No 9989, Tuesday 02 Nov 10, Sankalak

ACROSS
1   - Too good to be criticised (5,8) - ABOVE REPROACH [CD]
10 - Figure reduced in a stroke at Eden Gardens (6,3) - {SQUARE} {CUT}
11 - Did Rajaji have five shillings? (5) - {CR}{OWN}

12 - A barrier ending with advantage (5) - {H}{EDGE}
13 - A desire on the silver screen for public transport (9) - STREETCAR [CD]

14 - Hastings in an underground labyrinth (6) - WARREN [DD]
16 - An adhesive with which to insert text on the screen (5) - PASTE [DD] From 'Cut & Paste'
19 - In a mine it has changed by twelve inches (5) - {SHA*}{FT}
20 - Staff escorts artist returning from conditional liberty (6) - {P{AR<-}OLE}
25 - A star showing rapidity of thought about musical key (9) - {CELE{B}RITY}

26 - They are not genuine (5) - FAKES [E]
27 - For insurers, it is permitted (5) - {LIC}{IT}
28 - Power of the grey cells (9) - INTELLECT [CD]

29 - Elements not favourable, yet earthworms dance (6,7) - STORMY WEATHER* Reminds me of a limerick from school 'There was a man from Madras, Whose ............"
DOWN
2   - The limit batsmen love to go over (8) - BOUNDARY [DD]
3   - Liveliness shown in victory, ever changing (5) - {V}{ERVE*}
4   - A break from silly secrets with time lost (6) - RECESSt*
5   - It takes a saint to criticise a boyish man (5,3) - {PETER} {PAN}

6   - Group of players roar wildly around a box (9) - {OR{CHEST}RA*}
7   - Option for the semi-rich, beginning to order diamonds (6) - {riCH}{O}{ICE}
8   - Directions to bite or abstain (6) - {ES}{CHEW}
9   - Inhale drug of a type containing nitrogen (5) - {S{N}ORT}

SEE THIS CARTOON

15 - He likes to display what he has (9) - EXHIBITOR [CD]
17 - A liking for preparing tiffin in extremes of adversity (8) - {A{FFINIT*}Y}
18 - Call for attention, misusing reel and hook (4,4) - LOOK HERE*
21 - German imitation (6) - ERSATZ [E]
22 - Cook, just short of boiling, to confine calories contained in hollow seed (5) - {Se{CAL}eD}
23 - Note of assent on the spot, before time (6) - {PLACE}{T} New word for me
24 - Harry Potter's moaning ghost, evergreen (6) - MYRTLE [DD]

26 - Some French meat which I felt was wrong (5) - FILET*

GRID

No 9988, 01 Nov 10, Sankalak

Am off early, to the hospital to collect some medicines, will be back by lunch only. Keep the discussion on S & B II going.

ACROSS
1   - Tom's cry, one unwelcome to a performer (7) - CATCALL [DD]
6   - More perilous for winter sportsman to follow religious instruction (7) - {RI}{SKIER}
9   - Spoil the brilliance as would a spinner with the ball (4,3,5,3) - TAKE THE SHINE OFF [DD]
10 - Preserve a way with an unfounded rumour (6) - {CAN}{A}{RD}
11 - A small, hard growth, future source of timber (3,5) - {A}{S}{H} {PLANT}
13 - Intrude into a church, chasing mad crone (8) - {ENCRO*}{A}{CH}
15 - The right willow is pinker (6) - {R}{OSIER}
18 - MC, goin' out, is likely to succeed (6) - COMING*
19 - Such a medicine is not to be swallowed (8) - EXTERNAL [CD]
22 - Food that a dreamy eleven cooked (5-3) - {READY-M*}{IX*}
24 - Village where some meat is permitted (6) - {HAM}{LET}
27 - A frivolous person's big bribe: it left bishop confused (15) - FLIBBERTIGIB(B)ET*
28 - Old president left in mountain pass close to Washington (7) - {L}{IN}{COL}{N}
29 - Title always held by attendant in hotel (7) - {P{EER}AGE}
DOWN
1   - A bit of skin removed — lice at fault (7) - {CUT}{ICLE*}
2   - Book returned by boy is a symbol (5) - {TO<-}{KEN}
3   - PM's time (9) - AFTERNOON [CD]
4   - Suggestive look by old general, right? (4) - {LEE}{R}
5   - Old wine in a new bottle (6) - REHASH [CD]
6   - The rise of a super star! (3-2) - SUN-UP [CD]
7   - A lotion is converted in a state of separation (9) - ISOLATION*
8   - One who proves something wrong is a judge? True, sadly (7) - {REF}{UTER*}
12,17 - Reportedly notices tool, one used at very high levels (3,3) - (~eyes}{ICE} {AXE}

14 - A friend in Monaco, playing with power (9) - {COM{P}ANION*}
16 - A detective in action (9) - OPERATIVE [DD]
17 - See 12
18 - Giving attention to a vehicle with faulty fuel (7) - {CAR}{EFUL*}
20 - “Speaking words of wisdom, __ __ __'' (Beatles song) (3,2,2) - LET IT BE [E] Listen to it below

21 - It is formed when blood clots in an NRI, FBI suspect (6) - FIBRIN*
23 - In passing, son is upset by aggressive young chap (5) - YOBBO* (by+boy ?) Not sure of Anno
25 - Sign where books are kept without track (5) - LIBRAry
26 - Decoration in fabric for a soldier and red-cap (4) - {GI}{MP}

GRID