No 10349, Saturday 31 Dec 11, Buzzer

Today was tougher than tackling Neyartha!! Too many obscure items.
ACROSS

1   - The object of bardolatry … (11) - SHAKESPEARE [CD]

9   - … it is said of some proverb: All's well … (6) - VERBAL [T]

10 - … well a cos in any form is still salad (8) - COLESLAW*

11 - European boot (5) - ITALY [GK]

12 - Flimsy wrapper is carele.. (7) - NEGLIGE NEGLIGEe

13 - Monkey let usual cries out (8) - ULULATES*

15 - Attractive odds, subject to chance (6) -  SEEMLY ? S???F? ? (Addendum - SPIFFY [DD])

16 - Shrub ends by a meadow (6) - AZALEA {A}{Z}{A}{LEA}

18 - Fabulous one with killer looks (8) - B?S?L??? (Addendum - BASILISK [GK] - See comments)

20 - Unsettled, insane, restrained by no in charge (7) - NOMADIC {NO}{MAD}{IC}

21 - See no good weapon (5) - LANCE gLANCE

22 - Harder to control circulating story (8) - STEELIER {STEE{LIE}R}

23 - Potter, primarily fantastic flier, gets snitch (6) - PILFER {P}{FLIER*}

24 - Leg work to arrange an event (5-6) - STAGE-MANAGE [DD]

DOWN

2   - Sole protector of elf taking new trouble (7) - HOBNAIL {HOB}{N}{AIL} If we didn't have 13 of these on the sole of each boot during our military training at the academy we were in for punishment!!

3   - Watery spirit is a record breaking solution (5) - KELPY {KE{LP}Y}

4   - Difficult ascent on primarily steep angles (7) - SECANTS {ASCENT*}{S}

5   - They express praise and wild lies with gusto (9) - EULOGISTS*

6   - Composer Puccini's sorcery is showing up (7) - R?S?I?I (Addendum ROSSINI [T<-] )

7   - Fighting at a sailor zone for fish (7,6) - SERIOLA ZONATA*

8    - The Hindu say, is ahead of time; overwhelming opponents and securing article (5,8) - PAPER L???E?E? (Addendum - PAPER FASTENER {PAPER} {FAST{E)(N}ER})

14 - Trash talk is a replacement for one in idle digital activity? (9) - TWADDLING TW(-A+i)ADDLING

17 - The French doctor's hospital section is sparkling (7) - LAMBENT {LA}{MB}{ENT}

18 - Unyielding deer and sheep (7) - BUCKRAM {BUCK}{RAM}

19 - Position that is characteristic of a stilt (4,3) - LONG LEG [DD]

21 - Plant seen in parts of Purvanchal, UP, India (5) - LUPIN [T]

GRID

No 10348, Friday 30 Dec 11, Neyartha

Stumped by some annotations.
ACROSS

1   - Yielding to see harboured ship (10) - CONCESSIVE {CONCE{SS}IVE}

6   - Letters from a safari out there somewhere (4) - AFAR [T]

10 - Turkey censored adapted translation for the citizens (9) - NATIONALS trANSLATION*

11 - Sullen leaders in gathering find cover for the coat from the east (5) - GRUFF {G}{RUF<-}{F}

12 - Encounter game review showing approval (13) - ENCOURAGEMENT*

14 - A wild one might present a pointless chase (5) - GOOSE [CD]

15 - Alter the painting returned by the partners to the model (9) - TRANSFORM {TRA<-}{NS}{FORM}

17 - Cook doled tuna having small rounded lumps (9) - NODULATED*

21 - Band's contract with the absconding sailor (5) - RIDGE abRIDGE

22 - An astronaut's doctor's field of study? (5,8) - SPACE MEDICINE [CD]

24 - Picture on the salver (5) - PLATE [DD]

25 - Greek character's suppressing move to box the soprano's bridal collection (9) - TROUSSEAU {T{ROU{S}SE}AU}

26 - Request from a follower of Guru Nanak in recital (4) - SEEK (~sikh)

27 - Frank to train for the legal hunting period (4,6) - OPEN SEASON {OPEN} {SEASON}

DOWN

1   - Coming together to discuss about the abandoned quarter of the Belgian port (10) - CONVERGING Anno pending (Addendum - CONVERGENT - {CONVERse}{GENT} - See comments)

2   - Door notch shaped like a skeletal rod (9) - NOTOCHORD*

3   - Speak effectively on the intense chess rating system instead of the article (7) - ELOCUTE (-a+elo}ELOCUTE

4   - Location accepting Spanish article sent up with what Gandhi made in Dandi (3,4) -  SEA SALT{SEA-{SAL<-}T}

5   - Guts of the church artist under Latin power (7) - VISCERA {VIS}{CE}{RA}

7   - Learner misplaced missing note on display with defect (5) - FAULT F(-l)AU(+l)LnT

8   - Overheard American being made redundant in the argument (4) - RIFT Anno pending (Addendum - (~riffed) - See comments)

9   - Escape from the retreat after commencement (6) - EGRESS Anno pending (Addendum - rEGRESS - See comments)

13 - A measure of magnetomotive force (6-4) - AMPERE-TURN [GK]

16 - Sold defective frame for the dispatch counter to the veterans (3-6) - OLD-TIMERS {OLD-{TIMER<-}S*}

18 - Ferment and lighten (6) - LEAVEN [DD]

19 - Oriental caught by baffled Potter at the high vantage point (7) - TREETOP {TRE{E}TOP*}

20 - Drop limit for the Democrat for a short time (3,4) - DIE DOWN Anno pending (Addendum - (-t+d)DIE DOWN - See comments)

21 - Prosecute after the German rice is put out again (7) - REISSUE {REIS}{SUE}

22 - The lion's might be the biggest (5) - SHARE [CD]

23 - Stop usher's exhibition of the work (4) - OPUS [T]

GRID

No 10347, Thursday 29 Dec 11, Neyartha

ACROSS

1   - Copilot's wiper damaged in gunboat diplomacy (5,8) - POWER POLITICS*

9   - Spill the beans about the hag changing course (9) - SWITCHING {S{WITCH}ING}

10 - Dish Usha concealed in silence (5) - SHUSH [T]

11 - We abandoned the broken showpiece in the travellers' lodging (7) - HOSPICE SHOwPIeCE*

13 - Read the note on Scottish island retreat at first (7) - NARRATE {NARRA<-}{TE}

14 - Secures the speaker's smoked salmon (5) - LOCKS (~lox)

15 - A cow's shed was built and exhibited (9) - SHOWCASED*

17 - URL typed in reverse by the woman inside vehicle leads to some marsh plants (9) - BULRUSHES {BU{LRU<-}{SHE}S}

18 - Jack, sent off by yours truly, posts sonnet segments (5) - IAMBS (-j+i)IAMBS

20 - Strangely consider throwing away the ring that was set aside (7) - RESCIND CoNSIDER*

22 - Unexpected hit on a structural floor beam (7) - SLEEPER [DD]

23 - In addition, I get entertained by a Kamarupan language from the east (5) - AGAIN {AGA{I}N<-}

24 - Obnoxious schoolmate in trouble after losing Charlie (9) - LOATHSOME ScHOOLMATE*

26 - It may help keep the bus on the road (8,5) - STEERING WHEEL [CD]

DOWN

1   - French mathematician employs the chief herdsman for something related to Easter (7) - PASCHAL {PASC{H}AL}

2   - Calm wish I oddly found to be funny (9) - WHIMSICAL*

3   - Vocal mythical bird on the pitch (3) - ROC (~rock)

4   - Judge oddly ignoring compliance (5) - OPINE cOmPlIaNcE

5   - Extremely clever of the elected to get the low down on the credit notes (9) - INGENIOUS {IN}{GEN}{IOUS}

6   - Engineer invites Curt to be useful (11) - INSTRUCTIVE*

7   - Son taking the force out of the animals in the steamy room (5) - SAUNA (-f+s)SAUNA or {S}{fAUNA}

8   - Cut the record's spiralling part (6) - THREAD [CD]

12 - A nice US coin bent out of shape with ease (11) - INSOUCIANCE*

15 - Software calendar (an integral part of any operating system?) (9) - SCHEDULER [E]

16 - Signal flag with an Asian map found hidden in the beach (9) - SEMAPHORE {S{E}{MAP}HORE}

17 - Cocktail server? (6) - BARMAN [CD]

19 - Slips up in covering the high class gangster when dreamy (7) - SURREAL {S{U}RRE<-}{AL}

21 - Cleaning agents in the TV serials (5) - SOAPS [DD]

22 - Bumped off the slow mover after the student and knight trade places (5) - SLAIN S(-n+l}LAI(-l+n)N

25 - The way to smuggle an axe (3) - HEW [T]

GRID

No 10346, Wednesday 28 Dec 11, M Manna

ACROSS

1   - A looser sort of spray (7) - AEROSOL*

5   - A garden had been cultivated on the island (7) - GRENADA*

9   - Jack, a good man of high class, will refrain from voting (7) - ABSTAIN {AB}{ST}{AI}N 'N' from ? (Addendum - {AB}{SAINT*} - See comments)

10 - Lake province (7) - ONTARIO [DD}

11 - One Frenchman gets the girl (5) - IRENE {I}{RENE}

12 - They will have to stop playing (9) - ORGANISTS [CD]

13 - Was commended for having deferred payment (3,6) - GOT CREDIT [DD]

15 - Quoits thrown by athletes (5) - DISCS [CD]

16 - Am confused over sound of crow or parrot (5) - MACAW {MA*}{CAW}

18 - Birds which might take ripe corn (5,4) - WHEAT EARS (~wheatears)

21 - The opposite of a long drive in green terms (9) - SHORT CUTS [CD] (Addendum - SHORT PUTT [CD] - See commenta)

24 - Same as impudence, impertinence (5) - NERVE [E]

25 - Surprisingly a mere lad gets hold of a gemstone (7) - EMERALD*

26 - Not many can provide a word which means the opposite (7) - ANTONYM*

27 - He is tasked in the preparation of bank payment order (7) - DRAFTER [CD]

28 - Oriental or English back (7) - EASTERN {E}{ASTERN}

DOWN

1   - An entanglement of ways to cause surprise (7) - AMAZING {A}{MAZING}

2   - Hold in high esteem (7) - RESPECT [E]

3   - Frightener in the field (9) - SCARECROW [CD]

4   - Foreign language I long to work up (5) - LINGO*

5   - Cross female taking silk? (9) - GEORGETTE Anno pending

6   - Left note for a public school (5) - ELTON {L+NOTE}*

7   - Stars again bring stoppages to work (7) - ARRESTS {STARS+RE}*

8   - America in a sore upheaval causes excitement (7) - AROUSES {ARO{US}ES*}

14 - May describe a bed in Australia (4,5) - DOWN UNDER [CD]

15 - Assigns time for going round school, and sets off (9) - DETONATES {D{ETON}ATES}

16 - Bad dreams I interpret wrongly (7) - MISREAD*

17 - First class opening for artist causes ill feeling (7) - CHOLERA {C}{HOLE}{RA}

19 - Managed to change gear when about to set out (7) - ARRANGE {AR{RAN}GE*}

20 - Armoured vehicle named after a General (7) - SHERMAN [GK]

22 - It may require skill to trace out characteristic feature of a person (5) - TRAIT {ART+IT}*

23 - Mischievously irritate (5) - SHAKE ? (Addendum - TEASE - See comments)

GRID

No 10345, Tuesday 27 Dec 11, M Manna

Internet's playing hide and seek with me today, post may get delayed.
ACROSS

1   - Took in article and got angry (7) - SEETHED {SEE{THE}D} Took article into what?

5   - This has a bad effect on the listeners (7) - EARACHE [CD

9   - Log in (5) - ENTER [CD]

10 - Speak of the underworld chase (9) - DISCOURSE {DIS}{COURSE}

11 - Refreshing drink in a vessel (3, 3) - TEA CUP

12 - Writer has to make the attempt first (8) - ESSAYIST {ESSAY}{1ST}

14 - Paddle without getting one's feet wet? (5) - CANOE [CD]

15 - Privates take part in a salute by general consent (9) - AGREEMENT {A}{GREE{MEN}T}

18 - It's held to give a view of gentle rot perhaps (9) - LORGNETTE*

20 - Exceptionally good quality (5) - SUPER [E]

22 - Seamen at home with the strong drink (8) - ABSINTHE {ABS}{IN}{THE}

24 - Little woman having former Indian coin (6) - JOANNA {JO}{ANNA}

26 - Shunning a video can be misconstrued (9) - AVOIDANCE*

27 - Locks are the key to its existence (5) - CANAL [CD]

28 - Love lyrics written by egghead-master mind (7) - OVERSEE {O}{VERSE}{E}

29 - Resentment shown for carrying a small dagger (7) - DUDGEON [DD]

DOWN

1   - Doubtful place, it's moving round about (9) - SCEPTICAL {SCEPTI{C}AL*}

2   - Merging in, aren't seen to get on board (7) - ENTRAIN*

3   - With that girl copper might incline to some sort of hard labour (9) - HERCULEAN {HER}{CU}{LEAN}

4   - The old queen acted with love (4) - DIDO {DID}{O}

5   - The way to provide a comfortable living (4, 6) - EASY STREET [CD]

6   - You may find that nothing is hard for her (5) - RHODA {O+HARD}*

7   - Arrange my vehicle for her (7) - CARMINE {CAR}{MINE}

8   - Choose to disturb Miss Annabel and get caught (5) - ELECT {ELE}{CT}

13 - An opportunity never to be repeated (4, 6) - LAST CHANCE [E]

16 - The head in consequence has become fully established (9) - ENSCONCED  Anno pending (Addendum - {EN{SCONCE}D} - See comments)

17 - Waterproof sailor boy finds fashionable (9) - TARPAULIN {TAR}{PAUL}{IN}

19 - Put back what's left before taking mineral (7) - RESTORE {REST}{ORE}

21 - Contrition expressed by the last letter from Penzance (7) - PENANCE PENzANCE

22 - Davy Crockett's last stand was not entirely fashionable (5) - ALAMO Anno pending (Addendum - A LA MOde - See commenta)

23 - Points of intersection in branching systems (5) - NODES [E]

25 - As a chief, be among the first (4) - HEAD or LEAD ? [DD]

GRID

Tuesday 27 Dec 11, Delay

Internet playing hide and seek, post may get delayed. Bhavan if you see this please log in an post the incomplete draft after completing it.
Posted from my phone!!

No 10344, Monday 26 Dec 11, M Manna

ACROSS

1   - A fragrance is rising (6) - ASCENT {A}{SCENT}

4   - Ant-heaps are broken up by this bird (8) - PHEASANT*

10 - A good man may first have a card game (7) - CANASTA {CAN}{A}{ST}{A}

11 - Little crawler going around quietly to investigate (7) - INSPECT {INS{P}ECT}

12 - Police incursion to make arrests (4) - RAID [CD]

13 - It measures the speed of a comet colliding with earth (10) - TACHOMETER {COMET+EARTH}*

16 - Have refreshment in this vessel (6) - TEAPOT [CD]

17 - Spent on advertisement for a set of five things (7) - PENTADS {SPENT+AD}*

20 - Italian gentleman having a point to disregard (7) - SIGNORE {S}{IGNORE}

21 - The medico got out of bed in a sour mood (6) - MOROSE {MO}{ROSE}

24 - Stupefied noblemen reported at the bend that there were too many to be counted (10) - NUMBERLESS {NUMB}{(~earl}ERL}{ESS}(~s)

25 - We, of the French, turned up for the employed (4) - USED {US}{ED<-}

27 - Snarled when old Chinese went first (7) - TANGLED {TANG}{LED}

29 - Disneyland in this California city (7) - ANAHEIM [GK]

30 - Most cursed person sentenced to eternal punishment (8) - DAMNDEST [CD]

31 - Woman with a son about 51 (6) - ALISON {A}{LI}{SON}

DOWN

1   - Correct a cool-headed cleric (8) - ACCURATE {A}{C}{CURATE}

2   - Favouring cooking of one's own kind? (11) - CANNIBALISM [CD]

3   - Eat noisily? (4) - NOSH {NO}{SH}

5   - A number will stuff a bird to increase the size (8) - HEIGHTEN {H{EIGHT}EN}

6   - Feast day which is taken for granted (10) - ASSUMPTION [DD]

7   - A mimic stands up to record his creation (3) - APE {A}{PE<-} Anno not clear

8   - Instructors strut round (6) - TUTORS {STRUT+O}*

9   - Vehicle reversed by a new driver for the fleet (5) - NAVAL {NAV<-}{A}{L}

14 - One's studies can lead to such boredom! (11) - TEDIOUSNESS*

15 - Gave advice to Dulles once (10) - COUNSELLED*

18 - Poetical compositions of introductory functions (8) - PRELUDES [E]

19 - They sounded deep (8) - LEADSMEN [CD]

22 - International organisations tied together (6) - UNITED {UN}{TIED*}

23 - Row about South Carolina film award (5) - OSCAR {O{SC}AR}

26 - Time in America to capitulate (4) - FALL [DD]

28 - Pseudonym for French (3) - NOM [CD]

GRID

No 2666, Sunday 25 Dec 11

MERRY CHRISTMAS

ACROSS
1   - Pub against City in needle match (5,5) - LOCAL DERBY {LOCAL} {DERBY}
6   - Animal kept for breeding gets endless attention (4) - STUD STUDy
10 - Living in a town in Darfur, Bangladeshi (5) - URBAN [T]
11 - Almost risk bringing in Arab coach (9) - CHARABANC {CH{ARAB}ANCe}
12 - Stimulating drink (7) - CORDIAL [DD]
13 - Leaves foil, crumpled with time (7) - FOLIAGE {FOLI*}{ABE}
14 - Flag showing major shipping hazards (5,3,4) - STARS AND BARS {STAR}{S AND BARS} My COD

18 - There's talk of a bit of trouble during change-over (12) - CONVERSATION {CONVERS{A}{T}ION}
21 - Bird ran off in stadium (4,3) - BARN OWL {B{ARN*} OWL}

22 - A permit held by the sportsman (7) - ATHLETE {A}{TH{LET}E}
23 - Mushy peas and tripe starter (9) - APPETISER*
24 - Bar, stifling to staff (5) - BATON {BA{TO}N}
25 - The queen of Carthage accomplished nothing (4) - DIDO {DID}{O}
26 - What Bloomingdale's always has in? (10) - APOSTROPHE [CD]
DOWN
1   - Boat set afloat (6) - LAUNCH [DD]
2   - Poles caught sabre dancing (6) - CABERS {C}{ABERS*}

3   - Ageing, as the walrus undoubtedly is (4,2,3,5) - LONG IN THE TOOTH [DD]

4   - Former church leader's first to stand out (5) - EXCEL {EX}{CE}{L}
5   - Annual dinner of beef 'Santa' may provide (9) - BEANFEAST*
7   - Hothead showing sign of emotion at opponent's ground (8) - TEARAWAY {TEAR}{AWAY}
8   - Drop iron? (8) - DECREASE {DE-CREASE}
9   - Admitted as a barrister shouted for drinks? (6,2,3,3) - CALLED TO THE BAR [DD]
15 - Produces a meal at short notice - smashing result, with drink later (7,2) - RUSTLES UP {RUSTLE*}{S UP}
16 - One holds a sword - he won't strike poet (8) - SCABBARD {SCAB}{BARD}
17 - Fearless, I unwisely printed (8) - INTREPID {I}{NTREPID*}
19 - Socialist premier in tabloid (3-3) - RED-TOP {RED}-{TOP}

20 - Odd scene involving a session with a spiritualist (6) - SEANCE {SE{A}NCE*}
22 - A bishop, as seen in wall hanging (5) - ARRAS {A}{RR}{AS}

No 10343, Saturday 24 Dec 11, M Manna

ACROSS
1   - An antelope is a robust animal, it's said (10) - HARTEBEEST (~hearty){HARTE}{BEEST}(~beast)

6   - When turn came to bat, it was not permitted (4) - TABU {TAB<-}{U}
9   - People in the train (7) - RETINUE [CD]
10 - Get date wrong about vicar's return and be turned away (7) - AVERTED {A{VER<-}TED*}
12 - Need rest perhaps when taken ill (8) - RESENTED*
13 - Expose onself to some uncertain curiosity (5) - INCUR [T]
15 - Equestrian appendage (5) - RIDER [CD]
17 - Possibly name ten to get compensation (9) - ATONEMENT*
19 - A company — one a large number left (9) - ABANDONED {A}{BAND}{ONE}{D}
21 - Rails to coach (5) - TRAIN [DD]
23 - To tax again was more than the usual (5) - EXTRA {TAX+RE}*
24 - Picture river with the right characteristic (8) - PORTRAIT {PO}{R}{TRAIT}
27 - One may retain flexibility but it's no go (7) - INERTIA {I}{RETAIN*}
28 - Popular way ant makes up time (7) - INSTANT {IN}{ST}{ANT}
29 - Sliding frame for window panes (4) - SASH [E]
30 - In transit they'll get by with mashed greens (10) - PASSENGERS {PASS}{GREENS*}
DOWN
1   - Unyielding to pressure (4) - HARD [CD]
2   - One's prepared for more turns on the road (7) - RETREAD [CD]
3   - He was possibly born in Rhode Island (5) - ERNIE {NEE+RI}*
4   - Overlooking the cause of this complaint (3,6) - EYE STRAIN [CD]
5   - Remain upright and take a position (5) - STAND [DD]
7   - The definite item (7) - ARTICLE [CD]
8   - Realise subordinate position (10) - UNDERSTAND {UNDER}{STAND}
11 - It's obvious I've been set back by the depression (7) - EVIDENT {EVI<-}{DENT}
14 - Factories which churn their products out (10) - CREAMERIES [CD]
16 - Diana performing in extremes of restraint is shining brightly (7) - RADIANT {Rest{DIANA*}rainT}
18 - Servants in a mess require false evidence (9) - ORDERLIES {ORDER}{LIES}
20 - Play-girl? (7) - ACTRESS [CD]
22 - Cause trouble by setting it in stone (7) - AGITATE {AG{IT}ATE}
24 - Public square in a city (5) - PLAZA [DD]
25 - Came into view (5) - RISEN [CD]
26 - Time to use the tribes of North American Indians (4) - UTES {T+USE}*

GRID

No 10342, Friday 23 Dec 11, M Manna

ACROSS

1   - Apartheid issue in which evidence is put down (5,3,5) - BLACK AND WHITE [DD]

8   - Colour of FBI agents in depression? (7) - PIGMENT {PI{GMEN}T}

9   - Radar equipment for the surveyor (7) - SCANNER [DD]

11 - All the fractures could have calamitous results (6) - LETHAL*

13 - Check the others have water (8) - RESTRAIN {REST}{RAIN}

15 - Feeling of horror may go slowly (5) - CREEP [DD]

16 - Entitle one blend to be endlessly distributed (7) - ENNOBLE {ONE+BLENd}*

18 - Become fashionable in dressing (7) - SHARPEN [DD]

19 - Big Ted sent back for a metal piece, to hold another, in place (5) - GIBED {GIB<-}{ED} As per the definition the word should be GIBBED

21 - During examination, pop gains surprisingly (8) - APPOSING*

23 - Twins for example brought up on very little (6) - GEMINI {GE<-}{MINI}

25 - Originate from gentleman at embassy (7) - EMANATE [T]

26 - Ennoble at levee specially convened (7) - ELEVATE*

28 - Reserved large amount of money — or just an adequate amount (6,7) - MODEST FORTUNE {MODEST} {FORTUNE}

DOWN

2   - Envoy takes note that he's the beneficiary (7) - LEGATEE {LEGAT{E}E}

3   - Hint given to play billiards (3) - CUE [DD]

4   - Against anything proposed (4) - ANTI [E]

5   - Making out many nice rings can be fake (10) - DISCERNING {D}{NICE+RINGS*}

6   - The courage of one in a suit (5) - HEART [DD]

7   - Ship's carrying capacity (7) - TONNAGE [E]

8   - Country with a governing force? (6,5) - POLICE STATE [CD]

10 - Grade and lodge ordinary people (4,3,4) - RANK AND FILE {RANK} {AND} {FILE}

12 - A Greek letter (5) - ALPHA [E]

14 - Take ill swallowing stagnant water and he'll go to court (10) - RESPONDENT {RES{POND}ENT}

17 - A low heavy truck possibly for a Gobi course (5) - BOGIE {GOBI*}{E}

18 - Staff officer hurried into the river for the singer (7) - SOPRANO {SO}{P{RAN}O}

20 - Country genius full of sex appeal (7) - BRITAIN {BR{IT}AIN}

22 - No real point feeling it if you are not to blame (5) - SHAME [CD] Thought 'sorry' fits better.

24 - It's nothing near the end of the dictionary (4) - ZERO [DD]

27 - Partake of a tea spread (3) - EAT*

GRID

No 10341, Thursday 22 Dec 11, M Manna

ACROSS

1   - Check and find little crawler has accepted cash (7) - INSPECT {INS{P}ECT}

5   - Locates variety of sugar found in milk (7) - LACTOSE*

10 - An Earl may turn for her (6) - LAURAE {A+EARL+U}*

11 - Outstanding feature of British and German currency (8) - LANDMARK {L}{AND}{MARK}

12 - A sorcerer from Australia! (6) - WIZARD [CD]

13 - Cleaner who is wary about son (8) - CHARLADY {CHAR{LAD}Y}

14 - Only engineer found in what is now Sri Lanka (6) - CEYLON {ONLY+CE}*

15 - Rejects with contempt, at railway siding, on two points (6) - SPURNS {SPUR}{N}{S}

18 - Does such electricity have no switch? (6) - STATIC [CD]

20 - It's completely in Latin (2,4) - IN TOTO &lit

23 - Mocking, scornful (8) - DERISIVE [E]

25 - Film Red Indian tribe in Senegal (6) - SCREEN {S{CREE}N}

26 - Bliss is being in the procession (8) - PARADISE {PARAD{IS}E}

27 - Young man dons the best dress (6) - ADONIS {DONS+AI}*

28 - Withdraws soldiers with flags (7) - RETIRES {RE}{TIRES}

29 - Not committed to run late dance (7) - NEUTRAL*

DOWN

2   - Can I analyse one new vitamin? (6) - NIACIN {CAN+I+I+N}*

3   - Entrap men into fixed arrangement (9) - PERMANENT*

4   - Rush during short visit about a set of principles (7) - CREEDAL {C{REED}ALl}

6   - Year books of plants (7) - ANNUALS [DD]

7   - Take time to mail subject into a vernacular language (5) - TAMIL {T}{MAIL*}

8   - On way, tried to point excitedly with a loud and grating voice (8) - STRIDENT {ST}{TRIED+N}*

9   - Rambling Lord I silenced — that was rash (3-10) - ILL-CONSIDERED*

16 - Furthest away but can talk more than anyone (9) - UTTERMOST {UTTER}{MOST}

17 - See great changes in accommodation at the lower end (8) - STEERAGE*

19 - Nice for us to have a kitchen department (7) - CUISINE {NICE+US+I}*

21 - Note to say one is willing (7) - TESTATE [CD]

22 - He has an outfit set up for flight (6) - HEGIRA {HE}{GIR)(A<-}

24 - A form of Arabic (5) - IRANI [CD]

GRID

No 10340, Wednesday 21 Dec 11, M Manna

ACROSS

1   - Spiritless team in a deplorable state after batting (9) - INANIMATE {IN}{ANIMATE*}

6   - Plutocrat heard turning down Monkhouse's request (5) - NABOB {NA}{BOB}

9   - Out into the open (5) - FORTH [E]

10 - See about this (9) - CATHEDRAL [CD]

11 - Absorb recooked meal as it is (10) - ASSIMILATE*

12 - Some photographers take pictures of military equipment (4) - KEPI [T]

14 - Under instruction for a specific purpose (7) - TRAINEE [CD]

15 - Defame on a point to land queen in trouble (7) - SLANDER {S}{LAND}{ER}

17 - A master for the conductors (7) - MAESTRI [CD]

19 - Changes gears, points and lubricants (7) - GREASES {GEARS*}{ES}

20 - Comes in tea-chest individually (4) - EACH [T]

22 - Doris wants change for the servants generally (10) - DOWNSTAIRS*

25 - Awkward Greek men with English for harmony (9) - AGREEMENT {GR+MEN+AT+E}*

26 - Call the eastern girl (5) - BELLE {BELL}{E}

27 - It happens to be the exact time (5) - EVENT {EVEN}{T}

28 - He who takes over a victory by common soldiers (9) - SUCCESSOR {SUCCESS}{OR}

DOWN

1   - At a point, fair to go lower down the page (5) - INFRA {N+FAIR}*

2   - Atmosphere quickly taking in a minor planet (9) - AEROSPACE {A{EROS}PACE}

3   - Extreme cruelty inherent in all people (10) - INHUMANITY {IN}{HUMANITY}

4   - Mayor had liberal account deal with Capone (7) - ALCALDE {C+DEAL+AL}*

5   - Residential areas, as the egghead says (7) - ESTATES {E}{STATES}

6   - The French retreat on Christmas (4) - NOEL {NO}{EL}<-

7   - Rudely push into a large pleasure boat (5) - BARGE [DD]

8   - Account awful raids to be just a game (9) - BILLIARDS {BILL}{RAIDS*}

13 - Sad for the Frenchman on board (10) - LAMENTABLE {LA}{MEN}{TABLE}

14 - Consumed by anger — must be restrained! (9) - TEMPERATE {TEMPER}{ATE}

16 - Supporters needed for record piles knocked over (9) - DISCIPLES {DISC}{PILES*}

18 - They press clothes for others (7) - IRONERS [CD]

19 - Somehow call for inside information relating to origin (7) - GENETIC {GEN}{CITE*}

21 - Large number certain to invoke evil (5) - CURSE {C}{SURE*}

23 - A domestic animal will give way always (5) - STEER {ST}{E'ER}

24 - In one's true home (4) - NEST [T]

GRID

No 10339, Tuesday 20 Dec 11, Gridman

ACROSS

1   - Food for the indigent one officer left on the hill (8) - PORRIDGE {POoR}{RIDGE}

5   - Tear off an informal letter? (6) - SCREED [DD]

10 - Tell Keralite one is leaving with judge (7) - NARRATE {NAiR}{RATE}

11 - It's raised in surprise (7) - EYEBROW [CD]

12 - One doctor's regret in stain (6) - IMBRUE {I}{MB}{RUE}

13 - Is careful and does something (4,2,2) - SEES TO IT [CD]

15 - Encountered Oriental limit (4) - METE {MET}{E}

16 - Banish fellows to Timbuctoo at first for behaviour (10) - DEPORTMENT {DEPORT}{MEN}{T}

18 - The sort of people who need work (10) - UNEMPLOYED [E]

20 - Enemy has fifty placed in ice (4) - FLOE {F{L}OE}

23 - Does this to get tip for roasting equipment (8) - TURNSPIT {TURNS}{TIP*}

24 - Bill, I and other ranks leave behind (6) - POSTER POSTERior

26 - Yours and mine in prison show fortitude (7) - COURAGE {C{OUR}AGE}

27 - The French and Australian go after strip scene (7) - TABLEAU {TAB}{LE}{AU}

28 - Waugh, the writer, for one (6) - EVELYN [GK]

29 - Such a design is raised: some debs are in a jitter (8) - EMBOSSED*

DOWN

1   - It may be drawn right under a man's nose (6,9) - PENCIL MOUSTACHE [CD]

2   - Artist and engineer don't fully get their teeth into cheese dish (7) - RAREBIT {RA}{RE}{BITe}

3   - One vehicle takes you and me to the mythical flier (6) - ICARUS {I}{CAR}{US}

4   - Savage leaves hungry — sporting extremely pale colour (4) - GREY {hunGR{E}Y}

6   - COO reset order for wood preservative (8) - CREOSOTE*

7   - It hangs on the side of one's head — a stud may be found there (7) - EARLOBE [CD]

8   - Having been floored, is back to reality (4,2,3,6) - DOWN TO THE GROUND [DD]

9   - More and more properties come up because of this person (9) - DEVELOPER [CD]

14 - Stigmatised? Brand this differently in broadmindedness (9) - DEMONISED ? Anno pending

17 - A blog bit, say, changed in renegation (8) - APOSTASY {A}{POST}{SAY*}

19 - True, one detours along the way in France (2,5) - EN ROUTE*

21 - Allow endlessly blunt notes (7) - LETTERS {LET}{TERSe}

22 - Mistake in a couple of incomplete volumes (3-3) - BOO-BOO {BOOk}-{BOOk}

25 - Jot the first 13 letters (4) - ATOM {A TO M}

GRID

No 10338, Monday 19 Dec 11, Gridman

ACROSS

1   - Joke heard by a runner about secret service organisation (7) - GESTAPO (~jest?){GEST}{A}{PO}

5   - Say aloud: engineer's has sound platform (6) - RECITE {RE}{CITE}(~site)

9   - Overdraft, yours and mine, causes stink (5) - ODOUR {OD}{OUR}

10 - Dismiss fool primarily hoisting coarse material (9) - SACKCLOTH {SACK}{CLOT}{H}

11 - Indian paper to try, without a bit of reserve, to be lighthearted (7) - FESTIVE {FE}{STrIVE}

12 - Soft — Listener mixes no tea but beer (7) - PILSNER {P}{{LIStENeR*} Deletion of one 'E' forgotten.

13 - League's change of gear is considerable (5) - LARGE {L}{GEAR*}

14 - Good evening to Italians on a bus touring for a period (5,4) - BUONA SERA {BUONA S*}{ERA}

16 - Ponder o'er a kind of military termination (4,5) - OPEN ORDER*

19 - Corrupt leader's craving for accumulation (5) - CACHE {C}{ACHE}

21 - Layer of star's troublesome abdomen (7) - STRATUM {STAR*}{TUM}

23 - Such a batsman is difficult to be bowled out (4-3) - WELL-SET [CD]

24 - After one extremely lean month, overseas head's spirit shows coarseness (9) - INDECORUM {I}{N}{DEC}{O}{RUM}

25 - One learner's primarily ingenious account of the pelvic bone (5) - ILIAC{IL}{I}{AC}

26 - Iconic happiness? (6) - SMILEY [CD] :-)

27 - Nearly upset after no good man gives a breather (7) - NOSTRIL {NO}{ST}{RILe}

DOWN

1   - Well-behaved man on board exhibits camaraderie (4-10) - GOOD FELLOWSHIP {GOOD  FELLOW}{SHIP}

2   - Stand for special partners in underprivileged surroundings (7) - SPONSOR {S}{PO{NS}OR}

3   - First-class merit displayed when something is broadcast (7) - AIRTIME {AI}{MERIT*}

4   - Story breaks about Oriental beginner coming back to bluepoint source (6,3) - OYSTER BED {OYST{E}R*} {BED<-} 'bluepoint' or 'Blue Point' ?

5   - Summary on international cricket player (5) - RECAP {RE}{CAP}

6   - Heartless trainer inserts bullets endlessly in part of the ear (7) - COCHLEA {COaCH}{LEAd}

7   - Follow the course as champion leaves spot to beat severely (7) - TROUNCE Anno pending (Addendum - {TRace}{OUNCE} - See comments}

8   - This industry is for the well-being of people (14) - PHARMACEUTICAL [CD]

15 - Lasses in a row? (9) - OARSWOMEN [CD]

17 - A roar at last breaks — model on the move in a nobleman's region (7) - EARLDOM {A+R+MODEL}*

18 - A sort of illusion affecting the eye (7) - OPTICAL [CD]

19 - Meets head-on without many dogs (7) - COLLIES COLLIdES

20 - Bank employee — accountant — is more timid (7) - CASHIER {CA}{SHIER}

22 - Mistake in my cover for the disposition of the wives of Windsor (5) - MERRY {M{ERR}Y}

GRID

No 2665, Sunday 18 Dec 11

ACROSS
1   - Firm order initially put in by one working with horses (9) - STABLEBOY {STABLE}{B{O}Y}
6   - Chaplain may give tramp religious education (5) - PADRE {PAD}{RE}
9   - Chooses not to be involved with new post abroad (4,3) - OPTS OUT {OPTS*} {OUT}
10 - A series in dispute (2,5) - AT ISSUE {A}{T ISSUE}
11 - Have no influence getting foreign noble free (5,3,7) - COUNT FOR NOTHING {COUNT} {FOR NOTHING}
12 - Grasslike plant in small border (5) - SEDGE {S}{EDGE}
13 - US author may, reportedly (9) - HAWTHORNE [DD]
15 - Athletic event last month, Irish town shortened (9) - DECATHLON {DEC}{ATHLONe}
17 - After short time, warning device may become a source of irritation (5) - THORN {T}{HORN}
19 - Never doing anything wrong, chess player threw in hat excitedly (6,4,5) - WHITER THAN WHITE {WHITE}{R THAN WHITE*}
22 - Resign from bank at Oxford on Thursday? (5,2) - THROW UP {TH}{ROW} {UP}
23 - Making a mistake about a piece of jewellery (7) - EARRING {E{A}RRING}
24 - Salesman's extremely lengthy answer (5) - REPLY {REP}{LengthY}
25 - Messed about, ace landed upset (3,1,5) - LED A DANCE*
DOWN
1   - Endless criticism involving old philosopher (5) - STOIC {ST{O}{ICk}
2   - Surprise caused by a tanker originally entering channel (7) - ASTOUND {A}{S{T}OUND}
3   - Deliberately ignore fashion article on alternative fashion (4,3,5,3) - LOOK THE OTHER WAY {LOOK} {THE} {OTHER} {WAY}
4   - Engagement later - both made up (9) - BETROTHAL*
5   - Long period of time before end of depression (5) - YEARN {YEAR}{N}
6   - Go on a pub crawl, to get rid of the blues? (5,3,4,3) - PAINT THE TOWN RED [DD]
7   - Tramp carrying one collection of papers (7) - DOSSIER {DOSS{I}ER}
8   - Film starring Jessie Matthews - about parting revenge, roughly (9) - EVERGREEN {EVERG{RE}EN*}
12 - Drink stewed tea in ward, so busy (4,5) - SODA WATER {SODA W{ATE*}R*}
14 - Started and took the lead (4,5) - WENT AHEAD [DD]
16 - Tweet from Greek character, leading bishop inside (7) - CHIRRUP {CHI}{RR}{UP}
18 - Work in front of ironmonger's, on view (7) - OPINION {OP{IN}{I}{ON}
20 - Actor O'Toole, at heart, soft-hearted (5) - TOPOL {o'TO{P}OLe}
21 - Bird dog dropping first of birds (5) - EAGLE bEAGLE

No 10337, Saturday 17 Dec 11, Gridman

ACROSS

1   - Evaluate again on donkeys' initial strength (8) - REASSESS {RE}{ASSES}{S}

5   - Catch the French three times (6) - TRIPLE {TRIP}{LE}

9   - Based on hypothesis, Rio pair resettled (1,6) - A PRIORI*

10 - Throng on back-street in France for rubber (7) - MASSEUR {MASS}{EUR<-}

11 - Cadet up to kicking up a revolution (4,5) - COUP D'ETAT*

12 - Colour of one in bewilderment (5) - MAIZE {MA{I}ZE}

13 - Bare heads of new understudies done elegantly (4) - NUDE {N}{U}{D}{E}

14 - When none is there to help you (2,4,3) - ON YOUR OWN [E]

17 - Surround nine locos running helter-skelter (5,2,2) - CLOSE IN ON*

19 - Old boy, individual losing heart in what one may play (4) - OBOE {OB}{OnE}

23 - One with taking ways (5) - THIEF [CD]

24 - One more try in destroying Goa throne (7,2) - ANOTHER GO*

25 - Company's outlook not firm in dressmaking (7) - COUTURE {CO}{fUTURE}

26 - Touch upon troublemaker in Georgia (7) - IMPINGE {IMP}{IN}{GE}

27 - Escapist PC going out for different stretch (6) - SIESTA EScApIST*

28 - Lusty tussle over endless tiff to dull mind (8) - STULTIFY {STUL{TIFf}Y*}

DOWN

1   - Go up again to accept a Supreme Court measure (8) - REASCEND {RE}{A}{SC}{EN}D Anno not clear

2   - A German liberal is stranded (7) - AGROUND {A}{G}{ROUND}

3   - Booted deputy is poor (6) - SHODDY {SHOD}{DY}

4   - Imagine Pitt's good in producing exact likeness (8,5) - SPITTING IMAGE {IMAGINE+PITT'S+G}*

6   - Two girls together to fetch herb (8) - ROSEMARY {ROSE}{MARY}

7   - Professor's first periodical to look at beforehand (7) - PREVIEW {P}{REVIEW}

8   - He gets serious — street to be changed to road (6) - EARNER EARNE(-st+r)R

10 - Rain or shine, this person is prognostic and calculating (13) - METEOROLOGIST [CD]

15 - Under-Secretary to bend to father and cut off life-rent (8) - USUFRUCT {US}{U}{FR}{CUT*}

16 - Loan-giver's concern about fellow online (8) - RECOVERY {RE}{COVE}{RY} Cove and fellow?

18 - Eli away to play ruse in vacation (7) - LEISURE {ELI*}{RUSE*}

20 - Youth and I go around right one in French country (7) - BURUNDI {BU{R}{UN}D}{I}

21 - Staff's hitches? (6) - STICKS [DD]

22 - Sanctuary for man by the railroad (6) - CHAPEL {CHAP}{EL}

GRID

No 10336, Friday 16 Dec 11, Gridman

ACROSS

1   - Daughter laid off faded flower (8) - DAFFODIL {D}{LAID+OFF}*

6   - Unconscious state of company master (4) - COMA {CO}{MA}

9   - Abundance of fools not new (6) - OODLES nOODLES

10 - Innards of six first smudge bathroom fixture (7) - VISCERA {VI}{S}{CERA} CERA is not a bathroom fixture, it's a Brand name.

13 - Indian standard (9) - TRICOLOUR [CD]

14 - Horse's general character (5) - LEECH {LEE}{CH} ??

15 - Jokes on every other of granges (4) - GAGS GrAnGeS

16 - The limit of descent — move fundamental part! (4,6) - ROCK BOTTOM {ROCK} {BOTTOM}

19 - Military officer books return vehicle for engineer's village (10) - MONTMARTRE {MO}{NT}{MART<-}{RE} Have heard of medical Officer but MO for Military Officer?

21 - Touches son sliding back in row (4) - SPAT {S}{PAT}<-

24 - Haloes on one born half-a-minute back (5) - NIMBI {NIM}{B}{I} <-

25 - Unctuous — because so fatty (9) - SEBACEOUS*

26 - Nag aims to set up a pipe (3,4) - GAS MAIN*

27 - New one — account on one new vitamin (6) - NIACIN {N}{I}{AC}{I}{N}

28 - Lacking in caution, primary raiders are so hot (4) - RASH {R}{A}{S}{H}

29 - Ring for vehicle: I will be working (8) - CARILLON {CAR}{I'LL}{ON}

DOWN

2   - Delighting in fuss over girdle (7) - ADORING {ADO}{RING}

3   - Idle outpouring about a learner (6) - FALLOW {F{A}{L}LOW}

4   - Change a shade less than what it was? (9) - DISCOLOUR [CD]

5   - Clothing not sufficient for organ (5) - LIVER LIVERy

7   - Stuff through tea party (7) - OVEREAT {OVER}{TEA*}

8   - Curse animates heat to a noxious degree (12) - ANATHEMATISE*

11 - Colour of small nut not dark (6) - SALMON {S}{ALMONd}

12 - Gets a strange fellow to gear up as controller of live theatre (5,7) - STAGE MANAGER {GETS+A}* {MAN}{GEAR*}

17 - Rake in bar providing steel link (9) - KARABINER*

18 - Am right about one taking a heavenly drink (6) - AMRITA {AM}{R{I}T}{A}

20 - Siemens spells out a rival who cannot be beaten (7) - NEMESIS*

22 - Condition in favour of special order penning a number (7) - PROVISO {PRO}{VI}{SO}

23 - Careless writing — small inch (6) - SCRAWL {S}{CRAWL}

25 - Family member in charge of sound (5) - SONIC {SON}{IC}

GRID