No 9649, Wednesday, 30 Sep 09, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
4 - Label the French pot back on the work surface (8) - {TAB}{LE}{TOP<-} )
8 - Seven thousand turn wealthy in the Swiss city (6) - {Z}{U}{RICH}
9 - Hostile separation of a boxer in the English country (10) - {ALI}{E}{NATION}
10 - Measure the paper on the large trees (4) - {EL}{MS}
11 - Cut of meat between head and body (4) - NECK
13 - Destroyed a lodge, long existing (3,3) - AGE OLD*
15 - One having water-jets to massage you (7) - JACUZZI [E]
17 - Deity in rath-yatra march (4) - RAMA [T]
18 - Arab genius on dry land (4) - {AR}{ID}
19 - Educator has a prepay blog regularly for hundreds at the end of the day (7) - {P}{E}{A}{B}{O}{D}{Y}
21 - Twenty in to share the large appliance (6) - SHA{K}ER*
22 - Spell creator from Taiwan democracy (4) - WAND [T]
25 - Very neat half part of flower (4) - STEM Anno pending (Correction - [b]PRIM[/b](-rose) - Thanks to Suresh)
26 - Degrades the university mates surrounding one student intellectual primarily following Henry (10) - {H}{U}{M{I}{L}{I}ATES}
27 - Allow back the girl in to use the language (6) - {TEL<-}U{G}U I suppose the U's are from (~use)
28 - Journalist returns with one in to shout for the mid-day meal (8) - {DE<-}JE{UN}ER
DOWN
1 - A last letter to note about a member of the Mexican Indian people (5) - {A}{Z}{TE}C Don't know from where C came (Addendum - See comments for origin of C)
2 - It is felt during an earthquake (6) - TREMOR [E]
3 - Follow the cash out in England (5) - CHAS*{E}
4 - Quick method for the translation of ninetynine of Mozart’s works (5) - TR{IC}K Anno pending
5 - Indian state has one official language (7) - BENGAL{I}
6 - Whatever happens, somehow wait here at the end of the day (6,3) - EITHER WA*{Y}
7 - Vitamin in the blood group of the heads of village officers has a yellow pigment (9) - {O}{VO}{FLAVIN}
12 - Dark oil in raw state (5) - CRUDE [E]
14 - Used as a weekend home land for some! (9) - FARMHOUSE [E]
15 - Bend in the tool (4,5) - JACK KNIFE [E]
16 - Unknown bare form of an animal (5) - {Z}EBRA*
19 - Hand-woven rugs for painters to design time (7) - PERSIAN(-t)*
20 - Element to stop one in doubt (6) - LITMUS [E] (Correction - [b]{BAR}{I}{UM[/b] - Thanks to Suresh)
22 - Substance needed for survival — not solid! (5) - WATER [DD]
23 - Furniture pieces in secluded retreats (5) - NESTS Anno pending
24 - To inspire one doctor you see at last (5) - {I}{MB}{U}{E}

GRID

No 9648, Tuesday, 29 Sep 09, Nita Jaggi

ACROSS
 1 - Victory sign for President Albert in the capital of Morocco (4) - {P}{AL}{M} Palm for V sign?
9 - Resume writing on a course of study Evita designed (10,5) - {CURRICULUM} VITAE*
10 - Draw a bridge (4) - PULL [DD]
11 - Almost all see each of the herbs (5) - {AL(-l}{C}{EA}
12 - Woman has an alternative to initially keep the product (4) - {W}{OR}{K}
13 - Overlapping plate on a weighing machine (5) - SCALE [DD]
14 - The French have a single passageway on the warship (7) - {FR}{I}{GATE}
16 - Lake can surround one in a resort (7) - CA{SP{I}A}N
18 - Annual plant for a headless leader (5) - (-m)ASTER
22 - Mark that is on an arab (4) - SC{AR} Anno for SC pending
23 - King has one fifty one bits of motifs on the rug (5) - {K}{I}{LI}{M}
24 - Completely follow the head cardiologist’s official visit (4) - {C}{ALL}
25 - Swindler is fine in a moment he is out on a condition of pretrial release (4,11) - HOME {CON}{FINE}MENT*
26 - Soldier’s hard waistband (4) - {SAS}{H}
DOWN
 2 - Paint the stretched lycra I see (7) - ACRYL*{I}{C}
 3 - Measure each lac skin jobs done without the bit of back side of the popstar (7,7) - {M}ICHAEL JACKSON(-bs)*
 4 - Standing in line to question you about the leaders of the European Union game at last (5) - {Q}{U}{EU}{E}
 5 - Drop-off the debris (5) - SLACK [DD]
 6 - German soldier bitten by smart, bare men in rage by troublesome events (14) - EMBARRA{SS}MENTS
 7 - Important person has a large hair piece (6) - {BIG}{WIG}
 8 - Separate pieces covering the side bald patch of talking birds (7) - PAR{R}{O}TS
15 - A nocturnal carnivore (7) - RACCOON [E]
17 - Potter around the castle without a peg of beer (6) - PO{R}TER(-t)*
19 - Can five stubborn politicians stay in temporary shelters? (7) - {E}{NCA*}{MPS}
20 - Not subtle to pound up the Ulster Freedom Fighters (5) - {BL<-}{U}{F}{F}
21 - It is done to exercise your eyes (5) - BLINK [E]

GRID

Monday, 28 Sep 09, HOLIDAY NO PAPER

No 2552, Sunday, 27 Sep 09

ACROSS
1 - Combo's leader plays soppy love song (7) – {C}{ALYPS*}{O}
5 - Became unwell on top of that quarry (4,3) – {TOO}{K ILL}
9 - Certain garments are wet - our slacks (9) – OUTERWEAR*
10 - Conspirator caught in José's house? (5) – CAS{C}A
11 - Brontë heroine describing one in nest (5) – EYR{I}E
13 - Poor Estonian in possession of black robe worn by heretics (9) – SAN{B}ENITO*
14 - A lifeboat crew may celebrate (4,3,4,3) – PUSH THE BOAT OUT
16 - Book what the holidaymaker wants? (1,4,4,1,4) – A ROOM WITH A VIEW
20 - Continues to squeeze hooter upon return (7,2) – {PRESS}{ES ON<-} )
21 - Belief expressed by everyone initially entering marquee (5) – TEN{E}T
22 - The Parisian in prison is innocent (5) – C{LE}AN
23 - Where one may eat curry across channel (9) – G{RILL}ROOM Didn't know this meaning of curry, always thought of it as 'Sambar' etc!!
25 - Hot abbreviated version, reportedly (7) – SUMMERY(~summary)
26 - Thief taking nowt in the Highlands? (7) – RUSTLER [E]
DOWN
1 - Photographs miss filling mugs (5-3) – C{LOSE}-UPS
2 - Will-o'-the-wisp's fate (3) – LOT [T]
3 - Tense cobblers in The Hunting of the Snark, say (7,8) – {PERFECT} {NONSENSE}
4 - Manage series of lines in middle of poem (7) – (-p)O{VERSE}E(-m)
5 - Boy bitten by Dorothy's dog in major city (7) – TO{RON}TO
6 - Startles scholar working in part of theatre (9,6) – ORCHESTRA STALLS*
7 - Established practice in residential home (11) – INSTITUTION [DD]
8 - Entice one lad abroad (4,2) – LEAD ON*
12 - Second eleven shown in book mate edited (7,4) – {RESERVE} {TEAM*}
15 - Couple send up unfaithful type (3-5) – {TWO}-{TIMER<-} )
17 - Learned to make fun of smart Aleck (4,3) – {WISE} {GUY}
18 - Granite ground in port (7) – TANGIER*
19 - Special cards in boxes (6) – {SP}{ACES}
24 - What can be extracted from half of olives treated? (3) – OIL(-ves)*

GRID

No 9647, Saturday, 26 Sep 09, Nita Jaggi

I started off thinking it was Sankalak but when I found the unusual inconsistencies I went back to take a look at the setters name and VOILA it was NJ, no wonder!!
ACROSS
 2 - Problem in the morning is back for the woman (6) - {MA<-}{LADY}
 7 - Merchandise we cover on arrival (4) - W{AR}E
 9 - Imitates the orangutans (4) - APES [DD]
10 - Folk tales for a painter and two before dark is simple to start with (7,6) - {A}{RA}{B}IAN {NIGHT}{S} Anno for IAN not clear
12 - Sailor is back to an establishment in the borders of Kolkata with a weapon (7) - {BA<-}{ZOO}{KA}
13 - Advent a different kind of philosophy (7) - VEDANTA*
15 - Charge one in the cab (4) - {TAX}{I}
17 - Command an English princess in Connecticut (5) - {E}{DI}{CT}
18 - If not, then the Spanish wars at last are a bit of an event (4) - {EL}{S}{E}
19 - Girl and men together trouble the fairy (7) - GREMLIN* Gremlin - Fairy!!!
21 - What one pays to a legendary icon? (7) - TRIBUTE [E]
23 - I spot one soul not in a correct posture (5,8) - LOTUS POSITION*
27 - Tiny bit of a cat (4) - {A}{TOM}
28 - Keen, successful woman going west (4) - AVID <- )
29 - Bird in a seaport (6) - COCHIN Anno pending. Never heard of Cochin bird? (Addendum this is a [DD] - See comments below and the new link given for Bird)
DOWN
 1 - Accountants hand over a fruit (6) - {CAS}AB{A} Anno for AB pending
 2 - Rapid transformation of a best oil possibly held by French men (10) - M{ETABOLIS*}M
 3 - Set of all points on a lake when one is taken in place of two hundred (4) - LOCI(-h+i)
 4 - Early morning notice is up for William and the Nigerian leader (4) - {DA<-}{W}{N}
 5 - Driving fast on the outskirts of Russia in silence (4) - {R}{A}{SH}
 6 - Net pages we best design around South Island (8) - WEB{SI}TES*
 8 - Dirt in Greece I am to clean without family people (5) - {GR}{IM}(-cl)E(-an)
11  - Leave behind a graduate new teacher (7) - {A}{BA}{N}{DON}
13 - Bids farewell to the seat by making the last speech (7) - VACATES
14 - Country to raze out the barium unit in the first month of the year (10) - AZER*{BA}{I}{JAN}
16 - A tree oil is to be spread on the natural object (8) - AEROLITE*
20 - Tins somehow cover quarter of the small picture (5) - INS{E}T*
22 - Teen lacks energy for the good midday bowling game (6) - {T(-e)EN}PIN Anno pending for the PIN
24 - Army at the beginning of the meandering point of a slow moving river (4) - {TA}{M}{E}
25 - Major river state (4) - OHIO [DD]
26 - Eager for one initially to come home (4) - {I}{T}{C}{H}
GRID

No 9646, Friday, 25 sep 09, Sankalak

Posting from Coimbatore where I have come, to celebrate my mothers 84th birthday today, this is also the town of my Alma Mater PSG College of Technology.
ACROSS
 1 - Enlarging things gets magician oft in trouble (13) - MAGNIFICATION*
 9 - He offers a possible reward, the doctor around the corner (7) - D{ANGLE}R
10 - Encouragement received when the time’s up, perhaps (7) - IMPETUS*
11 - Speed is not his forte (9) - SLOWCOACH [E]
12 - Receiver of new aid in Romania (5) - R{ADI*}O
13 - Listen to a fresh song: Birthday Suit (6) - (~new){NU}{DITY}(~ditty)
14 - A proverbially difficult place for a search (8) - HAYSTACK [E]
17 - Is heaven where he goes when the special trooper expires, say? (8) - {PARA}{DISE}(~dies)
19 - Shedding tears and demanding urgent attention (6) - CRYING [DD]
23 - An extract of talcum indeed, it is used in cookery (5) - CUMIN [T]
25 - Abode for a recluse with a lot of time (9) - {HERMIT}{AGE}
26 - An ace find trained and considered a likely winner (7) - FANCIED*
27 - For a snob it becomes a defence (7) - BASTION*
28 - A code term LTTE worked out for a security device (5,8) - METAL DETECTOR*
DOWN
 1 - Old President, one taken in by crazy boy (7) - {MAD}{I}{SON}
 2 - Explosive that got Guy Fawkes plotting (9) - GUNPOWDER [CD]
 3 - In writing in Cyrillic it is to an extent not legal (7) - ILLICIT [T]
 4 - Encroachment in a fashionable street (6) - {IN}{ROAD}
 5 - A detective had to hide ecstasy when finding a drug taker (4-4) - A{CID}-{H{E}AD}
 6 - In foreign trade they need one thousand openings in ship (7) - {I}{M}{PORTS}
 7 - A bit of money, Penny, is respected (5) - {NOTE}{D}
 8 - Clergyman’s garment, initially considered as a hit (7) - {C}{AS}{SOCK}
15 - One obsessed with what is physical would put a creature first (9) - {ANIMAL}{IST}
16 - Fresh sod, a help for a plant (8) - ASPHODEL*
17 - Body of water which was surely not placid in WWII (7) - PACIFIC [CD]
18 - His work involves drilling and filling inter alia (7) - DENTIST [CD]
20 - A fresh edition concerning children (7) - {RE}{ISSUE}
21 - He collects loose grain etc., after the harvest and is more skinny following end of feasting (7) - {G}{LEANER}
22 - Fit for farming (6) - ARABLE [E]
24 - Half a note, musically speaking (5) - MINIM [CD]



GRID

No 9645, Thursday, 24 Sep 09, Sankalak

Hi everyone sorry for the delay laid my hands on a Computer and posting from the holy town of Guruvayur in Kerala, after a darshan of Lord Guruvayurappan. Not psoting many links as I am late in any case

ACROSS
 1 - Stunning things earned by the German? Yes (7) - WON{DER}{S}
 5 - Confusion caused when half of 8 is followed by male master (6) -{MAY}{HE}{M}
11  - Writing about sick production units (5) - M{ILL}S
12 - Cursing Soviet Bloc leaders may help eccentric (9) - {B}LA{S}PHEMY*
13  - Kind of brake with fluid action (9) - HYDRAULIC [CD]
14 - Cancel the removal of article from yearbook (5) - ANNU(-a)L
15 - Frost in verse, you say? (4) - RIME(~rhyme)
17 - Money matters involve African party in penalty (7) - FIN{ANC}E
21 - Deadly stuff develops in decay (7) - CYANIDE*
22 - Fancy megastore displays flower arrangement (4) - CYME [T]
26 - Arterial highway? (5) - AORTA [E]
27 - Historic carrier a part of 8, blooming thing! (9) - {MAY}{FLOWER}
29 - But she does not get a deposit on her hair! (3,6) - ASH BLONDE [CD]
30 - Sticky thing, small, found in the head (5) - PA{S}TE
31 - A bird entranced by gold (6) - {RAPT}{OR}
32 - Fish with a name caught by British soldier (7) - S{N}APPER
DOWN
 2 - Treated for reducing friction (5) - OILED [E]
 3 - Sadness of boy upset over half of 8 (6) - {DIS<-}{MAY}
 4 - King without top cover is vulgar (6) - {RI}{BALD}
 6 - Played with laya, harp produces a stream of charged particles (5,3) - ALPHA RAY*
 7 - Protest and uproar caused by raunchy Ed dancing (3,3,3) - HUE AND CRY*
 8 - Half of 3, domestic nuisance, is an ephemeral creature (6) - {MAY}{FLY}
 9 - Ancient jug preserved in camphor appears new (7) - AMPHORA [T]
10 - Be careful about a timer with appeal (5,2) - {WATCH} {IT}
16 - Being a city official — one who’s knowledgeable (9) - {MAYORS}{HIP}
18 - Art of engraving: in it, Olga fails (8) - INTAGLIO*
19 - Peculiar people begin tracking what is left over (7) - {ODD}{MEN}{T}
20 - Admonition to the long-winded (2,5) - BE BRIEF [CD]
23 - Market-place in Delhi, say (6) - BAZAAR [E]
24 - Fictitious monster, very unusual in western boundaries (6) - W{YVER*}N
25 - Drink within drink? That is extravagant (4,2) - S{LAP} UP
28 - A barren region, in a way, between the Occident and the Orient (5) - W{A}{ST}E

GRID

Delayed post on 24 Sep 09

As I am travelling on 23 - 24 Sep night the post for 24 Sep will be delayed till I lay my hands on a net connected computer

No 9644, Wednesday, 23 Sep 09, Sankalak

ACROSS
 1 - Figure an analogue with zero weight (13) - {PARALLEL}{O}{GRAM}
10 - Helpful one who was good in NT (9) - SAMARITAN [CD]
11 - Black, luxurious colour of embarrassment (5) - {B}LUSH
12 - Restore note with three points (5) - {RE}{N}{E}{W}
13 - Creature, pale boar, beginning to roar, collapses (5,4) - POLAR BEA*{R}
14 - Angry response about a run in reverse (6) - {RE}{TORT<-} )
16 - A duke, part liberal, can improvise (2-3) - {A}{D}-LIB
19 - Disapproving look of a milk producer in the limits of survival (5) - S{COW}L
20 - In a flower they are the palest components put together (6) - PETALS*
25 - Ill temper of a dear one you reportedly cut up (9) - {PET}{U}{LANCE}
26 - Region in Europe with some mighty role models (5) - TYROL [T]
27 - A Bengali’s energy shows judgment (5) - SENS{E}
28 - Customs man, say, gets recognition in a month (9) - AP{PRAISE}R
29 - Useless and unwanted is the pet whale in for treatment (5,8) - WHITE ELEPHANT*
DOWN
 2 - Fossil fuel, it is found in the north-east (8) - {AMMO}{N{IT}E}
 3 - Weapon that is right in a quarrel (5) - A{R}ROW
 4 - Reliefs obtained when you reportedly slept fitfully (3-3) - LET-{U}PS
 5 - Succeed in finding a woman, property-owner (8) - {LAND}{LADY}
 6 - You might wear it and chat with a king, have a meal (9) - {GAB}{ER}{DINE}
 7 - Charm of a university, a hindrance (6) - {A}{MU}{LET}
 8 - A Shylock, certainly, in the heart of Puri (6) - U{SURE}R
 9 - Talk about the right aid to navigation (5) - CHA{R}T
15 - Remember to make a repeat pick up (9) - {RE}{COLLECT}
17 - Ballet in which an ankle was broken (4,4) - SWAN LAKE*
18 - Good Harris (cockney) performing for a body of soldiers (8) - {G}{ARRIS}{ON}
21 - The state of Chennai in summer (6) - SULTRY [CD]
22 - Uncontrollable movement in spring’s beginning to matter (5) - {SP}{AS}{M} (Correction - {SPAS}{M} See comments below)
23 - Smell given out by the rawest enchilada (6) - STENCH [T]
24 - Rulers in democracy (6) - PEOPLE [CD]
26 - Instruct everyone to follow time (5) - {T}EACH


GRID

No 9643, Tuesday, 22 Sep 09, Sankalak

ACROSS
 1 - Accommodation for high level people? (9) - PENTHOUSE [E]
 5 - Secretion that can be reversed in total (5) - S{EB<-}UM  
8 - But he might also break one! (8) - LAWMAKER [CD]  
9 - Playing TT, Somu is the greatest (6) - UTMOST*
11 - Farmland that Rajaji frequently went after (5) - {CR}OFT
12 - Notorious Boston killer had a change of heart but he was a laggard (9) - STRA(-n+g)GGLER No indication of what heart is changed with
13 - For a number, wrong-doing is back as a game (6) - TEN{NIS<-} )
14 - Mixed trades, so diversified (8) - ASSORTED*
16 - CIA’s name spoilt by one with poor memory (8) - AMNESIAC*
18 - A bit of music, let it remain unchanged, including extended play (6) - S{EP}TET
22 - Bond movie that put a playboy in a satellite? Right (9) - MOON{RAKE}{R}
23 - A good way to find an evergreen (5) - {A}{G}AVE
24 - Stockings for Poles only? Funny (6) - N{YLON*}S
25 - Small joint, three feet in length, that turns out big floaters (8) - {S}{HIP}YARD
26 - Social subdivision in a stronghold loses fifty (5) - CAST(-l)E
27 - What position does the horoscope show? (9) - PLANETARY [E]
DOWN
 1 - Creature with a place to develop (7) - POLECAT*
 2 - Just arrived! (7) - NEWBORN [E]
 3 - A cover but it is no guarantee against illness (6,9) - HEALTH INSURANCE
4 - The Bard’s view on the state of a crowned head (6) - UNEASY [CD]
 5 - Be a role model (3,1,4,7) - SET A GOOD EXAMPLE [E]
 6 - A little something to read? (7) - BOOKLET [E]
 7 - Measured and recorded as 100 cm in America by journalist (7) - METER{ED}
10 - An alloy used in wind instruments (5) - BRASS [DD]
15 - Nails which, with 10, give the essential details (5) - TACKS
16 - Annual publication that a casual man actually carries (7) - ALMANAC [T]
17 - Pasta preparation, new, lots of it (7) - {N}OODLES
19 - Creature in New Zealand with a strange aura that lacks hydrogen (7) - TUATARA(-h)*
20 - It is the third of seven in the calendar (7) - TUESDAY [E]
21 - German composer finally altered by Creator (6) - BRAHMA(-s+a)

GRID

No 9642, Monday, 21 Sep 09, Sankalak

Literal walk in the park today mainly because of the many easy clues and the straightforward wordplay
ACROSS
 1 - Dial press characters afresh for distribution (9) - DISPERSAL*
 5 - Hands ready for fighting? (5) - FISTS [E]
 8 - Clergyman is beginning to exercise and make changes (6) - {REV}{IS}{E}
 9 - Emery is irritating (8) - ABRASIVE [DD]
11 - Important flower of Africa, blue or white (4) - NILE [E]
12 - Labour on terra firma in preparation (10) - {GROUND}{WORK}
14 - One with no home is negative, crazy (5) - {NO}{MAD}
15 - Separation of pupils dispersed around Thailand (5-2) - SPLI{T}-UP*
16 - Doctrine accepted in Ganim is mainly about the soul (7) - ANIMISM [T]
17 - Chosen spot for a sporting event (5) - VENUE [E]
19 - Military man who may be first or second (10) - LIEUTENANT [E]
20 - Like grapes out of reach? (4) - SOUR [E]
22 - A doubter turns stubbornly persistent (8) - OBDURATE*
23 - Lacking refinement, like ½ perhaps (6) - VULGAR [DD]
24 - Nymph featuring in a boring commercial (5) - {DRY}{AD}
25 - Mild event ruined by mischievous fun (9) - DEVILMENT*
DOWN
 1 - Would a prosecutor call for courage? (6) - {DA}{RING}
 2 - Time to show love, perhaps anonymously (2,10, 3) - ST VALENTINES DAY [E]
 3 - The Born Free girl (4) - ELSA [E]
 4 - The kind of device unlikely to be popular with British Conservatives? (6-6) - LABOUR-SAVING [CD]
 5 - Intending to deceive, German lady made an advance circumventing Delhi University (10) - {FRAU}{DU}{LENT}
 6 - Error in speech, a lapse in language? (4,2,3,6) - SLIP OF THE TONGUE [E]
 7 - Don’t mumble if you want to be heard (5,2) - SPEAK UP [E]
10 - The diamond Peter polished was more noticeable (12) - PREDOMINATED*
13 - Leaders in every modern epicurean department, fed beer, were made resentful (10) - {E}{M}{BITTER}{E}{D}
16 - Everyone informed that everything is included (3,4) - ALL-TOLD [DD]
18 - Where the Ark landed, with a painter and deserter (6) - {A}{RA}{RAT}
21 - Creature dear to an investor perhaps (4) - BULL [E]
GRID

No 2551, Sunday, 20 Sep 09

ACROSS

1 - Determined, a team's reserve (3,5) - {SET} {A}{SIDE}
5 - Dirty place to eat at college (4,2) - {MESS} {UP}
9 - A strage girl in plant (4,4) - {A}{RUM} {LILY}
10 - Country, oil state? (6) - GREECE(~grease)
11 - Clubs do to get entrance fee (5,6) - COVER CHARGE [CD]
15 - Spoil artist in lodgings for a carnival (5,4) - {MAR}{DI G{RA}S}
16 - Home leased in bay (5) - {IN}{LET}
17 - Check about introduction of some hashish, say (5) - RE{S}IN
18 - Histrionic behaviour in reportedly ripe play (9) - (~mellow){MELO}{DRAMA}
19 - Land with an enormous population? (11) - BROBDINGNAG [E] Result of a Google search
23 - Escort round old flat (6) - B{O}RING
24 - Not to mention rent, a large one (3,5) - {LET} {A}{L}{ONE}
25 - Have great respect for noble Italian family backing me (6) - ESTE{EM<-} )
26 - Stabbing pains in chest? Sit tight (8) - {STITCHES*}

DOWN

1 - Celebrity is shocked? Not half! (4) - STAR Anno pending
2 - Solicitor heading for trial - not here (4) - {T}OUT
3 - Choice made by son upon return? (9) - {S}ELECTION
4 - Carrier called up about uniform (11) - DE{LIVERY}MAN <- )
6 - Hare shot across middle of hunting ground (5) - EAR{T}H<- )
7 - Avoid bullock, easy to see (5,5) - {STEER} {CLEAR}
8 - Current party needs reforming (7-3) - PRESENT-DAY*
12 - Pretend Len's awfully brilliant (11) - RESPLENDENT*
13 - Rogue having the skill to conceal rifle is unlikely (10) - {IMP}{ROB}{ABLE}
14 - Nobleman could show skill fencing actors, I suspect (10) - AR{I}{STOCRA*}T
16 - Cutting remark in pub - social worker is affronted (9) - {IN{DIG}N}{ANT}
20 - Poet died at the stake? (5) - {D}{ANTE}
21 - Smart petty officer's height (4) - {POS}{H}
22 - Fewer in Naples smoke (4) - LESS [T]

GRID

No 9641, Saturday, 19 Sep 09, Sankalak

ACROSS
1 - Inactive stores converted into a facility for motorists (7,7) - SERVICE STATION*
8 - Early American astronaut, an insect killer (6) - ALDRIN [DD]
9 - High point of speed, about 50, passing over a hostelry (8) - P{INN}AC{L}E
11 - Where is barnacle cooked with love? (9) - BARCEL{O}NA*
12 - Actions seen in sealed instruments (5) - DEEDS [DD]
13 - Frontal feature, one of many used in batting invitingly (7) - EYELASH [CD]
15 - Generally considered to be pure, Ted strays (7) - REPUTED*
17 - A negative unit of force is a palliative (7) - {A}{NO}{DYNE}
19 - Indian rice sought to be made their own by others (7) - BASMATI [CD]
21 - Period of rest for general escorted by police officer (5) - S{LEE}P
23 - Following 21, take steps to somnambulate (9) - SLEEPWALK
25 - Discharge legally limited for automobiles (8) - EMISSION [E]
26 - Deep colour shown by daughter smothered by architect Jones (6) - IN{D}IGO
27 - The place in Africa to evoke proper trust? (4,2,4,4) - CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
DOWN
1 - First two among sheep walk unhurriedly, walk awkwardly (7) - {SH}AMBLE
2 - An addition by a horseman (5) - RIDER [DD]
3 - Programme for a journey, a rarity in English, oddly (9) - ITIN{E}RARY*
4 - Rarefied atmosphere into which something may vanish? (4,3) - THIN AIR [CD]
5 - End of fast: person begins drinking this kind of milk (5) - T{ONE}{D}
6 - Group of players among those wielding torches traditionally… (9) - ORCHESTRA [T]
7 - … stopped, caught and gently moved (6) - {C}EASED
10 - A club that appears very big in church (4) - C{OS}H
14 - I see actor confused by secrets known only to some (9) - ESOTERICA*
16 - Put off to a later date (9) - POSTPONED [E]
17 - English novelist who produced “An American Number” (6) - A{US}{TEN}
18 - Freedom from difficulty no longer on? Reduce pressure (4,3) - {EASE} {OFF}
19 - Sugar source reportedly exhausted (4) - BEET(~beat)
20 - Eskimo, bothered about redhead, is annoying (7) - I{R}KSOME*
22 - Father’s directions are out of date (5) - PAS{SE}
24 - In the morning I leave a friend (5) - AM{I}{GO}

GRID

No 9640, Friday, 18 Sep 09, Neyartha

ACROSS
1 - Does this dating tip deliver the upper hand in a sporting contest? (4,4,2,3) - PLAY HARD TO GET [CD]
9 - Memorable mail from Cuba? (3-6) - {RED} {LETTER}
10 - Water, say, from animal skin that is not hard (5) - {OX}{(-h)IDE}
11 - Alwarpet Cricket Club’s first patron is the plaintiff (7) - {A}{C}{C}{USER}
13 - Usual limits observed in article on come-back star’s ring (7) - {AN}{N{UL}US<-} )
14 - Alien leaves frying pan in craft (5) - SKILL(-et)
15 - Tasty roll twisted? That is unbelievable (4,5) - TALL STORY*
17 - Engineer misusing point on the need to make a difference (5,4) - MINUS SIG*{N}
18 - Slips some rate as essential (5) - EASES [T]
20 - Indian girl besieged by tax in Universal’s island (7) - {V{ANU}AT}{U}
22 - Revolutionary upset when hemmed in by Orientals in the Oval (7) - E{LLIPS<-}E
23 - Clueless expert at home takes off the notice (5) - {IN}{(-ad)EPT}
24 - Abstainer entertaining eccentric manager is an ill-natured woman (9) - T{ERMAGAN}T
26 - Vicar’s faucet broken down by Oriental to show a detergent property (7-6) - SURFACE ACTIV*{E}
DOWN
1 - Infirm sapper possessed heroin, possibly (7) - PER{H}APS*
2 - Strong craving for surrender to a master (9) - ADDICTION [DD?]
3 - Audible exclamation of surprise from a plant manager? (3) - HOE(~oh)
4 - Armature that may revolve both ways (5) - ROTOR
5 - Waterproof canvas on the fancy train protects the Apostle (9) - TAR{PAUL}IN
6 - Surge of action to fashion doll’s new rug (6,5) - GROUND SWELL*
7 - Taiwan and Ireland join the revolution (5) - {TW}{IRL}
8 - Dairy cow from a Channel island (6) - JERSEY [DD]
12 - Eager beaver (4-7) - SELF-STARTER [E]
15 - IT quarter in trouble over pagan symbol (9) - TRIQUETRA*
16 - Old model sent up with a crone to the island’s gorges (9) - {O}{ESOP<-}{HAG}{I}
17 - Make oneself at home with the Pole following the movie production (4,2) - MOVE I*{N}
19 - Journalist deserts doctor respected by court staff (7) - SCEPTRE(-ed)*
21 - Wants Newton to get rid of wife’s unwanted plants (5) - (-w+n)NEEDS Same dichotomy as in yesterdays TUBA
22 - Lake Erie’s contents are chilling (5) - EERIE [T]
25 - Bow found in an old animal shelter, reportedly (3) - ARC(~ark)


GRID

No 9639, Thursday, 17 Sep 09, Neyartha

I must say I am improving as I polished off this Neyartha CW in record time for a Neyartha CW, or is it because he used the word Indian Rivers in the hint for the starred clues
Note: Solutions to the starred clues (which carry no direct definition) are all Indian rivers
ACROSS
1 - Mint for the auditor bound by a deadline (4,5) - (~thyme)TIME {LIMIT}
6 - Evil backing to capture Arizona people led by an Austrian (5) - N{AZ}IS <- ) ??
9 - He may proverbially have the least leisure (5) - IDLER [CD]
10 - * Maria bats explosively! (9) - SABARMATI*
11 - * Quiet North Arcot leaders are behind Kartik, oddly (7) - {K}{R}{I}{SH}{NA}
12 - Savara dialects feature a kind of symmetry (6) - RADIAL [T]
14 - Lacks the right to take wife out, resulting in verbal tirades (5) - (-w+r)RANTS
15 - Flowers of sulphur behind the cave shrine’s internal switch (9) - AMARANTH*{S} See a picture of the Ice Lingam in the cave shrine
17 - Bitter revolutionary in mass meeting shows how a fundamental may act (9) - R{ADIC*}ALLY
19 - Trainee leaves Asian capital in furore (5) - MANI(-l)A
20 - Very small cat (one sheltered by Bill) (6) - A{TOM}C
22 - Original sign (7) - INITIAL [DD]
24 - Conspiring together with the orchestra on stage? (2,7) - IN CONCERT [DD]
25 - * Type of dance note (5) - {TAP}{TI}
26 - * Soldier captures corrupt Tom (5) - G{OMT*}I
27 - German leader censored engrossing adaptation of Odysseus’s Lure (5,4) - SIREN SONG*(-g)
DOWN
1 - Costumed custom for kids in the West (5-2-8) - TRICK-OR-TREATING [CD]
2 - Mould line shape to show how some barred windows may be (9) - MULLIONED*
3 - Shifts the skunks (7) - LURCHES [DD]
4 - Oversight surrounding lab error is subject to misconception (10) - MISTAK{ABL*}E
5 - Fish (new) exchanged for a second grade instrument (4) - TU(-n+b)BA
6 - * Managed to turn up with the first man from the south (7) - NAR<-MADA<- )
7 - * Iguazu aristocrats in hiding (5) - ZUARI [T]
8 - Delaying the featuring of Yankees in the Hill Hall signs’ design (15) - SHILLYSHALLYING*
13 - The brooding hen’s labour result initially needed a temporary guardian (10) - {BABYSIT}{TE}{R} Anno doubtful (Correction - {BABY}{SITTER} - See comments of Ganesh)
16 - No tea in presentation break for this court worker (6,3) - TENNIS PRO*(-tea)
18 - Vocal pitch against wine (7) - (~key)CHI{ANTI}
19 - The Eskimo is tentative about concealing a sponge (7) - MOISTEN [T]
21 - Chapters penned by Communist leader about a philosopher (5) - O{CC}AM<- )
22 - * Goes ashore without the revolutionary (4) - BE(-che)AS (Correction - BEA(-che)S)

GRID

No 9638, Wednesday, 16 Sep 09, M.Manna

Its Sankalak from tomorrow
ACROSS
1 - Use tact and art to draw a crowd (7) - ATTRACT*
5 - Tom, an imitator (7) - COPYCAT [E]
9 - Has the English found a cover for a sword? (7) - SHEATH*{E}
10 - Design is inane and foolish (7) - ASININE*
11 - Henry may care to stretch out to succeed (5) - REAC*{H}
12 - The handing over of the parcel (9) - ALLOTMENT [CD]
13 - Soon many will be out jogging. Not me! (3,6) - ANY MOMENT*
15 - Will it turn coal into coal dust? (5) - GRATE [CD]
16 - Save Henry to escape with little margin (5) - S{H}AVE
18 - Exhausted, it is obvious, by the bumpy ride (9) - {OVERT}IRED*
21 - One contriving to be a craftsman (9) - ARTIFICER [E] An artificer is already a Craftsman
24 - A pair note scenic beauty of this island off Italy (5) - {C}APRI*
25 - Books sold in seedy places? (7) - ANNUALS [DD] ? Seedy places?
26 - Sweet German bread we heard was snatched (7) - STOLLEN(~stolen)
27 - Logically worked out by dandy German engineer (7) - {DEDU*}{CE}D Last D from? What's the German connection?
28 - Send out pro to recast (7) - RESPOND* Respond - Recast ?
DOWN
1 - A number leave one country for another (7) - AUSTR(-a-l)IA
2 - Treatment for blow they received (7) - THE{RAP}Y
3 - Would a cockney dog always drop it? (9) - (~h)AITCH{BONE} [CD] Unusual clue
4 - The thanks appear to be for the Greek letter (5) - THE{TA}
5 - Home help, a German girl that’s a dish (9) - CHAR{LOTTE}
6 - Take Pat in to apply colour with a brush (5) - PA{IN}T
7 - I’m to reach out for picture of a fabled monster (7) - CH{IM}ERA*
8 - Where scenes are created by article on rate review (7) - {THE}ATRE*
14 - Dispossessed! (9) - EXORCISED [E]
15 - Have them understand you’ll be given an award (3,6) - GET {A}{CROSS}
16 - Around Dover, prize appears off shore (7) - SE{AWARD} I suppose SE is the direction Dover is in with ref to the place Mr Manna intended!!
17 - Made to harmonize (7) - ATTUNED [E]
19 - Hit with everyone round the Italian resort (7) - RAP{ALL}{O}
20 - Thought fit to have a gin cocktail during the act (7) - DE{IGN*}ED
22 - Unmistakable to say it’s a French coin (5) - FRANC(~frank)
23 - Vertical pipe in a building (5) - RISER [E]

GRID

No 9637, Tuesday, 15 Sep 09, M.Manna

Today's CW appears to be written by Mr Manna's understudy!!!
ACROSS
1 - An exciting batsman without finesse (7) - SLOGGER [CD]
5 - Irritate an insect that is very brave! (7) - {GALL}{ANT}
9 - Lover boy (5) - ROMEO [E]
10 - The odd person gets a letter (9) - CHARACTER [DD]
11 - Section reserved for a review (6) - NOTICE* Where's the S
12 - Then in Asia, some may be lacking in strength (8) - ASTHENIA*
14 - Legally permitted (5) - LICIT [E]
15 - Opening election, party to make a speech carefully worked out (9) - {E}{LAB}{ORATE}
18 - Shoot off to unload (9) - DISCHARGE [DD]
20 - The New Testament follows the first lady to find an incident (5) - {EVE}{NT}
22 - Blinded to reality by imaginary dirt (8) - {STAR}{DUST}
24 - You may need to widen a search for her (6) - EDWINA*
26 - Careless possibilities of a pop record (3,2,4) - HIT OR MISS [CD] ?
27 - Get together in company (5) - AMONG [E]
28 - Impede taking advantage of an agreement (7) - {BAR}{GAIN}
29 - Returned to use to make useful again (7) - RETREAD Anno pending
DOWN
1 - Eccentric about 50 many obstructed (9) - STRANG{L}E{D}
2 - Measure of gradual absorption of liquids (7) - OSMOTIC [E] Can we use the word measure here?
3 - Highly desirable groom can be relied on to hold a ball (4,5) - GOOD CATCH
4 - A class has a fixed course for a run (4) - RACE [DD]
5 - Smoother mirror on the Mirror? (5,5) - GLASS PAPER Anno pending
6 - Allow liquid to percolate over fallow land at church (5) - {LEA}{CH}
7 - The girl to number sodium with a feeler (7) - {AN}{TEN}{NA} Girl AN ?
8 - Right to rate earth the Italian way (5) - TER{R}A*
13 - A slump causes real unhappiness (10) - DEPRESSION [DD]
16 - Finished sketch gains credit (9) - {OVER}{DRAFT}
17 - Set garden in order despite being disaffected (9) - ESTRANGED*
19 - Disperse this sort of brain (7) - SCATTER [DD]
21 - Does pie alter soap part? (7) - EPISODE*
22 - Indian way to address person of rank (5) - SAHIB [E]
23 - Radio tuned properly may reveal her whereabouts (5) - DORIA Hearing this name first time
25 - Ruler of drunken tars? (4) - TSAR*

GRID

No 9636, Monday, 14 Sep 09, M.Manna

I am stumped by 27A.

ACROSS
1 - Gift you go and leave behind you (6) - LEGACY [E]
4 - Build in a close area of rocky strata (8) - {I}SOCLINE*
10 - Seaman offers fortune to wife (7) - {MATE}{LOT}
11 - Embittered to have led last row of soldiers (7) - {RANK}{LED}
12 - An enchanting creature will appear by one (4) - {PER}{I}
13 - Show you were itching to see? (4,6) - FLEA CIRCUS [CD]
16 - Start around university to find him (6) - ST{U}ART
17 - Gets back to make profits again (7) - {RE}{GAINS}
20 - Fellow takes right note about a period of history (7) - {CHAP}{TE}{R}
21 - Caught stir development, allowing no laxity (6) - STRI*{CT}
24 - Systematic though brief in examination (10) - ME{THO}DICAL
25 - Same form of flat topped hill found with steep sides (4) - MESA* Remember Phantom comics?
27 - Eager craving for proper model shirt (7) - A?A?R?T (Addendum - {A}THIRS*{T} Thanks to Pammechu from the HUB at Mayyam)
29 - Catching up on a two gin cocktail (7) - G{A}INING*
30 - Mean somehow to be within call when one’s calling again (8) - R{ENAM*}ING
31 - Figure the shooting range presents a risk (6) - {D}ANGER*
DOWN
1 - A column of light (8) - LAMPPOST [E]
2 - How those circus dogs doing the hoop trick must suffer! (2,7,2) - GO THROUGH IT [CD]
3 - As a King, he was a merry old soul (4) - COLE [E]
5 - Banner headline (8) - SCREAMER [E]
6 - Intimate what might be done, in fact (10) - CONFIDANTE*
7 - Unfortunate to be sick (3) - ILL [DD]
8 - Most advanced in age in the family (6) - ELDEST [E]
9 - Out of condition that can be least said (5) - STALE*
14 - In view of Wagner’s work being led by study team (11) - {CON}{SIDE}{RING}
15 - A coded message (10) - CRYPTOGRAM [E]
18 - Arranged to sit now with the French, at the first Idaho capital (8) - {LE}WISTON*
19 - More rum? No pal (8) - STRANGER [DD]
22 - Couple on motorway appear to weaken (6) - {IM<-}{PAIR}
23 - Burrowing animal loses its tail but retains distinguishing emblem (5) - BADGE(-r)
26 - It’s an art to get her name (4) - TINA*
28 - A faint-hearted person (3) - AIN [T] (Corrrection - HEN - Thanks to Pammechu again)

GRID

No 2550, Sunday, 13 Sep 09

I hate CW’s which have names in answers
ACROSS
1 - I cycle around plant (6) – CICELY*
4 - Put out, sounded off about king (8) – SP{R}OUTED
9 - Cryptic clues written by spymaster might (6) – M{USCL*}E
10 - Take place during festival (8) – {PASS}{OVER}
12 - Battle against royal household (9) – {AGIN}{COURT} Result of a google search
13 - Sound of organ that is spooky (5) – (~ear)EER{IE}
14 - One who entertained Bush, say, by order within (6,6) – GEORGE {FORM}{BY} Another Google search
18 - Welsh actor, Ray, penning first of stories, godsend for publisher (5,3,4) – {MILL{S} AND} {BOON} My wife loved reading these books
21 - Conscious of a conflict close to peace (5) – A{WAR}{E}
22 - Fruit pie pen pal prepared (9) – PINEAPPLE*
24 - Social worker after fabric, one with stripes (8) – SERGE{ANT}
25 - Mentally slow, not sharp (6) – OBTUSE [DD]
26 - Latest food store, we're told, in capital (3,5) – {NEW} DELHI(~deli)
27 - Councillor to check trust (6) – {CR}{EDIT}
DOWN
1 - Camping out includes a series of military operations (8) – CAMPAIGN*
2 - Found golf club inflexible (4-4) – {CAST} {IRON}
3 - Phone up about one shrub (5) – L{I}LAC <- )
5 - Virtuous type daubs paint, losing head (7,5) – PLASTER S{(-p)AINT} Confirmed guess work
6 - Main place where the natives may be cultured? (6,3) – OYSTER BED [CD]
7 - Servant blowing top working in bar (6) – (-s)TAVERN*
8 - Study drinking vessel in shade (6) – D{ARK}EN
11 - Horse in county mag (7,5) – {SUFFOLK} {PUNCH} Another Google search to confirm this guess
15 - A mistress may get revenge, I suspect, around middle of January (9) – G{U}{I}NEVERE*
16/17 - What may be added to an account to heighten curiosity? (8,8) – COMPOUND INTEREST [DD]
19 - Vicar responsible for crime under pressure (6) – {P}ARSON
20 - Litter, much on bank (6) – {FAR}{ROW}
23 - Girl from Camberwell (5) – AMBER [T]

GRID

No 9635, Saturday, 12 Sep 09, M.Manna

Some good clues today
ACROSS
1 - A president not up to cleaning up (10) - WASHING(TON<-} )
6 - At work above everything else (4) - AT{OP}
9 - Disturbed by a few lines in the Old Testament (7) - O{VERSE}T
10 - Anger in unruly scene (7) -IN{CENSE*}
12 - Basic irregular triangle (8) - INTEGRAL*
13 - Jack the Italian adult, pleaded he was elsewhere (5) - ALIBI Anno pending (Anagram of AB(Jack) + IL(the italian) +I(adult?) ??)
15 - ADC set without a dollar to form camp for a trainee (5) - CADET(-s)*
17 - Release payment to the Stygian ferryman (9) - DISCHARGE [CD]
19 - Fresh actors go to the French city (9) - {NEW}{CAST}{LE}
21 - Receive stolen goods to keep around trees (5) - RESET* Never knew this meaning, see the link
23 - Indian corn (5) - MAIZE [E]
24 - Where fighting soldiers may be found doing nothing (8) - {IN}{ACTION}
27 - Lace she ordered in London (7) - CHELSEA*
28 - Remarkably not a river in Spain but a lake in America (7) - {ONT*}{A}{RIO}
29 - She lives in Los Angeles (4) - L{IS}A
30 - Courage and audacity needed in the traffic jam? (10) - {BOTTLE}{NECK} What's the link between Bottle and Courage?
DOWN
1 - Pull it over someone’s eyes to hoodwink (4) - WOOL [E]
2 - Possibly she need to have glistered brightly to appear beautiful (7) - SHE{ENED*}
3 - Children are the point in question (5) - ISSUE [DD]
4 - Was commended for having deferred payment (3,6) - GOT CREDIT [DD]
5 - Again find oil spilt in a small room (5) - O{R}I{E}L* I thought ORIEL was a window?
7 - Great to be in a Morocco city (7) - TANGIER*
8 - Leaders of quiet householders? (10) - {P}RESIDENTS
11 - Company to reach out for a professional trainer (7) - {CO}ACHER*
14 - A cost effective way to make the cinema cool? (10) - ECONOMICAL*
16 - Plants that bother beginners (7) - TEASE{L'S}
18 - Takes care of, when one ushers the sailor to the door (4,5) - {SEES} {AB}{OUT}
20 - They serve people in a queue? (7) - WAITERS [DD]
22 - Cat that’s an awful nuisance (7) - SCOURGE [DD]
24 - One had nothing to do in this American state (5) - {I}{DAH*}{O}
25 - It is in the Church’s financial interest (5) - T{IT}HE
26 - Pop or wine? (4) - HOCK [DD]
GRID