BLANKOUT ACROSS

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 11 – ‘Impersonate comically’ – which yields the word ‘Mimic’. This must sit in the centre of the line to preserve the symmetry. 1 Jamboree; Collection of people or

objects; Stub of a cigarette or cigar

3 Member of the legislature

5 Renovate

6 Without sensitivity; Totally wreck

7 Sated

8 In the style of the recent past;

Performing (an action)

9 Double-decker form of transport;

Towing boat

10 Atmospheric layer; Remove forcibly

11 Impersonate comically

12 Fashionable or posh; Juicy fruit

13 Traditional pub drink; Aussie bird

14 Do really well; Jewelled headdress

15 Official permit

16 Eye swelling; Stormy wind

17 Go out of sight

19 Ability to blend into the background

21 Rock’n’roll dance; One who travels on horseback; Circular movement of water

DOWN

A Agitation

B Almost closed; Opposed to

C Saying, adage; In need of a scratch!

D Sang-froid; OK to consume

E Judge’s gown; Public room for

meetings

F Person of high rank or influence; Company providing cover against loss

G Playground structure

H Exercise superior authority;

Abhorred

I Double

J Loyalist; Knife that resembles

an axe

K Brink; Unable to speak

L Men’s hairdresser; Large farm or

country house

M Join as one; Alpaca-like animal

N Durable timber; Pre-owned

O Bird with a melodious

nocturnal song