CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
For today’s solutions, text CLUE followed by the clue (eg: ‘CLUE 1 Down’) to 53307 Across 1 Lodge rower in empty bed (5). 4 I enter scheme, not so much like a drone — remote-controlled (9). 9 Get it? Size characterizes spirit of the times (9). 10 Greek character is nothing great! (5). 11 Break sweat in desert (5). 12 Publicity surrounding representative posh gallery is cut off (9). 13 Strange energy caught in early 19th Century style (7). 15 Round lumps those against keep endlessly dim (7). 18 Accept without doubt one doesn’t make a summer (7). 20 Endless agitation in sincere rejection of offer (7). 21 Poets tilt merrily at flier (4,5). 23 Man follows papers’ characteristic expression (5). 25 Right to enter charge is nasty on net (5). 26 Study thicker cooling apparatus (9). 27 Unusually fine story with a moral such as cannot be described (9). 28 Some write ethically on power to be effective (5). Down 1 Murmur lyrics as popular cant (4,5). 2 Makes a change, dropping leader for star grouping (5). 3 Track one fellow and another returning to Rover’s home (3,6). 4 Being first in expensive degree (7). 5 Unexpectedly found no tulip variety (3,4). 6 Experiment dropping youth leader — a swimmer (5). 7 Checks out negotiations by crabby viewers? (9). 8 Pulls up green turf (5). 14 Old agents mislaid statesman (9). 16 I’d turn up with party I injure, with low self-esteem (9). 17 Halts broadcast around planet of seaside environment (9). 19 Blow up fellow copper, a former junior Scout (4,3). 20 Regret keeping film at home for entourage (7). 21 All performers express disapproval picking it up (5). 22 Starts to put iceberg lettuce and fish into rice dish (5). 24 The nub of the dispute — children (5). Solution to Sunday Independent Cryptic Crossword no. 1,045 Across: 1 Buffet car; 6 Skimp; 9 Swagger; 10 Trample; 11 Morel; 12 Touchdown; 13 Training; 15 Weed; 19 Lyre; 20 Harasses; 23 Ambitious; 24 Obese; 26 Optical; 27 Malaria; 28 Decay; 29 Rock-solid. Down: 1 Base metal; 2 Flair; 3 Eggplant; 4 Carotene; 5 Rotgut; 6 Swathe; 7 Improvers; 8 Paean; 14 Acrobatic; 16 Disregard; 17 Balsamic; 18 Damocles; 21 Stocky; 22 Roller; 23 Avoid; 25 Enrol.