I found this one to be nearer the easier end of the spectrum, but enjoyable nevertheless, with some nice pictures conjured up by the surface readings (1a, 8a and 12a particularly). A couple of possible &lits, 21a and 4d, (but I may be confused, so look forward to discussion!) unusual in the quick, and a cleverly concealed anagram in 14d.
Thank you Flamande.
Thank you Flamande.
| Across | |
| 7 | Don’t allow animal doctor near duck: VETO Animal doctor = VET, duck = O (to score a duck is to score nothing – a favourite crossword dodge) |
| 8 | One alcoholic drink brought into exam? That’s novel: ORIGINAL One = I, alcoholic drink = GIN, in exam = ORAL |
| 9 | Sailor with extremely elegant coat: JACKET Sailor = JACK, extremely elegant = EleganT |
| 10 | I felt moved by European socialist: LEFTIE Anagram (moved) of I FELT, European = E |
| 11 | You’ll get a great deal in Amsterdam anytime: MANY Hidden clue |
| 12 | One on coach by Scottish loch causing concern: BUSINESS One = I, coach = BUS, Scottish loch = NESS |
| 15 | Come again to gather fruit: REAPPEAR Gather = REAP, fruit = PEAR |
| 17 | Good artist regularly showing determination: GRIT Good = G, artist regularly = aRtIsT |
| 18 | Small particles in glasses, you say: SPECKS Homophone (you say) of glasses = SPECS |
| 21 | Me, rude? Wrong if this, presumably: DEMURE Anagram (wrong) of ME RUDE. Is this an &lit? |
| 22 | Old Italian centaurs destroyed: ETRUSCAN Anagram (destroyed) of CENTAURS |
| 23 | Field day for main actor: LEAD Field = LEA, day = D |
| Down | |
| 1 | Rule introduced by esteemed eastern state of America: DELAWARE Rule = LAW, inside esteemed = DEAR, eastern = E |
| 2 | Teacher very important for dunce?: DONKEY Teacher = DON, very important = KEY |
| 3 | Piano or piece of furniture easy to carry: PORTABLE Piano = P (musical direction), or = OR, piece of furniture = TABLE |
| 4 | Document written in legal language, principally: WILL First letters (principally) clue another &lit, I think |
| 5 | Argument during light meal: TIFFIN Argument = TIFF, during = IN |
| 6 | Surrealist painter creating some scandal inevitably: DALI Hidden word |
| 13 | Small missile making harsh sound: STRIDENT Small = S, missile = TRIDENT |
| 14 | Motorway approach coming out of old Paris: SLIP ROAD Anagram (coming out of) of OLD PARIS |
| 16 | Get better with van with low sides: PICKUP Double definition, though I feel there should be a word break in the first and a hyphen in the second…. |
| 17 | Bet medical expert is caught in strong wind: GAMBLE Medical expert = MB, inside strong wind = GALE |
| 19 | Small point about Italian prime minister of old: PITT Small point = PT, about Itailian = IT |
| 20 | Religious faction determined to recruit 100: SECT Determined = SET, about a hundred = C (Roman numeral – also be familiar with L, M and D!) |