{ THE CROSSWORDS }

PUZZLE 16207

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Sort of views monks aren’t allowed to have (5)

8 Again, but for the last time presumably (4,4)

9 Strange tales about what may be on the roof (5)

10 Surprised even though of broad vision (4-4)

11 Good person to censure corporal punishment (5)

12 Agree it’s put on back to front (3)

16 Gardening accessory that’s old hat (6)

17 Rent free (6)

18 First person Gregory takes to heart (3)

23 Act as a paid informer (5)

24 Why a note goes astray in transit (2,3,3) 25 Waiter drops one drink (5)

26 Giving no rash diagnosis? (8)

27 Let out as the minimum (5)

DOWN

2 The converse of indolence (4,4)

3 Be charming coming in (8)

4 Colour I associate with wrongdoing (6)

5 The umpire is hesitant to pass the matter on (5)

6 Youth leader took out foreign capital (5)

7 Just one side of the coin (5)

12 Born and even briefly raised (3)

13 An act of duplicity? (3)

14 In the main it’s the cheapest way to travel (8)

15 Nuts go well with cheese (8)

19 Greek centre replaced by French in Polish port (6)

20 Small creature with nothing to think about (5)

21 A bench to put in the sun (5)

22 Give everyone a hand (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Major annual horse race (5)

8 Incandescent (5-3)

9 Approximately (5)

10 A precious metal (8)

11 Perhaps (5)

12 To stitch (3)

16 Direction followed (6)

17 Transfix (6)

18 Trite quotation (3)

23 Kept in readiness (2,3)

24 During a journey (2,3,3)

25 To drive (5)

26 Warning signal (3,5)

27 A thin soup (5)

DOWN

2 Make glorious (8)

3 Small American thrush (8)

4 Put aside (6)

5 Condition (5)

6 Excel (5)

7 Distinctive character (5)

12 Complete collection (3)

13 Toupee (3)

14 Unrestricted admission (4,4)

15 Brief loss of consciousness (8)

19 Indifference (6)

20 Hidden stock (5)

21 Detailed examination (5)

22 Worth (5)