PUZZLE TIME

BLANKOUT

A crossword you construct yourself, adding the answers and the blanks as you go. The clues are in sets of one, two, three or four guiding you to one, two, three or four words in each line (across) or column (down) indicated at the beginning of each set of clues. Each complete word has a blank at its beginning and end (unless it’s at the edge of the grid). Blanks are arranged symmetrically. To help you, we’ve given you a start with the answer to the clue on Line 9 – ‘Capital city of France’ – which yields the word ‘Paris’. This must sit in the centre of the line to preserve the symmetry. ACROSS

1 Fearful cry; Porous volcanic rock

3 Mythical horned horse; Knotted threadwork 5 Taboo (topic)

7 Shed tears; New; A single time

9 Bobbin, spool; Capital city of France; Sound a horn 11 Tentacled sea creature; Hanging border of drapery 13 Goggle; Award won in a competition; Musical composition

15 Undersized animal; Top of a wave or hill; Small horse 17 Process of chilling

19 Floating easily; Irritated 21 Chronic respiratory illness; Score-keeper

DOWN

A Advocate of hostilities C Customer base; Weighty D Relaxed, slack

E Abscond to marry; Freshwater fish

F Well rounded in shape G Grotesque creature; Yachting event

H Title and rank of nobility; Chop into cubes

I Full of self-importance; Ironic cutting remarks