£50 PRIZE CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Propose Ann returns shortly to the old Greek storyteller (5) 4 In Sumatra, cycling can lead to distressing experiences (7) 8 Prepares Don’s tea and makes a charity contribution (7) 9 Made a decision to obtain some of the toyshop teddies (5) 10 Eric’s blood, on lab analysis, primarily shows a deadly virus (5) 11 Left unplanted with rebuild of wall (6) 14 An abridged magazine, mother, shows underground lava (5) 16 My bar is in a bad way – it’s completely crazy (5) 18 Climb down a height on a rope? Yes, possibly is able (6) 21 Sly attempt, we hear, in this seaport of Ireland (5) 24 Get on a horse to look at Vesuvius or Etna, for instance (5) 25 Flint and the ex reunited to view The Crown TV service (7) 26 Complain and take exception to a crooked old peer (7) 27 Initially, dopey Uncle Robert upended my pasta wheat (5)

DOWN

1 Wee Nadia’s turned up to see Verdi’s Egyptian opera (4) 2 What’s useful against a flood? A few boats and bags (7) 3 Ella followed Pat to look at the kneecap (7) 4 Use only a short mackintosh? That’s foolish nonsense (4) 5 Pleasant smell? Ah, Caesar’s city, by the sound of it (5) 6 Tom returned to the Spanish roadway inn (5) 7 It’s how crabs normally walk. Yes, Di saw movement (8) 12 Some bleating in the meadow (3) 13 Wrapped up tight like an Egyptian mummy? Yes, and sadly blamed me (8) 15 The webmaker showed up with one of the Queen’s gongs (1,1,1) 16 After the usual time? Yes, late getting into bed (7) 17 Does this fulltime soldier go like clockwork? (7) 19 Baffle by using part of the wicket? MP Stu is confused (5) 20 Part of the joint work will be split 50-50 (2,3) 22 One of the Brontë sisters is recalled in Vienna (4) 23 Wee Max eventually got up for the school test (4)