Solving time 11:30
A welcome relief after the previous Saturday’s really hard puzzle! No obscure vocabulary, and some very well-constructed clues with excellent surface reading. I expect the faster solvers here will have halved my time.
ACROSS
| 1 | SPAR(e) |
| 9 | CRAPULENCE (cup cleaner)* – a bit of a loose definition perhaps? |
| 11 | POT,E.N.T. – note for beginners: “hospital department” is ALWAYS “ENT” in cryptic crosswords. |
| 12 | O,R(THO)D,OX – nicely constructed clue with a good surface reading |
| 15 | (m)EMPH(AS)IS,ED – and again |
| 20 | 0=zero,DIN – nice cryptic definition |
| 21 | BER,1 twice – I liked “end of last four months” for BER |
| 25 | 1(NEXT,R.E.M.)IS – again, nicely constructed |
DOWN
| 2 | P,ARSON,S,N(O)S,E – another word for it is “pope’s nose”, which also appeared in a crossword in the last week or so |
| 4 | PA(LET)TE – if you’re wondering how let=hindrance, think tennis. |
| 5 | RUN,FORP(=prof rev),RESIDENT |
| 7 | L(IV)ID, or for Pietersen maybe LI(VI)D (actually, maybe not in the current test series) |
| 13 | OPENING TIME – another one for beginners to look out for. TIME is often clued as “the enemy” (as in the phrase “To have no enemy but time”) |
| 16 | IDOLATERS (leotards I)* – ref. Pop Idol |
| 18 | NEE,DIE,(poo)R |
| 19 | (ca)T,ROTTER – this one doesn’t quite hang together, as “part of” is expected to ignore the rat and associate with the pig. Maybe the exclamation mark lets it off the hook… |
9a Crapulence was my LOI – I agree that the definition of just “drinking” is inadequate. I’ve had a couple of ice cold Fozzies but I’m along way from the intoxication implied by this word.
On to the “easies” – they are plentiful on this Saturday offering.
4a Meticulous detail = PARTICULAR – remember 2-word clue think DD!
10a Bad? As it happens going in wrong direction = EVIL – “Live” back’rds
11a Strong drug used by hospital department = POT ENT
14a Man perhaps held back by travEL SIckness – rev HA – think TT racing
17a Huge area hosts good party = CONTIN G ENT
23a Ape beginning to eat fruit = ORANG E – forget the UTAN
24a People put their skates on = RACE – more than 2 words but still a DD
26a (Wire pretty)* complex printing machine = TYPEWRITER
27a In which tools may be lost = SHED – another more-than-2-word DD
3d Show is about here = RE PRESENT
6d In time, it’s held up as lethargy = IN ER TI A
8d (Real)* mad and cross? Don’t be = RELA X – bit of an & litty type of clue?
21d Heading for baldness before time, which is felt on one’s head = B ERE T
22d Go over again, with horse rampant? = RECAP – “pacer” back’rds, a sort of equine Chris Chataway? Btw does not “rampant” mean rearing up on hind legs and not turning turtle?