WEEKEND CROSSWORD

No 3245

ACROSS

1 Account for one hit after another (4-2-4) 7 Advantage of having item of footwear (4) 9 Time in summer as usual (3) 10 Marvellous waterway, it’s in Venice (5,5) 11 Talent that’s free (4) 12 It is not considered to be of prime importance (12) 15 Sarcastic about a group of detectives in charge (6) 17 Crude tat distributed by tube! (4,4) 18 Having written one’s name twice, gave up (8) 20 Remove harmful substances from fry-up I organised (6) 21 Splendid warhorse for increasing pressure of engine (12) 24 Usual food plan at parliamentary assembly (4) 26 Enlace almost all wire netting differently (10) 27 Quick, I’d leave small amount (3) 28 Unfair making regular visits to Burghley (4) 29 Reassurance at that place repeatedly (5,5)

DOWN

2 Bird having fun (4) 3 Take someone out for an expensive dinner, have drink before food (4,3,4) 4 Boat Cathy capsized (5) 5 Doctor in Natal slaughtered rodent (4-3) 6 Wife with Ralph, she played instrument (5,4) 7 Secure piece of luggage (3) 8 Not prepared when near at hand (3,3,4) 13 Shrubs beneath trees beneath development (11) 14 Remarkable child genius I leave making plans (10) 16 Person forced to study text (9) 19 Collection of logs in river for recruit (7) 22 Go right to the corner to find the plant (5) 23 Called up with growl! (4) 25 Attempt by Terry taking odd letters (3)