Crosaire No 16801 by Crossheir – Thursday, November 15th, 2018

Blog explanations available at 10pm on the day of publication

Across:

1 Fully prepared (set) for the most part (t) (‘set’ without ‘t’ = SE-) to put it in the smokehouse (-CURE) (SECURE) that’s safe and sound (SECURE),

4 Old Bob (shilling = S-) can be cross (cross = -C-SSOR-) over one (-I-) endless (end ‘less’ = -S) (SCISSORS) cutting type (SCISSORS),

9 In addition (too = O-OT), upset (= reversal indicator) over Clare (-CE-) getting lost (-L-) (OCELOT) with wild cat (OCELOT),

10 Delicacy (TACT-) from takeaway (-LESS) (TACTLESS) produced by Frank, the undiplomatic type (TACTLESS),

READ MORE

12 Criminals (CONS-) with curtailed (k) mode of transport (‘truck’ without ‘k’ = TRUC-) initially targeted  (initially ‘targeted’ = -T) (CONSTRUCT) – it’s a put up? (CONSTRUCT),

13 Protection (HEDGE) for characters in impoverished geopolitics (HEDGE = characters in “impoverished geopolitics”),

14 Where those directing operations in The West Wing and others do their jobs (CONTROL ROOMS where those directing operations in The West Wing TV show and others do their jobs) leading 18 across (leading ‘control panel’ = CONTROL) in The House (ROOMS) (CONTROL ROOMS),

18 One of those manipulating the system (CONTROL PANEL) to switch (CONTROL switch) the jury (PANEL) (CONTROL PANEL),

21 Bitter (ACRID) state (= homophone indicator) telling it like it is (“accurate” = “ACRID”),

22 The Spanish (the = EL-) stitch them up (-SEW-) in this place (-HERE) (ELSEWHERE) or in another place (ELSEWHERE),

24 Switches (CONTROLS) 14 across from the start (“control panel” = CONTROL-) at school (-S) (CONTROLS),

25 Don to take a dip (don/put on BIKINI to take a dip/swim) in top beach (top ‘beach’ = B-) near Island (-I-) Family (-KIN-) Holiday Centre (‘holiday centre’ = -I-) (BIKINI),

26 NHS is (NHS is = SHIN-S) crazy (= anagram indicator) over archaeological site (-DIG-) (SHINDIGS) parties (SHINDIGS),

27 Hot (STOLEN) items from auction (lots = STOL-) returned (= reversal indicator) by workers (men) heading off (m) (‘men’ without ‘m’ = -EN) (STOLEN).

Down:

1 Old (-O-) type of processor (personal computer = -PC-) in farm (ST-OCK) (STOPCOCK) concerns regulator in touch with Irish Water (STOPCOCK),

2 Stick (CL-ING) around college official (dean) losing the head (d) (“dean” without “d” = -EAN-) (CLEANING) working with the Polish (working with the polish = CLEANING),

3 He got away from shooter (‘he’ got away from ‘shooter’ = sootr = ROOST) to settle down (ROOST),

5 Take it easy (COAST) for half the journey (half the ‘tour’ = TO) on cruise (COAST) (COAST TO COAST) going from Malin Head to Mizen Head (COAST TO COAST),

6 Prepare the board (SET THEM UP) for what the union negotiator is likely to do? (union negotiator/matchmaker is likely to SET THEM UP),

7 Put too much emphasis on (OVERDO) dove or (dove or = OVERDO) cuckoo (= anagram indicator),

8 Careerists dismiss care (‘careerists’ dismiss ‘care’ = erists = SISTER) of family member (SISTER),

11 Finishes the job (PULLS THE PLUG) and gets out of Bath (PULLS THE PLUG in bath),

15 Is it about (RE-) taking job for general (job for general = -ORDER-) editor (-ED) (REORDERED) or is it arranged again? (REORDERED),

16 Where you’d expect to find Peter (IN DENIAL / Peter’s three acts of denial of Jesus) refusing to face the reality (IN DENIAL),

17 A real gin (a real gin = ALGERIAN) cocktail (= anagram indicator) produced in Africa (ALGERIAN),

19 Accountant (CA-) heads for Uruguay, Columbia (heads for ‘Uruguay, Columbia’ = -UC-) and America (-US) (CAUCUS) from political meeting (CAUCUS),

20 10K (-RUN-) in Belgium (B-E-) is one (-I) (BRUNEI) for Malaysian neighbour (BRUNEI),

23 Resign from waitressing (‘resign’ from ‘waitressing’ = waits = WAIST) in area that’s a growing concern for dieter (WAIST).