Tuesday 30 June 2009

No 9572, Tuesday, 30 Jun 09, M.Manna

No hiccups today
ACROSS
 1 - Begins after having convulsions and has only spasmodic bursts of activity (4,3,6) - FITS AND STARTS [CD]
 8 - Take issue about heel getting the cheese (7) - S{TILT}ON
 9 - Stirred painter up, having nothing to be employed (7) - AR<-{O}{USED}
11 - Bird sanctuary by railway beneath a Roman road (6) - A{VIA}{RY}
13 - What cooks would have used in preference to sails? (8) - STEAMERS [CD]
15 - Put down to mix with something inferior (5) - {IN}{LAY} (Correction - ALLOY [CD])
16 - Excuses for remission (7) - PARDONS [DD]
18 - The nerve of one, swimming from the ship! (7) - {GALL}{EON*}
19 - Al later takes to fashion according to key of a fugue (5) - {TO}{N}{AL}
21 - Drive into rickety carts, the old vehicles (8) - T{RAM}CARS*
23 - Proposal that creates a stir (6) - MOTION [DD]
25 - Ron said to arrange flat weapon pointed at both ends (7) - SADIRON*
26 - Displays that leave their mark (7) - TATTOOS [DD]
28 - Think about Samuel’s mentor perpetrating perjury (10,3) - DELIBERATE {LIE*}
DOWN
 2 - Being first in, one always started without it (7) - {IN}{IT}{I}{AL} Without it or with it?
3 - Be a candidate to undergo an examination (3) - SIT [CD]
 4 - Nun we hear, gives no quarter to anyone (4) - NONE(~nun)
 5 - Affecting the ratings? That’s smashing! (10) - SHATTERING*
 6 - Market place in ancient Greece! (5) - AGORA [CD]
 7 - They conduct fitness trials for admission (7) - TESTERS [CD]
 8 - They grow up only slowly underground (11) - STALAGMITES [CD] We have a famous one at Amarnath
10 - Supporters getting about in trains (11) - DISCIPL{IN}ES Nice clue
12 - Al goes with Roy in style befitting a king (5) - ROY{AL}
14 - One wrapping soft fruit with an air (10) - A{P}{PEAR}{AN}CE
17 - Go one better with the wrong party! (5) - OUT{DO}
18 - Madly endear to King George, he being of royal family (7) - {G}{RANDEE*}
20 - Wild boar in one African city (7) - NAIROB*{I}
22 - One going after fish bones (5) - {CARP}{I}
24 - Portico or covered colonnade so constructed at ancient Greece (4) - STOA*
27 - Make a knot, to fasten (3) - TIE [DD]

Monday 29 June 2009

No 9571, Monday, 29 Jun 09, M. Manna

Mr Manna's inconsistencies have started creeping in see 14A, 20A, 16D ....
ACROSS
 1 - The value in coming back, for example to retired professionals (7) - E{MERIT}I<- )
 5 - Britain takes the other sibling (7) - {BR}OTHER
10 - Jack, alternatively Dan may guide you to the river (6) - {J}{OR}{DAN}
11 - The fool goes back and samples the cakes (8) - {PAS<-}{TRIES}
12 - A faithful representation as an image (6) - MIRROR [CD]
13 - "The animal requires water, darling”, you say (8) - (~rain){REIN}{DEER}(~dear)
14 - Doctor to roam around to find burrowing rodents (6) - M{ARMO}T* How is Dr = MT ?
15 - Get old chief engineer to exit in order to stir up people (6) - EX{C}IT{E}
18 - Traces out boxes that have to be sent (6) - CRATES*
20 - Russian country houses available presently for cash (6) - {DA<-}{CHAS*} No anagram or reversal indicators?
23 - Worried when a stain is made by the spilt tea (2,1,5) - IN A STATE *
25 - Can Pat be induced to have a brief sleep? (6) - CATNAP*
26 - There is ale compound that converts air, heavenly! (8) - ETHEREAL*
27 - The thief who gets coppers most angry (6) - {P}{IRATE}
28 - The firm sends round goods of an inferior quality (7) - SE{CO}NDS
29 - Is examined, having taken lessons in (7) - STUDIED [DD]
DOWN
 2 - My work in charge of the short sighted (6) - MY{OP}{IC}
 3 - The others put bread-crumbs in for the bird (9) - RE{DBREA*}ST
 4 - A furious pet (7) - TANTRUM [CD] Do only pets throw tantrums?
 6 - Balance I have reduced, but not settled (7) - REST{IVE}
 7 - Tried to ride on time, but was exhausted (5) - {T}IRED*
 8 - Factors in the weather (8) - ELEMENTS [DD]
 9 - Return full of beans (8,5) - SPIRITED REPLY [CD]
16 - Talked about the strange new creed (9) - C{HATT}ERED* Where did HATT come from
17 - Not the fair lady you catch the beast embracing (8) - BRU{NET}TE
19 - Wade out to see marine algae (7) - SEAWEED*
21 - Where the driver’s seat is found in the battle area (7) - COCKPIT [DD]
22 - Bother! It means something’s loose! (6) - RATTLE [CD]
24 - Contracted typist, one out on way (5) - {ST}ENO*

Sunday 28 June 2009

No 2539, Sunday, 28 Jun 09

Tough one today, needed a bit of googling. We are back with the original series of numbers for the Sunday CW
ACROSS
1 - The lines in old, old play (7) - O{THE}{LL}O
5 - Cricket stroke preceding snick (4,3) - LATE CUT [CD]
9 - Book a room with Mark on entering bay? (1,5,2,7) - A {STUDY} {IN {SCAR}LET} Got this from the crossings, never would have otherwise
10 - Key cricketer receiving the first ball? (6) - OPENER [DD]
11 - Contemptuous of runs arranged crossing cold lake (8) - S{C}ORNFU*{L}
13 - Opened soul, surprisingly, and became less tense (8,2) - LOOSENED UP*
14 - Attempt to pocket ring in ancient city (4) - TR{O}Y
16 - Greek character in Cypriot airport (4) - IOTA
17 - Commonplace on foot (10) - PEDESTRIAN [DD]
20 - Musician sang - live broadcast (8) - SVENGALI* Got this anagram from the crossings and later confirmed with a google search
21 - Credit given to Egyptian goddess in time of distress (6) - {CR}{ISIS}
23 - A version rancher put out in former county (15) - CAERNARVONSHIRE* Though it was a clear anagram, had to google search the answer.
24 - Fully satisfy French composer, bringing in a tenor (7) - SATI{A}{T}E
25 - Speculate about dope that’s spicy (7) - PUN{GEN}T
DOWN
1 - Enjoying continuing success, soldiers invading plain following an uprising (2,1,4) - ON A {RO<-}LL<- )
2 - Say something unfair, we tell the hobbit, deviously (3,5,3,4) - HIT BELOW THE BELT*
3 - Guided around snake, then ran (8) - L{ADDER}ED
4 - Leave out stuffing from Italy (4) - OMIT [T]
5 - Outclasses working people who can’t succeed (4,6) - LOST CAUSES* Is this definition correct? People who can't succeed should have been lost cases.
6 - Odd nature of samovar (3,3) - TEA URN*
7 - Play in Ipswich suburb to please English (10,5) - CALIFORNIA {SUIT}{E} Had to google for the suburb
8 - To match completely (7) - TO{TALLY}
12 - Actor in rep, ET role possibly about right (5,5) - PETER LOR{R}E*
15 - Berates boy pinching flans (6,2) - S{TARTS} ON
16 - Ants, say, in groups (7) - IN{SECTS}
18 - Starting to grow in North America, with fragrance (7) - {NA}SCENT
19 - List information collected by a US prosecutor (6) - A{GEN}{DA}
22 - Ring round during dance (4) - H{O}OP

Saturday 27 June 2009

No 9570, Saturday, 27 Jun 09, M. Manna

No major gaffe from Mr Manna for the first of this series, I can't get the anno for 2D though.
ACROSS
1 - Where little Jack sat up against the wall (2,1,6) - IN A CORNER [CD]
6 - Has the neck to ask for credit during a slump (5) - S{CR}AG
9 - Grown up to be present last month (5) - {AD}{ULT}
10 - Change title for a product? (5,4) - TRADE NAME [DD]
11 - Put in a difficult position when a tip gave offence (10) - {END}{ANGERED}
12 - Talk easily later at church (4) - {CH}{AT}
14 - Female goats look after the children! (7) - NANNIES [DD]
15 - Dad, “Geese caused the water to leak” (7) - SEE{PA}GE*
17 - Mild men let many running wild (7) - {C}LEMENT*
19 - Girl takes loss as relating to her tongue (7) - G{LOSS}AL
20 - Take up position behind (4) - REAR [DD]
22 - Without exception, life imprisonment (3,3,4) - FOR ALL TIME [CD]
25 - The Italian patriot takes the biscuit! (9) - GARIBALDI [DD] Never ate one of these biscuits
26 - Feeling of horror go slowly (5) - CREEP [DD] The feeling should have been creepy
27 - Be wide awake at warning of danger (5) - ALERT [DD]
28 - Represented as a priest’s hangers on (9) - PARASITES*
DOWN
1 - I’m at a duration of life, an idol (5) - {IM}AGE
2 - More than enough for a bid at cards (9) - ABUNDANCE [DD] ? Anno eludes me. A google search threw up Abundance as the name of a game of cards, other than that I can't see the connection and the use of the word bid in the clue.
3 - Frequently about half a score of instances (10) - {OF}{TEN}{TIMES}
4 - Sent rat away — chatters! (7) - NATTERS*
5 - University lecturers (7) - READERS [CD]
6 - It’s in poor taste to let it stand (4) - STET [T]
7 - Succeed in communicating (5) - REACH [CD]
8 - A very large amount — and at a bargain price! (5,4) - GREAT DEAL [CD]
13 - Recalls dilemma of 150 electors (10) - RE{C}O{L}LECTS*
14 - Again a cur is removed from the country (9) - NICARAGUA*
16 - Sober seamen can get net in a tangle (9) - {ABS}{TIN}{ENT*}
18 - Untidy woman gets to roll over top (7) - T{ROLL}OP Roll over top or top over roll
19 - GI gets clear around a mass of ice (7) - GLACIER*
21 - Eager to make up the quarrel (5) - AGREE*
23 - Exhibitions along old river course (5) - {EX}{POS}
24 - Jack takes Lawrence back to incite with encouragement (4) - {AB}{ET<-} )

PS - The HINDU seems to be getting raunchy, the ad next to the CW Grid in the online edition appears to give me this feeling, is it the image of a Trollop!!?

Friday 26 June 2009

No 9569, Friday, 26 Jun 09, Gridman

Manna from the heavens tomorrow?
ACROSS
1 - Worker to draw out with water supply application (4,4) - HAND PUMP [CD]
5 - Free of charge, a hundred leave (6) - {A}{C}{QUIT}
10 - A primarily temperamental worker in one U.S. city or another (7) - {A}{T}{L{ANT}A}
11 - Edit writer’s composition about end of disturbance (7) - REWRIT*{E}
12 - Incomplete hint by Chinese dynasty on comedian’s necessity (6) - {TI(-p)}{MING}
13 - What a model or a clock must have for a presentable appearance (4,4) - NICE FACE [CD]
15 - Lionized one backs old dynasty (4) - IDOL<-)
16 - Such dishes and drinks won’t do for people with glucose intolerance (5-5) - SUGAR LADEN [CD]
18 - Excited gents overrun at that time to tune up (10) - ST{R}ENG*{THEN}
20 - Second bed for foreign national (4) - {S}{COT}
23 - Sleep northern workers have in bits (8) - {REM}{N}{ANTS}
24 - Trying experience in gold transaction… (6) - {OR}{DEAL}
26 - …bad… do not go in pieces (3,4) - NOT GOOD*
27 - Finally in January, girl, father and I reach an Arizona county (7) - {Y}{AVA}{PA}{I}
28 - Don’t begin to narrate slips or mistakes (6) - (-n)ERRATA*
29 - By evacuated dredger, I grill engineer on equipment used in oil exploration (5,3) - D(-redge)R{ILL RIG*}
DOWN
1 - This gives cover for one’s medical expenses (6,9) - HEALTH INSURANCE [CD]
2 - Lone bum destroyed waterlily (7) - NELUMBO*
3 - Longing for tossing a nip: gin-cocktail (6) - PINING*
4 - Intend to be average (4) - MEAN [DD]
6 - Musical instruments a herd might have, perhaps (8) - COWBELLS [DD]
7 - Single piece lying on a road is bodysuit (7) - {UNIT}{A}{RD}
8 - Mum: the cashier isn’t working, perhaps (6,2,7) - THERES NO TELLING [DD]
9 - Annoyed one Reading gallery, getting in free (9) - {I}{R}{RI{TATE}D}
14 - Cart puller gathers in time I’d confined the workers in herd (9) - MUL{T}{I{TU}D}E Nice clue
17 - Leave furtively, creeping snake is abroad! (5,3) - SNEAK* OUT
19 - Fallen meteor at farther end is more distant (7) - REMOTE*{R}
21 - More debased, revolutionary article on agent raised (7) - {CHE}{A}{PER<-} 22 - Disturb rock fragments? (6) - GRAVEL [DD]
25 - Batik worker? (4) - DYER [CD]

Thursday 25 June 2009

No 9568, Thursday, 25 Jun 09, Gridman

We seem to be building up to a troublesome weekend with Mr Manna.
ACROSS
1 - Big letter without one hint of antipathy added (7) - M(-i+a}ASSIVE
5 - All the stuffing is poisonous (6) - LETHAL*
9 - Municipal gathering of four or six in hundreds (5) - C{IVI}C
10 - Nut is apt to wander over Chennai ignoring backward girl for nothing (9) - PISTA*{CH(-enna)I}{O}
11 - Homeric journey (7) - ODYSSEY [CD]
12 - Thought on opening ornate wing (7) - {O}{PINION}
13 - Two-way detective system (5) - RADAR [CD]
14 - Make clear changes in the glen (9) - ENLIGHTEN*
16 - Where pedallers may have a free run (5,4) - CYCLE PATH [CD]
19 - That man content with account recalling Old Testament prophet (5) - MI{CA<-}H<- )
21 - Small queen gets debt notices — it’s grave (7) - {S}{ER}{IOUS}
23 - Having excessive interest in oneself, hurried back with cold credo (7) - {NAR<-}{C}{ISM}
24 - Not broadcasting anymore (3,3,3) - OFF THE AIR [CD]
25 - Prohibit workers’ language (5) - {BAN}{TU}
26 - I almost adhere to a Wagnerian heroine (6) - {I}{SOLDE(-r)}
27 - Feed distributed in hours (7) - NOURISH*
DOWN
1 - Some chip arising from Corp. room crises (14) - MICROPROCESSOR*
2 - Do save diligently, hoarding last of bay, crinkled (7) - SAVO{Y}ED
3 - Canine’s neighbour? (7) - INCISOR [CD]
4 - Complaint Emmy heaps senselessly (9) - EMPHYSEMA* This is what happens if you smoke too much
5 - Girl on old loop line (5) - LASS{O}
6 - Cha served up is no good? Annoying! (7) - {TEA}{SI<-}{NG}
7 - Non-believer is at the jumble (7) - ATHEIST*
8 - Low in spirits, a dentist might look here (4,2,3,5) - DOWN IN THE MOUTH [CD]
15 - See the woman smile at German legendary figure (9) - {LO}{HEN}{GRIN}
17 - Decanters for soldiers in restaurants (7) - CA{RA}FES
18 - Nothing in ruined chapel is of high significance (7) - EP{O}CHAL*
19 - Ram is up with Ben Adhem to see African stork (7) - {MAR<-}{ABOU}
20 - Greek character against wine of Tuscany (7) - {CHI}{ANTI}
22 - A ghostly colour? (5) - SHADE [DD]

Wednesday 24 June 2009

No 9567, Wednesday, 24 Jun 09, Gridman

Two annotations elude me.
ACROSS
1 - Thinly break down in cunning surroundings (8) - S{PARSE}LY
5 - Writer, with heart problem, not in a state (6) - PEN{ANG(-in a)}
9 - A female and I hang out with a neighbouring countryman (7) - A{F}{GHAN*}{I}
10 - Walks ostentatiously in states where deposit is found (7) - S{ASH}AYS
11 - Party committee’s hastily built in wretchedly poor environment (9) - POLITBURO*
12 - Woman’s first advantage with golf club (5) - {W}EDGE
13 - Standard refusal to foreign postal service (4) - {NO}{RM}
14 - The kind of provisions a consumer will want to buy (4-5) - BEST-GRADE [CD]
17 - Describing the classification of apex committees (4-5) - HIGH-LEVEL [CD]
19 - Net the setter and be quiet (4) - ME{SH}
23 - Trusts the man’s accepted work (5) - H{OP}ES
24 - Eyes pacts for disposal of trays in the printer’s shop (9) - TYPECASES*
25 - It might be plucked by Luke, Lee, any other (7) - UKELELE*
26 - Regret about the withdrawal of night train (7) - R{(~night)ETIN<-}UE
27 - Cow not about to rush along (6) - H{AST}EN AST from ? (Addendum - (-c)HASTEN see Shuchi's comments below)
28 - ”The mother of corruption,” according to Montaigne (8) - IDLENESS [CD]
DOWN
1 - Taking photograph of son having forty winks (8) - {S}NAPPING
2 - Sort of personality that is not rounded (7) - ANGULAR [CD]
3 - It includes section on ancient city (6) - S{PART}A Origin of S and A not clear
4 - Where retiree uncle’s stretching it out? (7,6) - LEISURE CENTRE*
6 - Direction in which a steward moves (8) - EASTWARD*
7 - A newspaperman covering cellblock is given an honour (7) - A{WARD}{ED}
8 - Guess wildly premier tailor has sleeve insert (6) - GUSSE*{T}
10 - Being easily enraged, the Rep stormed furiously (5-8) - SHORT-TEMPERED*
15 - Sponge he employed as agent in chemical warfare (8) - PHOSGENE*
16 - Drinks in endless card game with important side (8) - WHIS(-t){KEY}{S} Have heard of Whist so often but never seen anyone playing it.
18 - Mark, I am with the journalists (7) - {IM}PRESS
20 - Concentration of ascetic in overwhelming cold (7) - ESSEN{C}ES
21 - The endless dash for songbird (6) - TH(-e)(RUSH}
22 - Assail the ambassador after leave (6) - SCAT{HE}

Tuesday 23 June 2009

No 9566, Tuesday, 23 Jun 09, Gridman

A reasonably easy outing for me today, with no hiccups.
ACROSS
1 - In the South-East, a hospital room’s facing the ocean (8) - {SE}{A}{WARDS}
6 - Tides favourable for boating departures (4) - EBBS [CD]
9 - Got one’s eyes fixed? (6) - STARED [CD]
10 - Provided physician returns quietly, it might be in the creel (7) - {COD<-}{FI<-}{SH}
13 - Gives the word to the woman about big cats (9) - {ANN}{OUNCES}
14 - “Love Story” author Erich (5) - SEGAL [CD]
15 - Unmatchable defeat? (4) - BEST [DD]
16 - One who has things in store for you (10) - SHOPKEEPER [CD]
19 - Jams following collapse of board: these will hinder your progress (10) - {ROADB*}{LOCKS}
21 - Advance without resistance in measure for fast fliers (4) - MA(-r)CH
24 - Dull run for circus or zoo employee (5) - TAME{R}
25 - Dressed warmly (7,2) - BUNDLED UP [CD]
26 - Nothing to write and broadcast about type of mall (4-3) - {O}{PEN}-AIR
27 - Alien before boarding plane (6) - {E{MIG}RE}
28 - Insolent talk by small, stable figure? (4) - {S}{ASS}
29 - Becoming old, clergyman goes in for retaliation (8) - A{VEN}GING
DOWN
2 - Makes tense former wife to care for son (7) - {EX}{TEND}{S}
3 - Develop an alternative in a week for the State (4,2) - W{OR}K {UP}
4 - Chair, doc and I produce a variety of chicory (9) - RADICCHIO*
5 - Faith groups change tec in seconds (5) - S{ECT}S
7 - Put forward for discussion bird-identifier thrust on the State by bureaucrat’s head (5,2) - {B}{RING} UP
8 - Rich? So splash out with financial grants to students (12) - SCHOLARSHIPS*
11 - The woman goes through trash-talk for items of food (6) - DI{SHE}S
12 - Engine parts from crate burst or fell apart (12) - CARBURETTORS*
17 - Dog takes a leak skirting maharaja at the end of palace (9) - PE{KING}ES{E}
18 - Head away from wintry Russian area to European peninsula (6) - (-s)IBERIA
20 - Haphazard distribution of e-mails by premier secretary (7) - AIMLES*{S}
22 - Indra forged nothing new in firedog (7) - ANDIR*{O}{N}
23 - Female is mendacious about aviation (6) - {F}{LYING}
25 - Black Roman bear in Turkish city (5) - {B}{URSA}

Monday 22 June 2009

No 9565, Monday, 22 Jun 09, Gridman

Not very happy with some of Gridman's clues today. 19D beats me
ACROSS
1 - Sad about street circles’ aggressive talks (11) - BLU{ST}E{RINGS}
9 - Early periods of existence on fashionable inclinations (9) - {IN}{FANCIES}
10 - Mimicking pea-shelling by discontented Rudy (5) – {APE*}{R(-ud)Y}
11 - Terms star Agassi for one (5) – ANDRE [CD] First word in clue is Tennis and not Terms.
12 - Frolicking mates play about circular boat vessel (9) {STEAM*}{B{O}AT} Boat appears in clue as well as answer, seems to be an error here.
13 - Noodle holders? (5) - NECKS [CD] From noodleneck straps of blouses?
15 - Set up his stable in a different style (9) – ESTABLISH*
18 - A number declared: redo dais, as previously mentioned (9) – {A}{FORE}(-four){SAID*}
21 - Should have looked for and dropped Spithead (5) - (-s)OUGHT
22 - What a smoker may do with his cigarette (4,1,4) – TAKE A DRAG
24 - Half of them suffer a means of communication (1-4) – E-MAIL
26 - She begins merrily with a song (5) – {M}{ARIA}
27 - By a measure see large, leading expeditioner free to go anywhere (9) - {FOOT}{LO}{OS}{E}
28 - Good-for-nothings have horribly sore end around spring (4-2-5) - NEER-DO-{WELL}S*
DOWN
1 - Copper for a biscuit brand (9) - BRITANNIA [DD]
2 - Such a baby must be hungry (5) - UNFED [CD]
3 - Teens seen cavorting in U.S. state (9) - TENNESSEE*
4 - Old foreign money given to a girl to send out again (7) - {REIS}{SUE}
5 - Bun at last with primarily alluring aroma coming into being (7) - {N}{A}{SCENT}
6 - Crowd with arms waving (5) - S{W}ARM* W for with?
7 - Last month Leader of Opposition had urge for spy’s activity (8) - {DEC}{O}{DING}
8 - Track books for Indian peasant (4) - {RY}{OT}
14 - Service music performer within the limits of chancery (8) - C{ROCKER}Y Never thought of Crockery as a service
16 - With which one might get awl - one is convicted for having…... (6,3) - BROKEN {LAW*} [DD]
17 - He loiters around with managers of inns (9) – HOTELIERS*
19 - Pin Indian tourist city following extreme malpractice (7) - {AGRA}FFE ?
20 - What a canine will eat with relish (7) - DOGFOOD [CD]
22 - Stomachs obscene writing that’s on the rise (4) - TUMS<- )
23 - Chief elected once more (5) - {AGA}{IN}
25 - A payment demanded to go round the lagoon (5) - A{TOLL}

Sunday 21 June 2009

No3266, Sunday, 21 Jun 09

Relatively easy for a Sunday THC except for a few like 5D
ACROSS
1 - Keen on board to win lottery (10) - {S{WEEP}S}{TAKE}
6 - Work in shop, usefully (4) - OPUS [T]
9 - Tear in top worker’s trousers (5,5) - {CAP}{RI P}{ANTS}
10 - Very nicely (4) - WELL [CD]
11 - Very nearly, or very wellbehaved? (2,4,2,4) - {AS GOOD AS} GOLD [CD]
15- A Conservative declaration gets praise (7) - {A}{C}{CLAIM}
16 - Nursed a poorly ballerina’s partner (7) - DANSEUR*
17 - Warning card (7) - CAUTION [CD]
19 - A bridge hand easy to play? No, a pal and I suspect (7) - PIANOLA*
20 - Something more noticeable smeared on garage exit (12) - EXAGGERATION*
23 - Become a member of nightclub, briefly (4) - JOIN(-t)
24 - Director coming from Japan’s capital via Mysore, possibly (5,5) - {J}AMES IVORY*
25 - Ring gang (4) - BAND [DD]
26 - Singer in study accepting a short drink (4,6) - DE{A}N {MARTIN(-i)} I remember his songs like 'Volare' and seeing some of his movies with Jerry Lewis when I was in school.
DOWN
1 - Rifle fire (4) - SACK [DD]
2 - Face of estate agent’s watch (4) - {E}SPY
3 - Careful, father at home betting (11) - {PA}{IN}{STAKING}
4 - Small restaurant with rent the reverse of low (3,4) - {TEA R}{OOM<-} )
5 - Girl starts to delve into digest used for cricket (7) - KATY{D}{I}{D} Wasted a lot of time thinking of the game of cricket!!, finally had to google search this answer
7 - Start to pillory female on about flipping Captain Marvel? (10) - {P}{HEN}{OMEN<-}{ON}
8 - Shriek catching a boy dressing (5,5) - S{A}{LAD} CREAM
12 - As a con man it worked, in a city near LA (5,6) - SANTA MONICA*
13 - Axe 14 in severe reduction (7,3) - HATCHET JOB [CD]
14 - Calling for the seizure and control of a foreign territory (10) - OCCUPATION [DD]
18 - Sporting rare tan, recount events (7) - NARRATE*
19 - Glib talk by northern model (7) - PATTER{N}
21 - Did battle, reportedly, in citadel (4) - FORT(~fought)
22 - Girl from Brooklyn neighbourhood (4) - LYNN [T]

Saturday 20 June 2009

No 9564, Saturday, 20 Jun 09, Gridman

Welcome back Gridman, some annotations elude me
ACROSS
1 - Therefore the paper’s to see where one can hit easily (4,4) - {SO}{FT} SPOT
5 - Stopped hundred and relaxed (6) - C{EASED}
9 - Withdrew from an arrangement — in tears? (5,3) - CRIED OFF [CD]
10 - Hardy was this actor’s partner (6) - LAUREL [CD]
12 - Nice at last to study in a heavenly place (4) - {E}{DEN}
13 - It holds the laundry from falling off line (7,3) - CLOTHES PEG [CD]
15 - Can be easily won over without a Frenchman’s help (6) - (-a-m){ENABLE}
17 - Sweet treat for the fellow with whom you met at last (5) - {DON}{U}{T}
20 - Emotion attains a different range (5) - ANGER*
21 - With which one’s struck when one is marvellously impressed (6) - WONDER [CD]
24 - Not that this abstainer doesn’t quench his thirst with liquids (3-7) - NON-DRINKER [CD]
27 - Girl doesn’t begin to get the atmosphere (4) - (-l)AURA
29 - Say further it’s a very soft conclusion (6) - A{PP}{END}
30 - One Hindu absolute among the old is in turmoil (8) - A{GITA}TED* or is it AG{I}{TAT}ED if so what is TAT (Addendum - AG{I}{TAT}ED} is the right answer see the link for meaning of TAT - Thanks to Shuchi for the explanation on her blog)
31 - Relatives recreate scene about India’s capital (6) - N{I}ECES*
32 - Impressions from noise spread around telegraphic signal (8) - E{DIT}IONS* DIT from DIT-DAH of morse code
DOWN
1 - Bag for loose cash with alien (6) - SACH*{ET}
2 - Craze about wild lie was unsuccessful (6) - FA{ILE*}D
3 - Team — not something to be taken objectively (4) - SIDE [DD]
4 - Refuse of a season in the U.S. left out (5) - OF{FAL(-l)}
6 - Remove from memory periods in extreme sufferance (5) - ERA{S}{E}
7 - Just managing to pass nonsense in praise (8) - S{CRAP}ING
8 - Agent with scrap about Georgia (8) - DELE{GA}TE
11 - Scattered right on the way up in the news somehow (6) - S{TR<-}EWN*
14 - King to hurry up with wooden ball (4) - K{NAR<-}
16 - Fiddling actress on fly (6) - {BO}{WING}
17 - Deer performs (4) - DOES [DD]
18 - Important volunteers not out to keep (8) - {MAIN}{TA}{IN}
19 - Again turn to pages close to verse for poetic inspiration (8) - AGANI*{PP}{E}
22 - On the 1st of January ousts set in a careful manner (4,2) - {J}{UST SO*}
23 - Busmen’s leader’s hands off industrial actions in India (6) - {B}ANDHS*
25 - Line after taking bottom off change (5) - (-ar)RANGE ? (Addendum - (-rear)(RANGE) Thanks to Chaturvasi's comments at Shuchi's blog)
26 - With advantage, copper played a cricket stroke (5) - EDGED [DD] Annotation not clear, what is Copper doing here (Addendum - {EDGE}{D} See comments below for discussion on this stroke)
28 - ‘Leave as it was’ instruction on the proof (4) - STET [CD]

Friday 19 June 2009

No 9563, Friday, 19 Jun 09, Nita Jaggi

31A and 24D elude me for the moment
ACROSS
1 - Thom(read as Thorn) holding the comers(read as corners) of a drill on mechanical device (7) - SPIN{D}{L}E
5 - Last month for a politician to pack up and leave (6) - {DEC}{A}{MP}
10 - Landowner is around the side line of the campus critter (8) - SQUI{R}RE{L}
11 - Armed force in an icon voyage (6) - CONVOY [T] A convoy is a group of vehicles or ships etc and not an Armed Force per se.
3 - Leaders rise instantly occupying territories of civil disorder (4) - {R}{I}{O}{T}
14 - What one undergoes at a check point? (4, 6) - BODY SEARCH [CD]
16 - Essential for her to drop two hundred people brought together (6) - {MUST}{(-h)ER} Why two hundred?
18 - A woman schoolteacher (8) - MISTRESS [CD]
21 - Amounts of money for each is certain to be less at the end (8) - {M}{EA}{SURE}{S}
22 - Take regular care of thorns on the shrub (6) - {C}{R}{O}{T}{O}{N}
25 - Rustic Asian man born at the end gives up a knight named for a duty (10) - {DESI}G{N}{AT}{E(-n)D} GN from 'man born at'?
27 - Transport the vehicle for golfers (4) - CART [CD]
30 - A new mail to disclose the creature (6) - {A}{N}IMAL*
31 - An aristocrat is in the Open University almost to declare the loser (5, 3) - ???N? {OU}{T(-o)} (Addendum - COUNT {OU}{T(-o)} - Thanks to George)
32 - Small boy is back to half take the statement to be obeyed (6) - {DIK<-}{TA(-ke)}T Poor clue, where did T come from
33 - Permit to camouflage a woman in rawhide (7) - LE{A}T{HER}
DOWN
2 - Planet on Poland has to move out (5) - {PL}{UTO*} This is no longer a planet
3 - A standard Nigerian leader has an alternative member (4) - {N}{OR}{M}
4 - Stay in hiding to remain inactive (3, 3) - LIE LOW [CD]
6 - Run off people somehow lacking bit of energy (5) - ELOPE(-e)*
7 - Make reference to specialist giving attention (9) - {ADVERT}{ENT}
8 - Shy cops to handle crazy people (7) - PSYCHOS*
9 - Quiet painter in the morning is at the hermitage (6) - A{SH}{RA}M
12 - Say heartlessly of a girl in an Arab country (5) - {S(-a)Y}{RIA}
15 - Information about the bend in the knee (4) - {GEN}{U}
17 - Used by performers in a humorous drama (9) - SLAPSTICK [CD] Also used by clowns in the circus.
19 - Odd thug runs away in different direction (4) - {T}{U}{R}{N} [T]
20 - Support a gangster allowed by official rules (5) - {LEG}{AL}
21 - Mind lad in order to be in the interior part of the country (7) - MIDLAND*
23 - Set down the vocal sound holding the soldiers taken up (6) - NOT{AT<-}E
24 - Aged bird not at home with an oriental being (6) - ?E?O?E
26 - Initially get us another variety alongside the fruit (5) - {G}{U}{A}{V}{A} [T]
28 - Albert at lunchtime, is without company (5) - {AL}{ONE}
29 - Flying pest inside to cling naturally (4) - GNAT [T]

Thursday 18 June 2009

No 9562, Thursday, 18 Jun 09, Nita Jaggi

One more of the odds and regulars tommorow before we switch to the next setter
ACROSS
1 - Spanish girl is wrong to reason about the thing (8) - SENOR{IT}A*
5 - Vinegar before food is the same (4) - ACID Annotation not clear
9 - Mark left around Haiti without a disease (8) - RAC{H(-a)ITI}S<-)
10 - Nicely occupied after midnight by an American journalist (6) - {AM}{US}{ED}
12 - One in for each supporting a structure (4) - P{I}ER
13 - Dog pal, most close to man (4,6) - BEST FRIEND [CD]
15 - Cash stipends to help a worker on the liners (14) - ASSIST{ANT}{SHIPS}
17 - Messy fakir wins the large folding tool (5,4,5) - SWISS ARMY KNIFE*
21 - A ringing success, leader of workers is in the current house as I am at ease (4,6) - {W}{IN}{D C}{H}{IM}{ES}
22 - Stubby tail found in grass cuttings (4) - SCUT [T]
25 - Army is on line to decline gradually dropping eight on an island (6) - {TA}{I}{WAN(-e)}
26 - Dad and Ned together composed the new matter at the end (8) - {ADD*}{END*}UM Connection between UM and new matter not clear to me
27 - Tryout an examination (4) - TEST [DD]
28 - Newly added recruits! (8) - FRESHERS [CD]
DOWN
1 - Light scratch on the square material (6) - SCRAPE Annotation pending ({S}{CRAPE} - Thanks to Raghunath)
2 - Enclosure set back in the house inside a French city (5) - NIC{H}E
3 - Regularly read in about the heavy downpour (4) - {R}{A}IN
4 - Shiva’s weapon, used for hunting and war (7) - TRIDENT [CD]
6 - On making-up of the business, politician is more powerful (10) - {CO}{MP}{RISING}
7 - Wrong to be led if one’s having doubt about the truth (9) - D{IS}BELIEF*
8 - Having lost strength in part of a dedication (5) - FADED [T]
11 - Knock-out an energy source covering Thailand (4) - S{T}UN
14 - Standard one accommodations (5,5) - FIRST CLASS [CD]
16 - Researcher somehow incites in silence (9) - {SCIENTI*}ST ST for silence ?
18 - Bird on a horizontal bar (4) - RAIL [DD]
19 - Blink an eyelid in front of the king who surrenders (7) - YIELDE*{R}
20 - Odd to set gummy footnote on wooden posts (6) - {S}{T}{U}{M}PS
21 - Timepiece of a wizard has strings in place of a line (5) - WATCH Annotation pending
23 - About to notice again the core group (5) - {C}{AD}{RE}
24 - Untidy condition of the dining room (4) - MESS [DD]

Wednesday 17 June 2009

No 9561, Wednesday, 17 Jun 09, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
8 - To pretend sorrow, large rats swallow an egg head after the fabulous bird is inside the coiled structure (9,5) - C{ROC}ODILE* {T{E}ARS}
9 - Even catch our ones with hard fruits (6) - {A}{C}{O}{R}{N}{S}
10 - Regular cold Alice developed around the neck bone (8) - {C}{L}{A{V}ICLE*} V from V-neck sweaters
11 - Woman sounds a bell for the fishes (8) - {HER}{RINGS} Thank God it was not a Red one!!
13 - Mental condition put to rest (6) - TRANCE [CD]
14 - Mother and a woman have a problem (6) - {MA}{LADY}
16 - Now, detective is back on time for an enthusiast (6) - {AD}{DIC<-}{T}
19 - Greek letter holding the crossed part of a plant (6) - S{T}IGMA
21 - Cry of delight before showing anger returning the shrub (8) - {OLE}AN{DER<-} AN from?
23 - Pay money for the decline in the number of customers (8) - {FOOT}{FALL}
24 - Indian leader has a Rolls Royce in Uttar Pradesh almost to enter suddenly (6) - {I}{RR}{UP}{T(-o)}
26 - Batting on zero, start to score given an approximate estimate (2,5,7) - IN ROUND NUMBER{S}
DOWN
1 - Soft thing eaten after an extraction (8) - ICECREAM
2 - Not rich to order gold (4) - {PO}{OR}
3 - I caught you son playing with a relative (6) - {C}O{U}S{I}N*
4 - Princess has a firm coming up with ease surrounding the second Episcopal area (7) - {DI}{OC<-}{E(-a)SE} I suppose by surrounding the setter means cloaking it?
5 - Soul that has left the body (8) - DEPARTED [CD]
6 - Thoughtfulness for a negotiation to resolve differences covering Thailand (10) - MEDI{T}ATION
7 - French, mostly old I see in gay activity (6) - {FR}{OL(-d){I}{C}
12 - Mild banishment of the state representatives gets a king in place of a duke (10) - (-d+r)RELEGATION
15 - Take up the menu for the poet oddly near a plant (8) - {DRAC<-}{AE}{NA}
17 - Manage the rest to go across to enter in unlawfully (8) - {TRES*}PASS
18 - Opposite the stern, mark the fixed loop (7) - {BOW}{LINE}
20 - Eldest son of Odin is not specific about the spines (6) - {THOR}{NS}
22 - Wrong to imagine without one in problem (6) - ENIGMA(-i)*
25 - Feels sorry for the streets in Paris (4) - RUES [DD]

Tuesday 16 June 2009

No 9560, Tuesday, 16 Jun 09, Nita Jaggi

Yesterday's Crambe turned out to be a leafy vegetable and not a Herb!!
ACROSS
7 - Ran around one on bed, grasping a jacket (8) - {RA{I}N}{CO{A}T}
9 - Cheerful, little woman is on an old way in the capital of Lakshadweep (6) - JO{VIA}{L}
11 - Toxic condition in the east claims father somehow (9) - {E}{CLAMPSIA*}
12 - Daily routine work (5) - HABIT [CD]
13 - Soundly expected the friend to turn back the flap of skin (6) - (-due)DEW{LAP<-}
14 - William has his wife to stir up the dull talk (4,4) - {W}{ISH*} {W}{ASH*}
17 - Farmers have a writer son (9) - FORESTER{S}
22 - Student is in to move about the heavy club (8) - B{L}UDGE{ON}
23 - Almost ask for certain to remove any doubt (6) - {AS(-s)}{SURE}
25 - Won’t I get upset under one’s guidance? (2,3) - IN TOW*
27 - Absurd cop to search the cabinets (9) - CUPBOARDS*
28 - Hunter holds one fifty one in an Asian city (6) - GU{I}{L}{I}N
29 - Coloured paper flag (8) - STREAMER [CD]
DOWN
1 - No date inside the chips made for pals (7) - FRIE{ND}S
2 - West Indies has a couple of learners who heartlessly climb up seven trees (7) - {WI}{LL}{O(-h)W}{S} Have seen plenty of Weeping Willows in the Kashmir valley from which cricket bats are made
3 - Wet land on the red planet is hot (5) - MARS{H}
4 - Elegant leaders pointing out some hotels (4) - {P}{O}{S}{H} [T]
5 - Animal and a snake cross the submarine (7) - PIG{BOA}{T}
6 - Cross in the lake surrounded by a muddy appearance (7) - B{LO{T}CH}Y
8 - Hurry up, commander alone is nervous at midnight (4,5) - {COM}{E ALON*}G
10 - Judge a carbon, thin kind of mineral (7) - {J}{A}{C}{INTH*}
15 - Ring in an hour, go round to look at the star chart (9) - H{O}R{O}{SCOPE}
16 - Be happy, as boy holds in charge following the queen going up (7) - {RE<-}JO{IC}E
18 - Cut a card game (7) - A{BRIDGE}
19 - Falls at the end of a performance (7) - CURTAIN [CD]
20 - Certain of holding power on half of them in England to the greatest extent (7) - SU{P}R{(-th)EM}E
21 - Officials giving a clean chit for a film release (7) - CENSORS [CD]
24 - Flow of water on large apes covering the junction (5) - SPA{T}E*
26 - Reported a large mammal having a loud sound (4) - WAIL(~whale)

Monday 15 June 2009

No 9559, Monday, 15 Jun 09, Nita Jaggi

Some awfully terrible clues today!! I am simply unable to get 8&9D
ACROSS
1 - Regulars’ walk on the border area (5) - MARCH [DD]
4 - One covered in mud is back in to almost sit on the raised platforms (7) - PO{D{I}UM<-}S(-e)
10 - Total examination of the horse (6) - A{MOUNT}
11 - Machine put in for a competitor (8) - COMPUTER ?
13 - Being within, to bury the first person alternatively (8) - {INTER}{I}{OR}
14 - Respect the French art get together to the left (6) - ES{TEEM<-}
16 - Advance only, overheard (4) - LOAN (~lone)
17 - Basic principle of Christian ethics (6,4) - GOLDEN RULE [CD]
20 - Same circle to be made by a wooden knife (5,5) - CREAM SLICE*
21 - Even keep the old style of poetry (4) - EP{OS}
24 - Colour one dog in trouble (6) - {I}NDIGO*
26 - Attendants set off in hospital rooms (8) - STE*{WARDS}
28 - Card game for the French general (8) - NAPOLEON [DD]
29 - Comfortable to be in the house (2,4) - AT EASE [CD]
30 - Hey! Part is cured through treatment (7) - THERAPY*
31 - To reproach the police surrounding the house in Spain (5) - C{H}ID{E}
DOWN
2 - Turn around the sailor to confront boldly (5,4) - {AB}{OUT FACE}
3 - Native bird of these islands (6) - CANARY [CD]
5 - Headless Bob has an old English instrument (4) - (-b)OB{OE}
6 - Heavyset Indian leader and a politician have no order to sign (8) - {I}{MP}{O}{SING*}
7 - Unit of length found in the same treadmill (5) - METRE [T]
8 - Churn the cream covering the soft herb (6) - ?A?I?L
9 - Beauty treatment for a woman in the spa (6) - ?R?M?E
12 - Lens doctor is operating back the caller alternately (7) - {MO}{NO<-}{CLE}
15 - Due act is formed for the English to teach (7) - EDUCAT{E}
18 - Advantage of the high position of a worker (5,4) - UPPER HAND [CD]
19 - Son of a Greek character has a girl to gel about with the right runner (8) - {S}{MU}{G}GLE*}{R}
20 - Customer is caught to give a false impression of the book (6) - {C}{LIE}{NT}
22 - Resist to scold a nun (6) - SISTER*
23 - Change a piece of cloth as one replaces an adult (6) - SW(-a+i)ITCH
25 - Edward comes up on an odd pitch from the surface inwards (5) - {DE<-}PTH
27 - Spills out another portion initially of the cleansing agent (4) - SOAP [T]

Sunday 14 June 2009

No 2537, Sunday, 14 Jun 09

Had to google for some answers and annotation of 21D eludes me

ACROSS
1 - Dish cut into pieces, the old American recalled (4,4) - {CHOP} {SU<-}{EY<-}
5 - Large rug packed initially into battered crate (6) - CAR{P}ET*
10 - Water creature scoundrel beheaded (5) - (-r){OTTER}
11 - Game - card game with daughter leading diamonds (5,4) - {POKER} {D}{ICE}
12 - Reportedly catch a contagious disease (7) - (~collar)CHOLER{A}
13 - Clergyman sacrificing second one in church (7) - MIN(-i)STER
14 - Scan draft star prepared for a movement inspired by Ruskin (4,3,6) - ARTS AND CRAFTS*
18 - Where Monopoly players have had to start ever since its creation? (4,3,4,2) - FROM THE WORD GO [DD]
20 - Admires astonishing weapon (7) - SIDEARM*
22 - Nobleman pinning one on trailblazer (7) - P{I}{ON}EER
24 - Girl fronting group getting ribbon for hair (5,4) - ALICE BAND [CD]
25 - Prime piece of fillet steak for dowdy woman (5) - {F}{RUMP}
26 - Time for morning coffee in the Spanish square? (6) - {EL}{EVEN}
27 - Witty remark about eastern passenger ship (3-5) - {ON}{E}-LINER
DOWN
1 - Select sweet with no centre (6) - CHO(-c)ICE
2 - One may be this, on and after a wayzgoose! (3,3,1,4,4) - OUT FOR A GOOD TIME [CD] Guessed this answer without knowing what wayzgoose was.
3 - Frenchman's material (5) - SERGE [CD]
4 - Prom in Naples crumbling, notice, close to landing-stage (9) - ESPLAN*{AD}{E}
6 - A novel type of mullein (6,3) - AARONS ROD [DD] Had to do a google search to get this one
7 - Critical part of flight, up front, in one to Russia's capital, possibly (5,2,2,6) - POINT OF NO RETURN*
8 - Kojak to be promoted? That's conjecture (8) - {THEO}{RISE}
9 - Quickly read through second Kipling novel (4) - {S}{KIM}
15 - A private conversation first of all between two Parisian heads (4-1-4) - TETE-A-TETE
16 - Left flat with one before noon and called round (7,2) - DROPPED {I}{N}
17 - In the wings, adjust to gaffes (8) - OFF STAGE*
19 - Right in favour of exercises before runs (6) - {PRO}{PE}{R}
21 - Despicable fellow injecting drug (4) - M{E}AN ?
23 - Waste matter spoilt a lake (5) - {OFF}{A}{L}

Saturday 13 June 2009

No 9558, Saturday, 13 Jun 09, Nita Jaggi

Will not be answering any comments today and tommorow as I will be out of the house during the day.
ACROSS
 1 - Head boy and the editors renamed back holding the new one to check the doctor’s conduct (7,6) - {B}{EDS}{I}DE MA{N}NER<- )
 8 - Trial you would take before buying a car (4,5) - TEST DRIVE [CD]
9 - Vet almost takes a new order of the toxin (5) - {VE(-t)}{N}{OM}
10 - Stops sleeping, as Kane was disturbed (7) - AWAKENS*
12 - Discusses about the short estimate after arrival (6) - {AR}{GUES(-s)}
14 - Water animal found in the hot territory (5) - OTTER [T]
16 - Work for an unknown good painter (4) - {GO}{Y}{A}
19 - Do not tell the truth of Schubert’s work of an art song (4) - LIES [DD]
20 - Crockery held by each in a warehouse (9) - CHINAWARE [T]
21 - Bend in the cold element (4) - {Z}{IN}{C}
22 - Plays a part in the book of the Bible (4) - ACTS [DD]
25 - Looking at the enemy borders having a gin cocktail (5) - {E}{Y}{ING*}
27 - Exciting part at the end of a performance (6) - FINALE [CD]
29 - A looser kind of substance sprayed (7) - AEROSOL*
32 - South Africa has five from the French rescued (5) - {SA}{V}{ED}
33 - A time for people who accept in the many assailants (9) - {A}{T}TA{C}KERS
34 - Army exploiter is killed suddenly (13) - EXTEMPORARILY*
DOWN
 2 - Drug that gives you a high! (7) - ECSTASY [CD]
 3 - Move led to arouse one following Bob (5) - {S}{I}{DLE*}
 4 - Most sarcastic doctor that is on the way (6) - {DR}{IE}{ST}
 5 - Collect in one place the flesh, one might say (4) - MEET (~meat)
 6 - At no time is Romeo pursuing the woman going up at noon (5) - {N}{EVE}{R}
 7 - Resolve to change the President (9) - ROOSEVELT*
 8 - Sound of a regular stewpan is no good (5) - TWA{NG}
11 - Born to follow the man in leading the candidate (7) - NOMI{NEE}
12 - Set up before the right piece of land (7) - A{R}{RANGE}
13 - Strong wind advanced on the part of a plant (5) - GALE{A}
15 - Asian holds in hand a round tray (5) - THA{L}I
17 - To begin, make a speech about a soldier taken up at home (9) - OR{IG<-}{IN}ATE
18 - A car sped circling the cold capital on the Atlantic (5) - AC{C}RA
23 - Fish caught on an American beam (4,3) - {C}{US}{K EEL}
24 - Bottom parts of the fish in snow (5) - SOLE{S}
26 - To talk of a problem on a point taken by the French man (6) - {N}{AT}TER Annotation pending
28 - Left on the side of a projection (5) - {L}{EDGE}
30 - Happen again to develop a cure for the Russian leader (5) - RECU*{R}
31 - Wet water barrier is in the capital of Poland (4) - DAM{P}

Friday 12 June 2009

No 9557, Friday, 12 Jun 09, Nita Jaggi

Not providing any links today, using a slow system.
ACROSS
 1 - Did five rangers almost strangely look-alike? (4,6) - D{E}AD RINGER(-s)*
 9 - A sequence of letters given to an Asian (6) - {A}FGH}{AN}
10 - Youthful associate has a free share of food with its natural smell (10) - A{DOLE}{SCENT}
11 - Weapon pronounced for the list of saints (6) - CANNON (~canon)
12 - Relief given to the poor this year is rare in the large town (7) - C{HAR}ITY
16 - Arrive to measure a playing field (5) - AR{EN}{A}
17 - Teen vying in a hidden emotion (4) - ENVY [T]
18 - External route is developed (5) - OUTER*
19 - Laugh at an Italian on one island (5) - {HA}{A}{IT}{I}
20 - Journey taken on an odd tar peak (4) - {T}{R}{E}{K} [T]
21 - Swimmer is after the second drink (5) - {S}{PIKE}
22 - To be around, headless men look for an element (7) - (-m)EN{V}{IRON}
27 - Sound of a Dutch uncle and father going to the summit of the Himalayas (6) - {OOM}{PA}{H}
29 - In a troubled manner, a holy book that Edward left at the end of the day (10) - {A}{GITA}{TED}{L}{Y}
30 - Point in to turn back the girl for a diamond set of nine things (6) - ENN{E}A<-{D}
31 - Alert enemy is enraged with the basic fact (10) - ELEMENTARY*
DOWN
 2 - Regularly end day with a whirl (4) - {E}{D}{D}{Y} [T]
 3 - Note the toy that an Arab has (6) - {DOLL}{AR}
 4 - Refuse to budge the fashionable sister on time (6) - {IN}{SIS}{T}
 5 - Light gel to be applied in the morning (5) - {GLE*}{AM}
 6 - Chart about the device (5) - RATCH*
 7 - Order before, from the French to be in a position on the side of a fixture (10) - {CH}AN{DE}{LIE}{R}
 8 - One nun has a notice put up for it to be taken up about the rising body of water (10) - {I}{NUN}{DA<-}{TI<-}ON
12 - What the pirates used as an emblem of danger? (10) - CROSSBONES [CD]
13 - Accomplishment of skills without us (10) - ATTAINMENT Annotation pending
14 - Crave for the Norwegian leader after the twelve month period (5) - {YEAR}{N}
15 - Woman around, is alright to call forth (5) - EV{OK}E
23 - Invalidate the name for instance, at the beginning of an event (6) - {N}{EG}{AT}{E}
24 - Make up surgeon is holding a string subsequently at home (6) - {IN}V{ENT}
25 - Colour of the covering (5) - SHADE [DD]
26 - Half safe following the troubled kin with a tool (5) - {KNI*}{FE}
28 - Smeared image of a music symbol (4) - BLUR Annotation pending

Delay in post

Hi all,
I am travelling tonight so today's post will appear only after I reach Coimbatore and lay my hands on the paper. The post may be expected by noon.

Thursday 11 June 2009

No 9556, Thursday, 11 Jun 09, Nita Jaggi

Mum's the word!!
ACROSS
 4 - Large tubs have a fish full of energy (8) - BUST*{LING}
 8 - Current from the lamp erected (6) - AMPERE [T]
 9 - One in Poland has a Greek picture of a special journey (10) - P{I}L{GR}{IMAGE}
10 - Connect the little woman at home (4) - {JO}{IN}
11 - Pay without it again for the burning material (4) - P(-a)Y{RE}
13 - Each to sit heartlessly in the Emergency Room during the springtime holiday (6) - EA{S(-i)T}{ER}
15 - Order to clean off the sacred space (7) - {CH}{ANCEL*}
17 - Artist is quiet about the pox (4) - {RA}{SH}
18 - Initially, neat, eleven emblems marked on a tree (4) - {N}{E}{E}{M} [T]
19 - Have faith in a worker holding back the garment (7) - BE{LIEV<-}E
21 - Tea for the French, on Tuesday in the house (6) - CHA{LE}{T}
22 - Cut off the platform for an animal (4) - STAG(-e)
25 - Regularly gals use the sticky substance (4) - {G}{L}{U}{E} [T]
26 - I have partnership amidst the Romans to hit in anger the seven workers (10) - {I}RONSM{ITH*}S is the only thing I can think of, but the annotation does not fit the clue (Addendum from Maddy's comments below - {I}RO{NS}M{ITH*}{S})
27 - Final word taken in by an officer in grief (6) - L{AMEN}T
28 - Noise of an insect at noon to note the hard fruit (5,3) - (~beetle){BETEL} {N}U{T}
DOWN
 1 - Scholar in New Jersey has a round instrument (5) - BA{NJ}{O} I love the twang of the Banjo.
 2 - Choice for a strange pot for one is on the menu (6) - {OPT*}{I}{ON}
 3 - Soldier is in a wrong pose at the end of the day (5) - SEPO*{Y}
 4 - Bump on the belly of an expecting woman (5) - BULGE [DD]
 5 - Dreamlike for certain to hold the hand of the young boy (7) - SUR{R}E{AL}
 6 - Rock spread on miles on the way at lunchtime (9) - LIME*{ST}{ONE}
 7 - Disregarded the General going up to the French, is caught by the journalist (9) - {NEG<-}{LE}{CT}{ED}
12 - Anger displayed in the practice area (5) - RANGE*
14 - Mark the boat with a circle in an hour to almost see the political candidate (4,5) - {D}{ARK} H{O}R{SE(-e)}
15 - Dare an opponent to fight? (9) - CHALLENGE [CD]
16 - Many in to censor the declaration (5) - EDI{C}T
19 - Natural substance has a small fragment of uranium for the soldiers (7) - BIT{U}{MEN}
20 - Public survey in Durham area is taken up for the fine powder (6) - {POLL}{EN<-}
22 - Mount an attack on a group of volunteers climbing up (3,2) - SET {AT<-}
23 - Passageway on a cay (5) - A{ISLE}
24 - Spread hate following the start of the Democratic end (5) - {D}{EATH*}