Brain teaser

A crossword to put your mind to.

Across

1 Composed of two chambers, such as legislative bodies like the U.S. Congress (9) 6 Mother-of-pearl (5)

9 Declare invalid (5)

10 Things spoken, or nowadays often typed, to verify identity (9)

11 See 21

12 A man, companion, or member of a learned society (6)

14 Temporary lodgings (possibly when on 11 across) (4)

15 Not yet beyond repair (10)

17 A stated intention (often made at 6 down) (10) 19 The shaft on which a wheel rotates (4)

21/11 A vacation in the warmest season (6,7) 23 Lamentations (7)

26 A parasitic shrub associated with kissing (9) 27 A type of fund or a “living fence” (5) 28 Chaff, or a drinking tube (5) 29 Perspicacious or healthy (5-4)

Down

1 Location of current deposits by the seaside? (5) 2 Feast day falling on the 2nd of February (9) 3 Air or strain (6)

4 Compensation (10)

5 Growing in abundance, or one who drinks too much (4)

6 A time of renewal celebrated at different times in different cultures (3,4)

7 Song often heard at 14 down (5)

8 Not present! (9)

13 Air or ambience (10)

14 See 20

16 A public holiday following 14 down (6,3) 18 Hides out (4,3)

20/14 A philanthropist said to visit around this time of year (6,9)

22 A hoarder (Dickens’ was originally opposed to 14 down) (5)

24 What one may do with time or money (5) 25 Relating to the ear (4)