LONDON TIMES CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1 Monk’s Fiat on hill (8)

5 Short deer, goat and badger (6) 9 Might one entertain soldiers for dinner? (8) 10 Second pink wine is sour (6) 12 Musical composition left on fabulous ship (5) 13 Obstruct modern portico being built across two lakes (9)

14 Using gas with caution — about to enter underground tunnels (6,6) 18 Top managers head off to centre of Heathrow to collect food — it isn’t far … (5,7) 21 … and head away from Somerset resort to handle a situation beset with problems (9) 23 Gives support to Australians about test opener (5) 24 Private note hidden in camp (6) 25 Safer net transported catch (8) 26 Moderately attractive (6) 27 Picklarge crumpet looking fresh on the outside (8)

Down

1 Big bird carries black dog (6) 2 Aheavyweight upset railway official (6) 3 Interpreters startto discuss part of New Testament about silver (9) 4 See nervous merchant when speaking on revolutionary fast food (12) 6 Gotup with a bourbon, say (5) 7 Attempt to hold a doctor following a very old scientist (8) 8 South London district in Bexley is an area suffering inflation (8) 11 Haltdonation that’s corrupt with utmost force (5,3,4) 15 Agroupof preservationists take lorry around cold areato the south (9) 16 Green light gets bus ruined in crash (6-2) 17 Getcontainer for rubbish and clean new housing for sailors? (8) 19 Meet at Queen’s Snug? (6) 20 Hostel has awful butter (6) 22 Manyships moving rapidly (5)