CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

3 & 8 Easy times in the far distance (5,5)

See “3”

A piece of land, church property (5)

River no longer noted? (3) Shoot that smug fellow to the back of the class! (5) For certain lines, credit makes things simpler (7) City alas in ruins around each end (5)

Part Eskimo character in Kipling (3)

Could it hamper making a better rhyme? (6)

Once more weary, went back to bed (7)

Being beggarly is bad (4) Beach plant? (4) Is surrounded by broken rakes and old rulers (7) It’s smart of Charlie to put the pressure on (6)

Also helps give you a smooth back (3)

Weird at all times, that is (5) A climbing aid, naturally (7) Chose a musical production by name (5) Unattractive individual with no chance at all? (3) Tangled laces can be a bit fishy! (5)

Manage to overtake? (3,2) Happen, as a plural form, to include the singular (5) 8 10

11 12

13 15 18 19 21

22 23 24

26 29

31 32 34

35 36

37 38

DOWN

1 2

In a wild spree, do they get as drunk as a lord? (5) A smashing wave? (7) 4 5 6

7 9

12 14

16 17

19

20 21 One politician’s devils (4) Greeted loudly (and icily?) (6) Close game, nothing less than hot (5)

Nearby in a cul de sac (5) Weapon wielded economically? (3)

Scattered remains assembled in a group (7)

Pettish command doggedly obeyed? (3)

Titanic book? (5) Perfume showing warmhearted love for mother (5) Ate well, as in being festively honoured (7)

Room for a rocket? (5) Romeo finished as a pirate! (5) 23 24 25 27

28

30 32

33 Given the push? (7)

He may hold a ball (6) One changes in time (3) In bleaching, a percolating liquid may do so (5)

A girl to make music with? (5)

Will he thrust past? (5) Light meals said to tantalise? (4)

An infection of carrots? (3)