Crosswords, puzzles
Tackle either set of these clues – you can even mix and match them, because the solutions are the same for both sets.
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1. Pity about the direction finder I had on (10) 6. Mae, sort out the great conductor! (7) 7. Ian is returning to Egyptian desert (5) 9. Pair in second-rate contest (5) 10. Went out with old hat (5) 11. Everyone taking part in it has to sing (5) 12. Remove bumps from uniform? Unacceptable! (4,3) 13. Wide throws in TV transmissions (10)
DOWN
1. Mongrel can be a badtempered kind of animal (10) 2. More than just a social climber (11) 3. Looked up to public notice, covered in mud (7) 4. They are treated as casualties (11) 5. Monopoly, etc the result of company directors’ antics (5,5) 8. Stupid dictator Amin had nothing but a facial twitch (7)
STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS
1. Sympathy (10) 6. Musical genius (7) 7. Ten Commandments mountain (5) 9. Dental wire (5) 10. Determined age of (fossil) (5) 11. Aida or Tosca (5) 12. Become more balanced (4,3) 13. Puts to air (10)
DOWN
1. Produce hybrid (10) 2. Everest tackler (11) 3. Respected (7) 4. Hospital clinic visitors (11) 5. Chess and Ludo (5,5) 8. Asinine (7)