CROSSWORD

No 1,604

TO ENTER Complete the crossword and count how many times the letter ‘X’ appears in the grid. Post your entry to YOU Crossword No 1,604, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Closing date is Friday, August 3. One random winner from all correct entries will win €75. The winner will be notified within 14 days. Solution in two weeks.

ACROSS

6 Kiss and cuddle (6)

8 Collecting, gathering (8)

10 Miscalculated, strayed (5)

11 Northern European country which fought against the British coalition in the Seven Years’ War (6)

12 Even-handed, just (4)

13 (and 15, 17, 26 across and 21 down) Proverb that encourages persistence (2,2,5,3,4,7,3,3,5) 15 See 13 across 17 See 13 across 19 City associated with Anfield and The Beatles (9)

22 Yemeni city and port (4)

23 Shining, glowing (6)

24 Male singing voice between alto and baritone (5) 25 Anguish (8) 26 See 13 across

DOWN

1 Impression (9) 2 Nepalese guide – as found in the Himalayas (6)

3 The home of the Welsh Assembly (7)

4 German housewife (8)

5 As found at the back of a reference book (5) 7 Immoderate, extravagant (13) 9 Impressively, strikingly (13) 14 Soldier of fortune (9) 16 Month that represents a code letter in communications (8) 18 Object, demonstrate (7) 20 Heavily or elaborately decorated (6) 21 See 13 across