Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 18/09/12

Published on 18/09/2012 03:23

Tuesday’s puzzle...

ACROSS

1 People in business together sharing profits at start of bridge game (3,3,8)

9 New route up Everest, for example, that’s in process of development (7)

10 Friend Mary found wandering in Syrian city (7)

11 12,13 Distinguish fine thread to unfold an interesting tale (4,1,4,4)

16 Take clothes off and go topless in beachwear (7)

17 Also, not even that’s passing strange (3,3)

19 Invitations to drink issued when Salvation Army returns bearing measures of spirits (6)

22 Polish holy picture found at old Italian frontier (7)

25 Drug used to work out at gymnastics (4)

26 Animals spent last year enveloped in mists (5)

27 Two pence gets tune (4)

30 Papa may be offended now (7)

31 Spy chief said to have finished, having made corrective improvements (7)

32 Famous for imaginary speaking part (2,3,9)

DOWN

1 Interpret the ins and outs of recounts (8)

2 Struggled to create dustless environment without conclusion (7)

3 Cope differently with Iran, Iraq, Kuwait et al (4)

4 Soups to hash over a long time (7)

5 Mutual understanding found in equality, having given up strong drink (7)

6 Leaders see no-one is left exposed in river (4)

7 Put out to dry near Mr Fox (7)

8 I leave children in sheds (5)

14 Rent that left comfort (5)

15 Could be game bird (5)

18 Breaks in — sit under cloud (8)

20 Musically gifted child, deserted, making do with second best (7)

21 Extend prison sentence (7)

22 Hymns composed for Grade IV (3,4)

23 Did he portray fish in his still-life paintings? (7)

24 Dab hand taped in error (5)

28 Network used to some extent in home shopping (4)

29 Duck — or lift head off (4)

Yesterday’s solution:

Across: 1 Combat, 4 Scraping, 9 Raised, 10 Habitual, 12 Feted, 13 Racketeer, 14 Epistle, 15 Race, 19 Slam, 21 Minster, 24 Chartered, 26 Elite, 27 Entering, 28 Ardent, 29 Exposure, 30 Edited.

Down: 1 Carefree, 2 Maintain, 3 Anecdotal, 5 Chancer, 6 Alive, 7 Injured, 8 Galore, 11 Urge, 16 Conferred, 17 Strident, 18 Arrested, 20 Mariner, 21 Mode, 22 Scheme, 23 Tart up, 25 Turns.