No 14230, Thursday 18 Jul 2024, Dr. X

Solution to 23D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Seasoned beef is over, pack salami finally (8) PASTRAMI {PAST}{{RAM}{s...mI}

5   Aroused a woman with love and understanding (6) AWOKEN {A}{W}{0}{KEN}

10 Icon cavorting with girl is disguised (5) INCOG {ICON*}{G}

11 Stretching is essentially necessary before exercise (9) STRAINING [CD] (Addendum - STRAINING {n..eSs..y}{TRAINING} - See comments)

12 How one lacking a suit might be cold (9) HEARTLESS [C&DD]

13 Portable shelter over left bank of raging river (5) TRENT {T{Ra...g}ENT}

14 One painting portrait of maiden aboard ship (6) LIMNER {LI{M}NER}

15 Tumour in a node affected mother (7) ADENOMA {A}{NODE*}{MA}

18 Lech at exotic model in thong (7) LATCHET {LECH+AT}*{T}

20 Old king is extremely taut, overwhelmed by pain with onset of arthritis (6) ATTILA {A{TauT}IL}{Ar...s}

22 Captivated by promo demonstrating electronic device (5) MODEM [T]

24 Clamour about fraud involving American company (9) CACOPHONY {C}{PHONY} over {A}{CO}

25 Rise in oceans is ultimately worrisome (9) ASCENSION {IN+OCEANS+iS}*

26 Old professor welcoming poets heartily in ancient Greek theatre (5) ODEON {O}{D{poEts}ON}

27 Tries dancing? Yes, after consuming dope in retreat (6) ESSAYS {YES}* over {ASS<=}

28 Fancy mattress for fashionable people (5,3) SMART SET*

DOWN

1   Dire Straits starting to perform before match (6) PLIGHT {Pe...m}{LIGHT}

2   Red coat is silk, cut artfully (9) SOCIALIST {COAT+IS+SILk}*

3   Border caught by Cook! Gone on thirty? That's perfectly accurate (5,2,3,5) RIGHT ON THE MONEY {HEM} in {GONE+ON+THIRTY}*

4   Catch wrongly? He is injured in arm perhaps (7) MISHEAR {HE+IS}* in {ARM}*

6   Rapid trip in middle of sea, lots throw up - it's choppy (7-4,4) WHISTLE-STOP TOUR {sEa+LOTS+THROW+UP+ITS}*

7   Chef in kitchen turned to pick up sharp tool (5) KNIFE [T<=]

8   Almost beat, having cold drink before bedtime (8) NIGHTCAP {NIGH}{T{C}AP}

9   Fine leader of archaeologists tackling corrosion in parts of pyramids (6) FRUSTA {F}{RUST}{Ar...s}

16 Witnesses leader of band going crazy outside toilet (9) ONLOOKERS {bON{LOO}KERS}

17 Pastry, sandwiches, meat for seaside picnic (8) CLAMBAKE {C{LAMB}AKE}

19 Computer expert's electronic chart in link (6) TECHIE {T{E}{CH}IE}

20 Secret in a container hidden by suspect (7) ARCANUM {A}{R{CAN}UM}

21 Sound of seal and young swan (6) CYGNET (~signet)

23 Escapes with speed, climbing over top of knoll (5) D?C?S (Addendum - DUCKS {SCUD<=} over {Kn..l}- See comments)

Reference List

Woman = W, Girl = G, Maiden = M, Model = T, About = C, American = A, Company = CO< Old = O, Cold = C, Fine = F, Electronic = E, Chart = CH