CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Gasp, having a cold, turning over in sleep (6) 5 What’s wonderful about short love affair? It’s puzzling (8) 9 Have to be seen as one in the grammar class? (9,4) 10 Male snoring terribly – more than once when he should be getting up? (8) 11 Artist and count meeting very infrequently (6) 12 Scenes from another world packed with energy (6) 14 Unendingly dedicated Socialist gets destroyed (8) 16 An Oxford connection? (8) 19 Journeys taking in good long stretches high up (6) 21 One goes to bed, dropping down heavily (6) 23 What makes perfect performance – sacrifice all round (8) 25 High-up executive officer pens directive after negotiation (4,9) 26 Professional is desperate and keeps going (8) 27 Animals dash – first signs of dry season (6)

DOWN

2 Do a meal, possibly stewed with veg? (1,2,4) 3 President offering nothing, nothing, nothing initially (5) 4 A pony’s transformed with lei – in this Pacific region? (9) 5 Prejudiced educationist, one idiot to be shut up (7) 6 Entrance area for receiving you (5) 7 Be idle, offering story before a whole lot of drinks (3,6) 8 Clouds unable to move disperse finally (7) 13 Lunch I ate turned out to be bad (9) 15 Relatives surprisingly willing to fit in? (9) 17 Dynasty no longer existing in foreign city (7) 18 Eastern maiden pursued by journalists, one married to ruler? (7) 20 Aroused old lover gets named (7) 22 City’s farewell message – refusal to be upset (5) 24 English article thanks character from Greece (5)