A smooth and speedy solve this week, with only 24ac leaving us scratching our heads for a bit. The anagram at 15ac was enjoyable, as was the switch from the verb to the noun of ‘organisation’. Standard stuff, but well executed as ever.
ACROSS
1. A CU MEN
5. S HANDY
9. SMASHING dd
10. BRIEFS dd
11. STERE O
12. IRIS H(M)EN
13. TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE (to heathen idol)*
15. ESTABLISHMENT (NHS timetables)*
19. TEMP ORAL
21. ST(R)EAK
22. OCT. ANT
23. STARSHIP (harpist’s)*
24. BE THE L
25. D(IN)ING
DOWN
2. CAME TO THE RESCUE (Some cute teacher)*
3. MISCREANT (nice smart)*
4. NAIROBI (rain)* then Ibo<
5. SUB< LIME
6. AMIS H
7. DIFFERENTIATION dd
8. E G(O)IST
14. OLEORESIN (loosener I)*
16. BORSTAL (sort lab)*
17. wILL US Eventually
18. HUS(h) BAND
20. PEA CH
Thanks Handel for the blog and Quixote for a nice crossword for a lazy Sunday.
Must be coincidence that 3 times in 4 days, clues include “tree” = “lime”?
Another coincidence is 23ac, but I’ll say no more for now.
Thanks for the blog, Handel, and to Quixote for some amusing anagrams. I particularly liked 13ac for the image :D, and 17d is a nice &lit, I think
Thank you, all. If you like anagrams, can I direct you to the Church Times website where you will find (free of charge) my latest puzzle.