Theme words highlghted. I leave it to the commenters to name the theme.
ACROSS
1 I quit Sion in agitation, leading to enquiry (11) INQUISITION*
9 Probably where a sailor is confused on a voyage (2,3) AT SEA [MD]
10 Mistakenly, devil robs sweethearts (9) LOVEBIRDS*
11 Chopper model is in renovated room along with bike (10) MOTORCYCLE {MO{T}OR*}{CYCLE}
12 Toll on a cab (4) TAXI {TAX}{1}
13 Beat extra-terrestrial leaving instrument (5) TRUMP TRUMP
15 On tower, short person produces sweat (8) PERSPIRE {PER
17 We/I ought to transform and dominate (8) OUTWEIGH*
19 One Scot soldier's patronage (5) AEGIS {AE}{GI'S}
22 Liquor setter found on moor (4) FENI {FEN}{I}
23 S W Europeans left renovated guest-house after throwing out irritated host (10) PORTUGUESE {PORT}{GUES
26 Freed Theodore after Bel-Air massacre (9) LIBERATED {BEL-AIR}*{TED}
27 Indian Navy permitted access to creek (5) INLET {IN}{LET}
28 Await other ranks/soldier to get medicine (11) EXPECTORANT {EXPECT}{OR}{ANT}
DOWN
1 Bad sin by alien in picture in picture (5) INSET {SIN*}{ET}
2 Double! Double! Student is awash in endless money after sports vehicle ... (9) QUADRUPLE {QUAD}{RUP{L}E
3 ... embeds crawling snail around end of alley (6) INLAYS {SNAIL}* around {
4 Include a small quantity in damaged vein (7) INVOLVE {VOL} in {VEIN}*
5 For starters, increase confidence building measures ... to build a short long-range weapon (1,1,1,1) ICBM Acrostic
6 Ran back with sailor, telling, ... (9) NARRATING {RAN<=}{RATING}
7 ..."Little Thomas climbed up carrying gun to get a rodent" (6) MARMOT {ARM} in {TOM<=}
8 Hope for a Church's towering structure (6) ASPIRE {A}{SPIRE}
14 Wayward sub-lieutenant takes off crumpled suit... that's not defensible (9) UNTENABLE
16 Violently gnash and rail badly at Hilton's secret haven (7-2) SHANGRI-LA {GNASH}*{RAIL}*
17 Sal's innards? (6) OFFALS {SAL}* [RA]
18 Sailing ... coasting without a person having knowledge (7) GNOSTIC CO
20 Clammy animal accommodation accommodates Workers’ Educational Association (6) SWEATY {S{WEA}TY}
21 You may be photographed here, Romeo, at ten (6) STUDIO {STUD}{10}
24 Dash, showing energy, and sprinkle talc (5) ECLAT {E}{TALC}*
25 Pack minced prawn after removing tail (4) WRAP PRAW
GRID
Theme- Goa?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is with Goa inquisition and the unique motorcycle taxis and Feni.
ReplyDeleteCol.,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link to all terrain vehicle.
Why is it that Agnostic is better known than Gnostic? There are a few such antonyms.
ReplyDeleteSimple! 'Gnaanam' doesn't come easily to a person.
DeleteHow right you are.
DeleteYes, Paddy. Some more words , including the prawn in a clue, fit the theme
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely crossword. Despite the theme words couldnt guess it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Incognito and Col.
Thanks, Vasant
ReplyDeleteKishore: How could you forget to include PORK SORPOTEL ? and at least one Goan name? AND ---WHAT MAN?
ReplyDelete20 DOWN for 24 hours with feni in one's veins ?
Maybe the next time I go there. I am going next month. This was set during my last visit in December
DeleteI was there in May and spent 3 days there. Got to spend 1 night in a casino too. Unforgetable experience.
DeleteKishore: What man, A- bgr lucky bgr man ! Enjoy yer trip man !
Delete"I have said that I generally don't do the Guardian quick in TH. Everyday I turn to the page and look at it but if I do NOT find those historical/geographic/botanical clues, I may put pen to paper. Yesterday I did - and quickly and easily solved all but two before I turned to my diurnal tasks. Later I had the nocturnal sleep. This morning as I was binning the paper, I had scarcely looked at the filled-in grid and did not even re-read the clues when both answers leaped to my mind. A good sleep is recommended for those clues that don't yield instantly."
ReplyDeleteThe ravelled sleeve of care...
DeleteThe Colonel prefers walking Cocoa for a break
How true this! A break-a walk, a nap truly helps. I remember as a teen my grandfather used to solve both crosswords and maths. If he struggled with any problem, he would put aside the problem, take a walk and come back and get the solution. At those moments his joy like a small child's was worth watching.
DeleteStandard procedure for me when I am stuck for answers. Especially on xChequer days, distance walked by me goes off the scale :-)
DeleteIt is so, dear Padmanahan- and also PORTUGUESE (23 Across)!
ReplyDelete@Col typo in 23 A answer - PORTUGUESE
ReplyDeleteCorrected
DeleteEasy puzzle. 1 doubt about 18 down - does gnostic mean person with knowledge? Dont ind this meaning in dictionary.... only noun meaning is person who was part of some gnostic movement
ReplyDeleteMy Miriam Webster gives it as follower of gnosis: a principle of esoteric truth
DeleteFree dictionary defines it as possessing intellectual or spiritual knowledge
DeleteThanks but that Free dictionary meaning is for the adjective. I dont have Miriam with me....
DeleteAs I had put in earlier, agnostic is commonly used and gnostic is just the opposite.
ReplyDelete