PUZZLES: test your skill with our brain-teasers

ACROSS

1. Omitted, – over 5. Fire, conflagration 8. Looks like 9. Rainbow shape 10. Say your piece, – your mind 12. The Sound of Music star, Julie – 13. Motor

15. Tempests 19. Defended, protected

21. John Denver hit, Take Me Home Country – 24. Upper limb 25. Vibrantly hued, – fabric 26. Que Sera Sera singer, – Day 27. Academic

DOWN

1. Organises, – out 2. Edition, a new – 3. Hollowed Halloween vegie 4. Australian currency 5. Founded, – on 6. Non-professional 7. Forgives, – their mistakes

11. Writing tool 13. UK country

14. Rules of language 16. Whatever comes, – thick or thin 17. Wet soil 18. Grown-ups

20. Packs of cards 22. Dire, dreadful

23. Sun energy, – power