thecrosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS 1 Hood and sash worn in the Royal Navy (5) 4 Eminent scholar turned masseur (7) 8 The appeal of a dying craft perhaps (3) 9 Soothing sort of play-actor (9) 10 The type to feel for the blind (7) 11 As a guardian he was fabulous (5) 13 Commonly do (6) 15 Rain on the way leads to stress (6) 18 Some microscopic or giant breed of dog (5) 19 One drink swallowed by Miss West in picture (7) 21 Left alone by those seeking a loan (9) 23 Fruit put in crackers? (3) 24 Scholar of French in a spectacular trick (7) 25 Out of practice but try us anyway (5) DOWN 1 The symbol of England at opening time? (7) 2 Brandy set out for the spectator (9) 3 Plane crash in Asia (5) 4 Drink up with Edward and become blissful (6) 5 Very hard worker supports a mother (7) 6 Low sound (3) 7 Eyesores yet to be improved on board (5) 12 Slopes tend to spoil its garden (9) 14 In France the one indisputable freedom (7) 16 A sign that visitors aren’t welcome (2,5) 17 Up-to-date humorist has a success (4-2) 18 Irons suit (5) 20 It counts as a creeper (5) 22 Some staunch Greek character (3)

ACROSS QUICK CLUES

1 Amulet (5) 4 Conference of specialists (7) 8 Nocturnal bird of prey (3) 9 Remain unsown for a year (3,6) 10 Intensify (7) 11 Dressmaker’s lay-figure (5) 13 Strike repeatedly with fist (6) 15 Zeal (6) 18 Puzzling question (5) 19 In addition to (2,3,2) 21 Taking effect (9) 23 Badly (3) 24 Small cucumber for

pickling (7) 25 Obsolete (5)

DOWN

1 Detailed examination (5-2) 2 Manually clumsy (3,6) 3 Fruit of gourd family (5) 4 Pin to fasten meat (6) 5 Follow winding course (7) 6 Nothing (3) 7 Boisterous and disorderly (5) 12 Debatable item (4,5) 14 Set aside for a purpose (7) 16 Dishevelled (7) 17 Idea (6) 18 Tine (5) 20 Sound of walking (5) 22 Visual appreciation (3)

PUZZLE 14723