CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Ample ground next to mortar provides site for big gun (11) 9 Give a lift to man with first woman entering contest (5,2) 10 Wealthy types beginning to flag at musical (3,4) 11 Garland worn in Kurile Islands (3) 12 Contestant gets over surgery for disorder (7) 13 Game saint introduced to most of the Promised Land (7) 14 Male ducks make noise on farm (3) 15 Pass large part of church (5) 17 Bull is unpredictable to some extent (5) 18 Hide cummerbund around waist at last (5) 20 Spinner runs in both directions (5) 22 What one does in repast on regular occasions (3) 24 Ruler’s broadcasting during parade (7) 25 Attempt cultivating agave in head office (4,1,2) 26 Impersonate 18 Down (3) 27 Ignoring European, eccentric Thoreau’s one of these (7) 28 Cheat couple with forged item (3-4) 29 Device cannot tip or spread (11)

DOWN

1 Choose eg romantic novel that may be attractive (15) 2 Cook partly displaying bipolar disorder (7) 3 Girl impresses public library more than enough (5) 4 Competent English fellows here in Paris with eastern books (9) 5 Two hospital departments finally agree pact (7) 6 TLS ran out new version using different letters (15) 7 Second best hoot (6) 8 Lewis’s lion initially trembles on a slope (6) 16 Accountant on board recruits tea buyer (9) 18 Jacob’s son mentioned a distant cousin (6) 19 Keep talking about old weapon at sea (7) 21 Pasta recipe excited Olivia (7) 23 Small digger beginning to transform lower ground (6) 25 Agitated ambassador set down rose (3,2)