CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. How to surpass a party alfresco (5) 4. Is lumbered with a horse that’s ready to be ridden (7) 8. Making team drill is routine drudgery (9) 9. Chatter vapidly about petrol as used in America (3) 10. Man could be lion, in name at least (7) 12. In Africa, an enclosure a mob turns to (4) 14. Member of fraternity is right in trouble (7) 17. It’s a pity it hasn’t finished with make-believe (4) 18. Being busy, he got on somehow (2,3,2) 20. Put a stop to some mendacity (3) 21. Prophetess and a crass interpretation she made (9) 23. It can be altered by working it with one’s foot (7) 24. Look for water to put out the flames (5)
DOWN
1. Away from home, is standing being done for (3,2,4,4) 2. 9 units used in public baths (6) 3. It may be the usual penny-farthing (8) 4. Will almost pass over the surface to go downhill (3) 5. Needs wetting, one is told, when it’s overcast (4) 6. Water within reef making a long circle (6) 7. Impartial as to spin, ideas have to be worked out (13) 11. There’s much to follow in this game (5) 13. With steward turning to the sunset (8) 15. Is able to be misled by its light (6) 16. Am owed some change for the grazing land (6) 19. On which a trip becomes sour? (4) 22. Female will almost cast one off (3)
YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION
Across: 2. Panda 5. Viol 7. Scan 8. Grizzled 9. Pretoria 11. Pant 12. Improvisation 15. Such 17. Sentries 19. Pintable 21. Bail 22. Cyst 23. Eased Down: 1. Buckram 2. Pen 3. Niger 4. Animals 5. Viz 6. Ocean 10. Torch 11. Pater 13. Visible 14. Opening 16. Unity 18. Needs 20. Tot 21. Bid