *A musical instrument for the Taiwanese leader (8) - {LUTE}{T}{IUM}
17 - The ship in the sea goes west to follow the auditor’s victim (8) - {A{SS}ES<-}{SEE}
19 - Nature’s alarm destroys 70 per cent of the storerooms (7) - ROOSTER*(-mos)
21 - *Dr. Watson’s friend takes down the Spanish website (7) - {HOLM}{IUM}
22 - Peter out to exchange the note for a discount (5) - (-re+a)ABATE
23 - People die to meet him (5) - MAKER [CD]
25 - Say salaam to the star officer (5) - (~bow){BO}{SUN}

No 9515, Friday, 24 Apr 09, Neyartha

Wow!, what a relief after the error prone last few days, though not starred but there was a theme in Neyartha's CW today. I must confess that not being a lover of dance forms I had to look them up to get 1D where I was stuck, after I got that the rest just seemed to flow in
ACROSS
1 - Railway employees sees distance to winding stream and takes time out (10) - {YARD}{MASTER}
6 - Are these open in Munich during Oktoberfest (4) - TAPS [CD]
10 - Dance, boxer, dance! (9) - {KATHAK}{ALI} I liked this clue
11 - Show tension (5) - DRAMA [DD]
12 - Old African leader puts his allies at ease somehow by relieving volunteers (5,8) - HAILE SELASSIE*
14 - Smirks when model takes out the North American breakfast dish (5) - GRI(-n+t)TS
15 - Peter out to embrace the bitter revolutionary on the ground (9) - PRE(DICA<-)TE*
17 - The debate participant is not eating properly (9) - NEGOTIANT*
21 - Spice made from clipped trefoil (5) - CLOVE(-r)
22 - The dance at Amarnath Bay is outlandish (13) - BHARATANATAYAM*
24 - Article lamented reported covert comment (5) - {A}SIDE (~sighed)
25 - Change direction (5,4) - ABOUT TURN [CD]
26 - Some pursue training to get fat (4) - SUET [T]
27 - Frenchman surrounded at dangerous altitudes gets provoked (10) - STI{M}ULATED*
DOWN
1 - Dance with the oxen and the witch is in the anecdotes collection (10) - {YAKS}{HAG}ANA I would never have got this without cheating
2 - Stirring up the pot that contains brewed tea for selling (9) - R{ETA*}ILING
3 - The oarsmen turn into cybabies (7) - MOANERS* Cybabies typo for crybabies
4 - Disturbance results when you eat and digest fish (5-2) - S{HAKE} UP
5 - Radium found in Oriental clock sent back to Dubai (7) - EMI{RA}T<-{E}
7 - Swiftly announce raise for the champion (5) - AP<-ACE
8 - Flat block gets letters from Khosla Builders (4) - SLAB [T]
9 - Cricket team skirting the ship’s party turns up at the dance (6) - {OD<-}I{SS}I
13 - With a limited time in private, cook indeed has to be purposeful (10) - DE{TERM}INED*
16 - Newspaper columnist to torture relative (5,4) - AGONY AUNT [CD]
18 - Investigator climbs up farm vehicle with hesitation (6) - TRAC<-ER
19 - Old gem set (7) - ADAMANT [CD] Nice clue
20 - Discuss reversal notice inside small restaurant (7) - T{EAR}OOM<- Notice and ear? 21 - No iodine in the athletic doctor’s personal possession (7) - CHATTEL(-i) New word for me
22 - Outside tech graduate begins education in Greek with light coffee (5) - B{E}{I}{G}E
23 - Goes off course as power is usurped by unknown hands (4) - Y{A{W}S} I suppose thw W is from (-po)w(-er) usurped but why hands?

No 9514, Thursday, 23 Apr 09, M.Manna

Reasonably error free CW today with 11 CD/DDs and 7 Anagrams which is more than 50% of the 32 clues
ACROSS
1 - By betraying the government, Lawrence resorts to arson (7) - TREASON (TE+ARSON)* No indicators for an anagram
5 - Very small music centre’s records (7) - MINUTES [DD]
9 - A coarse rug (7) - DRUGGET [CD]
10 - Worries about second horse in the river first (7) - NIGGLES Wherefrom GG and S?
11 - Go back around, to secure the due to be paid (5) - O{WIN}G<- 12 - In military resistance sappers gain respect (9) - DEFE{RE}NCE
13 - Teams awarded points during tea break (9) - ELEVENS{ES}
15 - Subjects of investigation (5) - CASES [CD]
16 - Draw off by degrees, right to nadir (5) - DRAIN* Right to Nadir or wromg to Nadir?
18 - A game soldier given a direction to express regret (9) - A{POLO}{GI}{SE}
21 - Soldier has little hesitation in becoming a sea dog (9) - {PRIVATE}{ER}
24 - In some ways Tom, a hard man to find in Nebraska (5) - OMAHA [T]
25 - Unusually smart do for film eminence (7) - STARDOM*
26 - Adds salt and pepper to one’s cooking (7) - SEASONS [CD]
27 - A Canadian steel town on East river (7) - TRENTON Had to google this answer
28 - Surrendered what was produced (7) - YIELDED [CD]
DOWN
1 - Earliest stage of a potential wooer, heigh-ho? (7) - TADP{OLE} Anyone for a better annotation?
2 - Evil Sue in disguise, is deceptive (7) - ELUSIVE*
3 - Dull colour for the prudent environmentalist (4,5) - SAGE GREEN [DD]
4 - Marked out to Ned (5) - NOTED*
5 - Open circular letter publicising party policy (9) - {MANIFEST}{O} Lots of them seen nowadays which are meant to be forgotten immediately after the elections
6 - An African river (5) - NIGER [CD]
7 - Disposition of last ten ancient coins (7) - TALENTS*
8 - Nuns having same parents! (7) - SISTERS [CD]
14 - Reform tests mean politicians (9) - STATESMEN* Can be applied to only a handful among the indian ones
15 - Hot cola mixed in church — then sold in bars (9) - C{HOCOLAT*}E
16 - Very large and very small figure in small department store (7) - DEP{O}{S}{I}T
17 - Keep moving to stir up public feeling (7) - AGITATE [DD]
19 - I do moan in confusion when upset (2,1,4) - IN A MOOD*
20 - Teddy took a fall but still passed (7) - E{LAPSE}D
22 - Evaluation of a specified quantity (5) - AUDIT [CD]
23 - Liable to accident (5) - RISKY [CD]

No 9513, Wednesday, 22 Apr 09, M. Manna

No comments .....
ACROSS
1 - A fruitful field of production (7) - ORCHARD [CD] I remember the fantastic Orchard at my Grand Uncles place at Wellington, Coonor from where I used to pluck pears, plums etc put them into my pocket and eat them walking to school (St Josephs) in the mornings
5 - The era of tranquillisers and vandalism (7) - {PILL}{AGE}
9 - Vehicle to depart with goods (5) - {CAR}{GO}
10 - Concert — goers’ walk (9) - PROMENADE [CD]
11 - Cockney chap strode off — with his sweetheart? (6) - (-h)E{LOPED}
12 - Proceeds of fine bits composed at performance went to a player (8) - BENEFITS*
14 - People of fashion take silver back in light two wheeled vehicle (5) - {TON}{GA<-} 15 - Danger — set at odds — set at odds? (9) - ESTRANGED* Good one
18 - Legal non-payment of tax? (9) - AVOIDANCE [CD]
20 - Refer to another court to appear at right time (5) - {R}{EMIT*}
22 - That woman has to betray one of cabinet fame (8) - {SHE}{RAT}{ON}
24 - Character of the alphabet (6) - LETTER [CD]
26 - Future outlook for dollars for pet crop not bright (9) - PRO{$}PECT*{$}
27 - The character of the rent collector (5) - ERNIE [CD]
28 - Considers an affront not to be seen with right partner (7) - {R{ESEN*}T}S
29 - Relinquish a position in home for alcoholics (7) - RETREAT [DD]
DOWN
1 - Short race organised by an association of players (9) - ORCHESTRA* Nice clue
2 - Funny drawing of haywain, unladen? (7) - CART{O}{ON}
3 - A warning of course uttered beforehand (9) - {A}{FORE}{SAID}
4 - A fool taking opium (4) - DOPE [DD]
5 - Appropriate restrictions in real estate (10) - {PROPER}{TIES}
6 - Rest for example back in Belgium (5) - LIE{GE<-}
7 - Fully aware (7) - AWAKING [CD]
8 - Equals opponent’s score (5) - EVENS [CD]
13 - Strengthens strap and strains it (10) - {REIN}{FORCES}
16 - People engaged in a welcome correspondence (9) - {A}GREE{MEN}T
17 - Check on fellow cleaner (9) - {DETER}{GENT}
19 - Difficult person turning sour (7) - {ONE}{ROUS*}
21 - Play in afternoon with new England opener in team (7) - MATIN{E}E*
22 - Drink, though with hesitation, what is exceptionally good (5) - {SUP}{ER} I always thought Sup was only short form of Supper
23 - No sane person initially gets tremulous (5) - AS{P}EN*
25 - A person appointed as adjudicator on some subject (4) - TSAR ? Appointed ??

No 9512, Tuesday, 21 Apr 09, M. Manna

Silence is golden and ignorance is bliss!!
ACROSS
1 - A small gate in the middle of the field (6) - WICKET [DD]
4 - Obscure about agreement not properly laid out (8) - MIS{DEAL}T
10 - Moved in a great hurry to fire rifle (7) - {RAN}{SACK}
11 - Fit grip around the prisoner necessary (7) - C{APT}IVE ??
12 - Leave out Tim back with nothing (4) - {O}{MIT<-}
13 - Raises weapons in holders to cover chair perhaps (10) - {U}{HOLSTERS}
16 - Many arrange to store solid higher alcohol (6) - STERO*{L}
17 - Thing about duty is to again examine properly (7) - {RE}{STUDY*}
20 - Fought about the time table being wrong (7) - BAT{T}LE*{D} Don't know where D came from
21 - To reverse in speed turn around (6) - R{OT<-}ATE
24 - The school for learning chemistry? (10) - ELEMENTARY [CD] Not so elemantary Watson!!
25 - Maid may be in the midst (4) - AMID*
27 - You may find her coming late in an assembly (7) - NATALIE*
29 - One receives waves from girl, about ten (7) - AN{TEN}NA
30 - A writer offering serving men a drink (8) - {RE}{PORT}ER
31 - Pigs so assemble for idle talk (6) - GOSSIP*
DOWN
1 - Old veteran worse if injected with hemolytic factor (3,5) - W{AR H}ORSE
2 - Look carefully to study side charge (11) - {CON}SIDE{RATE}
3 - Antelope losing tail in a dash (4) - ELAN(-d)
5 - One North Carolina ladies’ man living luxuriously (2,6) - {I}{N C}{LOVER}
6 - Evidence of a monarch’s overthrow (10) - DEPOSITION [DD]
7 - Al takes one for him (3) - {AL}{I}
8 - The saint is one who believes in God (6) - {THE}{I}{ST}
9 - Omits large containers for transporting building material (5) - SKIPS [DD]
14 - Tender names are in order! (11) - ENDEARMEANTS*
15 - Ordered writer to hold the German dog (10) - ROTTWEILLER (Anagram of writer+tole) Don't ask me what TOLE is. But Rottweilers are the Dogs which were seen in the movie 'The Omen'
18 - The seat ’e removed from one affecting an extravagant love of art (8) - AESTHETE*
19 - Help a mad eccentric with the front light (8) - HEADLAMP*
22 - The wife and I commonly appear more common (6) - {ME}{AN}{ER}
23 - Large regions are found in S. Africa backyard (5) - ARE{AS<-}
26 - Crazy to request tot of damask rose oil (4) - {OT*}{TO}(-t)
28 - Cover pot on return (3) - TOP<-

No 9511, Monday, 20 Apr 09, M. Manna

What a terrible way to kick off a Monday morning, I don't feel like commenting about the clues of today's crossword, so I am leaving it at that.
ACROSS
1 - In support of motorised farming apparently, albeit muscular too (10) - {PRO}{TRACTOR}
6 - Boy goes out for a contest (4) - {B}{OUT}
9 - Craftsman who developed a strain (7) - ARTISAN*
10 - Daughter is still to arrange the flow gently, in drops (7) - {D}I{STILL} I am not convinced about this clue
12 - Splendour of ancient city (8) - GRANDEUR [CD] Again not convinced by the clue
13 - British den made out for former PM (5) - {B}{LAIR}
15 - Many hope about time fixed is for a great event (5) - EPO{C}H*
17 - Blast! Mother has people coming (9) - {DAM}{NATION}
19 - Rulers needing a spell of bowling at a famous cricket ground (9) - {OVER}{LORDS} Rulers or rules?
21 - They make up a large base of alcohol (5) - {ETHY*}{L}
23 - Draw about a hundred in cash (5) - LU{C}RE
24 - In surroundings of stress I had a crash (8) - ACC{ID}ENT
27 - Profile of Conservative leader visiting constituencies? (7) - C?U?T?R ? The only thing I could fit in here was COUNTOR this appears to be a mistake by the setter I think he intended {C}{ON}{TOUR} which is a profile or else my answers at 16D and 20D are wrong which is unlikely
28 - Stalemate produced by admission of obsolescence (7) - {IM}{PASSE}
29 - Separate structure for storing (4) - SHED [CD]
30 - Repeatedly went over a tree — tries to shape it (10) - REITERATED* Where did the D come from and where did the S go?
DOWN
1 - Scheme to accomplish a purpose (4) - PLAN [DD]
2 - Lake province (7) - ONTARIO [DD]
3 - Pine extract engineer found over the wilderness (5) - {RE}SIN Sin - wilderness ?
4 - Study an offer made by a competitor (9) - {CON}{TENDER}
5 - Make regular request (5)- ORDER [DD]
7 - Folding sheets, Japanese fashion (7) - ORIGAMI [CD]
8 - Patiently allot entry form (10) - TOLERANTLY*
11 - Deny a new table for us (7) - SUBLATE*
14 - Calls to mind soldiers’ prayers (10)- RECOLLECTS Why soldier's prayer?
16 - Most perfect in a moral sense (7) - HOLIEST [CD]
18 - Willing sufferer the scholar — to his cost maybe (9)- {MA}{SOCHIST*}
20 - Shut out crazy old English duel (7) - {EX}C{LUDE*}
22 - Mobile device not attached to fixed holder (7) - HANDSET [CD]
24 - Eager to get on together (5) - AGREE*
25 - Disguised as quite pure — to trick others (5) - {D}{UPER}
26 - The French nowadays show the way by going first (4) - {LE}{AD}

No 2529, Sunday, 19 Apr 09

Not too bad for a Sunday CW, had to google for an answer. Never heard of 2D as well.
ACROSS
1 - Flag officer in the US navy (6) - ENSIGN [DD] Flag officer is Commodore rank and above in the Navy, as such I have shown it as a DD for Flag and Officer separately
4 - Ballet's second week, an excess (4,4) - {S}{W}AN {LAKE}
9 - Chest getting tender after onset of cold (6) - {C}OFFER
10 - Drink in nightspots a party knocked back (4,4) - {CLUB S}{ODA<-}
11 - A series of steps in pool-based exercises (4,5) - PASO DOBLE* Never heard of this dance form
13 - Sign of tooth decay? Canine must be extracted (5) - (-c)ARIES Check your Star Sign at the link
14 - One making plans? Game chap (11) - {DRAUGHTS}{MAN}
18 - A herbicide spy ring applied to field (5,6) - {AGENT} {O}{RANGE} Infamous from the Vietnam War
21 - Winning a crown (5) - {A}{HEAD}
22 - Words associated with a photographer, for example, visiting Cheshire? (3,6) - SAY CHEESE [CD]
24 - Greek warrior in a cell - his undoing? (8) - ACHILLES* Prudes excuse me for the image at the link
25 - March past a row of shops (6) - PARADE [DD]
26 - Guess tie's sorted - game over! (8) - ESTI*{MATE}
27 - Guy almost rented a small cabin (6) - CHA(-p){LET} I always though a Chalet was an affluent persons house more like a palace, never thought of it as a small cabin
DOWN
1 - Get away, carrying diamonds after a stunt (8) - ESCAP{A}{D}E
2 - First to spot a spot of misplaced flattery (4,4) - {S}OFT SOAP*
3 - Accepted going topless is a sin (5) - (-a)GREED
5 - Millions found under table, reportedly collected by funny fictional character (6,5) - WALTER MITTY [CD] Cannot figure out the Anno so I have put it as a CD, I must confess I googled this answer, never heard of him
6 - Renoir ban ridiculous? It requires little thought (2-7) - NO BRAINER*
7 - A university teacher is a handsome young man (6) - A{DON}{IS}
8 - Undergraduate ultimately failing to pass (6) - {E}{LAPSE}
12 - Climber biting piece of confectionery (11) - BITTER{SWEET} Anno for BITTER eludes me
15 - August - run into major competition (5,4) - {GRAND} {SLAM}
16 - Fully at home with squad (2,6) - {IN} {DETAIL}
17 - Forceful tough guys kept in check (8) - VE{HEMEN}NT
19 - Location around a royal residence (6) - P{A}LACE
20 - Wager involving revolutionary jazz musician (6) - BE{CHE}T
23 - Statesman becoming hot under pressure (5) - HEAT{H}

No 9510, Saturday, 18 Apr 09, M. Manna

Some inconsistencies in few clues today, otherwise an easy crossword
ACROSS
 1 - Though in a car, one can take a jar (5,8) - SHOCK ABSORBER [CD]
 8 - Some continentals find this a softening influence (7) - CEDILLA [CD]
 9 - Theory about the mains I’m diverting (7) - ANIMISM*
11 - Acid found in a can! (6) - NIACIN* A appears to be indicating the second I here
13 - French best in North East, became unconquered (8) - U{N{BEAT}E}N Best here is indicating French best (UN) as well as BEAT
15 - One resort that is perfect (5) - I{DEAL}
16 - Left in the lurch (7) - DITCHED [CD]
18 - Concealed gaol-break from a Spanish bigwig (7) - {HID}ALGO*
19 - To form an intelligible pattern (3,2) - ADD UP [CD]
21 - Litmus paper might be used in the final analysis (4,4) - ACID TEST [CD]
23 - Salesman given help is reimbursed (6) - {REP)AID
25 - Previous head admits I need to make amends (7) - {EX}P{I}ATE
26 - Mean to use our charm to inspire (7) - ENAMOUR*
28 - Go into marquee containing main partition for public performance (13) - {ENTER}T{AINM*}ENT
DOWN
 2 - Arty, he’d removed a chemical compound (7) - HYDRATE*
 3 - Pass given to senior army officer (3) - COL [DD] Link provided for those not familiar with the ranks
 4 - Indeed surprise to find South African nurse maid (4) - AMAH Annotation not clear; if CD then why the surprise; if surprise is indicating AH then how is South Africa and MA related, or else my answer is wrong
 5 - Not against development of non-progressive state (10) - STAGNATION*
 6 - 45th element in German river (5) - RH{IN}E
 7 - Time Ted was sent out (7) - EMITTED*
 8 - Kind of desecration, perhaps (11) - CONSIDERATE*
10 - Promising spinner? (5,6) - MINOR SPIDER [CD]
12 - Daughter lied about being unoccupied (5) - I{D}LED*
14 - Teenager creating a scene told off (10) - ADOLESCENT*
17 - Have to give direction to lift up with great effort (5) - H{E}AVE
18 - Sharp bend on a mountain road (7) - HAIRPIN [CD] Reminds me of the 14th Hairpin bend on the road to Ooty from Mettupalayam which is hardly a hairpin bend, but was added to avoid the unlucky number 13
20 - Hector, the old serving man (7) - DRAGOON [CD]
22 - Not proper to cater to small quantity that can just be detected (5) - TRACE*
24 - Endless danger for a fairy (4) - PERI(-l)
27 - Direct a remark with personal application (3) - A{IM}

No 9509, Friday, 17 Apr 09, M. Manna

Bottom left corner took me a little while, otherwise quite an entertaining CW, needed the grid to get quite a few
ACROSS
 1 - Notedly more eccentric member of the band (7) - {D}{RUMMER}
 5 - Initial electric lantern may be everlasting (7) - {E}{TERNAL*(-n)} Deletion of N not clearly brought out, may can indiacte an anagram as well as usage of some of the letters
10 - Be of service (6) - ASSIST [CD]
11 - Rebuke salesman for taking fish (8) - {REP}{ROACH}
12 - Certain to get up to chase (6) - {PU<-}{RSUE*}
13 - Goods put into containers (8) - PACKAGED [CD]
14 - Use proper road to traverse on courses (6) - {R}{OUTES*} Surface reading of clue not very good
15 - Lee is left out — that’s not right for him (6) - {L}ESLIE*
18 - Go back and give in again (6) - {RE}{CEDE}
20 - Newspaperman got some credit originally (6) - EDITOR [T]
23 - Foreign aristocracy exploding grenades (8) - GRANDEES*
25 - Plan to have a purpose (6) - INTENT [DD]
26 - Cheat a servile dependant to get control (8) - {DO}{MINION}
27 - Impart changes with hollow result (6) - ARMPIT* Did not like this clue
28 - Shatters violently and creates a quiet mess (7) - SM{A}{SH}ES
29 - A repairman going round a winding course (7) - ME{A}NDER
DOWN
 2 - Free to secure the injured (6) - RESCUE*
 3 - Change dominates this part of Kent (9) - MAIDSTONE*
 4 - Plead for net rate to be reviewed (7) - ENTREAT*
 6 - Optical illusion that is currently popular (7) - TOPICAL*
 7 - Woman soldiers taking a carrier in (5) R{HOD}A
 8 - A couple of hundred possibly tried to get commission (8) - {A}{CC}REDIT*
 9 - Attractive way of prematurely acquiring proprietorial rights (13) - {PRE}{POSSESSING} Nice clue
16 - By temperament he is given to playing game (9) - SPORTSMAN [CD]
17 - To her, appear to be hiding one object of value (8) - HE{I}R{LOOM}
19 - Write a song of mourning (7) - ELEGISE [CD]
21 - Impersonate (7) - IMITATE [CD]
22 - Conforming to being properly dressed (2,4) - IN LINE [DD]
24 - Hard-bitten things? (5) - NAILS [CD]

No 9508, Thursday, 16 Apr 09, M. Manna

Over to Manna from today, lots of new words, needed a lot of thinking and crosschecking of meanings to get the right answers
ACROSS
 1 - Seaboard churning up ocean silt (9) – COASTLINE*
 6 - Beam like Her Majesty after 50 (5) – {L}{AS}{ER}
 9 - All including a young child and Al (5) – {TOT}{AL}
10 - Being furious about subordinate, egg-head made complaint (9) – MA{UNDER}{E}D New word for me
11 - Turn the corner and create pure chaos (10) – RECUPERATE*
12 - Separate with violence to cause pain (4) – TEAR [DD]
14 - New flat with Ron has a pediment over a door (7) – FRONTAL*
15 - Engraving can be done on very soft tiles (7) – STI{PP}LE* Another new word for me
17 - Mournful in hotel eg I acknowledged (7) – ELEGIAC [T]
19 - Goes out of the French constituents (7) – {DE}{PARTS}
20 - Access of little force? (4) – GATE ?
22 - Taking off the stamp (10) – IMPRESSION [DD]
25 - Watch what musicians do with a metronome (9) – TIMEPIECE [DD]
26 - Keen to somehow agree (5) – EAGER*
27 - Serves as a cavalryman (5) – RIDES [CD]
28 - Confident the new variety of aster will bring in prizes (9) – TREA{SURE}S*
DOWN
 1 - To provide food for (5) – CATER [CD]
 2 - Flower pictures I suppress (9) – {ART}{I}{CHOKE} Artichoke by itself does not indicate a flower
 3 - Giving some thought to others (10) – TELEPATHIC [CD]
 4 - Dissolute, but I’m getting the message (7) – {IM}{MORAL}
 5 - Reduces to a common standard of comparison (7) – EQUATES [DD]
 6 - Load we hear, out of an open ditch (4) – LODE (~load)
 7 - Russian clothing material (5) – SERGE [DD]
 8 - Without a clause added to an already complete contract (9) – RIDERLESS [CD]
13 - Won’t let you have anymore (10) – DISPOSSESS [CD]
14 - About to enter an aircraft carrier (9) - F{RE}IGHTER
16 - Dish served by midshipman or his double (9) – {PO}{R}{RINGER} Yet another new word, however origin of second R not clear, moreover midshipman cannot be PO as PO stands for Petty Officer
18 - Tom with large number of men made an observation (7) - {C}{OM{MEN}T*} No anagram indicator for Tom
19 - She may be a born leader (7) – DARLE{N}E*
21 - I’d make out Tim to be a coward (5) – TIMID*
23 - Annoying persons who curry favour? (5) - NARKS [DD] Annoying person from Aus/NZ Last new word learnt for the day
24 - A piano is a god to some (4) – {A}{P}IS

No 9507, Wednesday, 15 Apr 09, Gridman

Another easy run today. Maybe late with tomorrows post as I have to make a trip to the airport
ACROSS
1 - Seizure suffered by animal has Tamil put out (5,3) - {PET}IT MAL*
5 - Got worried about some nonsense in cave (6) – G{ROT}TO*
10 - Passed on the song in a rush (7) – RE{LAY}ED
11 - Worth taking quarters in (7) - LIVABLE [CD] ?
12 - Arranges signal differently (6) – ALIGNS*
13 - A cry for help arrests gutless creature for fire prevention (8) - {A}S{BE(-a)ST}OS
15 - Nervous journalist on the borders of Gooty (4) – {ED}{GY}
16 - One can live large by making use of every __ __ of space (6,4) – SQUARE INCH [CD]
18 - Within which one has to hit (6,4) - TARGET AREA [CD]
20 - Lime-squash for the girl (4) - EMIL* I always thought Emil was a man's name like Emil Zatopek the runner
23 - One that an ornithologist spots infrequently (4,4) – RARE BIRD [CD] Remember the famous Indian ornithologist Salim Ali
24 - Hundred also ran more tightly packed (6) – {C}{LOSER}
26 - Avoid the sailor with the stigma (7) – {AB}{STAIN}
27 - Call to account everyone going after the rogue (7) - IMP{EACH}
28 - Follows many directions to catch ultras’ leader (6) – ENS{U}ES
29 - Increased with more supplies to the overhead tank? (6,2) – PUMPED UP [DD]
DOWN
 1 - The sort of garment that needs no ironing (9,6) – PERMANENT CREASE [CD] See the link on methods of getting permanent creases
 2 - What a gossip or informant may be doing (7) – TELLING [CD]
 3 - Irksome attempt in Gujarat’s capital (6) – {TRY}{IN}{G}
 4 - Helper has a different idea (4) – AIDE*
 6 - Saw again and wrote a critique (8) – REVIEWED [DD]
 7 - Bet ain’t about a neighbouring national (7) – TIBETAN*
 8 - Educational grant by no reservation (4,11) - OPEN SCHOLARSHIP [CD]
 9 - Lodger sat uncomfortably with veteran (3,6) - OLD STAGER
14 - What members of a peer group shares with each other (5,4) - EQUAL RANK [CD]
17 - Staff has unending prejudice for an overabundance of words (8) - VER{BIA(-s)}GE
19 - Father gets up again in reserve — gets up again (7) - R{ERIS<-}ES
21 - Indicator discs I’m turning over were temporarily lost (7) - {MI<-}{SLAID<-}
22 - Mistake raised by schoolchildren (4-2) - SLIP UP<-
25 - Hercule Poirot’s Lord? (4) - DIEU [CD]

No 9506, Tuesday, 14 Apr 09, Gridman

Happy VISHU (New Year) to all visitors to my blog. Nothing spectacular in todays CW other than a lot of CD/DD which is Gridman's style.
ACROSS
 1 - Line turning with vessel in temple activity (7) - WOR<-SHIP
 5 - Defeat a challenge at an airport ceremony? (3,3) - SEE OFF [DD]
 9 - Minimum disposal of slate (5) - LEAST*
10 - Do run nimbly to find clever architectural feature (5,4) - ROUND* {ARCH}
11 - “Here lies….” statement (7) - EPITAPH [CD]
12 - Eccentric fellow features a politician in satire (7) - L{A}{MP}OON
13 - Wood spirit (5) - DRYAD [CD] Never heard this word, I must admit I googled this answer
14 - What you pay for rummaging (6,3) - SEARCH FEE [CD]
16 - Not a “morning person”? (4,5) - LATE RISER [CD]
19 - Revolutionary has one following the principal (5) - CHE{I}{F}
21 - Two scholars have one learner writing at last for a newspaper column (7) - {MA}{I}{L}{BA}{G}
23 - With Leonard, I got rash — “freckles”, actually (7) - {LEN}{TIGO*}
24 - One month after artist’s short handbook on mathematician (9) - {RA}{MANU}{JAN} Manu - short for Manuscript - handbook !!
25 - More frosty — To 500, more chancey (5) - ICIER Annotation anyone?
26 - Scour freshly one-sixth of the forest for explorer (6) - CRUSO*{E} I thought he was a castaway, not an explorer !!
27 - Marine colour (3,4) - SEA BLUE [CD]
DOWN
 1 - English poet dismantles Delaware armlet (6,2,2,4) - WALTER DE LA MARE* Remember studying some of his poems in school cannot rememebr the names of any though
 2 - Later I went round to the Yard for truth (7) - REALIT*{Y}
 3 - Worker carrying twisted tab for ribbon in topper (7) - HA{TBA*}ND
 4 - Buys up, crashes brutally (9) - PURCHASES*
 5 - Head-covering (5) - SKULL [CD]
 6 - Local to finish mice off (7) - END{EMIC*}
 7 - Say rapidly: “Shoot” (4,3) - FIRE OFF [CD]
 8 - What students may seek, what rowers may adopt (6,2,6) - CHANGE OF COURSE [DD] Rowers normally avoid adopting a change of course !
15 - Dismantle Air Nepal’s flying machines (9) - AIRPLANES* North American way of saying Aeroplane
17 - An excellent thing: what may be found in a hairdresser’s (7) - TRIMMER [DD] An Australian/New Zealand definition
18 - Strips Brand 1’s components (7) - RIBANDS* What I used to wear over my left pocket while in service 'Medal Ribands'
19 - Open with a Shavian play (7) - CANDID{A} Did not know Shavian stood for George Bernard Shaw's works
20 - Character starting to make a name (7) - INITIAL [CD]
22 - Toy soldier (2,3) - GI JOE [CD]

No 9505, Monday, 13 Apr 09, Gridman

No Monday morning blues today, had an easy run today. A Happy New Year in advance to all visitors as tommorow is VISHU which is the new year for us Keralites
ACROSS
 1 - Bulletin gives points to the accountant, by the way (8) - {N}{E}{W}{S}{CA}{ST}
 5 - Without any change, a small relative grabs the object (2,2,2) - {A}S {IT} IS
 9 - Indian spies return last letter to operative in the East where fighting is on (3,4) - WAR<- {Z}ONE
10 - They are written regularly by journalists but not necessarily in support (7) - COLUMNS [DD]
11 - Inspiring ideal culled from E-mail (9) - ORIFLAMME*
12 - A novice has no mantra to retrieve money (5) - {MO}{O}{L}{A}<- 13 - Therefore one who plays a big part in children’s tales is back (4) - ERGO<- 14 - Fellow who has oodles of 12 (6,3) - MONIED MAN [CD]
17 - With which a chair is wobbly (5,4) - SHAKY LEGS [CD]
19 - Keep on complaining it’s unending case (4) - GRIP(-e)
23 - Insurgent spills beer on learner (5) - REBE*{L}
24 - Listens again to the young boy’s practice (9) - {REHEARS}{AL}
25 - Roused as former edict’s revised (7) - {EX}CITED*
26 - Knocking down Spanish article in escapade (7) - F{EL}LING
27 - Take one’s breath away (6) - STIFLE This one took my breath away for a while as I had SKELETON for 15D initially
28 - Eleven come out of a gate to create disturbance and so on (2,6) - E(-xi)T CETERA*
DOWN
 1 - Late arrival makes men cower nervously (8) - NEWCOMER*
 2 - Lookout for Indian spies going round in no good surroundings (7) - WAR<-{N{IN}G}
 3 - Murmur about learners putting an end to revelry in a composed manner (6) - COO{LL}{Y}
 4 - Overwhelmed by stream, lo, elder is washed away (13) - STEAMROLLERED*
 6 - Such a person has risen in life without anybody’s help (4-4) - SELF MADE [CD]
 7 - Boy last to grab nothing in U.S. city lottery (7) - {TOM}{B}{O}LA Another version of yesterday's Lotto or Housie
 8 - Walk ostentatiously, say, having possessed a second home (6) - S{ASH}AY How are the first letters of a second home indicated as ASH here?
10 - Gossiping about the revolutionary section one day altering fate (7,3,3) - {CHE}{WING} {TH}{E FAT*}
15 - Not fleshed out! (8) - SKELETAL [CD]
16 - Public defences for a game getting endless gain crookedly (8) - A{POLO}{GIA(-n)*}
18 - Couple of greetings swamp cab returning with small grill (7) - {HI}{BAC<-}{HI}
20 - Priest unwound, taking a drop of elixir, in a lull (7) - {RESPIT*}{E}
21 - Cases for lawyers’ documents? (6) - BRIEFS [DD]
22 - Old French leader’s rancour is pronounced (6) - GAULLE (~gall)

No 2528, Sunday, 12 Apr 09

I seem to be getting better at the Sunday Crossword. Interesting CW today took me some time to get 5 and 10A and 7D. Excellent surface reading in all the clues
ACROSS
1 - Film, hi-tech, BT released (3,5) - THE BITCH*
5 - Wine in tavern, endless wine (6) - {BAR}{SAC}(-k) Sack is a type of wine
9 - Holder's jacket (8) - ENVELOPE [DD]
10 - Cannon and Ball? (3-3) - POM-POM [DD] In the Indian Army troops of The Madras Regiment wear a POM-POM on their headgear
11 - Cannon in capital - one fired by me, originally (5) - CA(-i)RO{M}
12 - Legitimate, our Brent activity (4-4) - TRUE BORN*
15 - Better skill shown by PM's gardener (10,5) - {CAP}{ABILITY} {BROWN}
18 - Satanist crudely drawn in book (1,5,2,7) - A STUDY IN SCARLET*
19 - Unmarried man, composer, rejected part (8) - {BACH}{ELOR<-} 21 - King, a set behind, is broken (5) - {K}{A}{PUT}
24 - Notice one present in strange metallic element (6) - R{AD}{I}UM
25 - Adult to draw off small measure if need be (2,1,5) - {A}{T A P}INCH}
26 - Bombed British house (6) - {B}{LOTTO} I think house is a typo for housie which is the british game lotto
27 - Nondescript articles that snow damaged (8) - WHATNOTS*
DOWN
1 - Swimming coach in river finds item of clothing (6,4) - TREN{CH COA*}T
2 - Caught in the Ivel, very young eel (5) - ELVER [T]
3 - I criticise a bum in capital city (9) - {I}{SLAM}{A}{BAD}
4 - Political organisation adopting hard line with the US Congress (7,4) - CAPITOL {H}IL*{L}
6 - Sailor holding crowd up, producing weapon (1-4) - A {BOM<-}B
7 - Hooter goes at end of marvellous championship game (5,4) - {SUPER B}{OWL}
8/13 - Happen to score, to make the grade (4,2,2,7) - {COME UP TO} {SCRATCH}
14 - Splitting your sides? Hospital may have to put you -- -------! (2,8) - IN STITCHES [DD]
16 - Finished up at top, surprisingly, around one, accompanied by daughter (3,4,2) - PUT PA{I}{D} TO*
17 - Where accidents often occur - parking lots back abroad (5,4) - BLACK S{P}OT*
20 - Heroin planted on relative in resort (5) - {H}{AUNT}
22 - Punter initially taking a lively interest in a horse (5) - {P}{INTO}

No 9504, Saturday, 11 Apr 09, Gridman

Finished in express train time today as there were too many CD's and DD's, had to google out the answer for 14A

ACROSS

1 - Note clothesmaker said to be no wholesale merchant (8) - {RE}{TAILER} (~tailor)
6 - Steady company? (4) - FIRM [DD]
9 - Posts additions to population register, we hear (6) - BERTHS (~births)
10 - Disappointment that has descended on you? (3-4) - LET DOWN [CD]
13 - You listed cooks in a tiresome manner (9) - TEDIOUSLY*
14 - ”Behind the ___I’ll convey myself”: Polonius (5) - ARRAS [CD]
15 - Woman coming from behind us (4) - INDU [T]
16 - I adapt Salk’s interpretation of a Marx work (3,7) - DAS KAPITAL*
19 - Kind of package for a concertina? (7,3) - SQUEEZE BOX [DD]
21 - Father allies himself with a goon in India (4) - {DAD}{A}
24 - Bibi and ghulam go with him in an Indian film (5) - SAHIB [CD] Have not seen this movie, must do so one of these days
25 - Write something to say what’s being left? (4,1,4) - MAKE A WILL [CD]
26 - Low gags featuring a city (7) - GLASGOW*
27 - Officer Commanding on eastern grounds finds a prowler from Central America (6) - {OC}{E}{LOT}
28 - Tribal doesn’t complete now (4) - TODA (-y) Have gone up a number of times throughthe Botanical Gardens in Ooty to see the Toda settlement
29 - Cart nearabouts ___ a traveller’s need, perhaps (4-1-3) - RENT-A-CAR* Clue needs refinement (Anagram of CART & NEAR) removal indicator of abouts from nearabouts missing
DOWN
2 - Gridman, having finished case, is changed (7) - E{ME}NDED
3 - What you see when the first part of play is staged (6) - {ACT}{I}{ON}
4 - Is deprived of prestige ___ a dancer in a masked ball does sometimes (5,4) - LOSES FACE [DD]
5 - Team race in which last runners have to make it (5) - RELAY [CD]
7 - Piscator, needing no introduction, turns an advocate of equal power (7) -(-p) ISOCRAT *
8 - A brief word __yes or no? (12) - MONOSYLLABLE [CD]
11 - Vagrants are soft in public vehicles (6) - TRAM{P}S
12 - Without going into details ____how love might happen sometimes (2,5,5) - AT FIRST SIGHT [CD]
17 - Sort of furniture that a DYI enthusiast would buy (5-4) - KNOCK-DOWN [CD]
18 - As soaked in water for a cuppa (3,3) - TEA BAG [CD]
20 - How something remains if a person turns a deaf ear to it (7) - UNHEARD [CD]
22 - State ship sunk at Pearl Harbour (7) - ARIZONA [DD]
23 - Scot is up to taking time in judge’s room (6) - {CAM<-}{ERA}
25 - More thrown all over with this garden tool (5) - MO{W}ER

No 9503, Friday, 10 Apr 09, Gridman

All done took some time to get 27A.
ACROSS
1 - A target of the bowler that the cricketer has to defend (6, 5) - MIDDLE STUMP [CD]
9 - Right to end our dissipating circle (7) - {R}ONDURE*
10 - Close to the ace behind is Oriental (7) - {E}{ASTERN}
11 - A once-rolling sea (5) - OCEAN*
12 - 11 coming round to achieve yet another time (4, 5) - {ONCE A*}{GAIN}
13 - Antelope heads for old region in Bargur interior (5) - {O}{R}{I}{B}{I}
15 - Aeroplane Pop or Burt flies (9) - TURBOPROP* Like the old AVRO aircraft whihc Indian Airlines used to have for a long time.
18 - What new rulers of a country will want people to forget (3, 6) - OLD REGIME [CD]
21 - Embarrassed to follow heads of Emergency Room, having got it wrong (5) - {ER}{RED}
22 - Hunt for fourth shelf in Erode, maybe (5, 4) - T{RACK} {D}OWN
24 - Force politician to wear garland the wrong way round (5) - I{MP}EL<- 26 - Tossed, moreover, in one bed that’s crumpled (7) - B{AND}{I}ED
27 - Eccentric fellow without a sound of disapproval for a kind of syllogism (7) - BO{CARD}O
28 - Watchful until slaver is set free (11) - SURVEILLANT*
DOWN
1 - Spoil firm game of explorer (5, 4) - {MAR}{CO} POLO
2 - Ball can be rolling within the limits of Davangere (5) - D{ANC*}E
3 - As heard when the firecracker is burst (4, 5) - LOUD NOISE [CD]
4 - Search for outspoken Punjabi gone abroad (4, 3) - (~sikh) {SEEK} {OUT}
5 - It may still be on the road even as one tries to sell it off (4, 3) - USED CAR [CD]
6 - Cake line is out! Get a different dish! (5) - PAST(-ry){A}
7 - One who mends things by uniting couples again? (8) - {RE}{PAIRER}
8 - Churchmen should give up their extreme positions soon (4) - (-c)ANON(-s)
14 - Writing fluid for Bharatvasi, one in thousand (5, 3) - INDIA {I}N{K}
16 - Like a printing character, starting off with an honour and raking up lots of money finally (9) - {OBE}{LI}{SCAL<-} Origin of LI eludes me 17 - One may foot it in a ride on a lake, perhaps (5, 4) - PEDAL BOAT [CD]
19 - Ready — being part of what the waiter took? (2, 5) - IN ORDER [CD]
20 - Confer a subject with a title, perhaps (7) - ENNOBLE [CD]
22 - Meet up with brass band player (4) - TUBA<- 23 - King, with fools, works with some yarns (5) - {K}{NITS}
25 - Windcheater for father going around a boat (5) - P{ARK}A

No 9502, Thursday, 09 Apr 09, Gridman

Have to get used to Gridman's style now for next few days, anyway a welcome change from a long spell of Nita Jaggi. Addendum from comments below
ACROSS
1 - Old cart for member of a U.S. party (8) - {DEMO}CRAT* Annotation of DEMO eludes me, no anagram indicator for CART (Addendum this is a [DD] DEMOCRAT being a wagon as well)
5 - Rob and Eli together refitted pot for stewing (6) - BOILER*
9 - Between which a scared cur may tuck its tail (4,4) - HIND LEGS [CD]
10 - Not completing the ride in one beachwear (6) - BIK(-e){IN}{I}
12 - Gadding about without showing impudence and without noise is a Russian (4) - IVAN Annotation eludes me (Addendum - [-gall]IVAN[-ting])
13 - Cleaned lip by fits and starts with substance a writer has (6,4) - PENCIL LEAD*
15 - What one has to pay to confine new ruler (6) - PRI{N}CE
17 - Silly things to look back within the boundaries of grange (5) - G{EES<-}E
20 - Nice boss abandons Hobson’s choice to produce illicit liquor (5) - HOOCH* (-nice boss)
21 - Wish to reside in a different style (6) - DESIRE*
24 - Being revengeful, five in the limits of Delhi evict Dotty (10) - {V}{IN}{D(-elh)I}CTIVE*
27 - Dotty with Indian flower losing heart (4) - GA(-n)GA
29 - Justice denied, combatant on horseback faces dispossession (6) - (-j)OUSTER
30 - Shrub in balustrade destroyed without notice (4,4) - BLUE STAR* (-ad) Also known as Juniper
31 - Insect besets French friend’s household (6) - F{AMI}LY
32 - Endure the fall — after which there’s nothing to lap up (4,4) - LAST DROP [CD]
DOWN
1 - Writer gets first-class return in a bloomer (6) - DAHL{IA<-}
2 - When a girl embraces a weary don (6) - M{OND*}AY
3 - Reserved with the aged (4) - C{OLD}
4 - Band’s leader leaves ornament in corner (5) - (-b)ANGLE
6 - Alternative garland hoisted at the window (5) - OR{IEL<-}
7 - One who waits to see it go wrong about the end of phase (8) - LO{IT}ERER Annotation eludes me (Addendum - {LO}{IT}ER{E}R)
8 - Beasts, free, grinned, we hear — regular losses there! (8) - REINDEER Annotation eludes me (Addendum - Typo in print, it is ginned and not grinned so we get all the alternate letters from free, ginned we hear to get REINDEER)
11 - Bill has a levy for admission (6) - AC{CESS}
14 - Leader of Maoists sneaks out of demonstration at curved gateway (4) - (-m)ARCH
16 - In which state one remains uncovered (6) - NUDITY [CD]
17 - Bloody try at the lines (4) - GO{RY}
18 - Chauffeur said to be on leave. Go away! (5,3) - SHOVE OFF SHOVE does not sound like Chauffer?
19 - Not cornered with problem for a large amount (5,3) - ROUND SUM [CD]
22 - Talk with Helen at terrace’s centre (6) - NATTER [T]
23 - Leaders of New Delhi leave bunker at golf course with Governor (6) - SA{TRAP} Connection between SA and 'leaders of New Delhi' not clear (Addendum - SA(-nd)TRAP)
25 - Perfect notion advanced by the learner (5) - IDEA{L}
26 - Scoundrel not in residence (5) - VILLA(-in)
28 - Soft is the French nuisance (4) - {LE}ST ?? (Addendum - {P}{EST})

No 9501, Wednesday, 08 Apr 09, Nita Jaggi

I am lost today and left with some unsolved, todays clues are not very good from the point of surface reading and as usual I feel there are a lot of inconsistencies, don't know if I am right or whether the clues were too good for me. Addendum based on comments below
ACROSS
1 - Decorative object is at the end part of the surface on the east most borders (7) - TRINKET ?? (Addendum - {T}{RINK}{E(-as)T})
5 - Adopt Kate by the order in court (4,2) - TAKE UP What is court doing in this clue?
10 - Reformer pursuing a political cause (8) - ACTIVIST [CD]
11 - Invasive growth found in the pelican cerebrum (6) - CANCER [T]
13 - Attempts to boil dish oddly (4) - {B}IDS Annotation for IDS eludes me, is it a Dish? (Addendum - {B}{I}{D}{S}
14 - Putting right the wrong bandage again (10) - REDRESSING [2]
16 - Sound of a musical instrument for ever in the book (6) - READER ?? (Addendum - READ(~reed)ER)
18 - Street made in the style to cover the gym for group action (8) - {ST}{AM{PE}DE*} Strange explanation for group action!!
21 - Strange to greet sir in an official list (8) - REGISTER* Is a Register a List? (Addendum - Yes it is)
22 - Grain on each part of an eye (6) - {CORN}{EA}
25 - Officials for the participants hold the hand of the leader of the dynasty (10) - (Addendum - COM{MAN}{D}ERS)
27 - Repeat of a sound from the speech overheard (4) - ECHO [T]
30 - Girl is at the University with Albert once a year (6) - {ANN}{U}{AL}
31 - Destroyed your band at the border line (8) - BOUNDARY*
32 - Tough tissue (6) - MUSCLE [2]
33 - Turn back the animals to the French in the farm buildings (7) - STAB<-LES
DOWN
2 - Judged the Republican side of Edward (5) - {R}AT{ED} ??
3 - Peculiar van covering a round star (4) - N{O}VA*
4 - Weekend festival in spring (6) - EASTER [CD]
6 - Natives take up a drinking place within half of Asia (5) - A{RAB<-}S (asia - ia)
7 - Uncle aide sets geometry with similar axioms (9) - EUCLIDEAN*
8 - Religious, naughty child is in a canoe (7) - (Addendum - PI{ROGUE})
9 - Head boy to shear the bear on the side by the hairdresser (6) - {B}{ARBE*}{R}
12 - Make forth the small bubbles (5) - FROTH*
15 - Dining room in a state of disorderliness (4) - MESS [2]
17 - Developed a doubt in the strange discussions (9) - ARG{UM}ENTS*
19 - Nomadic person in a wild area (4) - MOOR [2]
20 - Large dew holding a layer of seven plants (5) - ( Addendum - W{E}ED*{S})
21 - Recipe left with an intention to extract useful substances (7) - {REC}{L}{AIM}
23 - Unnamed author is new on the track in America (6) - A{N}ONYM Annotation eludes me
24 - You are in a fix inside the court to shout loudly (3,3) - CR{Y} OUT*
26 - Make use of the road for five in trouble (5) - {A{V}{A}IL} How does A stand for road?
28 - Machine bird (5) - CRANE [2]
29 - Arrogant son is upset by the bishop (4) - SNO*{B}

No 9500, Tuesday, 07 Apr 09, Nita Jaggi

Lot of question marks in my solutions for today. The length of the clues are still too long
ACROSS
1 - Give an account of the French journalist (8) - {DE}{SCRIBE}
5 - Irritated a woman over a bit of the thing (4) - {F}{RE}{T}
9 - Thousand workers cover the German in searches conducted (8) - {M}{AN{HUN}TS}
10 - Almost mark one active rock (6) - {SCAR}{I}{A} ?? Why almost mark ?
12 - Prophet inside a house erected (4) - SEER [T]
13 - Able to withstand the evidence following an emotional disturbance (5-5) - SHOCK PROOF [CD]
15 - What happens to an editor when the blood does not reach the arteries? (3,11) - BAD CIRCULATION [CD]
17 - State of being liable for the written record by hand for one settled at the end of the day (14) - {ACCOUNT}ABIL{I}T{Y} Annotation eludes
21 - Her glance is to order around the student contestant (10) - CHAL{L}ENGER*
22 - Health resort has a lot of junk mail (4) - {SPA}{M}
25 - Alternatively, turn back to the scholar being not specific about the good book (6) - RO<-{MA}{NS}
26 - Epic poem has a long series of adventures (8) - ODYSSEYS
27 - Reported to sleep lightly having a portion of medicine (4) - DOSE (~doze)
28 - Stage films at festivals (8) - RELEASES Annotation eludes me
DOWN
1 - End of the wrong side covering half of them (6) - D{EM}ISE*
2 - Slight burn on the surface is an offense, for example to be taken up (5) - {SIN}GE<- 3 - Cut off an open way for a confused crowd of people (4) - ROUT (-e)
4 - Herb cut is scattered by the slaughterer (7) - BUTCHER*
6 - Part of a plant is in the container (10) - RECEPTACLE [2]
7 - One to instill fear is a member of a militant group (9) - TERRORIST [CD]
8 - Cast off things in lunch affairs (5) - CHAFF [T]
11 - Oddly, each round has colour (4) - {E}{C}{R}{U}
14 - Clean the large city in bits of nodes of regions having less vegetation (10) - {SCRUB}{LA}{N(-o)D(-e)S}
16 - Approved of an amateur around to calm one kind of an editor (9) - AC{CLA{I}M*}{ED} Amateur AC ?
18 - Note the vibrant shade of a colour (4) - TONE*
19 - Group of workers ride high in a drinking game (4,3) - {BEE}{R DIE}* Never heard of such a game if my answer is correct. Group of workers should be BEE and not just BEE
20 - Keeps people entertained in the morning for us to be at ease (6) - AM{US}{E}S Origin of second S not clear
21 - Restores the health of the parish priest on Saturday (5) - {CURE}{S}
23 - President as in the print media (5) - PRESS (~pres)
24 - Passageway without article, is on land surrounded by water (4) - ISLE (-t)