I forgot to note my time, but sad to say, I nodded off briefly and I’m sure I exceeded my 15 minute target.
As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and [anagrinds, containment, reversal and other indicators in square ones]. “Aural wordplay” is in quotation marks. I now use a tilde sign ~ to indicate an insertion point in containment clues. I usually omit all reference to juxtaposition indicators unless there is a specific point that requires clarification.
Definitions underlined in bold italics, (Abc)* indicating anagram of Abc, deletions and [] other indicators.
 Across |
|
|---|---|
| 7 | Doctor ate pears split in two (8) |
| SEPARATE – Anagram [doctor]of ATE PAIRS | |
| 8 | Quarrel in health resort reportedly (4) |
| SPAR – Aural wordplay [reportedly]: “spa” (health resort) | |
| 9 | Disturbance behind you and me (6) |
| RUMPUS – RUMP (behind), US (you and me) | |
| 10 | Wise man follows university practice (5) |
| USAGE – U (university), SAGE (wise man) | |
| 11 | Posh individual spending time away (3) |
| OFF – {t}OFF (posh individual) [spending time] | |
| 12 | Hotel in Paris perhaps (6) |
| HILTON – a cryptic hint with reference to the great-granddaughter of the founder of the hotel chain | |
| 14 | Instrument with strings attached? It’s a scam (6) |
| FIDDLE – Two meanings | |
| 16 | Animal devouring rook and bit of chicken? (6) |
| BREAST – B~EAST (animal) containing [devouring] R (rook) | |
| 18 | Nick a piece of snooker equipment, you say? (6) |
| ARREST – Aural wordplay [you say]: “A rest” (a piece of snooker equipment) | |
| 19 | Turn back on Henry, selfish fellow (3) |
| HOG – H (Henry), then GO (turn) reversed [back]. Our setter’s signature clue of the day. | |
| 20 | Unload vehicle carrying case of Lafite (5) |
| CLEAR – C~AR (vehicle) containing [carrying] L{afit}E [case of…] | |
| 21 | English flower festival (6) |
| EASTER – E (English), ASTER (flower) | |
| 23 | Girl in mirror scratching head (4) |
| LASS – {g}LASS (mirror) [scratching head] | |
| 24 | Councillor ran off with medal (8) |
| ALDERMAN – Anagram [off] of RAN MEDAL | |
| Down |
|
|---|---|
| 1 | Strange characteristic (8) |
| PECULIAR – Two meanings | |
| 2 | Millions received by top party (4) |
| CAMP – M (millions) contained [received] by CA~P (top) | |
| 3 | Clergyman beginning to plan crime (6) |
| PARSON – P{lan} [beginning to…], ARSON (crime) | |
| 4 | Spurn Polish again? (6) |
| REBUFF – RE-BUFF (polish again) | |
| 5 | I defame a Brit maybe (8) |
| ISLANDER – I, SLANDER (defame) | |
| 6 | Rubbish European gallery (4) |
| TATE – TAT (rubbish), E (European) | |
| 13 | Cross at server being disorganised (8) |
| TRAVERSE – Anagram [disorganised] of AT SERVER | |
| 15 | Somehow salvage son’s gambling centre (3,5) |
| LAS VEGAS – Anagram [somehow] of SALVAGE, then S (son) | |
| 17 | Nurse accepting hospital warning (6) |
| THREAT – T~REAT (nurse) containing [accepting] H (hospital) | |
| 18 | Volkswagen data incomplete — what’s to be done? (6) |
| AGENDA – Hidden in [incomplete] {Volksw}AGEN DA{ta} | |
| 20 | Scoundrel importing heroin in African country (4) |
| CHAD – C~AD (scoundrel) containing [importing] H (heroin ) | |
| 22 | Personal assistant from Eire briefly on the up (4) |
| SIRI – IRIS{h} (from Eire) [briefly] reversed (on the up]. The digital assistant who lurks on Apple devices. | |
Late to the party! I’d been anticipating that I’d get my comeuppance soon after a few comfortable weeks and boy did I today! So far off the pace that I may as well have not bothered to start. No idea why, all perfectly fair. Threw in the towel at 25 mins. In fact I did better at the 15×15. Ah well.
Always enjoy Oinks puzzles. Thanks for blog Jack.
Oink – would love to see your trademark clue relate to wild boar young one day!
Didn’t needreminding of Paris Hilton, DNF
12 mins
Welcome back Tina 👍