THE CROSSWORDS
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 Quiet individual excelled (5)
8 Each girl has to be cast in supporting part (5,3)
9 I am a long time getting the likeness (5) 10 We are its ruin, so to speak (2,2,4) 11 What’s turned out to be a cut of a scythe (5)
12 It may be sweet to eat - or not (3)
16 High spirits (6)
17 Draw some crude pictures (6)
18 Nigerian tribesman reflecting native charm (3)
23 Fast ships (5)
24 None here is sane (3,5)
25 Begins with writers on love (5)
26 Not to be taken as shy (8)
27 Prompt about going on day-shift (5)
DOWN
2 Household chores for children to do (8) 3 Drink to celebrate retirement? (8) 4 Very good note by Charles (6)
5 Said in France to be the same (5)
6 The Spanish boy gets the girl (5) 7 Giants in the gorse possibly (5) 12 Afterthought I added in a letter from Greece (3)
13 A to-do? Yes (3)
14 Very good order for dessert (5,3) 15 Shown or hidden (8)
19 Excluded the said poet (6)
20 Bares disguised weapon (5)
21 Ignition takes place at this point (5) 22 Brief electricity failure (5)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Roughly built hut (5) 8 Galanthus nivalis (8)
9 Play for time (5)
10 Fail to make impression (3,2,3) 11 A variety of orange (5) 12 Obtain (3)
16 Former name for Iran (6) 17 Hateful (6)
18 Pigpen (3)
23 Modify (5) 24 Undeserved misfortune (4,4) 25 General truth (5) 26 A sentimental weakness (4,4) 27 Smooth and glossy (5)
DOWN
2 Trouble (3,5)
3 Aloof unfeeling person (4,4) 4 Prevail on (6)
5 Pigs (5)
6 Intellect (5)
7 Sales talk (5)
12 Talk garrulously (3) 13 Plaything (3)
14 An unexpected gain (8) 15 Catch unawares (8) 19 Business magnate (6) 20 Stage in development (5) 21 Brusque (5)
22 An instant (5)