CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Backing provided by idiot, one

with attitude (10)

6 One may deck in a ring or be

decked in a ring (4)

9 Reportedly stop work and

slow down (5)

10 Dreamer writhing around

in rest (9)

12 Get rid of old lover with little

witticism and say that’s over (7) 13 A parent attracted to doctor in

interesting spectacles? (5) 15 Slippery ice, have to wrap up (7) 17 Upset hot water (7)

19 Seems a listener’s keeping very

quiet (7)

21 Can’t stand? That’s typical of

tailing detectives (7)

22 Get hot when biting into

humbug (5)

24 Did guide distribute

dive ads? (7)

27 First of April, headlessly full of

foolish panic (9)

28 Writer going to church in some

European capital (5)

29 Tramp’s dog’s maybe rolling

about (4)

30 Commander with map barking ‘Retreating, no sir!’ gets distinction (10)

DOWN

1 Two degrees from south and north, group of four stars? (4)

2 Speed aboard steamer, cool long-distance vessel (9)

3 Drop off bits of fruit to be

served up (5)

4 Set out and managed to

puncture changing gear (7) 5 Observe telecom men

taunting bears (7)

7 Country region of UK’S taken up

rising relief (5)

8 Neater flowing in the delta was

imminent (10)

11 Popular party’s welcoming or

not the place for outsiders? (7) 14 Bits of text that often come in at the beginning (10)

16 Like a small band, able to

stretch out (7)

18 More than one construction vehicle’s caught idling foully (9)

20 Get out to absorb a politician that gets in a lather (7)

21 Elaborate flagpole – VE Day

coming up will feature it (7) 23 With different blood group,

woman is surviving (5) 25 Peachy fried plums regularly

used in turnover (5) 26 Distinguished partners

crushing opponent twice (4)