CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Figure drifting snow can be amusing (6) 7 Helpful if you’re patient (8) 8 The signalman’s girl (4) 10 A writer’s point (3,3) 11 At a certain cost, there’s a slim chance of improving it (6) 14 Pull a vessel (3) 16 He may get free (5) 17 A rotten shade of red (4) 19 Mythical giant eyed quite remarkably (5) 21 Declare one’s right to many an object (5) 22 German town orchestra (5) 23 Fathead shown the way, but simply bolted (4) 26 Is this chap the one a lass is crazy about? (5) 28 Enough sticky stuff to go round? (3) 29 Bad situation, but not serious to finish up with (6) 30 Supportive press article (6) 31 Stop a bowler accepting money? (4) 32 Composition given a performance with love (8) 33 N American Indian staying at uncle’s? (6)

DOWN

1 Metal core moulded round a very soft centre (6) 2 Tree providing a law breaker with something to eat (6) 3 No striking evidence of injury? (4) 4 A generous parent gives most (7) 5 A takeaway sign (5) 6 Very young and so loveless still (5)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

8 Creatures of giant stature? (4) 9 Flier on the motorway to Gateshead (3) 12 Empty talk out of the ring? (3) 13 He may deceive or upset some of the guests (5) 15 In the mountains, Ursula possibly lost her head (5) 18 Once-popular ballad sung a bit jauntily? (5) 19 Everybody in the gallery (3) 20 Donate to Joe East (3) 21 He dispenses riches, hiding a sad heart (7) 22 The witch of Carthage (3) 23 Leaders don’t do so, you understand (6) 24 Left out, possibly a social misfit (4) 25 Mean not to fall in the river! (6) 26 Such girls make for variety in life (5) 27 Those Millwall heroes (5) 28 Whence, in India, you can go to central Spain (3) 30 A cut of meat (4)