Weekend crossword
ACROSS
1 Birds wandering among bees (10) 6 Lowers, stern first, a boat (4) 9 An addict of grand opera? (5) 10 One pound for a party is not generous (9) 12 Metalworker’s after a biscuit in Bath — his village was deserted (6, 9) 13 Do in a niggard, a sinner (7) 15 Simple people are served with chow mein (7) 16 Exercise should be taken in stages in the Russian plains (7) 18 Abrasive implement spoiled rep’s car (7) 21 Former colony celebrates the joyful hour fit to bust (but not I)(3, 6, 2, 4) 23 Whizzkid? That could be a lark! (45) 24 Nosey one retired on half pay (5) 25 Lake poet’s work in metallic vein (4) 26 Where can one get a train? A railway — Still (10)
DOWN
1 Place of retirement cures boredom (7) 2 Puts in fruit about one (7) 3 Weight of piano on ceiling is the responsibility of the complainant (6,2, 5) 4 Cake’s topping, I warble (as you’ll hear) (5) 5 Beat up connection’s hazardous course (45) 7 Friendly drink (7) 8 Cheats his betters causing language best topped and tailed (7) 11 Bachelor’s so in favour of good time he sings very low songs (5, 8) 14 Holding back the 5.15, say, in motionlessness (9) 16 Pupils at Cheltenham must have something to carry books in (7) 17 Edward, about to be swallowed up, reappeared (7) 19 American in gay Paris, part of Germany, once (7) 20 Sovereigns, for instance, can provide income for an author (7) 22 Ben’s tee is wood (5)