This week’s Big Crossword
ACROSS
1. Bridal gateau (7,4) 9. Founds 15. V or X, Roman … 16. Night watch 17. Liqueur, Tia … 19. Rough plan 21. Russian spirit 22. Wield (influence) 23. Absurd pretence 24. Fritter away 25. Harangues 27. Is unable to (3’1) 29. The R of RIP 31. Conifer secretion 33. Theatre platform 35. Inner-city 38. Privileged few 40. Sprint 42. Unhurried Texan twang 43. Confer (medal) 44. Bellow 46. Chilled 48. Nuisance (call) 49. Stereo unit (2-2) 50. Cat’s contented sound 51. Smooths (wood) 53. Blue stone, … lazuli 55. Geological ages 56. Morals campaign 58. Childhood disease 61. Attach 63. Hotshot 65. Proclaiming 69. For men or women 71. Baking ceramics 72. Most courageous 74. Typist’s complaint (1,1,1) 75. Very obvious 76. African nation 77. Yachting carnival 78. Become sparser (4,3) 79. Delicious! 80. CO2, carbon … 81. Commences 84. Shopping walkway 87. Acting sovereigns 91. Was introduced to 93. America (1,1,1) 94. Drug dealers 97. Mauled ferociously 100. Always 101. Wisecracks 103. Tibetan monks 105. Thoroughfare 106. Quickly (1,1,1,1) 107. Not illuminated 108. Mother 109. Church song 110. Masks 111. Chose 113. Peruvian capital 115. Hang loosely 117. Register (to vote) 120. Give up 122. Uninterested 124. Retches 127. Search for 129. Financial holding 131. Legitimate 133. Skull 134. Baton race 136. Small crown 137. Throwaway line 138. Emanated 139. Equally balances 140. Atomic (power) 141. Disposition 142. Unauthorised visitors
DOWN
1. Hesitated 2. Eat! (3,2) 3. Laziest 4. Two can play at that … 5. Major artery 6. Pass (law) 7. Spoil 8. Spanish fleet 9. More senior 10. Defrosts 11. Wagers 12. Put upside-down 13. Conceals 14. Nut fastener 18. Shorted out 20. Doomed 26. Casual tops (1-6) 28. Comes towards 30. Electronic message 32. Spookiest 34. Chopping tools 35. Mouth sore 36. Simmer (meat) 37. Starkers 39. Purple flower 41. Cause laughter 45. Ditto 47. 24-hour periods 49. Angry whisper 52. College supervisor 54. Prayer’s final word 56. Music albums (1,2) 57. Wheat spike 58. Crime syndicate member 59. Astounding 60. Have a snooze (3,4) 62. Branch off 64. Noisy summer insects 66. Female warriors 67. Envisage 68. Collects 70. Bone photos (1-4) 71. Land, terra … 73. Blasting material (1,1,1) 75. Wicked 82. Utter (cry) 83. It is (2’1) 85. Masticated cow food 86. Facts 88. Diplomat 89. Chores 90. Leak 92. Suitmaker 94. Infant’s carriage 95. Announces 96. Monarch’s dominion 98. Insult 99. Rave about 101. Indonesian isle 102. Sway (hips) 103. 1000ml 104. Economise 109. Natural abode 110. Nevada’s Las … 112. Embankments 114. Painters 116. Pertain (to) 118. Subtle difference 119. Antipasto items 121. Strata 123. Warning bell 125. Active, … and kicking 126. Fragrance 127. Sting 128. Wear away 130. Stockholm native 132. Festive occasion 135. Jump high