CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Isolating sick gnu in Qatar nursing home (12)

8. They span British hilltops (7)

9. Regret cutting remark heard in plant (7)

11. Quick to react, this writer’s finished person’s novel (10)

12. Polish stripped back grain store (4)

14. Very game to tour India, avoiding one hot dish (8)

16. Forged dagger that’s serrated (6)

17. Controlled leaderless Middle Eastern country (3)

19. Warlike woman’s big flower (6)

21. Polish expression mentioned element (8)

24. Character featuring in Cypriot advertisement (4)

25. Story about, say, demotion of team (10)

27. Granny travelling round Irish victor’s paradise (7)

28. Silly dog with no lead is running around inside (7)

29. Innovative male expert in rocks (12)

Down

1. In Paris, who’d transgress when financially better off? (5,2)

2. Invader hurt along with boy carrying a cross (5-5)

3. One values a pair of ships carrying English gold (8)

4. Flourish article about radical quartet (6)

5. Novice maybe retains old part of speech (4)

6. New trial’s not starting? It’s getting closer (7)

7. Contracted form of books about flying controls (12)

10. Weird old boy tended to be stubborn (6-6)

13. One visits major cities on time for investor (10)

15. Rower’s on air regularly (3)

18. Familiar with figures, miners are returning note (8)

20. Personnel brought in a new duty? Farmers dread it (7)

22. Sign first (7)

23. Northeast India welcomes mate, one not far from there (6)

26. When delayed, coffee loses temperature (4)