Guardian Quiptic 746 / Orlando

I was delighted to see that today’s puzzle was by one of my favourite Quiptic setters, and I wasn’t disappointed.  Just the ticket for new solvers.

Most of the definitions given are from Chambers 12th Edition. Most of the standard abbreviations used in the wordplay are shown with the unused letters in brackets e.g. E(cstasy). Definitions are underlined in the clue and only included in explanations where further information is given.

Across

9a Thirty-one days in ecstasy for saint (9)
AUGUSTINE – a period of thirty-one days followed by IN and E(cstasy)

10a A cover said to be of use (5)
AVAIL – the A from the clue followed by what sounds like a cover for the face

11a Tie up postman back in bar (7)
TAPROOM – the reversal (back) of a verb meaning to tie up a boat and the postman from the children’s TV program gives a bar in a pub

12a Conceive, having new pram due (5,2)
DREAM UP – an anagram (new) of PRAM DUE

13a The sound of a piano is excruciating (5)
NOISE – hidden (of) inside the clue

14a Turning round, call for missing person (4,5)
LORD LUCAN – an anagram (turning) of ROUND CALL

16a Trite manifesto’s damaged politician (8,2,5)
MINISTER OF STATE – an anagram (damaged) of TRITE MANIFESTO’S

19a Foolish person not involved and not looking back (9)
SIMPLETON – an adjective meaning not involved followed by the reversal (looking back) of NOT

21a Last bit of stuff in a locker (5)
FINAL – hidden (bit of) inside the clue

22a Be entertained by giant from Asia (7)
TIBETAN – BE inside (entertained by) a mythical giant

23a Crossword features for boringly conventional people (7)
SQUARES – two definitions

24a Swimming riled lazybones (5)
IDLER – an anagram (swimming) of RILED

25a Terrible thing — autumn evening (9)
NIGHTFALL – an anagram (terrible) of THING followed by the American word for autumn

Down

1d A novelist drinks outside in the morning (6,4)
MARTIN AMIS – some cocktails (drinks) outside the two-letter abbreviation for in the morning

2d Cook tangy pie — like mummy? (8)
EGYPTIAN – an anagram (cook) of TANGY PIE

3d A prop? Not at sea (6)
ASHORE – the A from the clue and a prop

4d Business concern  unlikely to change (4)
FIRM – two definitions

5d Offer lion fresh meat (10)
TENDERLOIN – an offer followed by an anagram (fresh) of LION

6d Sell up, but first look for antelopes (8)
GAZELLES – the reversal (up in a down clue) preceded by (first) a long hard look

7d Sailor with coat that’s found on road (6)
TARMAC – a three-letter word for a sailor followed by a raincoat

8d Fielder that may be Freudian? (4)
SLIP – two definitions

14d Rank deception beginning to upset resident (10)
LIEUTENANT – a deception followed by the initial letter of (beginning to) Upset and a resident in rented property

15d Pointers like a fox — for no good reason (10)
NEEDLESSLY – some pointers followed by an adjective meaning like a fox

17d Royalist wandering without companions (8)
SOLITARY – an anagram (wandering) of ROYALIST

18d Odd seaman with girl on lake (8)
ABNORMAL – a term for an Able-Bodied seaman followed by a girl’s name and L(ake)

20d Phone  city in Alabama (6)
MOBILE – two definitions

21d Audible river quarter (6)
FOURTH – sounds like (audible) a Scottish river

22d Small group of musicians, not all illustrious (4)
TRIO – hidden (bot all) inside the clue

23d Drop a lengthy tale (4)
SAGA – a verb meaning to drop followed by the A from the clue

Comments from solvers who are new to cryptic puzzles are more than welcome – and that doesn’t mean the usual suspects can’t add their thoughts as well!