CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Retain walls designed to protect European source of water (8,4)

8. Woman’s special interest? English animal fodder (7)

9. Small lake bends around and stretches out (7) 11. Panned following dreadful rant, as are many popular books (10)

12. Fine Greek character’s dairy product (4)

14. A new bit’s smashed? Dispose of it here (5,3) 16. Smile wryly while devouring superior breakfast (6) 17. Dismissed on strike (3) 19. Stop daughter and sister interrupting sci-fi film (6) 21. Radical foursome are in fact doing well (8) 24. Smooth club (4)

25. Lawyer in Edinburgh acting on behalf of keeper in museum (10)

27. First of grandchildren enquire about mother’s wartime headgear (3,4) 28. Performed melody back wards for drink (7) 29. WI collect rare samples, including first of two timepieces (5,7)

Down

1. Arab brings up money that’s outstanding (7) 2. Crossing from side to side, stars never vary (10) 3. Outline of a plot involving case with 24 (8)

4. Reply from a Republican including all the main points (6)

5. Propel boat up north, exhausted (4)

6. Like the Wild West, Lux embourg, Wales possibly, and Sweden (7)

7. Union ceremony wedged within rocks (5,7)

10. Yell, having brought in emollient (7,5)

13. Cook chard in bun and mollusc (10)

15. Eccentric group of teachers (3)

18. Solidly built, dim location for filming (8)

20. One who finances track Poles installed (7)

22. Cages popular seabirds (7)

23. A work composed to entertain king somewhere in Poland (6) 26. Small state service (4)