The Sunday Crossword No 3254, Sunday 14 May 2023

Rangoli by Gowri

ACROSS

1   Well enunciated, 'doe' and 'a name I call myself'? (4,2) DEAR ME {(~ deer)DEAR}{ME}

4   Secretly thinks about coastal facilities (8)  HARBOURS [DD]

9   Like something to beat eggs for sauce? (6) WHISKY [DD]

10 Idiot Everyman's anger about fence regularly ignored (8) IMBECILE {I'M}{B{fEnCe}ILE}

12 Organised resales around November for authenticity (8) REALNESS {REAL{N}ESS*}

13 Characters seen in riskier sports? (6) SKIERS [T} &lit

15 Arrangements being quiet acts of atonement (12) PREPARATIONS {P}{REPARATIONS}

18 Scepticism is what hotel guests may need (12) RESERVATIONS [DD]

21 A diary not available for reflection somewhere in SW Africa (6) ANGOLA {A}{LOG}{NA}<=

22 A whole number? That's essential (8) INTEGRAL [DD]

24 Generals call this a warm place to relax (4,4) OPEN FIRE [DD] 

25 Artist arrived earlier with something to capture images (6) CAMERA {RA}<=>{CAME}

26 Maniacal despots impounding 1,000 computers (8) DESKTOPS {DES{K}TOPS*}

27 Headcases racing with oars, loudly (6) SKULLS (~sculls)

DOWN

1   Duke covered by strange powders and moisture (8) DEWDROPS {DEW{D}ROPS*}

2   Worries when American soldiers surrounding gallery (8) AGITATES {A}{GI{TATE}S}

3   Offering grouse and beef, perhaps? (6,1,4,2,2) MAKING A MEAL OF IT [C&DD]

5   When Frenchman's concealed top playing card is the absolute limit! (4) ACME {AC{M}E}

6   Somewhat sombre, a king (Theban) kept demanding too much money (8,3,4) BREAKING THE BANK [T]

7   Some footballers, some soldiers and a journalist (6) UNITED {UNIT}{ED}

8   Sibilant, harsh expostulation expressing seething huffiness, primarily? (6) SHEESH Acrostic &lit

11 Cars in landed properties (7) ESTATES [DD]

14 Invariant, having peeled off, writhing in blissful state (7) NIRVANA iNVARIANt*

16 Means of announcing arrival in refurbished bordello (8) DOORBELL*

17 Say a law's corrupt, typically (2,6) AS ALWAYS*

19 Finally vanquish a queen and aged king (6) HAROLD {v...sH}{A}{R}{OLD}

20 Feels sorry for having run off at first seeing birds (6) EGRETS rEGRETS

23 Snare's component inverted (4) TRAP<=

Reference List

November = N, Quiet = P, Artist = RA, 1000 = K, Duke = D, Frenchman = M, Journalist = ED, Queen = R, Run = R