From Monday Prize Crossword on 20 Oct 2008
dd = double definition
cd = cryptic definition
rev = reversed or reversal
ins = insertion
cha = charade
ha = hidden answer
*(fodder) = anagram
Not a difficult puzzle at all to get you started in another new week.
Some lovely cryptic definitions but otherwise, mostly bread-and-butter clues
Across
1 MONA LISA *(M a loan is)
5 BICARB Ins of I C (one caught) in BARB (prickly growth)
9 NOTICING Cha of NOT ICING (aircraft hazard))
10 MANTRA Mantra (p)
12 GLOOM Substitution of L for R in GROOM
13 REFERENDA Refere (e) + *(and)
14 MARTHA Allusion to Martha’s Vineyard in Cape Cod
16 REALISM *(Mailer’s)
18 AFGHANI dd
20 PESETA Cha of PE (gymnastics) SET (class) A. I wonder why the def was stated as “money-maker once”? I understand the peseta was the Spanish unit of currency until replaced by the Euro
22 MILES AWAY dd for afar
23 ARENA Ins of N in AREA (region)
24 RHESUS dd
25 VINEYARD *(Any drive)
26 LAYMEN
27 REPTILES REPT (report) + *(lies) Whilst rept is a valid abbreviation for report, it is not exactly brilliant clueing
Down
1 MENAGE Simple cha
2 NATIONAL GALLERY Art of the state? cd
3 LOCUM This cd is the best clue in an otherwise not so inspiring set
4 SANGRIA Sang (performed) RIA (Rev of AIR)
6 IN ARREARS A clever cd
7 A STING IN THE TAIL *(a late night sit in)
8 BEAR ARMS bear (homophone for bare) ARMS (members)
11 AFAR A + rev of RAF (Royal Air Force)
15 TRANSMUTE TRANS (trains without i) MUTE (mum)
17 BALMORAL dd a round flat Scottish bonnet with a pompom (available from a hatter, presumably) and of course, that famous royal castle near Aberdeen
19 IOWA Acrostic
20 PAY-RISE Ins of Y (yen) in PARIS (capital) E (note)
21 PANDAS ha
23 ALERT *(real) + T