CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. It’s a way they have in rural areas (7,4)

8. A bodily part that has its pipes? (5)

9. Was extravagant, and had it on the stove too long (7)

10. Seeing that the Sappers are free of pretence (7)

11. Such a note as is to be played with elegance (5)

12. Is giving voice to a proverb (6)

14. Loves to give a party with almost all the others (6)

18. When he is taken in by the Persian he won’t play fair (5)

19. The Navy is upset about the church getting nothing but fish (7)

21. Turned aside blow from 22, dire as it might have been (7)

23. Is too large to be among the last three of those (5)

24. The phrase RIP is a roundabout way of saying it (11)

DOWN

1. Picks and hoes used with lettuce (7)

2. Pressing condition with gun the East cry out for (7)

3. Get in a muddle as to the suffusion of colour (5)

4. The old sign for people of small estate (6)

5. Gave out that it was vindicated by mixing with 6 (7)

6. One left a girl as a consequence (3)

7. Attached strip to an unfinished account book (5)

13. A more neatly dressed French artist (7)

15. Or, tries to sort out the disturbers of the peace (7)

16. Fling a cape to show the coy state one’s in (7)

17. It’s a difficult ascent, if one’s poor (4,2)

18. A table bird for one who’s not bare-headed (5)

20. The body of singers in part of the church (5)

22. Tell one off with a blow over the knuckles (3) SATURDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Pressure point 9. Notre-Dame 10. Thank

11. Heels 12. Tessitura 13. Interpol 15. Esteem 18. Entice

20. Aircraft 23. Pessimist 24. Thumb 25. Pulse 26. Perennial

27. Disadvantages

Down: 1. Punch line 2. Entreat 3. Steps 4. Reaction 5. Please

6. Intrinsic 7. Traduce 8. Pukka 14. Receivers 16. Mothballs

17. Wistaria 19. Tussled 21. Amusing 22. Limpid 23. Piper

24. Tenet