This was much more straightforward than last week and included one mention of the date (Easter Sunday). The grid suggested the possibility of a perimeter nina, but we couldn’t find anything. Perhaps rereading DM’s excellent Crossword Manual has improved our abilities! Hope you all had an enjoyable break over the Easter weekend.
ACROSS
5. CAME(T)O
7. CONS UM ER
9. TOSS-UP ‘sot’ backwards and then ‘sup’
10. MATTRESS (smart set)*
11. EASTER SUNDAY (sad nature yes)* Topical!
14. FIRM dd
15. (ho)STEL A
16. P AID
17. RENE GOT I ATED (anagram of ‘date’)
19. B(ALL)ROOM
21. BAR RIO
22. P(REV)IOUS
23. O.B. E CHE
DOWN
1. NEWS ITEM (wise men t)*
2. C(O.M. PARIS)ON apparantely ‘comparisons are odious’ is a well known saying, I have to admit it has passed us by until now
3. KNOT<
4. QUARRY dd
6. A RO(MA)T I C
7. COMPUTER GAMES (mac group meets)*
8. (v)ERSE
12. DEALT A BLOW (bawled a lot)*
13. TIGERISH ‘ire’ backwards inside ‘sight’ anagramised
16. PE(AGREE)N
17. RELI(e)VE
18. cHAIRman
20. (h)OBO L