Double Crossword

Published on 30/03/2012 12:00

Choice of cryptic or quick puzzle, and (just in case you’ve been wracking your brains) yesterday’s solutions.

Cryptic puzzle

Across

3. There should be no hens here (4,5)

8. Somehow reap fruit (4)

9. Annoying by looking around the street (9)

10. American money said to bring grief (6)

11. When the man takes tea (5)

14. Swear about merchandise (5)

15. Pleasant resort in France (4)

16. Cathy capsizes the sailing boat (5)

18. Step to the right and get gun out (4)

20. Shore up an animal (5)

21. Girl losing her head over slang (5)

24. Some Dorset terrier or another dog (6)

25. Cane under trial for lasting quality (9)

26. Proceed to find a fool (4)

27. Plan to dig around for something to gild with (4,5)

Down

1. Digging routine preparatory duties? (9)

2. Ran libel article about dancer (9)

4. Tire out with a row (4)

5. Keeps in with Bill the billionaire (5)

6. Pilot in the marina, perhaps (6)

7. Vehicle with a worn top? (4)

9. Baby cat? (5)

11. Coats thrown at the races (5)

12. Turns into a grim journey (9)

13. Tree trend can be off-putting (9)

17. A number found in there (5)

19. Justification you give for retreating? (6)

22. Japanese port to get a soak tipsy (5)

23. Cause the downfall of United Nations party (4)

24. Read the descant part (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

3. Profitable (9)

8. Lure (4)

9. Hard work (9)

10. Spaceship (6)

11. Agencies (5)

14. Exhausted (5)

15. Rotate (4)

16. Moor (5)

18. Sell (4)

20. Release (5)

21. Entice (5)

24. Strain (6)

25. Sensible (9)

26. Quarrel (4)

27. Fecundity (9)

Down

1. Vulgar (9)

2. Villain (9)

4. One (4)

5. Uplift (5)

6. Essay (6)

7. Sin (4)

9. Demise (5)

11. Intended (5)

12. Lethargic (9)

13. Increase (9)

17. Vegetable mould (5)

19. Portray (6)

22. Bottle (5)

23. Vast (4)

24. Powder (4)

Thursday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Cant; 3 Spoonful; 8 Diva; 9 Barnacle; 11 Victoria plum; 13 Reside; 14 Staple; 17 Simultaneous; 20 Redskins; 21 Beer; 22 Leap year; 23 Used.

Down: 1 Cadavers; 2 Novices; 4 Placid; 5 Omnipotent; 6 Fichu; 7 Lied; 10 Cold turkey; 12 Censured; 15 Prowess; 16 Stanza; 18 India; 19 Oral.

QUICK

Across: 1 Mice; 3 Estrange; 8 None; 9 Dramatic; 11 Praiseworthy; 13 Lustre; 14 Pamper; 17 Particularly; 20 Despised; 21 Fuji; 22 Tendered; 23 Mesh.

Down: 1 Monopoly; 2 Canvass; 4 Shrewd; 5 Remarkable; 6 Notch; 7 Etch; 10 Escritoire; 12 Crayfish; 15 Perfume; 16 Scheme; 18 Arson; 19 Edit.