CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Blue for Atlantic crossing, tease the musicians (7)

4. Ideal – though tense? (7)

8. Loathing shown by British at Ethiopian plight (4)

9. Ruined and vast at getting swallowed by 3 (10)

11. Thoroughgoing effort, the innings being finished (3-3)

12. Neuropterous insects join worker with pride (3,5)

14. Sea version of the sabretooth? (9)

15. Sound like a bird: sound inexpensive (5)

17. Balance the sign of bar I left wobbling (5)

18. He basks then rubs a different way (9)

19. Turn the record over for this (4-4)

21. Spoil the surface and provide facetious content (6)

23. Glance held so as one issued a dare (10)

24. Was cheated – and finished! (4)

25. Seeing that the Sappers mean what they say (7)

26. Don’t pick your feet up: mix the cards! (7)

DOWN

1. A run-through, but it may be only in play (9)

2. When the few flew, the bat let bit of rain run riot (6,2,7)

3. Something done either way up (4)

4. Singing in church, one to scheme about church worker (10)

5. Deserter goes to the Spanish, the animal! (5)

6. Gobbles everything in sight – until one decapitates oneself!

(4,4,4,3)

7. They ebb and flow, these sorts of diets (5)

10. Arctic plain and German art movement (6)

13. Disagreement with government since sided with reshuffle

(10)

15. A house in the mountains is let after tea (6)

16. For each one, be strict and keep on at it (9)

19. Get a clear picture of turn-up with copper and sulphur (5)

20. Here’s the ointment: hail to the classics! (5)

22. What a muddle where the men are eating! (4)