THE GIANT CROSSWORD
ACROSS
13 Like the bizarre painting no longer hanging up? (3,3,4) 14 Make it hard to get gun he brandishes (7) 15 An expression of sympathy is not good enough (3,3) 16 An evergreen comedian (6) 17 Assuming you and I have been given a call (7) 18 Used as seat or covering, perhaps, for cushions (5) 19 Yes, cutting and consuming a piece of cake (4) 20 Mastermind who got our old railway in a shambles! (5) 21 Peeved by evidence that one was mistaken (5) 22 Tell later to get off to early start (6) 23 To the right, church with light (5) 28 Force to pull over, to skirt void (7) 30 Wakens up in wrong cot, some mistake (5,2) 33 Lack of sincerity in person on the line? (9) 36 With little sister, half cut, having a drink (6) 38 Signals to stop. Has to catch the one fifty (5) 39 The wife is not wrong (5) 40 Do it and they’ll lock you up! (6) 42 Bad move, injecting new toxin (5) 43 With liberation from river, moving back into (7) 44 Berg melting all round, I’d found safe passage to land (6) 46 He’s not a Marine (4) 49 Page one is mistaken about, to begin with (4) 51 Next to form a team (6) 53 Definitely agree, bout was rigged (2,5) 55 For puzzle creating, must have quiet (5) 59 The way in which one speaks reveals stress (6) 60 Pointer that you’re on a ranch? (5) 61 Damn book end! (5) 62 The cartel is in revolt (6) 63 Expenses we wouldn’t incur if we stayed at home? (9) 65 On board, go off to get seats (7) 66 Champion drink, wine (7) 70 European lady contrived to grasp there’s a hold-up (5) 71 Considered having me go through the document (6) 73 Cast aspersions at first that would wound (5) 75 Available for, surprisingly, not a penny (2,3) 80 A clergyman must be upset to swear (4) 82 Dead hard to insert into the machine (5) 83 A big glass dropper (7) 84 Brought back article to read: crazy outburst (6) 85 Root for the redhead (6) 86 With big grin, I run through the pedigrees (7) 87 Affection that’s become a fixation? (10)
DOWN
1 Romance a female: blonde (6) 2 Really good money (8) 3 Having a lot of time, gave one a hand (5) 4 Are why, erroneously, I was confined as mad (7) 5 Complains about the French cricketers (6) 6 Where plane landed after second flight (5) 7 Such a strike ends when strikers get fed up (6) 8 Weed. The one I have let spread (7) 9 Isn’t treating skin irritations — laughing at (2,8) 10 Way one put on weight (5) 11 Approached threateningly, wearied of and mad, now (4,4) 12 Mother’s at Sunday service (4) 24 Sack he is bundling into vehicle (7) 25 Get on minor road, in need of repair (5) 26 In prison, child, I have accommodation and food (7) 27 What critic did that delivered blow to show? (7) 29 Is getting in. Are prepared to give lift (5) 31 Tree is hollow: not dead (5) 32 Let out a caged bird (4) 34 Beguiles many. Is detrimental (6) 35 Back-track and you’ll find he’s deceitful (4) 37 Beat lightweight right before retiring (7) 41 Short time — a record (7) 45 When girlfriend comes round, be up for discussion (6) 47 Refrain from giving a black mark (7) 48 Vetoed because told to (7) 50 Snap, awfully curt and tart about (7) 52 Also backing action taken (4) 54 In for a tedious lecture (5) 56 Youngster who has no right to be on motorway (5) 57 Region that is, for a time, backward (4) 58 Grow up out west as a family (5) 60 No. It’s ‘egg us to recoil from proposition’ (10) 64 Finery worn by happy tramp? (4,4) 67 Hat providing shade or obstructing view (8) 68 Means to treat one with a memory defect (7) 69 Birds of usual sort flying by (7) 72 Particular date I changed to end of April (6) 74 Supporter will tear everything in it up (6) 76 Keen to make home in craft (6) 77 Scowl at rain and gale blowing outside (5) 78 Break mum’s and don’t say a word about this (5) 79 Standard item of menswear, once (5) 81 Imbibing a French wine that’s no good (4)