Thanks to Moo for a very pleasant Monday morning crossword.
In 25a, the capitalisation of “Bond” is presumably meant as a misdirection to an otherwise fairly straight clue. 24a could be a double definition, but I’ve assumed it follows the same format as 1a, 8d and 10d. A good mix of clue types in a well-constructed and interesting crossword.
Cryptic definition
[h]AIRBRUSH (grooming instrument, Bow being an area where speakers of the local dialect might drop their H’s)
GO (attempt) to join RAF< (force, <rebellious)
(A TYPICAL R (Romeo))* (*dishevelled)
MINI (dress) inspiring A + R[io]T (on vacation)
[p]S[y]C[h]O (regularly) has URGE (longing)
Cryptic definition
NIPS (SPIN<, <knocked back) are quantities of alcohol
Cryptic definition
A play on the dual meaning of “schooner”
TO + (TORIES)* (*reform)
From the fable of the hare and the tortoise by Aesop
[arrog]ANT I[ncumbants] (some)
HACK’S (journo’s) + AW (expression of disapproval)
Cryptic definition
Cryptic definition
DR (doctor) + I placed beside ER (queen)
(SUDANESE)* (*exotic)
ME (yours truly) + [j]A[u]N[d]I[c]E[d] (occasionally)
BIG (important) + MIST (film) about A (American)
(MERITS OF R (Republican))* (*unexpected)
FA< (nothing, <back) on RAID (attack)
(SENSIBLE PRIOR)* (*to go walkabout)
LOON (fool) to support LAB (party (Labour), <reactionary)
[n]UTTER (madman, losing head)
Cryptic definition
Cryptic definition
“Prince of Wales” being a common pub name in the UK
Cryptic clue
Extraordinary rendition is a political term
LINE (row) about GERI (Spice Girl)
[p]RESERVE (guard, penniless)
“CHASTE” (virgin, “reported”)
D (duke) + RUDE (unpleasant) about G (German)
CAPON[e] (tax evader, failing to finish)
I had SLIP for 13a.
I also had SLIP for 13a = PILS (‘lager’) backwards.
Enjoyable Monday puzzle which raised a few points. I didn’t know a SCHOONER could mean both a sherry glass and a beer glass. I’ve also never seen ‘rebellious’ as a reversal indicator, especially in an across clue. Unusual to see HACK as part of two answers, though clued differently.
I liked the surface of SUPERGLUE with the misleading ‘Bond’ capitalisation as pointed out.
Thanks to Moo and Teacow
Also had SLIP. Thanks both
What is the definition in 13a if the answer is not pils? Surely slip is a more likely outcome. Just saying, is all!
Schooner, danseuse, paralytic tortoise, a slip, superglue, meanie, hacksaw and scourge are all cocktails. Served by a barman in a schooner? And an airbrush is a spray for cocktails. Cleverly done.
Byron @5 Thanks for that. Didn’t know any of them but, thankfully, did know MARTINI, the only cocktail not ghosted, if that’s the correct term.
Thanks Moo and Teacow. I am another one for SLIP at 13ac.
20dn: I had the final D before I read this clue, but it strikes me as the sort of ambiguous clue that one would hope any setter should know to avoid. In this case, neither of the other checked letters helps resolve the ambiguity.
Thanks for the blog, I saw a bit of a drinking theme but well done Byron@5, far more there than I realized. All served in the Prince of Wales.
Yes, good spot Byron @5. Completely passed me by. Worth keeping in mind for future puzzles.
Rather apt that Moo should be blogged by Teacow
It has to be SLIP as PILS is in fact a real lager
Surely 13a is SLIP. Nips/ snip does not make sense at all
I’m not a cocktail drinker, so thanks for the education – though I doubt whether I’ll remember them. PILS, evidently: lager doesn’t come in nips. Pleasant Monday fare, with only a slight eyebrow raise at DRIER = flatter, but I’m sure it can be justified (both meaning “less interesting”?) and there is no alternative.
definitely SLIP for 13A
Great fun with this crossword today. Discerned the theme but didn’t appreciate the full extent of it till popping in here. And a brandy BALLOON to accompany the sherry schooner.
Thanks to Moo and Teacow.
Thanks Moo and Teacow
Quite droll, copmus !
Enjoyable solve which didn’t take too long. Missed the cocktail ghost theme, many of which I wouldn’t have known anyway.
Another SLIP here and in 9a, had FAR (Forces armées rwandaises) as the rebel (terrorist) group who sought to overthrow the Tutsi government in Rwanda and give power back to the Hutus. ‘Extraordinary’ RENDITION was a new term, but after seeing it here and reading what it meant, memories of Guantanamo Bay floated back through the memory mists.
Always think of clues such as 1a, 8d, 10d and 25a as double definitions with one that is whimsical – not that it really matters. Finished with HACKER, IRRESPONSIBLE (neat anagram) and TORTOISE as the last few in.
Also in the SLIP camp. I agree with PB @7, not having the “D”, I confidently entered CHASTE for 20d and, so, couldn’t solve 27a . Thanks Moo and Teacow.
Good point john@16 and PB@ 7 . I had the D so did not think about this but 20D can definitely be solved either way, the “reported” should not be in the middle.
Another SLIP here.
Thanks Moo for the fun. Aside from a few so-so cryptic definitions I liked this crossword with UTTER (great surface) and CAPON being favourites. I had SPIN for 13a — I was thinking that too many nips would make one’s head spin — but I think SLIP is a much better choice. Thanks Teacow for the blog.