CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Philosopher showing aptitude, performer going over the top? (7)

5 Distant artist needing energy, in

disordered state (7)

9 Garden tool not right – it should

be drier (5)

10 Unexciting partner in an

impasse (9)

11 Band’s ending – is gig

put off? (10)

12 Ruler starts to expect miracles

immediately, right? (4)

14 Claim dire sin somehow should

be made illegal (12)

18 Green type shows this

problem (12)

21 Christopher, husband in social

group (4)

22 Cheddar rather than brie? Bad

luck! (4,6)

25 A vile tent – foul air (9)

26 Star must get hold of office

assistant quickly (5)

27 King, a Northumbrian one, first

to enjoy alcoholic drink (3,4) 28 Resists abnormally religious

women (7)

DOWN

1 Happen to be facing

revolutionary change (6) 2 Youngest sheep in Australian

territory (6)

3 Flowering plant exciting holier

poet (10)

4 What is noted to be the ‘food of

love’? (5)

5 Pleasant influence of guy in

European country (9)

6 Bird to perceive the sound of

river rising (4)

7 Like a fog around end of October

creating panic (8)

8 Set aside across the street, we

hear? (8) 13 Idiots obstruct leaders (10) 15 Meal drama – terrible breakfast

food? (9)

16 Give sign of approval to maiden

perhaps seen as idle (4,4) 17 Ordained theologian goes round estate with trendy curate finally (8)

19 Peril created by fellows leading

a church (6)

20 People dealing with needles in

channels (6)

23 Acts to produce legal

documents (5)

24 One lacking intelligence brought up in part of France (4)