Solution to 11D 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.
ACROSS
1 A daybreak at sea (6) ADRIFT {A}{D}{RIFT}
4 An expert at calculation, say, interrupts a very promising person (8) COMPUTER {COM{PUT}ER}
9 Worthless experiment by China (6) PALTRY {TRY}<=>{PAL}
10 Brilliant student about to crack exam for a program on small screen (8) TELECAST {ACE}{L}<= in {TEST}
12 Arabian authorities primarily plan to detain a person from ancient Syria (8) ARAMAEAN {AR}{Au...s}{M{A}EAN}
13 Compound having same formula as another is more complex (6) ISOMER*
15 Troll daughter trapped in shelter without a bit of compassion for own failure to recognise reality (4-8) SELF-DELUSION {ELF}{D} in {SEcLUSION}
18 Menopause file? (6,2,4) CHANGE OF LIFE {FILE}* [RA]
21 Fellow leaving recreation ground around noon to relax (6) UNBEND {fUN}{BE{N}D}
22 Resembling glass from Soviet Union, perhaps, containing borax essentially (8) VITREOUS {SOVIET+U}* over {boRax}
24 Master's vocal about suggestion of importing alcoholic drink (8) ORIGINAL {OR{Im...g}{GIN}AL}
25 Colour of trendy work outfit, basically (6) INDIGO {IN}{DIG}{Ou...t}
26 University at last promoted a little regionalism in language for an exceptional intellectual (8) UBERGEEK {U}{BE}{(+r)RG(-r)EEK}
27 Welsh soldiers rejected ecstasy and dope (6) RENEGE {RE} and {E}{GEN}<=
DOWN
1 Develop computer program before survey (8) APPRAISE {RAISE}<=>{APP}
2 After retirement, disheartened senior keeps bond in safe (8) RELIABLE {ELd{BAIL}ER}<=
3 Progressive female soldiers charge at weak ruler (7-8) FORWARD-THINKING {F}{OR}{WARD}{THIN}{KING}
5 Submit our business expenses yearly for starters (4) OBEY Acrostic
6 Harry prefers scene featuring dupe for meeting with reporters (5,10) PRESS CONFERENCE {PREFERS+SCENE}* over {CON}
7 Agony aunt runs away, avoiding national media on vacation (6) TRAUMA {AUnT+R}*{MediA}
8 Crash outside junction close to busy traffic circle (6) ROTARY {RO{T}AR}{busY}
11 Business consultant originally spent 1000 dollars (7) ?A?L?N? (Addendum - CALLING {Co...t}{ALL IN}{G} - See comments)
14 A beautiful woman ultimately becomes convent's latest nun (7) ASCETIC {A}{SCE(-n+t)TIC}
16 Prepared notice describing popular substance found in tobacco (8) NICOTINE {NICOT{IN}E*}
17 Get some new fancy jewel (8) GEMSTONE {GET+SOME+N}*
19 Couple of countries turned up to host event for number puzzle (6) SUDOKU {UK}{US}<= over {DO}
20 Force Rob right away to misrepresent government shares (6) OBLIGE {rOB}{LI{G}E}
23 Video of some patient from the south (4) TAPE [T<=]
Reference List
Day = D, China = PAL(Rhyming slang), Student = L, Arabian = AR, Daughter = D, Fellow = F, Noon = N, Union = U, Trendy = IN, University = U, Last = BE, Soldiers = RE(Royal Engineers), Ecstasy = E, Dope = GEN, Female = F, Soldiers = OR, Runs = R, National = N, Junction = T, 1000 dollars = G, Popular = IN, New = N, Event = DO, Right = R, Government = G
Lots of cryptic clues . Not a smoothly flowing CW for me-(
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the soothsayer in the TELECAST Vladimir obtained his whereabouts from his COMPUTER.
ReplyDeleteHe is ORIGINAL and FORWARD-THINKING was Vladimir's belief.
After the visit Vladimir ordered the particular GEMSTONE ring and INDIGO pant.
"Will this be an end to my TRAUMA? A CHANGE IN LIFE? Will she OBLIGE?"
A plethora of doubts and expectations....
What happened next?
Nice to meet Vladimir after his long vacation. Hope he will be around for a while.
Deletenice to read Vladimir's tiny tale
Delete+1to Paddys comment
DeleteTough alright. Some clues are very twisty, emplying all ploys. I could get many solutions with def and crossings but could not fully parse them.
ReplyDeleteToo forward thinking?!! I liked that clue!
Yes. It is on tougher side!
DeleteFor example: 4A, I cracked it but couldn’t get anno since I couldn’t parse “very promising person “ to be comer and also put as interrupt. A little bit of extra thinking is required.
Sathia
SAY may be PUT rather than INTERRUPTS?
DeleteNovice setter, over trying to impress. 🙂
ReplyDeletePlease take it in a lighter vein. Ha ha!!
Not a novice setter, but a seasoned setter in a different name!!
ReplyDelete11d. CALLING - Business
ReplyDeleteC - Consultant originally
ALL IN - Spent
G - 1000 dollars
11 down, business = calling
ReplyDeleteConsultant originally = C
Spent = tired/ exhausted - ALL IN
1000 dollars = Grand = G
(C)(all in)(G)
a tough one for me....Good solve RR
DeleteToday, it's not my cup of tea. Because I gobbled many cups of tea to solve the cw but in vain.
ReplyDeleteChinaplate to mate is the slang! Pal???
ReplyDeleteTough.
ReplyDeleteLike Paddy - I solved but could not parse -
PALTRY, COMPUTER, UBERGEEK.
But several v nice clues. Like
ORIGINAL, APPRAISE, TELECAST, SUDOKU.
Thanx Ajeesh!
The ASCETIC Vladimir watched in the TELECAST on his COMPUTER was an UBERGEEK ARAMAEAN.
ReplyDeleteOne look at Vladimir and he asked him to give up on his SELF DELUSION and find his true CALLING in life.
Anna wasn't going to fall for the PALTRY GEMSTONE that he'd bought as an engagement ring. She could APPRAISE ORIGINAL jewels and was so FORWARD THINKING that she might feel OBLIGED to forego this customary jewel and settle for real love.
Vladimir decided to UNBEND a little and clad in his INDIGO casuals, let himself ADRIFT as he danced through the ROTARY and meet Anna at the Park.
What happened next? Did Anna accept his proposal causing a permanent CHANGE OF LIFE for him or was it continued TRAUMA?
Stay tuned for updates at the PRESS CONFERENCE tomorrow.