Monday 30 November 2009

No 9701, Monday 30 Nov 09, Neyartha

Today's starred clues has brought back memories of my good old cycle which I used in school and college. Especially the licence and dynamo which if absent from the bicycle invited the wrath of the traffic police and heavy fines. The present generation will not believe that bicycles and radios needed licences in the good old days.
Note: Solutions to starred clues (which carry no direct definition) are all parts of the same vehicle
ACROSS
1 - *Bare land ploughed by Henry initially (9) - HANDLEBAR*
6 - A Vaastu concern? (5) - DECOR [CD]
9 - Emotional letters from Billy Richardson (5) - LYRIC [T]
10 - *Set enclosure for unstable stack (9) - KI{CKSTA*}ND
11 - Short skirt in open box for old Lucy from Ethiopia, say (7) - HO{MINI}D
12 - Indian Airlines flight sign decorated with bakery supplies (6) - {IC}INGS*
14 - This is about the agitated tenant who lost his head (5) - (-t)ANENT* New word for me
15 - Device to make you see the light? (3,6) - EYE OPENER [CD]
17 - Thirteen engineers grasp gravity as a tensor (9) - TI{G}HTENER*
19 - Call off rugby tackle after Mike is substituted by Bishop (5) - SCRU(-m+b)B
20 - *Dry hollow in Asian country retreat (6) - D(-r)Y{NAMO<-} )
22 - Proud to become a non-conformist (7) - DROPOUT*
24 - Suites are damaged near the coastal waters (9) - ESTUARIES*
25 - Exceptionally good part of a piano duet (5) - PRIMO [DD]
26 - *Declared incomplete (5) - SPOKE(-n)
27 - Mount on cape shows verticality (9) - ERECT{NESS}
DOWN
1 - Strangely handles feathers with a lack of passion (4-11) - HALF-HEARTEDNESS*
2 - Captured by a revolutionary hitman? Remember to take ’em out in this city (9) - NU{REM(-em)BER}G <- )
3 - *Secure kernel (7) - {LOCK}{NUT}
4 - Kebabs dean cooked with popular tinned food (5,5) - BAKED BEANS Yummy!!
5 - *Dried seaweed for the auditor (4) - RACK (~wrack)
6 - *Written agreements in retreat from the French at first (7) - {DU}{STCAP<-} ) Invariably stolen by someone at school!!
7 - *Seat of the Russian chief ousted by the Navy (5) - CHAI(-r+n)N
8 - Fresh allocations (15) - REDISTRIBUTIONS [E]
13 - Happen to break out (10) - RECRUDESCE [DD] Another new word for me
16 - Cast-iron wrought with energy drug (9) - NARCOTIS*{E}
18 - Season stuffing in the lab brought up for meat dish (7) - TIM{BAL<-}E
19 - Try to fix this field event (4,3) - {SHOT} {PUT}
21 - Mani troubled somewhat by dynamite ingredient (5) - NITRO [T]
23 - Drop the rim attachment audibly (4) - TIRE (~tyre)

GRID

Sunday 29 November 2009

No 2560, Sunday 29 Nov 09

Had a tough time as 1A and 1 & 8D had to be google searched, besides Googling for the names of which there were too many for my liking. 20A and 16D elude me
ACROSS
1 - Published, golfer Sam's extraordinary novel (3,3,4,5) – {PUT OUT} {MORE FLAGS*} Result of a google search
9 - Celebrity, first of them to get under way (5) – {STAR}{T}
10 - Poet (Porter, perhaps) penning peculiar dirge (9) – {COLE}{RIDGE*} Had to google Porter
11 - Swing with net facility, reportedly (7) – {TRAP}{EZE}(~ease)
12 - Dutch philosopher in Australia in health resort (7) – SP{IN}{OZ}A
13 - City forming part of Hesse-Nassau (5) – ESSEN [T]
15 - A variety of apple having no equal (9) – NONPAREIL [DD]
17 - New, surprisingly moderate cathedral (5,4) – NOTRE DAME*
20 - Give away canary, say (5) - ??A?S (Addendum - GRASS [DD]- See comments below)
21 - True, one crashed on the road (2,5) – EN ROUTE*
23 - Peer, young man in discomfort (7) – PA{LAD}IN
25 - Start to make a speech about one mother's ruin (9) – OR{I}{GIN}ATE My favourite drink GIN, never knew that it was also called Mother's ruin in the UK, see the link!!
26 - Tooled up, a revolutionary snatching millions (5) – {A}{R{M}ED}
27 - Geezer, once sober, can become a mean-spirited miser (8,7) – EBENEZER SCROOGE*
DOWN
1 - Even help those up in circulation to achieve more than seems possible (4,3,8) – PUSH THE ENVELOPE* Never heard this phrase before, had to google it out
2 - Ornamental band, one worn by Ms King in The Avengers (5) – T{I}ARA
3 - Demand more at school and then eat out (2,3,4) – {UP} {THE ANTE*}
4 - Educated man, fair novelist (7) – {MA}{CLEAN} Loved his books
5 - Car, all the rage, arrives (5,2) – {ROLLS} IN Anno for IN pending (Addendum {ROLLS} {IN})
6 - Language used in remote island set-up (5) – {FAR}{SI<-} )
7 - Flourishing on a madder plant (9) – ANDROMEDA*
8 - Pleaded, in a sense, for translation of an Italian saying (3,6,3,3) – SEE NAPLES AND DIE* Another google effort
14 - Dark planet in the East (9) – {SATURN}{IN}{E}
16 - Girl, Irish, eating hot pasta (5,4) – A???L ?A?R (Addendum - {ANGEL {H}A}{IR} - See comments below)
18 - Normal girl consumed by anger, blowing top (7) – (-r)A{VERA}GE
19 - Speak nonstop (7) – EXPRESS [DD]
22 - Marry a Parisienne full of sex appeal (5) – UN{IT}E
24 - Stupid duck in animated film (5) – {DUMB}{O} Nice clue


GRID

Saturday 28 November 2009

No 9700, Saturday 29 Nov 09, M.Manna

In a hurry, off for a golf tournament. Foxed by 5A and 5D and some annotations if my hurried answers are correct
ACROSS
 1  - A diversion in daddy’s day (7) - {PAS}{TIME}
 5  - Serious matter of security (7) - ??R?E?T {Addendum - EARNEST [DD] )
 9  - Graduate tries to mingle with eminent teachers of music (7) - {MA}ESTRI*
10 - A stupid fellow took food just to foment trouble (7) - {A}{GIT}{ATE}
11 - A river in South Argentina (5) - NEGRO [E]
12 - Send for a taxi? (9) - TRANSPORT [DD]
13 - But is overelaborate when it is jutting out (9) - OBDURATE Anno pending (Addendum - OBTRUSIVE* )
15 - Her aim is to model as queen (5) - MARIE*
16 - Cure Henry in the use of frill of lace (5) - RUC{H}E
18 - Student leaves shelter of plane tree to take tea, we hear, going inside (9) - PENETRA{T}E(-l)*
21 - One who acts routinely, giving name to gold love apple (9) - {AU}{TO}MATON Anno pending (Addendum - {AU}{TOMATO}{N})
24 - Make one care for her (5) - ER{I}CA
25 - Antoine may be from a public school (7) - ETONIAN*
26 - Beg leaderless men to negotiate (7) - (-m)EN{TREAT}
27 - Has the point to be correctly put in cover (7) - SHEATH*{E}
28 - Excited a gent in an erroneous manner (7) - IGNITED Anno pending
DOWN
 1  - Getting sanctimonious fellows to see something spicy (7) - {PI}{MEN}{TO}
 2  - Gets to hit somehow with deceitful craftiness (7) - SLEIGHT* How did T become L? Printers Devil?
 3  - Bring in another reduction (9) - INTRODUCE* Nice clue
 4  - Tied up many running wild with a command (5) - EDI{C}T
 5  - Battle to establish a male line? (2,7) - ?? A?A?G?N (Addendum EL ALAMEIN*)
 6  - Daring operations against a competitor (5) - RAIDS [CD]
 7  - Inflame with love, our name, in a correct manner (7) - ENAMOUR*
 8  - The rate fixed for entertainment (7) - THEATRE*
14 - Powerlessness to mince quiet Eastern curry (9) - IM{P}OTENC*{E}
15 - The one mat ruined by insect infestation (4,5) - MOTH EATEN*
16 - They learn about adders but don’t take one note (7) - {RE}ADERS(-d)*
17 - Do teach going round the terminal (7) - CATHODE*
19 - Time for Al to make a point to give nourishment for sustenance (7) - {AL}IME{N}T*
20 - No longer played one’s part as demanded (7) - EN{ACTED} Anno pending (Correction - {EX}{ACTED})
22 - Being wet, Tom is in trouble (5) - MOIST*
23 - Ivan makes a point to find his birthmark (5) - NA{E}VI*

GRID

Friday 27 November 2009

No 9699, Friday 27 Nov 09, M.Manna

ACROSS
 1  - Seek proper treatment of colitis (7) - SOLICIT*
 5  - Sets up temporary accommodation (7) - ENCAMPS [CD]
 9  - Reject recognition on a point (5) - {SPUR}{N} How are SPUR and recognition linked? Encouragement yes but recognition?
10 - Morning call perhaps a big surprise (3,6) - EYE OPENER [DD]
11 - Cause to be admired on reaching ultimate rank (6) - {END}EAR Anno pending
12 - Suddenly surprised at the way the art was led (8) - {ST}{ART}{LED}
14 - Turn one in to see this Italian city (5) - TUR{I}N
15 - Room at the top! (9) - AEROSPACE [E]
18 - Get mad about the legal fraternity’s exclusion (9) - DE{BAR}MENT
20 - Value of items owned (5) - ASSET [CD]
22 - She may be right to cure for a careful examination (8) - SEARCHED ? Anno pending
24 - Get in a way to set fire (6) - {I}GNITE*
26 - Reserve coach is in repose (9) - RES{TRAIN}T
27 - Some have eaten chips and fish (5) - TENCH [T]
28 - Ceases to be in love with someone and leaves (4,3) - GOES OFF [DD]
29 - Intent on making a down payment (7) - EARNEST [DD]
DOWN
 1  - Had guilty thoughts (9) - SUSPECTED [CD]
 2  - Illegal transfer of funds from Arundel (7) - LAUNDER*
 3  - Exercising can tire on such a vessel (9) - CONTAINER*
 4  - Bound to die on time (4) - {T}IED*
 5  - The voters choose to speak (10) - {ELECT}{ORATE}
 6  - With the return of soldier, cover an illegal act (5) - {CAP}{ER<-} )
 7  - Paper used for wrapping a cigar? (7) - MANILLA [DD]
 8  - Damaged road leading into shelter (5) - SH{R}ED
13 - Create a religion? Sheer fantasy! (4,6) - {MAKE} {BELIEF}
16 - Real thugs can make a killing! (9) - SLAUGHTER*
17 - Dancer’s step, a refinement of the canter (9) - ENTRECHAT* Useful link for CW compilers
19 - Money that is needed for the club (7) - {BRASS}{IE}
21 - Discipline gained since conversion to church (7) - SCIEN*{CE}
22 - Shoot for almost the whole season (5) - SPRI(-n)G
23 - Vehicle to move out with goods (5) - {CAR}{GO}
25 - A youth set to have swelling at his eyelid (4) - ST{Y}E*

GRID

Thursday 26 November 2009

No 9698, Thursday 26 Nov 09, M.Manna

Most very good and some pedestrian clues today, looks like majority were made by the master today.
ACROSS
 1  - Look for a soft fruit (6) - A{P}{PEAR}
 4  - Influenced one Frenchman by agreement (8) - {I}{M}{PACT}ED How is ED explained
10 - Suggest using plain language about work! (7) - PR{OP}OSE
11 - Having rested, one dined, so content (7) - {SAT}{I}{ATE}
12 - He’s a monster, and so regressive! (4) - OGRE Anno pending (Addendum - OGRE<- See Chaturvasi's comments below)
13 - Put below the music to emphasise it (10) - {UNDER}{SCORE}
16 - Practice, that’s what tradesmen want (6) - CUSTOM [CD]
17 - Stay with the other forward looking person (7) - {PROP}HET*
20 - Generous party? (7) - LIBERAL [DD]
21 - Handgun carelessly used, spoilt it (6) - PISTOL*
24 - Urge a chap to become a PR man (5,5) - {PRESS} {A}{GENT}
25 - Intend to occupy a middle position (4) - MEAN [DD]
27 - Tale of wild detective who had a stronghold (7) - CITADEL*
29 - Reject society doctor getting work away from home (4,3) - {DR}{OP} {OUT}
30 - Sing after the show, disclosing shameful events (8) - {EXPO}{SING}
31 - Heavy gun mounted on carriage (6) - CANNON [E]
DOWN
 1  - Get very close to a very quiet fish (8) - {A}{PP}{ROACH}
 2  - Avant-garde VIP egress or alternative (11) - PROGRESSIVE*
 3  - No mat used for smallest particle (4) - AT{O}M*
 5  - They spend their days personally creating friction (8) - MASSEURS [CD] Good one
 6  - New patient sick, short of potassium, commonly lacking spirit (10) - ANTISEPTIC(-k)*
 7  - Some take it as refreshment (3) - TEA [CD]
 8  - Blocks the Spanish or German engineer (6) - {DIES}{EL} Good clue
 9  - Dead queen’s return proves cathartic (5) - SENNA<- )
14 - Elated when out of this world (4,3,4) - OVER THE MOON [CD]
15 - TT teams consist of cheerless chaps (10) - {SOBER}{SIDES}
18 - Animal on paling collapsed (8) - PANGOLIN*
19 - The board put on weight, due to copious seafood (8) - {PLANK}{TON}
22 - Father in pain, but brave (6) - A{PA}CHE
23 - Den is used to practice deception (5) - SNIDE*
26 - Ran out to plead for her (4) - N{O}RA* O from plead ?
28 - Make a gift to insure promptness (3) - TIP [CD]

GRID

Wednesday 25 November 2009

No 9697, Wednesday 25 Nov 09, M.Manna

Mr Manna has hit rock bottom today
ACROSS
 1  - A choice of courses or delicacies (10) - SWEETMEATS [CD]
 6  - Planned mode of protest (4) - DEMO*
 9  - Individual giving out letters for a dealer without money (7) - SPELLER ? Anno pending could it be dealer with money S{P}ELLER
10 - A photograph of way out couples (5,2) - CLOSE UP*
12 - Maclean’s turn to show restraint (8) - MANACLES*
13 - A sleuth finds dogs’ end (5) - TAILS [DD]
15 - Sound equipment (5) - AUDIO [CD]
17 - Green record, cost i.e. unfortunately enveloping (9) - ECO{LOG}IST*
19 - Tito’s real potential as a philosopher (9) - ARISTOTLE*
21 - No art in determining quantity relationship between items (5) - RATIO Anno impossible for me
23 - Soldiers favour clear sharp proof from printing surface (5) - {RE}{PRO}
24 - A march-in organised, to meet department administrator (8) - CHAIRMAN*
27 - Object to rubbish being taken in by nuisance (7) - P{ROT}EST
28 - Laying it thick one minute after zero hour (7) - {I}{M}{PAST}{O}
29 - Agent crosses eastern river (4) - SP{E}Y
30 - Legally one can go no faster (5,5) - SPEED LIMIT [E]
DOWN
 1  - Something to wear that’s in the window (4) - SASH [DD]
 2  - Surprised head Grand leader with a gemstone (7) - E{M}ERALD* Awful clue, I suppose Manna intends a Grand is a Million
 3  - OK to take salt to an industrial U.S. city (5) - T{U}LSA* How are U and OK connected?
 4  - Record symbolised said registration (9) - {ENROL}{MENT}(~meant) Another awful clue
 5  - Trims sails to give direction to ships (5) - TACKS [CD]
 7  - Merit that’s reserved for professors retired from office (7) - E{MERIT}I
 8  - Work place rivals? (10) - OPPOSITION [CD] (Correction to Anno {OP}{POSITION})
11 - Activity in the open air (7) - OUTDOOR [E]
14 - Blue pencil might be used to get rid of these (10) - MALAPROPOS [CD] ?
16 - Final settlement of a strike? (7) - OUTCOME [CD]
18 - Having power to exert force on factory worker (9) - OPERATIVE [CD]
20 - Drop me out, I may burst inward (7) - IMPLODE ? Another impossible annotation for me
22 - Having managed to occupy most in retirement beam (7) - T{RAN}SOM*
24 - Was subject to hostile criticism (3,2) - CUT UP [CD]
25 - Agent of the French back to cause aversion (5) - {REP}{EL<-} )
26 - Starting point for ferret? (4) - SORT ? (Addendum ROOT [DD])

GRID

Tuesday 24 November 2009

No 9696, Tuesday 24 Nov 09, M.Manna

8D has me clean bowled
ACROSS
 1  - Descriptive of a harassed housewife who might cook this way (5,8) - UNDER PRESSURE [CD]
 8  - May arouse and have a good time (7) - {C}AROUSE
 9  - Girl ran to Ted to have her scholarship bestowed (7) - {G}{RAN}{TED}
11 - Football team (6) - ELEVEN [E]
13 - Lear goes round the North as if tanned (8) - {LEA{THE}R}{N} Never new there was such a word
15 - Caught her making one effort to vomit (5) - RETCH*
16 - Suffer humiliation if wrongly attired (3,4) - EAT DIRT*
18 - Cause conservative accountant to bring charge of an offence (7) - {AC}CUSER or is it {A{C}CUSE*}{R}Anno beats me
19 - Sale of right kind that emitted coherent light (5) - LASE*{D} Never knew Lased was a word. Ever seen a Laser Light show? its beautiful especially when the laser beams are cast on artificial smoke or spray of water
21 - Incurred indebtedness which may be exaggerated (8) - OVERDREW [DD]
23 - Come to an end of a progression (6) - ATTAIN [CD]
25 - Ben to lead in creating opportunity for people to operate software (7) - ENABLED What is software doing here?
26 - Dad takes over to get a quiet formal sanction (7) - {AP<-}{P}ROVE*
28 - One who should be aware of the pressure we are under (13) - METEOROLOGIST [E]
DOWN
 2  - Bet Ron can make him come out (7) - {NOR*}{BE{R}T} Don't know where the second R came from
 3  - I turn out to look at this large Australian bird (3) - {EM<-}{U}
 4  - The appeal of quiet meadowland (4) - {P}LEA
 5  - They can always whip up some food (3,7) - EGG BEATERS [CD]
 6  - Sudden action to begin work (5) - START [DD]
 7  - Monastery bugle call? (7) - RETREAT [DD] See the video at the link. If you ever get an opportunity try and watch the 'Beating Retreat' ceremony at Rasthtrapathi Bhavan on 28 January evening, every year, it is an excellent Band Display by massed Indian Army bands. It is also broadcast live on Doordarshan and other Indian TV channels.
 8  - One more makes a soldier a sailor (6,5) - C?E?R? ??O?E (Addendum - CHERRY STONE [CD] - see explanation in comments section below)
10 - Consumptive affair with ball, perhaps — even entertainment (6,5) - {DINNER} {DANCE}
12 - The in-charge set up a system of moral values (5) - ETHIC*
14 - The paper seller never downs rum (4,6) - NEWS VENDOR* Nice clue
17 - An opening for intake (5) - INLET [E]
18 - The mean state comes with maturity (7) - {AVER}{AGE}
20 - They are often cast as followers (7) - SHADOWS [DD]
22 - Fifty-five in river dig (5) - DE{LV}E
24 - Defence post (4) - MAIL [DD]
27 - Footprint of a wild animal (3) - PUG [E]

GRID

Monday 23 November 2009

No 9695, Monday 23 Nov 09, M.Manna

Some awful clues today
ACROSS
 1  - Proposition from me to her (7) - THEOREM*
 5  - On way, somehow lost quarter of horses under their care (7) - {OSTL*}{E}RS Anno pending
10 - A game on which the captain rules (6) - BRIDGE [DD]
11 - Banish to a lower division (8) - RELEGATE [E] Relegate is not Banishing in the true sense
12 - To pose a threat to a mean engineer, improper (6) - MENA*{CE} Engineer on double duty?
13 - Saying little, go after Act I production (8) - TACI*{TURN}
14 - The motto of British is to revert to the low point of the problem (6) - {B}OTTOM* Why of the problem?
15 - Given directions, uses the right piece (6) - {R}ECIPE* Given or gives?
18 - A big German gun not to sleep on one (6) - BERTH{A}
20 - Al got them together to meet her (6) - THELMA*
23 - Latch properly to tie one related to sports (8) - ATHLETIC*
25 - Concedes it’s mad to make changes (6) - ADMITS*
26 - Fellow turned it, fool, it’s only fractional part (8) - {MAN}{TI<-){SSA<-} )
27 - Not free from variation (6) - UNEVEN [E]
28 - Aerial delivered before woman returned (7) - {ANTE}NNA<- )e
29 - It may be hot for her in a common Eurasian wasteland (7) - {HEATH}{ER} Where has her H gone? Anno doubtful
DOWN
 2  - Ambassador has caviare for superstars (6) - {HE}{ROE}S S from?
 3  - Only fellow on strike? (3,3,3) - ODD MAN OUT [CD]
 4  - Either U or I? (7) - ELEMENT [CD]
 6  - Makes a stroke that curves through the air (7) - SPLICER ? Anno pending
 7  - Arranges to get in Illinois with neither spurious nor false claim (5) - LEGIT*
 8  - Hopeless situations (8) - RATTRAPS [CD] What a hopeless clue if the answer is correct
 9  - Initiate march another way — one has to handle numbers (13) - ARITHMETICIAN*
16 - Tom, say, swallows representative piece of cheese (9) - CA{MEMBER}T
17 - Trains soldier to control use of force (8) - {RE}STRAIN*
19 - A skilled worker ran it as required (7) - ARTISAN*
21 - Removal time guaranteed (7) - {ERA}{SURE}
22 - A goddess writing one note after another (6) - ATHENE Anno pending
24 - Henry gets in late to use machine (5) - LAT{H}E


GRID


Sunday 22 November 2009

No 2559, Sunday 22 Nov 09

Another tough one today, I hate CW’s with names, 11A and 2D elude me.
ACROSS
1 - 150 inside listening intently, mostly, for a signal that danger is over (3, 5) – ALL {CL}EAR(-s)
5 - Short chap with girl in Alpine lake (6) – {GEN(-t)}{EVA}
10 - Fir cone producer? (7) – CONIFER* Nice clue
11 - Duncan lives with a girl? (7) – I?A?O?A (Addendum - {IS}{A}{DORA} - See comments section below)
12 - Bad-tempered lines about a non-drinker (5) – R{A}{TT}Y
13 - Poisonous plant bringing misery to eastern mine (9) – {HELL}{E}{BORE} Had to google this answer
14 - One helping to create IT solutions says test's mainly useless without one (7, 7) – SYSTEMS ANALYST(-i)*
17 - A patron of the arts in Brazil - courage, I suspect, is required (8, 6) – LUCREZIA BORGIA* Had to google search this also
21 - Sensible type of examination (9) – PRACTICAL [DD]
23 - Good beer poured out for diver (5) – {G}REBE*
24 - Toy dog barking during brief march (3, 4) – RA{G DO*}LL(-y)
25 - Bewilder small number - nine, initially, at least (7) – {NO}{N}{PLUS} What's the link between PLUS and at least
26 - Tear after dad leaves mum? (6) – {PA}{RENT}
27 - Most dangerous point on mountain (8) – {S}EVEREST
DOWN
1 - A cello's top string creates harmony (6) – {A}{C}{CORD}
2 - Archbishop shot actress (7) – L?N?T?Y (Addendum - {LANG}{TRY} - See comments section below)
3 - A female getting in baby's things in general (9) – L{A}{F}AYETTE G of general should have been in capitals
4 - Famous American patriarch getting city's support (7, 7) – {ABRAHAM} {LINCOLN}
6 - To delete facility presses R (5) – E{R}ASE
7 - A financial saving made by small company spreading money about (7) – E{CO}NOMY*
8 - In the morning a soak needs to drink (8) – {AM}{A}{RET}{TO}
9 - Mobile military unit (medical) fuel ban affected (5, 9) – FIELD AMBULANCE* Medical on double duty
15 - Turn up in island church showing haughtiness (9) – {ARR{OG<-}AN}{CE} Answer is guesswork from the crossings. Annotation reverse engineered after googling
16 - Tripe, cold piece friend served up (8) – {C}{LAP<-}{TRAP<-} )
18 - Mistake made by clubs over former Ryder Cup captain (7) – {C}LANGER
19 - I hint about English bishop, a pale colour (3-4) – {I}{C{E} {B}LUE}
20 - Rich group of travellers in black kit (3, 3) – {JET} {SET}
22 - After short time, warning device becomes a source of irritation (5) – {T}{HORN}


GRID


Saturday 21 November 2009

No 9694 Saturday 21 Nov 09, M Manna

The master and his student are back to torment us for a week.
ACROSS
1 - The outcome of such erosion is plain (9) - PLANATION [E]
6 - Scouts’ parade (5) - TROOP [DD]
9 - Equally determined to secure an item of value (5) - {AS}{SET}
10 - A tear in a printed sheet indicates extraction (9) - P{A}{RENT}AGE
11 - A solitary crustacean (6,4) - HERMIT CRAB [CD] Fascinating creatures, pull them out of their shell and they will scamper away and climb into another empty one
12 - Distraught seer giving tongue (4) - ERSE*
14 - Injured GI and rest of patients given required treatments (7) - TRI{A}GES* Where did A appear from?
15 - Made indirect reference to everybody about dude (7) - {ALL}UDED*
17 - Materials used as inner surface to garments (7) - LININGS [E]
19 - Less expensive (7) - CHEAPER [E]
20 - Has snow settled? (4) - OWNS*
22 - With no top man, male stress may result (10) - MASTERLESS*
25 - A manufacturer of spirit, yet in dire trouble (9) - DI{STILL}ER*
26 - Issues of Japanese immigrants found in U.S. quarter (5) - NI{SE}I Impossible annotation for me, or is it just a direct defintion
27 - To place players on stage for greater visibility is to err foolishly (5) - RISER*
28 - Stripped down? Anything but! (7-2) - DRESSED-UP [CD] Nice clue
DOWN
1 - Chap directed to be informer of a beautiful girl (5) - P{E}ACH* Anno beats me; it could be a [DD] as well
2 - The allegation made in a store’s found to be false (9) - ASSERTION*
3 - Contracting for the production of a string net (10) - ASTRINGENT*
4 - There’s great pressure on the little pest before the lawsuit (7) - {IMP}ACTS
5 - Blissful state where Ivan ran wild (7) - NIRVANA*
6 - A taste for seaweed (4) - TANG [DD]
7 - Delighted to be broadcasting (2,3) - ON AIR [DD]
8 - He may tend to ape soldier to give a false appearance (9) - PRE{TEND}ER Anno pending
13 - Plans to make nasty pictures (10) - {BLUE}{PRINTS}
14 - Elevated rank that’s difficult to achieve (4,5) - {TALL} {ORDER}
16 - Weighed down with iron indeed? (9) - DE{PRESS}ED
18 - On the way, Ted got everybody in and blocked the road (7) - {ST}{ALL}{ED}
19 - Tie around core group having common interest (7) - COTERIE*
21 - Detects a direction among those voting against (5) - NO{SE}S
23 - Skip around maiden barely giving her attention (5) - SKI{M}P
24 - One does not expect to hear the truth from him (4) - LIAR [E]

GRID

Friday 20 November 2009

No 9693, Friday 20 Nov 09, Gridman

Gridman signs off today with some good clues
ACROSS
1 - Powerless rogue has nothing to cover (8) - {IMP}{O}{TENT}
5 - Get the better of teacher (6) - MASTER [DD]
10 - Merely frozen water for the magistrate (7) - {JUST}{ICE}
11 - Stretcher (7) - ELASTIC [E]
12 - Soak to the skin dear, topless woman (6) - D(-ea)R{(-w)ENCH} Unusual way to indicate deletion
13 - To get ahead, receive in excess (8) - OVERTAKE [DD]
15 - Do they throw away their lines? (4) - CAST [DD]
16 - Bearing being sent away? (10) - DEPORTMENT [CD]
18 - Children alone are cared for in these homes (10) - ORPHANAGES [E]
20 - Solo dance in city (4) - OSLO*
23 - Dry dean perks up with song (8) - {SERE}NADE*
24 - Mason’s weapon? (6) - MORTAR [DD]
26 - Press output doesn’t begin incitement to riot (7) - (-s)EDITION
27 - Examine leading ultra’s act in ancient soldiers’ shelter (7) - {TEST}{U}{DO}
28 - Fifty-five leave villages in a rampage for stored fodder (6) - SILAGE(-lv)*
29 - Ma’am and gals concoct mixtures (8) - AMALGAMS*
DOWN
1 - June 1 discussion turned out to be marked by imprudence (15) - INJUDICIOUSNESS*
2 - Own groups around the leader of Sikhs (7) - POSSE{S}S
3 - Fool at church showing evidence of nervousness (6) - {TWIT}{CH}
4 - Name that’s yielding up another name (4) - NOEL<- )
6 - Expedition in the manner of the French metropolis going round river (8) - {A}{LA}{C{R}ITY}
7 - Measure a solution: bird’s shedding tear (7) - {TIT}RATE* Loved doing this in the Chemistry labs though overall I hated Chemistry
8 - From where people come out refreshed (10,5) - RECREATION ROOMS [CD]
9 - Postpone, for the holiday has finished (5,4) - {LEAVE} {OVER}
14 - Girl accepts Dan’s withered flower (9) - CEL{AND*}INE
17 - Phantom occupation that’s unforgettable? (8) - HAUNTING [DD]
19 - Biased but not to full extent (7) - PARTIAL [DD]
21 - A necessity when up is mandarin orange (7) - {SA}{TSUM}{A}<- )
22 - Labour around polls (they say): if inflamed it needs to be removed (6) - TO{NS}IL (NS~poles) Nice clue
25 - Exciting time for a piece of news (4) - ITEM*

GRID


Thursday 19 November 2009

No 9692, Thursday 19 Nov 09, Gridman

ACROSS
1 - Bookie away before start of race (7) - {OFF}{ERE}{R}
5 - Former pupil revises manual (6) - ALUMNA*
9 - Run in the next rally (5) - EXTRA [T]
10 - Is it never seen in Light Cavalry? (4,5) - DARK HORSE [CD]
11 - Last couple of those ideas carried out in holiday area (7) - (-tho){SE}{ASIDE*}
12 - Irritated? Yon Dean is! (7) - ANNOYED*
13 - I don’t mind if it occurs elsewhere! (5) - NIMBY [CD]
14 - Vehicle for travelling or sleeping in (6,3) - CAMPER VAN [E]
16 - Canned — as pickles are! (4-5) - WELL OILED [CD]
19 - Dish at last took obstreperous babe (5) - {K}{EBAB*}
21 - Evergreen type extremely coolly goes to the newspapers (7) - {C(-ooll)Y}{PRESS}
23 - Tart leaves out second instrument (7) - (-s)TRUMPET
24 - Confused O’Neill met Salve? (9) - EMOLLIENT*
25 - Leading kisans reap and accumulate leaves in South African village (5) - {K}{R}{A}{A}{L}
26 - Creature with seven pairs of legs (6) - ISOPOD [E]
27 - They wish to be finders too (7) - SEEKERS [CD]
DOWN
1 - Donut writers and wise women are heard to take for breakfast (4,10) - {O}{PEN S}{AND}{WICHES}(~witches)
2 - From which one may emerge less bulky after some visits (3,4) - FAT FARM [CD]
3 - What is a kind of TV show (7) - REALITY [CD] ?
4 - Communist writer? Not exactly! (3-6) - RED PENCIL [CD]
5 - Vessel berthed in Kolkata or Tanga (5) - AORTA [T]
6 - Unsettle one in France with an infusion of asafoetida? (7) - UN{HING}E
7 - Thoroughbred racehorse for ballet dancer (7) - NUREYEV [DD]
8 - They are of consuming interest to babies (7,7) - FEEDING BOTTLES [CD]
15 - Thinks dates and time are set (9) - MEDITATES*
17 - Circuits around excellent home office equipments (7) - LAP{TOP}S
18 - Deliveries friend put up to cover (7) - OVER{LAP<-} )
19 - Cave joint? (7) - KNUCKLE [DD]
20 - IB rises to revamped panel for an old type of aircraft (7) - {BI<-}PLANE*
22 - Endlessly detest ruffian horse (5) - STEED(-t)*

Wednesday 18 November 2009

No 9691, Wednesday 18 Nov 09, Gridman

ACROSS
1 - Get together with cheat on the edge (8) - {CON}{VERGE}
5 - Monkey with a new colour (6) - {TITI}{A}{N} Nice clue, last to fall, was misled for some time
9 - Don’t do anything to show it! (7) - NEGLECT [CD]
10 - Asian leader, attacked harshly, is disconcerted (7) - {A}BASHED
11 - Having an appearance for Doordarshan? (9) - TELEGENIC [CD]
12 - Gridman is back having encountered insect (5) - {EM<-}{MET}
13 - Country in super utopian state (4) - PERU [T]
14 - Alas, saint turns attacker (9) - ASSAILANT*
17 - Start-up (9) - ACTIVATOR [CD]
19 - It leaves certain things to certain people (4) - WILL [E]
23 - Cut short graduate and boy (5) - {BA}{TED}
24 - Make inoffensive bad ode and act by wayward sire (9) - DEO*{DO}{RISE*}
25 - A lot of time to put footless Indian disciple in a step by step arrangement (7) - E{CHEL(-a)}ON
26 - It takes a lot of time to note to repeat (7) - {IT}{ERA}{TE}
27 - Dread making ultimately unpleasant mistake (6) - {T}ERROR
28 - Herein a spun-out tale, out of this world (8) - ET{HERE}AL*
DOWN
1 - Once path’s hacked, war memorial is seen (8) - CENOTAPH*
2 - Fuss-pot has leggin thrown at redhead (7) - NIGGLE*{R}
3 - Drive ne’er paved on the limits of Gooty (6) - ENER*{G(-oot)Y}
4 - Learn everything about the job by infiltrating a worker? (3,4,4,2) - GET ONES HAND IN [DD]
6 - ”Woman: shall we go for a buzzer or __ __ __ __ better option?” (2,1,4,1) - IS A BELL A [DD]
7 - One grandmother taking in murmur that is bestial (7) - {I}{N{HUM}AN}
8 - Untidy — untidy with nothing on (6) - NUDITY*
10 - One who goes for the digs (13) - ARCHAEOLOGIST [E]
15 - French wine, pulse, with two ducks for the meal (8) - {VIN}{DAL{OO}
16 - Flower girl, we hear, follows the conservative (8) - {BLUE}{BELL}(~belle)
18 - Fielder Tom dear in France (7) - {CAT}{CHER}
20 - One friend carries one ton to copy (7) - {I}{M{I}{T}ATE}
21 - Sailor despatched, showing a lack of attention (6) - {AB}{SENT}
22 - Stick together with company present (5) - {CO}{HERE}

GRID

Tuesday 17 November 2009

No 9690, Tuesday 17 Nov 09, Gridman

ACROSS
1 - Choke fuel regulator? (8) - THROTTLE [E]
6 - Political coalition gets kisans’ leader out of urban area (4) - BLOC(-k)
9 - Trace out and begin to research what’s on the face of the moon (6) - CRATE*{R}
10 - Additional epithet for one G-man modified (7) - AGNOMEN* New word for me
13 - Talks of what were printing units once (9) - {EX}{PRESSES}
14 - Partial semblance of a mountain in France (5) - (-mont)BLANC [T] 'Blanc' is 'white' in french and not mountain
15 - That’s when you’ve missed the bus (4) - LATE [CD]
16 - Source of power in a plant (6,4) - ENGINE ROOM [E]
19 - Everybody knows it though only a few are supposed to know it (4,6) - OPEN SECRET [CD]
21 - Stop a story: “Animals” (4) - KILL ?
24 - More qualified author leaves Frenchman out (5) - (-f)ABLER
25 - Alibi grad advances to Italian patriot (9) - GARIBALDI*
26 - Flip side to describing form of a Shakespeare sonnet (7) - {IN}{VERSE}
27 - In a high-fiving mood, journalist circulates funny tale (6) - E{LATE*}D
28 - By adding one to this, you get half a score (4) - NINE [CD]
29 - Wicked person at saint’s gathering (8) - SATANIST* Is a satanist essentially a wicked person?
DOWN
2 - Pad Ruth reconstructed is strained (4,3) - HARD PUT*
3 - Electrical convenience in factory store (6) - OUTLET [DD]
4 - Boastful on hitting No.1 charts (9) - THRASONIC* Never heard this word before, I wonder if it is ever used in normal writing
5 - Tests, for once, a manuscript (5) - {EX}{A}{MS}
7 - Gaol bum writhes in pain (7) - LUMBAGO*
8 - Find ANC complaint: no reason to grumble (4,8) - CANT COMPLAIN* Part of the answer is directly there in the clue!
11 - Caught nervous Dean skirting two bishops (6) - NA{BB}ED*
12 - Further distribution in actual place (12) - {REAL}{LOCATION} Nice clue
17 - Tanneries brought to order with all sincerity (2,7) - IN EARNEST*
18 - Unpopular person of interest? (6) - USURER [CD]
20 - Amuse broken valentine after TA leaves (7) - ENLIVEN(-ta)*
22 - Sick situation (7) - ILLNESS [E]
23 - Take hold of senior citizen with TA having entered (6) - {OB}{TA}{IN}
25 - It may be “wild” or “educated” (5) - GUESS [E]

GRID

Monday 16 November 2009

No 9689, Monday 16 Nov 09, Gridman

ACROSS
1 - Those pieces of rock music one might have heard as a baby? (6,5) - CRADLE SONGS [CD]
9 - Removing the lid of oven, I and child get meat (7) - (-o)VEN{I}{SON}
10 - Executive bid to cover in-charge (7) - OFF{IC}ER
11 - Squanders sole trip to capital of Sikkim (5) - LOSE*{S}
12 - You can’t put a name to this sort of person (9) - ANONYMOUS [E]
13 - One in brilliant step (5) - STA{I}R
15 - On these you can’t call without some loose change with you (3-6) - PAY-PHONES [E]
18 - Whew! It’s awry in boat, turned to one side! (4-5) - SK{EW WH*}IFF
21 - Leading grievers in dreadful song (5) - DIRGE [E] (Correction to Anno thanks to Maddy - DIR{G}E)
22 - Painlessness of alien saga unfolded (9) - ANALGESIA*
24 - Workers held by Assistant Commissioner of Police misbehave badly (3,2) - AC{T U}P
26 - Everybody goes into woody hollow that’s greasy (7) - {T{ALL}O}{W(-ood)Y}
27 - Ram, army officer, is unusually idle (7) - {COL}LIDE*
28 - Will they cure plane sickness? (4,7) - TREE DOCTORS [CD] ?
DOWN
1 - Teaches refinements to number after number with seers having no hesitation (9) - {CI}{VI}{LI}{SE(-er)S}
2 - In south India, brother’s left with old coins (5) - ANNAS [DD] Anna is the Tamil word for elder brother
3 - When the camel protests enough is enough… (4,5) - LAST STRAW [E]
4 - Slump! An equipment is here to receive an artificial tan (7) - SUN LAMP*
5 - One strange record on unknown new word (7) - NEO*{LOG}{Y}
6 - Kind of icecream for weak fool (5) - SOFTY [DD]
7 - A ship in which sherry may be served (8) - SCHOONER [DD]
8 - Cars go round the bends (4) - ARCS*
14 - Authorise mother to come up first — that’s responsive (8) - {AM<-}ENABLE
16 - Conveying water, monster has one litre transferred in upper case (9) - {HYDRA}{U{LI<-}C}
17 - Describing the vigilant keeping watch (9) - SLEEPLESS [E]
19 - How the fashionable may step out… (2,5) - IN STYLE [E]
20 - Primarily flimsy cover around account that is soft and weak (7) - {FL}{ACC}{ID} (Correction - {F}{L{ACC}ID} - See Chaturvasi's comments below)
22 - Star swayed by cultural pursuits (4) - ARTS*
23 - Plaster in good social function (5) - G{ROUT}
25 - Top circling around top in a Hong Kong district (3,2) - T{AI} PO*

GRID

Sunday 15 November 2009

No 2558, Sunday 15 Nov 09

Today is a tough one
ACROSS
1 - The last word I caught back in multiplex (6) – {C}{I}{NEMA}<- )
4 - US group in a Hitchcock film, we're told (3,5) – THE BYRDS (~the birds)
10 - After changes in statement leaves Irish town (9) – W{ATERF*}ORD Had to Google search this
11 - Row involving golf and golfer? (5) – TI{G}ER
12 - One good short rule for getting over disease? (5) – {(-e)LUR}{G}{I}<- ) Had to google this again
13 - Carry out a tool (9) – IMPLEMENT [DD]
14 - IOUs, say, may cause person's morosity (10,5) – PROMISSORY NOTES*
16 - Damaged hip concerns king, not young any more (2,6,7) – NO SPRING CHICKEN*
20 - Hospital doctor injecting substance right into bottom (9) – RE{GIST}{R}AR
22 - Being broadcast in Arizona - Ironside (2,3) – ON AIR [T]
23 - Cast in low spirits, mostly, at the end of revue (5) – HEAV{E} Anno pending
24,25 - Study the topography to ascertain the prevailing conditions (3,3,3,4,4) – SEE HOW THE LAND LIES [DD]
26 - Lie about closure of dance floor (6) - STOR{E}Y
DOWN
1 - Flower in neat border (7) – COWSLIP Anno pending, answer is guesswork
2 - Having a bad name, there must be no nonsense about debts (9) – {NO}{TOR<-}{IOUS}
3 - Swallow one cocktail (7) – {MARTIN}{I}
5 - Rockery Daphne cultivated right here in London (4,4,6) – HYDE PARK CORNE*{R}
6 - Wading bird from bitingly cold centre of Afghanistan (7) – {BITTER}{N}
7 - Profligate pocketing grand, the villain (5) – RO{G}UE
8 - Sheet of low cloud in place, round middle of afternoon (7) – ST{R}ATUS
9 - Steal connoisseur's comic book (8,6) – {ROB}INSON CRUSOE*
15 - Resemble escort behind (4,5) – {TAKE} {AFTER}
16 - Name a whale briefly seen round stern of icebreaker? (7) – NA{R}WHAL Anno pending. Result of another google search
17 - Runs round excellent town in New Mexico (7) – {R}{O}SWELL Famous for the UFO incident
18 - Resolve shown by golf club abroad (4,3) – {IRON} {OUT}
19 - School for young children in northern Surreyre furbished (7) – {N}URSERY*
21 - Cereal crops in ground needing a shower (5) – {G}RAIN


GRID

Saturday 14 November 2009

No 9688, Saturday 14 Nov 09, Gridman

How refreshing after 10 days of junk from NJ, this is really like a whiff of fresh air
ACROSS
1 - Bird on fire? There’s nothing to it! (8) - FLAMING{O}
5 - Mother on modified diet succeeded (4,2) - {MA}DE IT*
9 - Capsize on open vessel (8) - {OVERT}{URN}
10 - Indian uncle having tea after endless conversation (6) - {CHA}CHA(-t)
12 - Tribal of the Nilgiris not fully present (4) - TODA(-y)
13 - Sort out pen with inauspicious result (10) - PORTENTOUS*
15 - Puts out nothing to royal in trance (6) - STUP*{O}{R}
17 - Choose from the lecture (5) - ELECT [T]
20 - Tiny file circulated by peon finally (5) - ELFI*{N}
21 - Strata in 50 developed years (6) - {L}AYERS
24 - Declaration that no one is to return to the fast train (10) - {EXPRESS}ION<- )
27 - Phobia of extremely stiff appendage (4) - {F}EAR
29 - Folly of girl overwhelming girl in extreme comicality (6) - {I{DI}O}{C}{Y}
30 - Dog boy carrying fabric around leading atelier (8) - {AL}{SATI{A}N} My first dog and we named him Peter, lived to the ripe old age of 13.
31 - Not much kindled before outlet (6) - {LIT}TLE*
32 - Cut short pro leaving counterpart in a whirl (8) - TRUNCATE(-pro)*
DOWN
1 - Is buoyant in Florida with grains (6) - {FL}OATS
2 - Changes fellows in advertisements (6) - A{MEN}DS
3 - Nation outside borders allotted very small amount (4) - (-n)IOTA(-n)*
4 - Dress circle for Australian dustman (5) - GARB{O}
6 - Pale when woman appears (5) - {AS}{HEN}
7 - Sen hovers around secret boxes (8) - EN{CLOSE}S*
8 - Passages on characteristics about bridge players (8) - TRA{NS}ITS
11 - Well-set right in the den (6) - STU{R}DY
14 - Eastern heavyweight in foreign school (4) - {E}TON
16 - Fine-tune a language? (6) - POLISH [DD]
17 - Country causes close to immense anger (4) - {E}IRE
18 - Curative for engineer and setter laid up (8) - {RE}{ME}DIAL*
19 - Article from a book but not in the book (8) - {OFF}{PRINT}
22 - Somehow regain a Canadian town (6) - REGINA*
23 - Draw back from band in the church (6) - C{RING}E
25 - Very good! Fast go away! Outdo! (5) - EXCEL(-lent)
26 - Nothing to glare about without a person who gives a flirtatious look (5) - {O}GLER(-a)*
28 - In the clearnever by merit (4) - EARN [T]

GRID

Friday 13 November 2009

No 9687, Friday 13 Nov 09, Nita Jaggi

Bye-bye NJ
ACROSS
1 - Put out a big party (7) - BLOWOUT [DD]
5 - Company rejects the colour of the low grade fuel (6) - {OC<-}{TAN}{E}
10 - Walk about with a dispirited team around the seal cutting the corner (8) - AM{BU}{L}ATE* What is BU (Addendum - AM{BUL(-l)}ATE* - See Maddy's comments below)
11 - Develop an island over the year (6) - CRE{A}TE
13 - Shout to postpone the game (4) - CALL [DD]
14 - Approved of the bill record over the counter (10) - {AC}C{EP}{TABLE} An extra C here unless we take ACC for bill as against the normal AC
16 - Break the granule without the layer for the monkey (6) - LANGUR(-e)*
18 - Instrument for the man in Missouri is in an incomplete condition (8) - {HE}{MO}{STAT(-e)}
21 - Shoeless graduate is again in the infantry (8) - {BA}{RE}{FOOT}
22 - Strong mental state? Not exactly religious! (6) - BELIEF [CD]
25 - Device broken down under carts (10) - TRANSDUCER*
27 - It may stain one’s character! (4) - BLOT [E]
30 - Call forth the Spanish I see with the sex appeal (6) - {EL}{I}{C}{IT}
31 - Defensive barrier around the military prison (8) - STOCKADE [DD]
32 - Indian army has a note on the legislative body (6) - {SENA}{TE}
33 - Established the French religion (7) - {DE}{CREED}
DOWN
2 - A couple of learners hold the sailor with an English tag (5) - L{AB}{E}L
3 - Rising sound of the noisy animal (4) - {WOL<-}{F}
4 - Anyhow curtail out the length of the plant (6) - URTICA(-l)*
6 - Weight of an orange root, overheard (5) - CARAT(~carrot)
7 - An American soldier holds an Arab kind of dry joss stick (9) - {A}{G{ARBA*}{TT}I}
8 - Lady will sleep in the mountain (7) - {EVE}{REST}
9 - Is able to see the Spanish end the contract (6) - {CAN}{C}{EL}
12 - Cap of the head boy is on the broken tree (5) - {B}ERET*
15 - Horseracing on artificial grass (4) - TURF [E]
17 - Telling a story to a knight on arrival at ten in Norway (9) - {N}{ARR}{AT}{IO}{N}
19 - Peon is out in public (4) - OPEN*
20 - Public meeting in the university is in the capital of Manila (5) - {FOR}{U}{M}
21 - Member leaves the tumbles arranged by the servants (7) - BUTLE{R}S(-m)* Where did R come from?
23 - Christian cleric is an authoritative figure (6) - FATHER [DD]
24 - Housed permanently (6) - SETTLE [CD]
26 - Holy man is South Africa is at home with the New Testament (5) - {SA}{I}{NT} an extra N here
28 - General is covering a small contract (5) - LE{A}{S}E
29 - Mark left on the side of the vehicle (4) - {S}CAR


Black squares - 67 (29%)
White squares - 158

GRID