No 10039, Friday 31 Dec 10, M Manna

ACROSS
1   - Feel it's what distinguishes beginners from old hands (10) - EXPERIENCE [DD]
6   - A hat from an Asian country (4) - {THA*}{I}
9   - Fix old boy up with dummy pill (7) - {PLACE}{BO<-}

10 - Book for the big race? (7) - CLASSIC [DD]
12 - His meals arranged by tent dwelling nomad Arabs (8) - ISHMAELS*
13 - Arranged to nail English outsider (5) - {ALI{E}N*}

15 - Problem children! (5) - ISSUE [DD]
17 - Lamenting disorder, the drill sergeant insists on it (9) - ALIGNMENT*
19 - Throwing perhaps, a hundred into the rubbish dump (9) - {S{C}RAPHE{A}P*}
21 - Best explosive assembled by man of enormous strength (5) - TITAN* (ai+tnt)
23 - The top decoration for a woman (5) - TIARA [CD]

24 - Wandering makes wild boar roar (8) - {ABER*}{RANT} Another typo, BOAR for BEAR!!
27 - Decimal point of extreme force (7) - {IN,TENS}{E}
28 - Say if good man can remove the desire for more (7) - SATISFY* (say+if+st)
29 - At fault to grab clothing (4) - GARB*
30 - So camera shy it's almost unbearable? (4,2,4) - HARD TO FACE [DD]
DOWN
1   - Observe English agent collect information (4) - {E}{SPY}
2   - Softly lifts voice in worship (7) - {P}{RAISES}
3   - He in strange surroundings is cold (5) - {R{HE}UM}
4   - Acquit one vexatious pest found in the river (9) - {EX{ONE}{RAT}E}
5   - Sets the gun trigger mechanism ready to fire (5) - COCKS [CD]
7   - Hops around with some cold food at the hostel (7) - {HOSP*}{ICE}
8   - Irregular part of the main Constantinople area (10) - INCONSTANT [T]
11 - A profit on street or counter? (7) - {A}{GAIN}{ST}
14 - The leading article, or when one reads it in the morning? (5,5) - {FIRST} {THING} &lit
16 - Frank, caught in sex scandal to tell all (7) - {EX}{PLAIN} How does 's' get deleted.
18 - Awful mess pride produced, having made its mark (9) - IMPRESSED*
20 - Builder does not start to go round a nuclear device (7) - {eRE{A}CTOR}
22 - Is a unit to be reformed in Africa (7) - TUNISIA*

24 - Region around the north where it all happens (5) - {ARE{N}A}
25 - Proportion of fixed allowance curtailed (5) - RATIOn
26 - Place in Lebanon that may have to be blown up (4) - TYRE [DD]

GRID

No 10038, Thursday 30 Dec 10, M Manna

ACROSS
1   - An attractive way of prematurely acquiring proprietorial rights (13) - {PRE}{POSSESSING}
8   - Surrounded by filth, a large number look disgusted (7) - {GRIM{A}{C}E}
9   - Penguin ruler! (7) - EMPEROR [DD]

11 - Mule is made to have cereal (6) - MUESLI*

13 - Robust type of law breaker in the beginning (8) - {ST{ALW*}ART}
15 - Values resulting in charge being made (5) - RATES [CD]
16 - It's a wonder Claire takes Frenchman for a change (7) - {M}{IRACLE*}

18 - Right to discipline an unruly child (7) - CORRECT [DD]
19 - It can be found in disreputable people's language (5) - SLANG [T &lit]
21 - Country where power of government rests with the people (8) - REPUBLIC [E]

23 - Paddy's cool (6) - TEMPER [DD]
25 - The removal will take time, doubtless (7) - {ERA}{SURE}
26 - French and German articles disappear or maybe endure (7) - {UN}{DER}{GO}
28 - Go into marquee containing main partition for public performance (13) - {ENTER}{T{AINM*}ENT}
DOWN
2   - Clothing is torn without intention (7) - {R{AIM}ENT}
3   - You find her keeping tempi along with the band members (3) - PIA [T]
4   - He can foretell the future (4) - SEER [E]
5   - Choose to talk — they make one cross! (10) - {ELECT}{ORATE}
6   - Lapse made to separate outer part of a flower (5) - SEPAL*

7   - Tell of island uprising before Mr. Lawrence (7) - {NARRA<-}{TE}
8   - Plucky stand by at the animal enclosure (4,7) - {GAME} {RESERVE}
10 - Joey, the deserter? (3,8) - {RAT} {KANGAROO}
12 - See nothing wrong with ball delivery for unsuccessful one (5) - {LO}{SERvice}
14 - The claim of one who says he's sorry, but isn't sorry (10) - {I'M}{PENITENT}
17 - Rigid system of social distinctions (5) - CASTE [CD]
18 - Can be pain for Tom to be in charge of hotel waiters and bell boys (7) - CAPTAIN* (cat+pain)
20 - Sir, pain may be relieved with this drug (7) - ASPIRIN*

SEE THIS CARTOON

22 - Crude person, lacking in sophistication (5) - BRUTE [CD]
24 - To learn Shiastu, finance arranged for Muslim mystic (4) - SUFI Anno pending
27 - Mother of horses! (3) - DAM [CD]

GRID

No 10037, Wednesday 29 Dec 10, M Manna

Off for a round of Golf will be back after lunch.
ACROSS
1   - Sceptically inquire over use of cane (7) - {ASK}{ANCE*}
5   - Spares easterner affected from being falsely accused (7) - ASPERSE*
10 - The French is in agreement for amalgamated trade union for workers (6) - {UN}{IS}{ON} 
11 - A cryptographer's ruse of simply taking initial characters (8) - {A}{C}{R}{O}{S}{T}{I}{C} &lit Brilliant

12 - Colourful fruit (6) - ORANGE [DD]

13 - Kayak in which I once sat crumpled up (8) - CANOEIST* Something amiss here
14 - He arranges the grave stone to be assembled about ten (6) - {SE{X}TON*}
15 - Make an effort for the family (6) - STRAIN [DD]
18 - Poem for a fool returning to Black Sea port (6) - {ODE}{SSA<-}
20 - Swallow a drink I needed (6) - MARTINi

23 - Deep green? (3,5) - SEA GRASS [CD]

25 - Pam with sis moves around everywhere (6) - PASSIM* New word for me
26 - Iron cutback (8) - DECREASE [DD]
27 - How the hours pass when composedly asleep (6) - ELAPSE*
28 - Testifies the way the State designed (7) - ATTE(ST)S*
29 - NE gales blowing around the country (7) - SENEGAL*

DOWN
2   - One's rattled by the artist, a foreign lady (6) - {SENO*}{RA}
3   - They'll agree to allow records of stupid fellow (9) - {ASS}{ENTERS}
4   - Quite happy to deceive over accommodation (7) - {CON}{TENT}
6   - Recoils from psychiatrists (7) - SHRINKS [DD]
7   - English lies to turn her in (5) - {E}{LSIE*}
8   - Women's garment to cover her torso in water (8) - SWIMSUIT [E] Present day swimsuits hardly cover anything!!
9   - His students are taught step by step (7,6) - DANCING MASTER [CD]

16 - Restore control, say (9) - {REIN}{STATE}
17 - He supports a woman in the depression (8) - {A}{D{HER}ENT}
19 - A stoppage a compulsive worker finds very hard (7) - {A}{DAM}{ANT}
21 - Having had enough to make pet reel around (7) - REPLETE*
22 - Seat is prepared for a nap (6) - SIESTA*
24 - Girl ran amok from ogre in ravine (5) - {G}{ORGE*}

GRID

No 10036, Tuesday 28 Dec 10, M Manna

A good opener from Manna
ACROSS
1   - Finished plan wins credit (9) - {OVER}{DRAFT}
6   - Implied when I indulge in finesse (5) - {TAC{I}T}
9   - Short credit is given on money (5) - {CR}{IS}{P}
10 - Board accepts new role that can be endured (9) - {T{OLER*}ABLE}
11 - From Rome, pilots find London for example (10) - METROPOLIS*
12 - Al caught distributing granular mineral (4) - {T{AL}C*}
14 - Hasten on paths leading to the trails (7) - {RUN}{WAYS}
15 - A feature of the church, up to a point (7) - STEEPLE [CD]
17 - Before time detectives concoct to foretell (7) - {PRE}{DIC*}{T}
19 - I am only to arrange allowance to support spouse (7) - ALIMONY*

SEE THIS CARTOON

20 - Irish guy backing alternative form of transport (4) - {RO}{RY} (Correction to anno {RO<-}{RY})
22 - Gates opened around forest refreshment areas (3,7) - {TEA G{ARDEN}S*}
25 - Credit given for using a simple vocabulary (4,5) - {EASY} {TERMS}
26 - Add to the endless story (5) - {TO}{TALe}
27 - Rock loosely found by South American Indians (5) - {S}{CREE}
28 - Are mended — put right — when twisted (9) - MEANDERED*
DOWN
1   - Company used Mac for programming language (5) - OCCAM* No AInd
2   - “That's Life” broadcast — exit scene shifters! (9) - EXISTENCE*
3   - Academic award to elevated citizen is judicious (10) - {DIPLOMA}{TIC<-} Is CIT an abbreviation for Citizen?

4   - Court proceedings (7) - ACTIONS [CD]
5   - Sound films (7) - TALKIES [E]
6   - Scarlet's home in Ireland (4) - TARA [DD]
7   - Swan on river and a snake (5) - {COB}{R}{A}

SEE THIS CARTOON

8   - For betrayal Lawrence had to cheat on lines (9) - TREACHE{RY} Some error here first part should have be (TE+CHEAT) as per the clue
13 - Dennis and I reduced to shreds and vilified (10) - {DEN}{I}{GRATED}
14 - They take notes for the media (9) - REPORTERS [CD]
16 - He sits in for an examiner (9) - {PRO}{TESTER}
18 - To me her complicity has to be proved (7) - THEOREM*
19 - Imposing month for a girl! (7) - {AUGUST}{A}
21 - Revolting individual seen in flight (5) - RISER [DD]

23 - South African boy mixes cold dish of vegetables (5) - {SA}{LAD}
24 - A small tumour (4) - STYE [CD]

GRID

No 10035, Monday 27 Dec 10, Gridman

ACROSS
1   - Brightness of artist, Bob, embracing one (8) - {RA}{D{I}ANCE}
5   - National, one following you old fellows (6) - {YE}{MEN}{I}
10 - Eminent composer gets learner and maiden out of confused state (7) - MAElSTROm
11 - Be calm, I fixed the apparatus (7) - ALEMBIC*

12 - Montaigne maybe confused, but left not a riddle (6) - ENIGMAnot*
13 - Inhabitants of the novel New Forest (8) - CHILDREN [CD] Thanks to Google
15 - Mark of the French leaving plan (4) - deSIGN
16 - What's on the board when the innings ends (5,5) - FINAL SCORE [CD]
18 - Yet it's the busy tongues that produce what may be fodder for a columnist (4,6) - IDLE GOSSIP [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

20 - You — to whom what's on the beach is grand! (4) - THOUsand
23 - Brown's essence covering tip of noodle is most piquant (8) - {TAN}{GI{E}ST}
24 - Saw parent breaking down (6) - TREPAN*

26 - Entertainment of Karnataka artist all right to end of performance (7) - {KA}{RA}{OK}{E}
27 - Rice for mother in Indian slum (7) - {BAS{MA}TI}

28 - The kind of food for one who does not want to put on (3-3) - NON-FAT [CD]
29 - Support for pose adopted by America's leading lover (8) - {ESPO*}{USA}{L}
DOWN
1   - Bottom the Spanish son thrusts against family, one of little stature (15) - {RUMP}{EL}{S}{TILTS}{KIN}
2   - When intake is controlled (7) - DIETING [CD]
3   - Troublesome maths — a problem that leaves one breathless (6) - ASTHMA*
4   - Boast about bank (4) - {C}{ROW}
6   - I told girls it assists sight (8) - (~i){EYE}{G}{LASS}
7   - Halt! Proceed after amber changes! (7) - {EMBAR*}{GO}
8   - Emerge clean in question, though it's of little importance (15) - INCONSEQUENTIAL*
9   - Win ‘sabash' for designing bathroom fixture (9) - WASHBASIN*
14 - No journey can be afoot without one taking it (5,4) - FIRST STEP [CD]
17 - A nearly stern, firm, law proclaimed endlessly by old Roman general (8) - {A}{GRIm}{CO}{LAw}
19 - What hit films enjoy on screens (4,3) - LONG RUN [CD]
21 - Groups of seven informed team leader on publicity materials (7) - {HEP}{T}{ADS}
22 - Forces cleaned out wall painting (6) - FRESCO*
25 - I begin to brush one's bird (4) - {I}{B}{I'S} Shown below is the Scarlet Ibis from Trinidad and Tobago

GRID

Special 2, The Daily Telegraph No 26426 of 17 Dec 10

Here is the CW as promised, enjoy.

No 2615, Sunday 26 Dec 10

ACROSS
1   - Struggle in street, teeming (6) - {ST}{RIFE}
4   - US port bombed in blackout (6) - STUPOR*
8   - Argue violently about extremely bizarre tavern (7) - {AU{BizarrE}RGE*}
10 - Surgical instrument causing panic, initially, in the services (7) - {FORCE{P}S}

11 - Daughter and partner dawdle (5) - {D}{ALLY}
12 - Info given by staff about mature garden plant (9) - {G{OLD}EN} {ROD}

13 - Nobody showing anxiety about the Welsh crew (13) - {FEATHER}{W}{EIGHT} (Addendum - {FEA{THE}R}{W}{EIGHT} - See comments)
16 - Climbing plant may give gypsies pleasure (10,3) - {TRAVELLERS} {JOY}

19 - Transfers DS inside royal house (5,4) - {HAN{DS} OVER}
21 - Enlisted US soldier, good one - ordinary bloke (2,3) - {G}{I} {JOE}
22 - A month round Connecticut - temperate, no sun (7) - {O}{CT}{sOBER}
23 - Dram in brandy glass (7) - SNIFTER [DD]

24 - Judge newly headed this large organisation (6) - (-u+e)EMPIRE
25 - Pass up rubbish (6) - REFUSE [DD]
DOWN
1   - Put up with bad rugby player (5-3) - STAND-OFF [DD]
2   - Polish girl's contagious disease (7) - {RUB}{ELLA}
3   - Bush's note about changing history (9) - {F{ORSYTHI*}A}

5   - Quartermaster-sergeant, somewhat brusque (5) - TERSE [T]
6   - Clown making mistake almost breaks mine (7) - {PI{ERROr}T}
7   - Live in one end of Poplar, East End? (6) - {R}{E}{SIDE}
9   - Enthusiastic worker brewed average beer (5,6) - EAGER BEAVER*
10 - Cries of "wolf" as a ram fell awkwardly on top of Sinai (5,6) - {FALSE ALARM*}{S}

14 - Troop member showing guile with grid construction? (4,5) - GIRL GUIDE*
15 - Exclamation made by pop star dropping round (2,6) - BoY GEORGE
16 - Sleeveless garment in basin by cap (4,3) - {TANK} {TOP}
17 - It's featured in fetish for unarmed combat (7) - {JUJ{IT'S}U}

18 - Select church on river, reportedly (6) - {CH}{OOSE}(~ouse)
20 - Flowing robes, muted in colour (5) - SOBER*

GRID

No 10034, Saturday 25 Dec 10, Gridman

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone with this Christmas themed CW from Gridman.
ACROSS
1   - Time of year for a give and take? (8) - DECEMBER [CD]
5   - Notice gap in pre-Christmas period (6) - {AD}{VENT}
9   - You and I to be included in a number by chance (8) - {FORT{U}{I}{T}Y} One T appears to be extra or am I missing something
10 - Wise one doesn't launch boat (6) - cORACLE
12 - Flower for nothing at the beginning of Easter (4) - {NIL}{E}
13 - You may find him fulfilling during the present time (5,5) - SANTA CLAUS [CD]

15 - Unending dexterity in seasonal vehicle (6) - SLEIGHt
17 - Cane might produce this — a sweet thing! (5) - SUGAR [CD]
20 - Seasonal helpers in steel vehicle (5) - {ELVE}{S} [T]
21 - Father a member of alumni association? (3,3) - OLD BOY [DD]
24 - Somehow gets past enamel attachments on doors (10) - NAMEPLATES*
27 - A song that's recalled: it might hit the high notes (4) - {A}{RIA<-}
29 - A paler variety of a winter warmer (6) - EARLAP*

30 - Is swayed by new arrangement that is oblique (8) - SIDEWAYS*
31 - Engineer, getting in the way, thundered (6) - {ROA{RE}D}
32 - Punjabi returns to big Indian lake for memorial (3,5) - {TAJ<-} {MAHA}{L}

DOWN
1   - Government agent's up at last to answer charges (6) - {DEF<-}{END}
2   - So Carl belted out wassailer's tunes to arouse Carlos (6) - CAROLS*
3   - Mother, full on a regular basis, in bash (4) - {MA}{U}{L}
4   - More to one of Bollywood's crowd (5) - EXTRA [DD]
6   - Carry out nearly energetic order of antiquity (5) - {DO}{RICh}
7   - Give and get old coins (8) - {EX}{CHANGE}
8   - New rate certain for what's valuable (8) - {TREA*}{SURE}
11 - Carved and brought without the head (6) - fETCHED
14 - Likes one moving out sick animals (4) - ELKSi*
16 - Is nothing except a meteorological line (6) - {IS}{O}{BAR}
17 - It falls on son this time (4) - {S}{NOW}
18 - They haul present transport system (8) - REINDEER [CD]

19 - A volume by Gridman put up: “Song and Prayer” (3,5) - {A}{V}{E M<-{ARIA}
22 - Workers' leader with heart-shaped Yule garland (6) - {W}{REATH*}

23 - Woman conducts a sled around the edge of stadium (6) - {DA{M}SEL*}
25 - Bit said to be kept by the police? (5) - PEACE(~piece)
26 - She with hesitation takes one account back (5) - {ER}{I}{CA<-}
28 - Ray in the bar? (4) - BEAM [DD]

GRID

Greetings

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The Gopinaths

No 10033, Friday 24 Dec 10, Gridman

My usual crib, too many CD's/DD's for my liking, 30% by my count.
ACROSS
1   - Heard about Frenchmen put in order (7) - {TRI{MM}ED}
5   - Slowly covering a rough house (4-2) - {LE{A}N-TO}
9   - For breather one gets this garment (5) - {LUNG}{I}
10 - Question legislature about farm building (4,5) - {PUMP} {HOUSE}
11 - VIP number put on hold (7) - {NO}{TABLE}
12 - Superintend deliveries to bishopric (7) - {OVER}{SEE}
13 - Shoot young fellow? (5) - SPRIG [DD]
14 - He may create sparks while working (3,6) - ARC WELDER [CD]
16 - Broke the budget on special hospital department (9) - {OVER}{SP}{ENT}
19 - Betel to the Spanish advisory group (5) - {PAN}{EL}
21 - A brutal redraft of a list (7) - TABULAR*
23 - Dog on common heather in game (7) - {CUR}{LING}

24 - Protest noisily? (5,1,3) - RAISE A CRY [CD]
25 - A daughter at joint limitlessly for this special purpose (2,3) - {A}{D} {HOCk}
26 - One seeing red? (6) - DEBTOR [CD]
27 - Collier and a student get a kind of water (7) - {MINER}{A}{L}
DOWN
1   - The gifted will want to fall in their eye (6-8) - TALENT-SPOTTERS [CD] could be TALENT SCOUTERS [CD] also

SEE THIS CARTOON

2   - One who has a burning desire? (7) - IGNITER [CD]
3   - One that a man of letters carries (7) - MAILBAG [CD]
4   - Run down, Congress leader getting into repeated scrapes (9) - {DEPRE{C}ATE*}
5   - West Indies dance in neglect (5) - LIMBO [DD]
6   - Have ice concoctions to finish (7) - ACHIEVE*
7   - Fiduciary arrangement said to be tied up (7) - TRUSSED(~trust)
8   - The sort of forecasts that may bring a hail? (14) - METEOROLOGICAL [CD]
15 - Lac my acts generated brings disaster (9) - CATACLYSM*
17 - A drop in the current (3,4) - EBB TIDE [CD]
18 - Sailor taking that is new and conspicuous (7) - {SAL{IE}{N}T}
19 - Bold, top-class and new concern (7) - {PERT}{AI}{N}
20 - In no case, hone it here secretly (7) - NEITHER [T]
22 - Miraculous cure by ultimate fakir to happen again (5) - {RECU*}{R}

GRID

No 10032, Thursday 23 Dec 10, Gridman

ACROSS
1   - Trace out defunct notice left by writer (8) - {DEad}{SCRIBE}
5   - Same bidi flung by one at last in extreme gloom (6) - {IBID*}{E}{M}
9   - The ring finger in part of eclipse (7) - ANNULARis
10 - Blunt firm's snare dismantled (7) - {CO}{ARSEN*}
11 - If Dom struts about in it, he's likely to get a coat! (4,5) - DUST STORM* &lit

12 - Ghost resort? (5) - HAUNT [DD]
13 - Head to learn and know at first (4) - {CON}{K}
14 - Growing furious on a gory scene? (6,3) - SEEING RED [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

17 - Group short by one to make half a dozen (9) - QUINTETTE [E]
19 - Brute on unknown peak (4) - {APE}{X}
23 - Stock holder? (5) - LASSO [CD]
24 - Raid rated ‘deep' in reconstruction (9) - DEPREDATE*
25 - Small margin on the kitchen table? (7) - WHISKER [DD]
26 - Unto pup that's stricken, ill-used (3-4) - PUT-UPON*
27 - Eye on a region in France (6) - REGARD couldn't get the french connection
28 - Record holder? (8) - CRIMINAL  [CD]
DOWN
1   - Almost worthy daughter with nothing is doomed to failure (4,4) - {DEAr}{D}{DUCK}

SEE THIS CARTOON

2   - Is understood kitchen basins are delivered (5,2) - {SINKS} {IN}
3   - Savour withdrawn personnel swallowing terrible lies (6) - {R{ELIS*}H <-} HR for Human resources?
4   - Electronic device that processes lines at a point of sale (3-4,6) - BAR-CODE READER [E]
6   - Tight squeezes by a wrestler, perhaps (4,4) - BEAR HUGS [CD]
7   - Row put in side that's revamped (7) - {DIS{PUT}E*}
8   - Detailed execution of minuet (6) - MINUTE*
10 - Ink put down (6,2,5) - COMMIT TO PAPER [CD]
15 - Someone who is watching remains the same on moving under (8) - (-+on)ONLOOKER(+-on)
16 - Outside, Alex is running around bird (8) - {EX{TERN}AL*}
18 - State: to be promiscuous may cause this in one's mood (7) - {UP}{SWING}
20 - Where children are confined sportingly? (7) - PLAYPEN [CD]
21 - Blooming growth (6) - FLOWER [E]
22 - Usually maximum mark from decent umpire (6) - CENTUM [T]

GRID

No 10031, Wednesday 22 Dec 10, Gridman

Took ages for the bottom right because of the cluster of CD's.
ACROSS
1   - Barrier to rosette about to be replaced by saint (8) - (-c+st)STOCKADE
6   - Story starts from where the earthquake starts (4) - EPICentre
9   - Touch a record player — nothing fashionable (6) - {A}{DJ}{O}{IN}
10 - Green worker follows vigorous drive without Indian leader (7) - {VERDi*}{ANT}
13 - Not cheap construction in southern memorials (9) - {CENOTAPH*}{S}
14 - Pick up Angel, maybe (5) - GLEAN*
15 - What the doctor ordered is knotty? No, no! (4) - DOSE ?Anno pending (Addendum - noDOSE - See commenta)
16 - Kind of financial arrangement for film (5,5) - BLIND TRUST [DD] Never heard of this movie. Google shows it as a TV movie.
19 - Chief problem from officer and child (5,5) - {MAJOR} {ISSUE}
21 - Encourage no frolic in plant (4) - larkSPUR
24 - Fancy Nichandra being so absorbed as hard one to convince (5) - CYNIC [T]
25 - One keeps them in memory of generations (9) - HEIRLOOMS [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

26 - Tsarina's dismissed worker (7) - ARTISAN*
27 - Release from an eye? (6) - UNHOOK [CD]
28 - Dry and withered bits of shrub easily removed to the end of lane (4) - {S}{E}{R}{E}
29 - One keeps it so others may know who one is (8) - IDENTITY [CD] Didn't like this clue.
DOWN
2   - I had gone into sting operation for intelligence (7) - {T{I'D}INGS*}
3   - Strikes hundred boors (6) - {C}{LOUTS}
4   - Plains on a development in US city (9) - ANNAPOLIS*
5   - Girl, out of self-love, disperses fairies (5) - ELVESflo*
7   - Tired Paul imbibing beverage in highland (7) - {PLA{TEA}U*}
8   - Score with truths trotted out in a kind of argument (3-3-6) - {CUT}-{AND}-{THRUST*}
11 - It expresses assent in Brighton (6) - RIGHTO [T]
12 - A CID, amnesiac, lets go educators (12) - ACADEMICIANS*
17 - Food routine upset across old city (9) - {NOURIT{UR}E*}
18 - Uproar caused by French account on a Sikh leader (6) - {FR}{AC}{A}{S}
20 - Doorkeeper — not I — fallen in clash (7) - {JA{NITO*}R}
22 - College chief for village officer, by the way (7) - {PRO}{VO}{ST}
23 - Being out-of-date, it may not go to the head (3,3) - OLD HAT [CD]
25 - Back one language (5) - {HIND}{I}

GRID

No 10030, Tuesday 21 Dec 10, Gridman

ACROSS
1   - Kind enough to study desi's alternative tax (11) - {CON}{SIDE*}{RATE}
9   - Take care of small charges? (7) - BABYSIT [E]
10 - Rough smooches, with one ring thrown away, for dunderheads (7) - SCHMOESo*
11 - Jewish teacher to chatter endlessly (5) - RABBIt
12 - Branches of such trees will no doubt sway (9) - WINDSWEPT [CD]
13 - A foreign capital's smell (5) - {A}{ROMA}
15 - Buff to shout at round-eyed learner leaving (9) - {YELL}{OWlISH}
18 - Tab Stella provided for what may be in a cellar (5,4) - TABLE SALT*
21 - Editor accepts honour to place a journalist with troops (5) - {E{MBE}D}
22 - Disney forte brought into a main combine (9) - ANIMATION*
24 - Dance with strange beat regularly (5) - {RUM}{B}{A}
 
26 - Pay no heed to omission (7) - NEGLECT [DD]
27 - Good tidings from some level, kind person (7) - {lEVel}{ANGEL}
28 - Traveller in precipitate movement (11) - PERIPATETIC New word for me
DOWN
1   - One who is on a virtual trip? (9) - CYBERNAUT [CD]

2   - Rich man imposes prohibition back on senior (5) - {NAB<-}{OB}
3   - Start to look into removing initiators of venal efforts (9) - INveSTIGATE
4   - Tea spills on a road in Erode (3,4) - {EAT*} {A}{WAY}
5   - Magazine of Indian army in a real hollow (7) - {A}{Rea{SENA}L}
6   - Spirit the last of those summoned up (5) - (+e)ETHOS(-e)
7   - Wing, a number heard, doesn't begin to move up (8) - (~four){FORE}{cLIMB}
8   - ''Money — everything” (4) - IS'NT [E]
14 - Zero vote to connect with universities (8) - {O}{X}{BRIDGE}
16 - Lose temper about ill-organised race in public case (9) - {OVER{REAC*}T}
17 - Chair duly operated by a sort of mechanical means? (9) - HYDRAULIC*
19 - Pilot used a Roman road before decay set back in (7) - {A}{VIA}{TOR<-}
20 - Pre-University teens, agitating, become nervous (5,2) - TENSE UP*
22 - Aggravating condition needing emollient initially (4) - {A}{C}{N}{E}
23 - Devoured completely (3,2) - ATE UP [E]
25 - Pronouncedly little creature's great power (5) - (~mite)MIGHT

GRID

No 10029, Monday 20 Dec 10, Gridman

ACROSS
1   - Joe wandering with dad on road facing unknown danger (8) - {JEO*}{PA}{RD}{Y}
5   - Dishes said to be Indian women's do (6) - PLAITS(~plates)

SEE THIS CARTOON

9   - Climax in the current situation (4,4) - HIGH TIDE [CD]
10 - Sort of game one is not out to play (6) - INDOOR [CD]
12 - Worry the French to give up poverty (4) - NEEDle
13 - Do up and speak after about one month (10) - {RE}{DEC}{ORATE}
15 - Specimen, small enough (6) - {S}{AMPLE}
17 - Father backs raw beginner working in stage area (5) - {AP<-}{R}{ON}
20 - Wasn't right to be hesitant about stop sign (5) - {ER}{RED}
21 - Superlatively unusual artist takes break (6) - {RA}{REST}
24 - In such a transaction one doesn't go in circles (6,4) - SQUARE DEAL [CD]
27 - Observed setting on the radio (4) - SEEN(~scene)
29 - Control second learner deployed in transportation (6) - {B}{RID{L}E}
30 - Salon treatment for fellow takes one season (8) - {MAN}{I}{CURE}

SEE THIS CARTOON

31 - Add to the beauty of niche rightaway (6) - {EN{R}ICH*}
32 - Ornamented in a showy way with gold in couch after couch (8) - {BED}{AU}{BED}
DOWN
1   - Guy that comes lately (6) - JOHNNY [CD]
2   - Rise and go wild in unrestrained celebrations (6) - ORGIES*
3   - Pairs of Australian toppers in vehicle (4) - {AU}{TO} Topper on double duty? (See comments)
4   - Not slam into car? (5) - DODGE [DD]
6   - Jargon used in calling orderlies (5) - LINGO [T]
7   - A venture to follow one attractive woman endlessly in excessive adoration (8) - {I}{DOLl}{A}{TRY}
8   - Estrange tipsy army man (8) - SERGEANT*
11 - Heavenly streaker (6) - METEOR [CD]
14 - Guard to tie up (4) - WARD <-
16 - Notice cut-out in exhibit (6) - {PAR{AD}E}
17 - Slip, leaving out fifty, into section of church (4) - lAPSE
18 - It's wise to be less tizzy (8) - SENSIBLE [CD] ?
19 - One rakes it in when the chips are down (8) - CROUPIER [CD]
22 - Stupefy engineer with figure — hesitation is gone (6) - {BE}{NUMBer}
23 - One new nurse is mean (6) - {I}{N}{TEND}
25 - Cherished object of the Spanish hidden in endless heap of hay (5) - {R{EL}ICk}
26 - Saying of the commercial times (5) - {AD}{AGE}
28 - Mother hoarding one bit of costly mineral (4) - {M{I}{C}A}

GRID

No 2614, Sunday 19 Dec 10

ACROSS
1   - Page one, suggestive of plagiarism (6) - {P}{I}{RACY}
4   - Swindle rascal detailed (4) - SCAMp
8   - Guildhall and gutted tollhouse building in a London street (7,4) - {LUDGA(TE) HILL*}
10 - Firmly fixed, including a dicky red rear lamp (4,5) - {T{A}{IL L}IGHT}
11 - Member brought in beer, more than enough (5) - {A{MP}LE}

12 - Side's advantage (4) - EDGE [DD]
13 - Worker about to bury 50 in a remote country region (10) - {H{INTER}{L}AND}
16 - Drunk, he hints elf is actually present! (2,3,5) - IN THE FLESH*
17 - Catch that female pinching article (4) - {HE{A}R}
19 - Small haven inside amphitheatre (5) - HITHE [T]
20 - House members, ordinary people (9) - COMMONERS [DD]
21 - Geyser - veteran's getting close (3,8) - {OLD} {FAITHFUL}

22 - Forward's second goal (4) - {S}{END}
23 - Split a piece of rubber in outhouse (6) - {SH{A}{R}ED}
DOWN
1   - If cutting classes, schools may be turned into these occasionally (7,8) - POLLING STATIONS [CD]
2   - Problem with sieve (6) - RIDDLE [DD]
3   - Greek poorly after fish from barbecue (9) - {CHAR}{GR}{ILL}
5   - Check competitiveness once opener's dismissed, and gentlemanliness (8) - {CH}{rIVALRY}
6   - I'll keep silent in Emerald Isle, say, troubled about power (2,4,3,6) - {MY LI{P}S ARE SEALED*}
7   - Crooked wager involving knight (4) - {BE{N}T}
9/10 - Nervously signed thirteenth novel (6,2,3,5) - TENDER IS THE NIGHT*
14 - International's trial marriage? (4,5) - {TEST} {MATCH}
15 - Labour politician about to stop close to elite public school (8) - {BEN{END}{E}N} Had to cheat on this
18 - Chest gets tender after cold (6) - {C}{OFFER}
20 - Fish for tea (4) - CHAR [DD]

 

GRID

No 10028, Saturday 18 Dec 10, Nita Jaggi

Off early to the airport.
ACROSS
1   - Proud worker guards the car in Goa with determination (8) - {A{RR}{OGA*}NT} Why determination?
5   - Scratch inside in this part of the face (4) - CHIN [T]
9   - Girls in England are relishing the wine (8) - {RI(E)SLING*}
10 - Come out with half of them from the sandy area in the East (6) -{thEM}{ERG}{E} 
12 - Drop the basin (4) - SINK [DD]
13 - Fixed an office item overheard (10) - STATIONARY(~stationery)
15 - Translation by a petitioner for recovery (14) - INTERPRETATION* Origin of letters NTR not known
17 - One who may end life with a spirit of patriotism (7,7) - FREEDOM FIGHTER [CD] Why should he/she end life?
21 - Characters are certain for an altered location as seen from the earth (10) - REFRACTION*

22 - Specifically the borders of India are in this continent (4) - {AS}{IndiA}
25 - Well-bred Italian banker is settled in England (6) - {PO}{LIT}{E}
26 - One with a loud voice maybe (8) - BIGMOUTH [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

27 - New English royal house (4) - YORK Anno pending. Something to do with New York?
28 - A novice (8) - BEGINNER [E]
DOWN
1   - Check side in areas without the tail light (6) - {AR{R}EaS}{T} What indicates deletion of A and addition of T?
2   - Herein flows out an eastern river (5) - RHEINe*
3   - Girl is in the middle of the field during the strong wind (4) - {GAL}{E}
4   - 24/7 kind of music (7) - NONSTOP [CD] Why kind of music?
6   - Branch of medicine has a centre for pathology constructed out of a log (10) - {HOME}{OPATHYlog*}
7   - New artist holds the right to omit an account from the active kind of story (9) - {N}{A{R}R}{A}{acTIVE} Not sure of Anno
8   - Other side is hostile (5) - ENEMY [CD]
11 - Holy man is at ease on the ladder (4) - {ST}{EE} New word for me
14 - School officer is ashamed to correct the heartless executive finally (10) - {HEADMAS*}{ThE}{R} R from ? executive finally is E
16 - In an essential manner grant consideration entirely (9) -{NEED}{FULLY}
18 - Quiet beast has time left in place (4) - MU(-l+t)TE 'time left in place'!!

19 - To worship, I had some oldies outdoors initially (7) - {I'D}{OLISEd*}
20 - Plumber's item used to be for the woman (6) - {WAS}{HER}
21 - I had to follow the popular music style in a fast way (5) - {RAP}{I'D}
23 - Reject the pony provoker in the Norwegian capital (5) - {SPUR}{N}
24 - Evil spirit in front of one soldier (4) - {IMP}{I}

GRID

No 10027, Friday 17 Dec 10, Nita Jaggi,

ACROSS
8   - Also write court details for an artist (14) - WATERCOLOURIST*
9   - Old boy follows the Kipling novel with hands-on-hips (6) - {A}{KIM}{BO<-} No reversal indicator
10 - Ocean coloured tip of the fish (8) - {BLUE}{HEAD}

11 - Motivated in the high riser of the Democratic leader (8) - {IN}{SPIRE}{D}
13 - Big prize money (6) - BUMPER [CD]
14 - Losing heart Roy follows the short nightmare in an uninteresting manner (6) - {DREAm}{RoY}
16 - A dejected Henry is a bit alone in this Hindu month (6) - {A}{SAD}{H}{A}
19 - Undaunted heartless pet (6) - DARlING
21 - Elder one gets caught at the store in disguise (8) - {AN}{C}{ESTOR*}
23 - Roman hero takes her clues seriously (8) - HERCULES*
24 - Correct to ignore the present day (6) - UPtoDATE
26 - Kind of film you are to somehow evaluate out for an adult around an old city for one interested in the arts (7,7) - {CULT}{U}{R}{E VULT{UR}Eaa*}
DOWN
1   - Stimulated weak dean is trembling (8) - AWAKENED*
2   - Little bit of a male cat (4) - {A}{TOM}
3   - Extension for your and my British mail (6) - {ARM}{OUR}
4   - Prohibited for misbehaving in England (7) - {FOR}{BAD}{E}
5   - Navigator is in the city (8) - COLUMBUS [DD]
6   - Mathematician displays the merchandise outside the Norwegian capital (10) - ARCHIMEDESn*
7   - What you will do of property left behind (6) - ESTATE [DD]
12 - Ballot question (10) - PLEBISCITE [CD]
15 - Uniforms for the officials (8) - REGULARS [DD]
17 - Accepted the packets for the French teachers (8) - {A}{POST}{LES} A for accepted?

SEE THIS CARTOON

18 - Be patient to adopt four in the last orphanage (7) - {PASS}{IV}{E} Adopt and PASS? (See comments)
20 - Almost confirm one uprising in the eastern thoroughfare (6) - {AVEr}{NU<}{E} No indicator for French word
22 - Stunning success of the French dance team (6) - {COUP}{LE}
25 - Medicine the doctor will first use on the girl (4) - {DR}{U}{G}

GRID

No 10026, Thursday 16 Dec 10, Nita Jaggi

Reasonably decent offering from NJ today as compared to her normal standards.
ACROSS
7   - General garments (8) - OVERALLS [DD]
9   - Mess up the game for the heartless pal in the East (6) - {RUM}{PaL}{E}
11 - Watery twister in the middle (9) - WHIRLPOOL [CD]

SEE THIS CARTOON

12 - Come to the river individually (5) - {R}{EACH}
13 - Sharp ill-tempered woman is a bit devilish (6) - {SHREW}{D}
14 - Leave out the completed ballet move (8) - {OVER}{LEAP}
17 - Higher prices for infant oil is on display (9) - INFLATION*

22 - Untidy pretty girl will heartlessly leave in retrospect (8) - {DISH}{EVaEL<-}
23 - First patient inside strictly banned out the new hospital item (6) - {BED{P}ANn*}

25 - Greek character is a doctor figure (5) - {RHO}{MB}
27 - Use the device (9) - APPLIANCE [DD]
28 - Break time in the sun up direction for the topless woman (6) - {EAST}{hER}
29 - It may be something fortunate in disguise (8) - BLESSING [CD]
DOWN
1   - Grab most of the household chore with false statements (7) - {HOG}{WASH}
2   - Bad behaviour of the French in the villa outside Los Angeles at the end of the day (7) - {DE}{VILla}R{Y} How do we account for the 'R'
3   - It is classified into groups (5) - BLOOD [CD]
4   - Cat sound (4) - PURR [E]
5   - Mouthpiece for the lecturer (7) - SPEAKER [DD]
6   - As the case may be for each of the occurrences (7) - {PER}{HAPS}
8   - Grant everything to the woman in an ocean current (9) - {ALL}{O{W}ANCE*}
10 - Bring up the football team mostly circling a track in front (7) - {ELEV{A}{T}En}
15 - Castle has a different series ignoring small breeding grounds (9) - {ROOK}{sERIES}
16 - Sad jackal is in front of a young bird (7) - {BLUE}{J}{A}{Y}

18 - Decorated the road structure for Nancy Drew's guy (7) - {ADOR*}{NED}
19 - Take up a cause finally for the partner (7) - {E}{SPOUSE}
20 - Work unit cut out a prickly pear (7) - {OP}{UNTI*}{A}

21 - Forcibly urged on an experience (7) - UNDERGO*
24 - Throw the small tablet (5) - {S}{PILL}
26 - Brought up the British journalist (4) - {BR}{ED}

GRID

No 10025, Wednesday 15 Dec 10, Nita Jaggi

NJ is back to her wayward wily ways!!
ACROSS
1   - Sri Lanka's wood screen (5) - {CL}{OAK}
4   - Move outward in the front direction provided for the circuit component (7) - {D}{IF}{FUSE}
10 - It may be used as a fabric stiffener (6) - STARCH [CD]
11 - Black Houston leaders are remorseful about leaving the note (8) - (-te+ho)HORRIBLE

SEE THIS CARTOON

13 - Titles of team leaders are accepted in place of an official in front (8) - CAPT(-a)I(+o)ONS
14 - Hymn tune read aloud behind the church (6) - {CH}{ORAL}
16 - Late morning test (4) - {EX}{AM}
17 - Surgical measure to sacrifice a limb (10) - AMPUTATION [CD] Sacrifice!!!

20 - Puts bright light in the city (10) - PITTSBURGH* Light is an AInd?
21 - Rare-coin rating penalty (4) - FINE Anno pending
24 - Household spirit in lowa is the first to tighten the rope (6) - {LAR}{IA}{T}
26 - Measure taken by a holy man protecting the Italian in the preservation process (8) - {EN}{S{IL}AGE}
28 - Searched thoroughly covering the popular military force (8) - {COMB{IN}ED} What military force is this?
29 - Oil worker in the mart is tired (6) - ARTIST [T]
30 - Follows a match heartily in the evening hour at dusk regularly (7) - {A}{TT}{EN}{D}{S} How do we get EN, if it is from heartily in the evening it should be ENI
31 - College heads of the French hold a Norwegian leader (5) - {DE{A}{N}S}
DOWN
2   - Student planted a thorny shrub (4,5) - {L}{EAD PLANT*}

3   - Leave no narcotic substance in an Eskimo region (6) - ARCTICno*
5   - Princess puts up an incomplete temple figure (4) - {ID<-}{OL} Anno for OL pending
6   - Salutation part of face (8) - FOREHEAD [DD]
7   - Bears attacked with a sword (5) - SABER* Attacked is an AInd? Didn't know Sabre could be spelt this way also
8   - He caught spy disturbing Cupid's love (6) - {PSY(C)HE*}
9   - Speculator is dropping a short line in the German city (6) - {BER}{LINe} Anno for BER pending (Addendum {BEaR}{LINe} - See comments)
12 - Attract an Englishman held up for an hour in an outhouse (7) - {E}{NAM<-}{hOUR}

SEE THIS CARTOON

15 - Rising opposition leaders dismissed from organised groupings (7) - SURGINGop*
18 - Start off to check forgery (9) - lIMITATION

19 - Specifically the gallery exhibits the popular element (8) - {AS}{TAT{IN}E} Don't remember this from Chemistry
20 - Written contract will curtail an old disease in the borders of the city (6) - {POLIo}{CitY} Why is Polio an old disease?
22 - Chooses the Spanish sect in trouble (6) - {EL}{ECTS*}
23 - Angry cry of disgust at a competition out on road (6) - {FIE}{RaCE} is the only thing I could think of, to fit the crossings. Not sure of Anno.
25 - Track official returns an invoice word (5) - REMIT <-
27 - No more of the French notice (4) - {DE}{AD}

GRID