The Age Cryptic by DH #20,406

I got through this one in a couple lazy hours while watching TV and chilling out after a hectic day getting our big Girl Guides "Bring a Friend Night" where we baked cakes and played all kinds of crazy games the girls came up with. I'm glad Dodgeball is not popular anymore.

I got to this sometime before Good Game and set my limit to the end of Midsomer Murders, which was the wankiest episode ever so I moved over to something I didn't watch but used as background noise. Solution in hand by 11pm, save for 10A where I had all cross letters but couldn't decide on which answer of two was the right one, and no will to persevere. Here's what I had:

1A - They plan to change thermodynamic property? (8)

We are looking for a "Thermodynamic property" and looking at "They plan to change" is fodder and anagrind giving us: ENTHALPY. Quick google to verify if, like me, you're not a physicist.

5A - Boofhead! Ice is about for wild mountain goats! (6)

We want a breed of mountain goats.  "Boofhead" is a one word instruction to get B -  the head of boof, "ice is around" the B to give us IBICES. I've never heard of them.

9A - Captain Rudolph fixed the game equipment (5,3)

"Game equipment" is our definition. "Captain" = C and "Rudolph" = HESS and "fixed" = Set if we think of fixing broken limbs, perhaps to give us CHESS SET.

10A - Former star whipped spear carriers (6)

I didn't know which of two possible words, EXTRAS or EXERTS, was the right answer. I think this is an unusual clue because I can't see how from the clue we get an accurate definition. "Former" = EX then "whipped spear" = SPARE and then "SPARE carriers" = EXTRAS. But really only "spare" but how does "carriers" work here? Is this not about couriers/messenger type carrier? I'm sure there's something off with that so please tell me how you solved this.

12A- People Harris followers include Hungarian composer (5)

"Hungarian composer" is our definition. The word "include" is a hidden word signpost and look closer to "peopLE HARris" to get LEHAR.

14A - In prison, emu cooked? That's authentic? (5-4)

"That's authentic" is our definition and "In prison, emu cooked" is fodder and anagrind to give us SIMON PURE. Yet another new expression for me.

15A - Behind the bar, dear, arranged wedding for group of workers (5,5)

"Group of workers" is our definition "behind the bar" = T and I'm not exactly sure how so that needs some work. "dear, arranged" is part anagram and fodder, "wedding" = UNION, to get this: 

T(RADE) UNION.

16A - Left inside to be married Tuesday, in the joint (4)

I got this wrong in my grid, mistaking "joint" as WEED. Oops! "Left inside" = L to be placed "inside" "to be married" = WED for WELD a far more acceptable version of joining. 

18A - Ring New York at ten for banded chalcedony (4)

"Banded chalcedony" is the definition. "ring" = O, "New York" = NY, "ten" = X for ONYX.

21A - No? Beth is a problem for feature of Japanese horticulture (3,6)

"Feature of Japanese horticulture" is the definition and "No? Beth is a problem," is fodder and anagrind for

24A - Fine fellow from ancient city is pressing (6)

"Is pressing" is the definition and "Fine fellow" = GENT and "From ancient city" somehow becomes UR so let me in on that secret, please. *Edit: Ah, thanks to @Patrickavenell   who says "Ur was an old city in the Middle East - I think it was the first city to have 1 million occupants." So there we are. A nugget of information to be savoured for future puzzling exploits. I'm willing to bet this shows up loads in future puzzles, as per Murphy's Law.

27A - Specialist to freeze lure (6)

"Lure" is the definition. "Specialist" is an ENT as in ear, nose, throat doctor and "freeze" = ICE for ENTICE.

28A - The last impression before tea-break? Having no teeth (8)

"Having no teeth" is the definition and "thE last" = E, "impression" = DENT and "tea-break" is part fodder and anagrind leaving us with EDENTATE.

1D - Surpass when said to be forty in ancient Rome (5)

"Surpass" is the definition. This is a homophone clue so when we say "forty in ancient Rome" we say XL which is like EXCEL.

2, 19A, 22A, 13D, 6D, 25A - Crazy Dave Chumpling hated wee Honey-Beth Oxford waiting for Rocky Marciano (3,10,5,11,6,8)

This is likely the largest anagram I've ever encountered. Luckily I didn't have to solve this clue that way. I grew up not far from Rocky Marciano's hometown. He was a local legend and my Dad was a boxing fan so there was no escaping Rocky. I knew straight off he was THE UNDEFEATED WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION, but just in case, I did my little line drawing thing to show this (as no anagram algorithm can sort this) it really is: 

3D - Debra sob fitfully when taken in (8)

"When taken in" is our definition and "Debra sob fitfully" which has suspicious grammar is fodder and anagrind - always be suspicious of bad grammar. We get ABSORBED.

4D - Sent planes as movement revealed cordial treatment (12)

"Cordial treatment" is the definition. "Sent planes as movement," is fodder and anagrind "revealing" PLEASANTNESS.

7D - Bruce Tarr to adjust engine part (11) 

"Engine part" is the definition and yes, another anagram "Bruce Tarr to adjust" is fodder and anagrind giving us: CARBURETTOR.

8D - Need spuds cooked or hung up (9)

Another anagram? Geez...ok well "Hung up" is the definition and "Need spuds cooked," is fodder and anagrind giving us SUSPENDED.

11D- Irish member finished? I took off when destitute (12)

"Destitute" is the definition. This is a pain of a clue. I have read that if you have to use five or more tricks to make a solve it's a bad clue so here goes: "Irish" = I, "Member" = MP as a member of parliament, "finished" = OVER, "I" = I, "took off" = SGED for IMPOVERISHED. So much easier to just find cross letters and use a thesaurus. Only freaks like me go through the effort to break down a clue like this in its entirety. You're welcome.

15D - Our turtle chopped and used to catch fish? (5,4)

Have we developed a sixth sense for anagrams now? Are the red flags flying, the alarm bells ringing? Right, this is more like words tossed together to sort of be a phrase if you squint or are quite gullible. "To catch fish" is the definition, "Our turtle chopped," becomes TROUT LURE.

17D - Won final? Wow! Mean to change and be a refreshed lady (3,5)

"Refreshed lady" is the definition and "woW, final" = W,  "Wow mean to change" is part fodder and anagrind to give us: NEW WOMAN. 

20D - Captain can go back for some fine brandy (6)

"Fine brandy" is our definition and "Captain" = C and "can go back" means to reverse the previous bits to get C(OGNAC)

23D - Alighieri stake 500 before? (5)

"Alighieri," is the definition and "stake" = ANTE, "500 before" = D to be place before ANTE for DANTE.

26D - Top class rough-head in ascending militant group (1.1.1.)

"Top class" = A, "Rough headed," = R and "in ascending" = I but I think it's just In = I and the "ascending" part means to put those in reverse in the grid from bottom to top giving us IRA the militant group. I've not seen "in" = I before, is that a thing?

So a few gaps in my knowledge. I'll give today's DP a run later. I need tea and a cake, thanks very much.

The Age Cryptic by RM #20,405

I dipped in and out of this puzzle for most of yesterday. I had other projects I was working on and then completely absorbed in watching Many A True Nerd play his Fallout 3 Kill Everything play through on YouTube. I've found it hilarious and it's a game I spent the better part of a year playing so I know it well, and New Vegas. I wonder if we can do a kill everything run through Skyrim...

This puzzle was a fine Monday fare with a mix of easy and harder clues. I found myself stuck in the SE corner and had to use One Across  on 22A to get me through to the end. Even using a cheat I still have to decide which word is right and then figure the solution. Here's the pic:

1A - Cop took her tip - turned out to be portentous (9)
"Portentous" is our definition, "cop took her tips"  is a way of splitting fodder "turned" is the anagrind. Mix the fodder to get PROPHETIC. This happens a few times in this puzzle.

6A - Consecrate without a Bible (5)
"Consecrate" is the definition. I guess this is a cryptic definition as I'm not sure how else to solve this: BLESS.

9A - Naysayers give vain stoics no alternatives (5)
"Naysayers" is our definition. "Alternatives" is a hint that we have an odd/even clue and within
"vAiN sToIcS" we see ANTIS.

10A - Room's groovy on an off-the-planet liner (9)
"An off-the-planet liner," is the definition. "Room's" = SPACES and "Groovy" = HIP for SPACESHIP.

11A - Mines are OK about a whistle or hooter (10)
"Whistle or hooter" is the definition. "Mines are OK about, " is fodder and anagrind to give us: NOISEMAKER.

12A - In for a little exam? (4)
Oh my. This one made me blush. It seems to be the Cryptic version of a porn movie plot. "Oh Professor, I'm worried about my grades. Can I do something get a little extra credit?" "Well are you in fOR A Little exam?" "Only if it's an ORAL exam..." Boom chicka wow wow.

14A - Alternatively in the event that it's frozen, make a hole (7)
"A hole" is our definition (oh dear why follow the porn clue?) I think this is solved as "Alternatively" = OR, "in the event" = IF, "frozen" = ICE for ORIFICE. Moving along...

15A - Discover peacekeeper's world (7)
"Discover" is the definition. "peacekeepers" = UN, "world" = EARTH for UNEARTH. It's official - I've read far too many romance novels in my lifetime as even this now has connotations. Or I'm terribly repressed.

17A - Angry with country in the EU (7)
I'm not sure how we solve this. I got it with cross letters and guess that "Country in the EU" is the definition: ICELAND. (I'm just guessing someone isn't quite there yet because the next answer gives away the plot)

19A - Blotch on a sheepskin hut (7)
I have no idea. Oh now I do! I'd misspelled 8D. "Blotch" is our definition. "sheepskin" is a one word instruction to take the "skin" or the first and last letter off "sheep" = SP and "hut" = LODGE for SPLODGE. (Oh no. He didn't)

20A - 'It's a pity', says a girl (4)
This is a homophone clue and "it's a pity" is the definition and "a girl" = A lass / ALAS. (I guess that was it? Was that it?)

22A - Grateful for a trip with peace organisation (10)
"Grateful for" is the definition. "a trip with peace organisation," is fodder linked by "with" and anagrind to give us:APPRECIATE. (It's fine! It happens to everyone at some time or other.) (I think this ends our porn subplot, unless you're more imaginative than I am and can carry on - be my guest. I'd love to see how you work in 1D)

25A - Sick from an excess of rubbish you reportedly loaned... (9)
"sick from an excess," is the definition and this was a recent "word of the day" on Dictionary.com. "Rubbish" = CRAP and "you reportedly," = U as a homophone of "you",  "loaned" = LENT for CRAPULENT.

26A - ...a little, um, nipper (5)
"Nipper" is our definition and "a little" = BIT and "um" = ER as another type of verbal pause, for a BITER. I wonder why these are ellipses clues. I'm not seeing the connection.

27A - Bumpkin brings a neck restraint and a long lead (5)
"Bumpkin" is the definition. "neck restraint" = YOKE and a "long lead" = L because Long's leading letter is an L, giving us YOKEL. (Now regarding all Bumkins with extreme suspicion)

28A - Bad mood consumed the moderate (9)
"Moderate" is the definition. "Bad mood" = TEMPER and "consumed" = ATE for TEMPERATE.

1D - One of the 16 on board to eat first rate shrimp (5)
"Shrimp" is the definition. "One of the 16 on board," = PAWN if we think of pieces on a chess board, "first rate" = R as it's the first letter of "rate" to give us PRAWN.

2D - Taking a diluted recreational drug in a risky situation (2,3,4)
Double Definition: A thinned out version of the drug Ice and meaning in a risky situation: ON THIN ICE.

3D - Chile's arty set are hilarious (10)
"Hilarious" is our definition and "Chile's arty set" is fodder+anagrind to give us : HYSTERICAL. I'f not had "set" as an anagrind before, I don't believe.

4D - Has the will to try at the end (7)
"Has the will" is our definition, "to try" = TEST, use the AT, "thE end" = E for TESTATE.

5D - Fellow takes water from a hat (7)
"Hat" is our definition. "Fellow" = CHAP, "water" = EAU for CHAPEAU. I guess we don't need French indicators to use French words.

6D - On the buzzer get first round of lager (4)
"Lager" is our definition. "Buzzer" = BEE and "first Round" = R for BEER.

7D - I excluded one or the other anaesthetic (5)
"Anaesthetic" is the definition. "One or the other" = EITHER and we must "I excluded" = -I leaving us with ETHER.

8D - Sheep curl up by the grave (9)
"The grave" is our definition. "Sheep curl" is fodder but that means "up by" is an anagrind which I'm not sure I've encountered before. I know "up" as a reverse in the grid clue. But lets throw those letters up into the air to get SEPULCHRE. I've just realised I've spelled 8D wrong (had er not re) which is why I couldn't get 19A. Good, now that makes sense. Complete solve, yay!

13D - Can be reproduced with some more pliers and flex (10)
"Can be reproduced," I'm not sure how we solve this. I think it's some of "pliers" minus the S and does "flex" = CABLE? Quick dictionary check and yes it does! Gives is REPLICABLE. The word "more" confuses me. "Some pliers" looks more like a deletion, but "more" doesn't serve a purpose that I can see. Please correct me if that's bonkers wrong.

14D - Ruling clique are topographically inept without laptop (9)
"Ruling clique" is the definition and this was a satisfying solve. Use the word "Topographically" and remove the letters of "laptop" leaving letters OGRAHICLY to be mixed to get OLIGARCHY.

16D, 24D - Read tabloid to a Taurus - not a provocative act (3,3,2,1,4)
I think the "read tabloid," = RED RAG as a homophone perhaps - can "read" be it's own homophone signpost? Or is this clue saying "Tabloids" which tend to be Murdoch papers that predominately have "red tops" either in title or banner (Have Murdoch papers dropped the red tops? Do they still use them in the UK?)  Is this a political stance against trash journalism? I kind of hope it is.  "Taurus" = BULL and if we use the TO A from the clue we'll get RED RAG TO A BULL, which incidentally *is* a provocative act.

18D - Silliest party pie on the street! (7)
"Silliest" is our definition, "party" = DO + PIE from the clue and "street" = ST for DOPIEST.

19D - Layer of tar must be accommodated (7)
"Layer" is our definition. "tar must be accommodated," is fodder+anagrind to give us STRATUM.

21D - Oh dear! There's a deficiency (5)
I had cross letters for this and though it was not a coincidence this crosses with 20A's ALAS as this one becomes ALACK to complete the phrase ALAS & ALACK. Wouldn't this have made a better ellipses clue? I really have a thing about ellipses clues, I know.

23D - Headless deer - that is weird and a bit scary! (5)
"Headless deer" = EER, "that is" = I.E. becomes "weird and a bit scary" = EERIE!

Ha! done. I managed to solve this completely while doing the write up. I was three clues off solving but just writing the clues out and poking around in them here I got them. It's very satisfying getting a finish. Even better if I can solve and blog on the same day. I'll post in the morning when the solution is out. I'm really happy I got 19A in the end. Bring on Tuesday!

The Age cryptic by DA #20,403

DA brings more pain and frustration. This was out of my skill level so I'm having to do most of this puzzle in reverse. Still a challenge, so don't go thinking it's cheating. It's still the best way to crack into these hard puzzle and expose them. Also the act of writing out the clues does serve to help break them up and see their parts easier. I often flip my paper and rewrite the clues and then scribble lines all over them, not in the aggressive scribble out manner either.

I got 1D on my own but didn't know which version of the homophone was wanted. I'd guessed 22-Across had some drug related importance. The signposts in these clues were hard to find. With DAT hints I got 24A and had to correct 5D (I'd had BANKSY instead which I could justify, to myself, claiming the N would come from somewhere) leaving the rest as red pen without the use of a red pen.

22-across features heavily in the wordplay of other clues so let's start there:

Drug zone to make an impression, wildly alleging or framing (6,8)

We want a "drug zone" known on the planet. "to make an impression" = DENT, "wildly alleging or" is anagrind and part fodder that will be "framing" DENT which becomes: GOL(DEN T)RIANGLE.

1A - Stands for agency (5)
Double definition: MEANS. I did have this as a possible answer from the thesaurus and it started with M which I had from 1D.

4A - Asian secretary smooched old US governor in conversation (9)
I'd had part of this in my notes. "Asian" is the definition. "Secretary" = PA for personal assistant, "smooched" = KISSED and from here I can guess the answer is PAKISTANI, but how do we get "old US governor in conversation," to give us TANI. I did search and the Philippines has a Governor  Tan, and the Philippines are an old US territory (going back to late 1800's) but that seems like such a stretch. Even if it is right, how does "in conversation" = I? I'm told by Mort that "last three sound like an old US governor " but I just cannot get who that is...unless it should have an R in there and it's ARNIE?

9A - Girl's family diary excerpt (5)
I'm guessing "Girl's" is our definition. "Excerpt" is a hidden word signpost and in "famiLY DIAry" is a girl's name LYDIA. So not anything to do with Anne Frank then? Just a random girl's name? Not even a hint of ink for my favourite Lydia?

10A - One enjoying 3-down perhaps in the 22-across? (4,5)
Skip ahead to see 3-down. "One enjoying stardom in the Golden Triangle?" is a TALL POPPY, both to mean the opium field crop of the region and the term used to describe the cutting down of one who shines or rises higher from the rest.

11A - Financial proviso of nicotine deal redrafted (11,3)
Here is an example of where once I write the clue out, it becomes much more obvious. "Redrafted" stands out as a possible anagrind and "of nicotine deal" had 14 letters when scrambled becomes CONDITIONAL FEE to mean "Financial proviso"

14A - I'd suppress hesitation, yawning outside 22-across hangout (5,3)
Golden Triangle hangout is the definition. "I'd suppress hesitation" where "hesitation" = UM, a verbal hesitation, suppressed by I'D to be IUMD, "yawning outside" = OPEN to be put "outside" to give us: OP(IUM D)EN.

15A - 22-across banker exposes Hollywood giant's crude intro (6)
"Golden triangle banker" is a river "banker" of the area. "Hollywood giant" = King KONG and his "crude intro" is ...ME KONG? I've not seen the movie but I did not think KK spoke. Is ME supposed to be the Me bank? Have I become so pedantic I've lost my sense of humour?

17A - You texted in a capital for a bite (6)
"Bite" is the definition. "You texted" = U referring to common phone text abbreviation. "A capital" = A CITY (that's mean! How many 5-letter "capitals" did we have to put around U before giving up?)(It was four for me) to give ACUITY. Acuity as a synonym for bite?

19A - Mushroom that idiot oddly found in rock (8)
"Mushroom" is our definition. "IdIoT oddly" = IIT "found in rock" = SHAKE to go around IIT like: SH(IIT)AKE.

22A - (solved above)

24A - Casual ratio internally adjusted for 22-across's major client (9)
Who is the Golden Triangle's major client? "C(asual rati)o internally" where "internally" means to take the letters from the middle of the phrase and then "adjust" them to get AUSTRALIA.

26A - A male problem came about in 22-across (5)
Perhaps "a male problem" as fodder + anagrind is too easy - too obvious for DA. I think this is A = A, "male" = M, "problem" = RUB "came about" means to reverse that for BURMA.

27A - Cut two quintets stuffing beach-related finale? (9)
Definition is "Cut" and "Two quintets" = TEN, "stuffing beach" = SHORE where TEN is "stuffed" into it, "relateD finale" = D like this: SHOR(TEN)E+D

28A - Seesaws - children's toys (5)
We want  "children's toys" that, like a seesaw, goes up and down: YOYOS

1D - 22-across worker heard to cry like a baby (4)
Homophone clue. A "Golden Triangle" worker that also sounds like the cry of a baby? MEWL/MULE and here we want MULE.

2D - Concerning film gave heart in its 27-across form? (11)
"Concerning film" is the definition. "gAVe heart" = AV "in its SHORTENED form" means AV is the abbreviation for: AUDIOVISUAL.

3D -  Second damn uppity celebrity (7)
DAT Rupert says "second = 7, 6; damn = 5 – 1. I think." "second" = MO put into grid reversed as OM, leaving "damn" as DRATS also reversed giving: STARDOM as a definition for "celebrity."

4D - Turning on little piggies as staple food (8)
"Staple food" is our definition. "Turning on" = ATOP > POTA which for some reason I can't read up and down and had to put horizontal to see it was right, "little piggies" = TOES for the staple of POTATOES. (Also I spelled it wrong in the grid because der!) (Potato, always bring joy for a gamer)

5D - Basically skill from eye created iconic graffiti character (6)
"Graffiti character" is who we're looking for. "Basically skKIl fROm eYe " = KILROY. It's an interesting history reading about the Chad. It's a pervasive meme whose origins are lost on new generations. I knew it from childhood, Bugs Bunny most likely. I think, as a kid, I thought Chad was really Ziggy.

6D - Biologically divided record lining, say (7)
"Biologically divided" is the definition. Answer is SEPTATE which is defines as "divided by a septum or septa." but I don't know if "record lining" is supposed to be a sleeve, or a homophone indicator, then "say" is another homophone signpost? Rather lost here. Ah Mort to the rescue! " Say = state, divided by a record = EP. Answer is a biological term." So it's: S(EP)TATE.

7D - Poisoner needs a pair of condiments (3)
Oh Boo! Let's have a basic lesson in venom vs poison. "Poisoner" is the definition which "needs A" = A and "pair of condiments" = S&P for salt and pepper giving us: ASP, an obvious envenomator. (Yes I'm just making up words to suit my needs) (Also I'm pulling out my copy of Arsenic and Old Lace because Cary Grant, fwoar!)

8D - Roman historian dips head to keen-sounding graduate of note (3,7)
This was super hard. "Roman historian" = LIVY who "dips head" or shunts the L to the end making IVYL, then "keen sounding" = EAGER to make a "graduate of note like this: IVY L(EAGUER)

12D - Spots the result of really good cream doughnut being demolished (4,7)
Oh dear, right. "Spots, the result of:" is the definition and we're to think of spots as hives and not zits. Answer is FOOD ALLERGY. What I can see is "really good" being most of the fodder of an anagram where "cream" is the anagrind. So how does  "donut being demolished" = F? Or is that completely off?

13D - Boozy social nurses called on horn (3,7)
"Horn" is the definition and I've never heard of this phrase. "Boozy social" is anagrind+partial fodder - that was easy to pick out, but I kept trying to work RNS for "nurses" in there but ran out of letters and got no where. "Nurses" is an instruction to insert a word for "called" = RANG inside the fodder like this:  CO(R ANG)LAIS.

16D - Hotel blocked shadow, also part of 22-across (8)
I don't remember reading this clue last night. I can see the answer in the grid, so let's see how it's done. "Hotel blocked shadow" where "Shadow" = TAIL and "hotel" = H the H is to go into TAIL, "also" = AND to make: T(H)AIL AND.

18D - Native of 24-across lasts in hot weather around coastal town (4,3)
Currently lost on this one. Answer is TREE RAT but how  it's parsed I've not managed to get. close I come to "lasts" = EER but the "hot weather" or "coastal town" for the rest. Ah, Mort said "in 18D, I think that the word “around” indicates that the coastal town should be reversed. The “lasts in hot weather” are at the start of the answer and not “around” the coastal town. " making this hoT weatheR = TR and TAREE the coastal town reversed.

20D - Only big transport in base fashion (7)
"Base fashion" is the definition. "Only big transport" is fodder+anagrind to give : IGNOBLY.

21D - Hot fruit and nut bread, kernel removed (6)
"Hot" is the definition. If only this clue had the word Christmas in it, I'd have gotten it quick. "Fruit and nut bread" = STOLLEN, "kernel removed" = -L for STOLEN. Something of a weakness for me, I could eat a whole one and pot of tea for days and never be sick of either,

23D - 22-across member racing from new 13-down...(4)
Golden Triangle member racing from new Cor Anglais? We want another country in the Golden Triangle. If we remove the word "racing" from the letters of "cor anglais" we are left with LAOS.

25D - ...on discovering baked biscuit (3)
Wordplay is lost on me here. The biscuit is an SAO. Ah got it! Hey those ellipses aren't just for looks! I know DA likes to use "discover" as a deletion signpost meaning to take the top off a word. Here it's LAOS from the previous clue, leaving us OAS to be "baked" which is an anagrind to give us SAO.

You can cry foul at me doing this in reverse, but it's taken me six hours to solve and write up. It's still no easy feat to hammer through these puzzles even with the answers. Sure I took breaks to have snacks, harass my kids and husband and get some fresh air. Now I have the rest of this gorgeous Saturday to go play and might even have a wander down to the beach.

Have a great weekend!

The Age Cryptic by LR #20,399

Mondays are always nicer when the puzzles are quick are cheerful. Feeling like the mind is sharp and the day is fresh, we can tackle what comes our way. Sadly not so much with this puzzle. It was harder than the previous three by LR. I got just under half out quickly then came up against a wall and every clue after was a struggle. I wanted that easy, clicking brain, aha, eureka thing but it didn't happen.

This puzzle had a mini theme running for a few clues which I figured out once I had two of them. The theme clue was 27A, so I didn't realise that was the theme until several clues in. 27A - Wheat for 1,9, and 18-across in song? (5) You have to get one of the other clues to know where to go here. I already had 9 and 18, but for some reason 1 took me a long time.

Here's the pic, most clues are solved on the line with few scribbles. 10A was my last solve because I'd changed the first word many times. It was my least favourite clue:

1A - Christian class leading sermon on gym court with reverence (7)
"With reverence" is the definition. "Christian class" = RE for "Religious education" (which is taught in Aussie schools by evangelists and is a blight to secular education) "leading Sermon" = S, "gym" = PE and "court" = CT to give us RESPECT.

5A - Fastened belt gave way? (7)
Double definition: BUCKLED.

9A - Fruitlessly plumbing gas, then eureka! (5)
"Eureka" is the definition. "fruitlessly plum bing" = BING as the "plum" has been removed and is now "fruitless", "gas" = O for oxygen to give us BINGO.

10A - Have a wild shot at putting fire out? (5,4)
This was solved last and it wasn't very satisfying. It's not quite a phrase I've heard. I think it must be a double definition: BLAZE AWAY. I'd had in Blows away, then Blast away but never considered Blaze. I do have a Bon Jovi song stuck in my head for which I am not thankful. Bon Jovi Earworms aren't cool.

11A - Giggle online with a 27-across "girl" (4)
This clue best kicks off the hint for the theme. "giggle online" = LOL "with a" = A for LOLA.  Knowing that 27A is SPELT, the theme shows all answers are songs where we spell out the title.

12A - In particular experimental pieces by friend (10)
"In particular" is our definition. "experimental pieces" is anagrind and part fodder, plus a word for "friend" = ALLY to give us (ESPECI)ALLY.

14A - Popular south-eastern remedy is unsafe (8)
"Is unsafe" is the definition. "popular" = IN, "south eastern"= SE, "remedy" = CURE for INSECURE.

15A - Come to overshadow (4,2)
A cryptic definition? I still suck at recognising clue types. SHOW UP. Maybe Double definition where one is "come" the other is "to overshadow."

18A - Word of praise for tattered oil rag (6)
"Word of praise" is the definition. "tattered oil rag" is anagrind and fodder to give: GLORIA, another theme answer. (I liked the video because I am an Outsiders fan)

20A - Lead singer has fur on tum, an outing uniform? (8)
"Lead singer" is the definition. "has fur on tum, an outing uniform" which gives fodder and a deletion indication where "uniform" = U to be "outed" leaving FRONTMAN.

23A - Practicing her pirouettes, hearing organ warble (10)
"Practicing" is the definition. "her pirouetting" = REH as "her" is reversed, "hearing organ" = EAR and "warble" = SING for REHEARSING.

24A - Current from hot energy causes pain (4)
"Causes pain" is the definition. "Current" = AC, "hot energy" = HE why? Well, I don't know why just because we want those first letters to make ACHE. There's no clue indication to say to take those letters but I guess we're just supposed to know. Edit*From LRxword "FYI Hot=H (as in bathroom taps & C=cold). E=energy in science (e.g. E=mc2)" Ok, red-faced. I knew that. Thank you. Skulking off.

26A - Chilling without outer layer getting directions in steepness (9)
"Steepness" is the definition. "Chilling without outer layer" means to remove the first and last letter from "chilling to leave HILLIN, then "getting directions" = ESS Which are directions that happen to make the end of a word for HILLINESS.

27A - Wheat for 1,9, and 18-across in song? (5)
Since we got RESPECT, LOLA, and GLORIA, we can guess a "Wheat" used in these songs is SPELT.

28A - Web writer bowled over lumberjack (7)
"Web writer" is the definition. "Bowled over" = B and I don't know why as I tend to see "over" used to show letter placements after something. Maybe it's more sinister like "You're over!" and then chop off its head? "Lumberjack" = LOGGER for BLOGGER. I'll have to look into the use of "over" as a device in cryptic clues. Edit* I'm told by @LRxword "B=bowled (cricket abbrev.)" Cricket stings me again!

29A - Badly behaved for a year last decade, reportedly (7)
"Badly behaved" is the definition. " "a year last decade, reportedly" is hinting to a homophone. The years for last decade are referred to as the "noughties" for their double zeros which leads us to NAUGHTY.

1D - Revolting chiming again? (9)
Double definition or cryptic definition? "Revolting" is the definition in the sense of uprise and "chiming again" = REBELLING.

2D - Tracks unmarried people (7)
Double definition: SINGLES. As in music tracks, not stalking single people.

3D - Emergency teacher working for English school (4)
I think I've got a hair-trigger response to seeing "English school" and knowing/strongly guessing it's ETON. "emergency teacher" has ET as their first letters but do we call emergency teachers ETs? I call them substitutes or Subs. "working" = ON

4D - Why do the Irish always say this twice? (2,2,4)
Cryptic definition, I got this one: TO BE SURE.

5D - Whipped vitamin consumed (6)
I got this right, but in a convoluted way. "Whipped" is the definition. "Vitamin" = B, "consumed" = EATEN for BEATEN. I'd somehow figured the vitamin was B-10 as BE TEN also "consuming" the vitamin A, but the clue isn't written as "vitamin consumes vitamin." I had the A in place and grabbed onto B-10.

6D - Loving revolutionary rebel leader one's greeting from New Guinea (10)
"Loving" is the definition. "Revolutionary" = CHE and is a regular in cluing, "Rebel leader" = R, "one's" = I'S (?) greeting" = HI and "New Guinea"= NG for CHERISHING. I'm not comfortable with "one's" = I'S so I could have that wrong.

7D - Hurtful comment on bass clarinet sound, perhaps? (3,4)
Again is this double definition/cryptic definition? A "hurtful comment" that's also a "bass clarinet sound" is a LOW BLOW.

8D - Sarcastically evens out dirty play (5)
"Sarcastically" is the definition. "evens out" means to remove the even numbered letters of the following phrase "DiRtY pLaY" leaving DRYLY.

13D - Starting part 4 of play, a chime? (10)
"Starting" is the definition. "Part 4 of play" = ACT IV, "a chime" = A TING for ACTIVATING.

16D - Sharply get wordplay easily (9)
"Sharply" is the definition. "wordplay" = PUN and "easily" = GENTLY for PUNGENTLY.

17D - $1000's wagered by my daughter's boy (8)
"My daughter's boy" is the definition. "1000's" = GRANDS, "wagered by" = ON I guess in the sense to place a bet ON something? GRANDSON.

19D - Shakespeare character puts the 2 fifties into nil-all draw (7)
Two "Shakespeare  character" clues, next to each other and not using ellipses? I figured this would be a time where that kind of clue would be useful? I don't write clues (obviously, if I can't readily identify clue types how could I write them) but wouldn't ellipses be useful here? "Puts the two fifties" = LL to be put into, "nil-all" = OO got me OLLO and a "draw" is a TIE? but how do we get THE for OTHELLO? Is it just "THE two fifties?"

21D - Computer wager from the core Shakespeare character (7)
The other Shakespeare character. "Computer" = MAC, "wager" = BET, "tHe core" = H for MACBETH

22D - Island dress on my mother's grave (1,5)
Tricky clue. "Island" = IS as abbreviation, "dress" = WEAR put together to make a phrase I SWEAR "on my mother's grave" as the second part of a common phrase.

23D - Uppity bar accepted English sides from detox clinic (5)
"Detox clinic" is our definition. "uppity bar" hints that the word BAR is placed in reverse, going upwards for this down clue. "accepted EnglisH sides" means the letters EH are placed into BAR giving REHAB.

25D - Thesaurus included Bible character (4)
We want a "Bible character" hidden in the word thESAUrus. ESAU.

Done finally. Late with apologies. This is a very busy week. I didn't even print yesterday's DH until this morning. chances of getting anything done tomorrow are slim and I have a day in Melbourne on Friday so that's my DA day gone as well. Will be a quiet blogging week, I'm afraid.

The age Cryptic by DA #20,397

This was hard. This puzzle was worthy of an aneurism. "The puzzle was so hard her brain popped."  I didn't have the full day to get stuck in, either. I had a quick look before 10 and was then I was out until the afternoon but then kids, dinner, rush to bookstore for the new Derek Landy Skullduggery Pleasant books for my kids which they've been pining after for more than a year. Had to buy two or the kids would've killed each other for the one book. I am raising first class nerds.

I had to rely on the hints from the D. A. Trippers heavily to get through this puzzle. My pic is a maze of scribbles and pondering. I will also confess the red pen is lacking as I got into the clueing and forgot to swap. A letter here and there within clues.

I'm still having a struggle getting all of 8D/2D which is the second photo. I often have to get solutions and then work them backwards. I still have letters missing in the solution but that's how I often have to get answers. Old school words and lines, see what's left over. (Got it! with help)

1A - Snow-making company beat audit (7)
"Snow" is the definition and our answer is a slang term. "Company" = CO, "beat audit" where "audit" works as a homophone indicator, so we want a word for "beat" = CANE and the homophone being CAINE for COCAINE.

5A - Spots copperhead blocking way and pointlessly escape? (7)
"Spots" is the definition. "Copperhead" = C, "way" = PATH for PAT(C)H but here I get lost. Luke at DAT says "wordplay for 5A is ‘copperhead’ inside another word for ‘way’, followed by ‘escape’ having lost another word for ‘point’. Definition is ‘spots’ (nothing to do with vision).  " I don't know what the word for "escape" is minus the word for "point" that leaves ES for PATCHES.

9A - Cut end off notepapers? (5)
Answer is SHEAF, so are we to cut the end off SHEAFS to get the word for "notepapers" or was it to be SHEAR then use the "end" of "off" for the F? I got this with cross letters and the definition being "notepaper" but "sheaf" means just a bundle of stuff, we use it with papers...

10A - Observe pedlar flogging gem (4,5)
"Gem" is our definition. "Observe" = SEE and "pedlar flogging" is partial fodder+ anagrind to give us SEE(D PEARL)

11A - Caretaker needs old hat for playing charades (6,3)
"Playing charades" is the definition. "Caretaker" = ACTING if we think of temporary position holder like an acting prime minister. "Old hat" = OUT, like old fashions, to give us ACTING OUT.

12A - Love Child virtually bombed after showbiz finale (5)
"Love" is the definition. Now I'm guessing "child virtually" means to remove the last letter to give CHIL but how "virtually" means "hey take off that D, please, ktxbai." to be placed "after showbiZ  finale" = Z(ILCH)

13A - Weird Spanish medico attends to allergic reaction (8)
"Weird" is the definition. "Spanish" = EL, "medico" = DR, "allergic reaction" = ITCH for ELDRITCH. I'd fumbled about with "hives" and "rash" before Dictionary.com took pity and said "did you mean ELDRITCH?" you know it's bad when algorithms take pity on you.

14A - Second drink makes finch finer? (6)
"Second drink" is the definition. "makes finch finer?" What's the difference between "finch" and "finer? CH AS ER. I know, right? Breaks the brain.

17A - Secured Communist stock exchange ? On the contrary (6)
"Secured" is our definition "Communist" = RED and a "stock exchange" isn't financial, but livestock like cattle, and what kind of "exchanges" may they have? MOO? MOO! MOORED.

18A - Spare card opens back section of cosmic vehicle (8)
"Cosmic vehicle" is our definition. This is a hidden word clue and the word "back" hints it's hidden in reverse. "SpaRE CARD OPens " if we remember Star Wars, sadly yes the new ones, we'll see PODRACER.

21A - Look at tail of emerald parrot in the air (5)
"Look at" is the definition. "tail of emeralD" = D "parrot" = ECHO and "in the air" is a homophone indicator so we want a word like "Echo" to get DEKKO. I've never heard of this, and had guided hints from Ray at DAT.

23A - Mug lairs obstructing prized belief in diversity (9)
"Diversity" is the definition. "Mug lairs" is anagrind (new to me I thought it was a deletion indicator) + partial fodder, "prized belief" = PLUM to give us PLU(RALIS)M

24A - Transport boring outcast that little bit (5,4)
I got a bit mixed up here. I'm told the solution is: "A little bit" is the definition, "Transport" = TRAM and "boring outcast" = EXILE "boring into" TRAM to give EX(TRA M)ILE. I'd thought "Transport" was EXILE thinking of Aussie history setting up a penal colony. I made the "outcast" a tramp with the P missing. I'll just make up my own rules, why don't I?

25A - Souvenir toy dock done with capital? (5)
"Souvenir" is the definition. "Toy dock" = I think means remove a letter from TOY -Y = TO, but I don't know why "with capital" = KEN. Mort is DAT says "nn, re 25A. letters 1-2 are toy after applying dock. “done with a capital” is a (very bad and colourful painter); letters 3-5 are his first name. Another rather weak clue that I only parsed after getting the answer." A quick google and I find Ken Done (done with a capital! Now I get it.) and I had a look at some of his work. I agree it's colourful but I don't think it's very bad. A lot of it is fun. I see the inspirations of Gauguin, Van Gogh and Picasso. I'd buy some of his work if I had a wad of cash to throw around on art. Especially this one. Oh, forgot! Answer is TOKEN.

26A - Crook fibs most when undressing for tea (5)
"Tea" is our definition and "undressing" is a signpost for removing first and letters. "cROOk fIBs mOSt = ROOIBOS.

27A - Goat ran amok in zoo (7)
Hooray! A simple one! "Goat ran amok" is fodder+anagrind: TARONGA zoo.

1D - Ne'er do well 20-down slab of beer (7)
"Beer" is the definition and I had to have someone tell me that because otherwise I had no idea. "Ne'er do well" = CAD, "20-down" which we've not solved yet is SPLITS then "slab of beer" is a CASE. So I solved this not knowing what the definition was because it made sense as it was. CASCADE is a brand of beer in Tasmania.

2D - See 8-down

3D - Babyish way Apaches move around colonist? (9)
"Babyish" is our definition. "way" = IN, "Apaches move, around" American Indians walk in single FILE which is to be split "around" a "colonist" = ANT for INF(ANT)ILE.

4D - Lodge ego abandoning science on wrangle (8)
This clue drove me nuts. I was certain "Lodge abandoning ego" meant to remove EGO from lodge leaving LD. BUT NO! Lodge is the definition.  "Ego" = I, which abandons "science on wrangle" which is fodder+anagrind  SC(-I)ENCEON = ENSCONCE.

5D - Dozens plan to abandon an access outright (6)
"Dozens" is our definition. "Plan to abandon an" = PL(-AN), "access" = ENTRY and "outright" is a one word command saying to remove the letter R - out with the right which is usually the letter R = PLENTY.

6D - A precious thing, to microwave turnover (5)
"A precious thing" is our definition. to microwave" = TO ZAP which we must "turnover" to get TOPAZ.

7D - Hook panic merchant? (8,7)
The people who solve this give me envy. I can readily believe someone would be twisted enough to think this up as a clue - but to be able to solve it? I got it with Indy's hint "7Ds tend to run around (without looking where they’re going) " once I'd decided against Toddlers. I thought about Chicken Little being a "panic merchant" and got HEADLESS CHICKEN from there. I thought that was it until this clue from Ray "7D – What’s another word for the second word of 7D answer. Then if you apply the 1st word of 7D answer to the that other word and you get “hook " Wow! Do you see it? My mind was blown. Headless Chook = HOOK. Son of a bitch that's sneaky.

8D,2D - Bird turned and retouched cracks in disarray as well (7,7-8)
This clue took me ages and a week to solve. I was just about there but couldn't make a few bits fit. That was working in reverse with the solution! "Bird" is the definition. "turned and" = PLUS but reversed SULP, "retouched cracks in disarray" is partial fodder+anagrind, then "as well" - TOO.
PLUS + (RETOUCHED CRACKS) + TOO = SULPHUR CRESTED COCKATOO and that's what the second photo is showing my attempt to solve. I did it one more time after that pic and got it right./\

15D - Male tennis star once banked Euros for the future (9)
"Future" is the definition. "Male" = HE (which I missed and had to have someone (Julie) tell me because I was so blocked I couldn't see the obvious. "Where does the "he" come from?"  Der!) "Tennis star" is Pat RAFTER who "banked Euros" = E and "banked" meaning to put inside. HE(R(E)AFTER)
In my defence, Pat Rafter *is* a "male tennis star."

16D - Make guys contribute to abridged report (8)
I got this with cross letters and a guess the "report" was the definition. "Make" = DO (it does?) "guys" = MEN and "bridged" = CUT put together as: DO(CU(MEN)T). I'm guessing DA is not someone we want to play Upwords against.

17D - June and Mary die horribly! (7)
Another easy one! Gosh we needed this break. "June" is the definition. "Mary die horribly" is fodder+anagrind for: MIDYEAR. (poor Mary)

19D - Upheld alternative fetish in Europe (7)
I needed help with this and it should be red pen. I thought "uphelp" was one of those single word instructions to put UP in something. "19D – “Upheld” = reverse indicator. “alternative” = 2 letter synonym for letter 2,1. “fetish” = synonym for letters 3,4,5,6,7. Defn = “in Europe”. " "alternative" = OR reversed to RO and "fetish" = MANIA for ROMANIA. I think just because the thesaurus says mania and fetish are synonyms doesn't really, kind of, mean they are. Loose association at best, yeah? Anyway to look deeper at that leads to Creepytown so moving along...

20D - Leaves flexing for the experts? (6)
"Leaves" is the definition. We are looking for a kind of "flexing" that's only done by experts: SPLITS.

22D - Choice of brush or vestment (4-1)
I got this once I had 21A in place. It's a brand name of "brush" = ORAL-B. "or Vestment" = OR ALB

There's a definite escalation going on! A couple of easy weeks, a bit harder last week a killer this week...it's Latin Cricket Spoonerisms next week isn't it. I know it's coming one day. But finally done. Until next week. Last run puzzle for LR on Monday, and it should be a themed one. I'm going to ride bikes with the kids and play hours of Assassin's Creed Black Flag and sing many a shanty and pillage the kings of their gold. But first knitting and Dr. Blake! Cor, I live by the seat of my pants, no?

Have a great weekend!

The Age Cryptic by DH #20,394

I got stuck into this one quite quickly and went from top to bottom then right to left. I got stuck in the very bottom, right corner with 16D/25A but with the help of a fellow puzzler on Twitter I got those, too. 11A gave me a juvenile giggle, which I had to share on Facebook.

This puzzle had a fair mix of easy and hard clues. I'm still working on getting them all parsed. I found with this puzzle I was quick to spot the definition and get the answer but had no idea how the cryptic end of the clue worked. Even typing out the questions, a few clues I felt I was reading for the first time. That's weird - I spent a couple hours on this puzzle and then don't even remember some of the clues?

1A - George Cole's crazy about upstart sugar (7)
"Sugar" is our definition. "George" = G as we often take the first letter from proper nouns, "Cole's crazy" is partial fodder+anagrind and "upstart" is a one word instruction to take the "start of up" = U, "cole's goes about U" and they're all put together like this: G(L(U)COSE)

5A - Rudd almost back with last word for heartwood (7)
"Heartwood" is the definition. "Rudd almost, back" means we don't want all of the word "Rudd" just RUD and "back" means to reverse it to DUR, "last word" = AMEN for DURAMEN. That's a new word for me.

9A - Unusually pacy Rod like Central American rodents (9)
My mind first leaped to Chupacabra, which was close but not really. My mind saw something there. "Unusually pacy" is anagrind and partial fodder, "Rod" = BAR, "like" = AS becomes CAPYBARAS. See, my brain was almost there.

10A - Magistrate swallows beer in scene of 1692 executions (5)
Not fair, I grew up near here and used to skip university to go hang out in their shops. I knew it from the definition "Scene of 1692 executions" and I can see "beer" = ALE but I don't know why "magistrate" = SM.

11A - Torres confused about duck cock (7)
"Cock" is our definition and "Torres confused, about a duck" Torres is partial fodder, "confused" is the anagrind and "duck" = O. Fodder goes around the O to give RO(O)STER.

12A - Trying to ring old Roman emperor before us (7)
"Trying" is our definition. "Ring" = O, "Roman emperor" = NERO, "before US" put together like this: O(NERO)US.

13A - See! Soluble every second in Olympic city (5)
We are looking for an "Olympic city" and zone in on the words "every second" as an odd/evens clue. "SeE sOlUbLe" for SEOUL.

14A - Bust in sire? Ruined cytoplasm particles (9)
"Cytoplasm particles" is what we're looking for. "Bust" = BOSOM, "sire ruined" is partial fodder and anagrind, put together like this: RI(BOSOM)SE.

16A - Concerned with brain membranes in game Lenin lost (9)
" Concerned with brain membranes," is our long definition not leaving much else to work with. "game Lenin lost" is fodder + anagrind to give us MENINGEAL.

18A - Companion, with skill, produces navigation aid (5)
Ok, I got this wrong. I had the cross letters and made a guess. I was right that "Navigation aid" was the definition. I'd put in COAST thinking early mapping, follow the coastlines. Answer is CHART, how does "companion"= CH, "with skill" = ART? I asked the Cryptic Crossword Society on Facebook and they tell me CH/Companion means Companion of Honour. I don't feel so bad about not knowing that.

20A - In exercise, paces around grassy plains (7)
"Grassy plains" is the definition. "Exercise" = PE, "paces" = STEPS put together like this: STEP(PE)S.

22A - Then dip out, being thorough (2-5)
"Being thorough" is the definition "Then dip out" is fodder+anagrind to get IN DEPTH.

23A - Model leaving Tony Prior's boss (5)
"Prior's boss" is our definition. "Model" = T from the original model T Ford.  "leaving Tony" is ABBOTT -T as the T is "leaving" to give us ABBOT, the leader of a priory.

24A - Hart in good shape, ever poetic, to make excess gain (9)
"To make excess gain" is the definition "Hart" = PRO but I don't know why, "in good shape" = FIT, and "ever poetic" = EER as that's how "ever" is often written in poems. Answer is PROFITEER. So why does Hart = PRO? I know hart as a DEER and was trying to figure out how to work that but the D wasn't happening.

25A - Pass footballer and wither gradually from outside (7)
I got this one last and from its definition "wither gradually from outside" was DIEBACK and I see  "pass" = DIE but not "footballer" = BACK unless it's a position?

26A - Lech one off in rank (7)
"Rank" is the definition and "Lech one off" is fodder+ anagrind to give us: ECHELON.

1D - Leave captain on university faculty some small racing vehicles (2-5)
"Small racing vehicles" is the definition and I got this on a guess with the enumeration. "Leave" = GO, "Captain" = C and "university faculty" = ARTS to give: GO CARTS.

2D - A French class of word, last one in wire, cannot be readily enunciated (15)
I got this purely from definition "Cannot be readily enunciated" but let's tackle this: "A French" = UN, "class" = PRO (sport rank), "word" = NOUN, "last onE" = E to be put "in wire" = CABLE like this: UN+PRO+NOUN+C(E)ABLE.

3D - Ralph Sarich's engine little spoken about (7)
I googled Ralph Sarich to see if he was real and if he had an engine; he was and he did. "Little" = BIT, "spoken about" = ORAL to be split around BIT like this: OR(BIT)AL. I'm getting better at these container clues.

4D - Go wrong otherwise at liberty to be completely correct (5,4)
"To be completely correct" is our definition. "Go wrong" = ERR, "otherwise" = OR and "liberty" = FREE for ERROR FREE.

5D - Dance hall in Washington area, love (5)
"Dance hall" is the definition and "Washington area, love" where the USA capital is Washington DC - DC stands for District of Columbia could be DIS CO, but I thought the "love" = O, so is it just DIS+C+O for the answer DISCO?

6D - Hasty queen's breakfast food? (7)
Sweet clue, I liked this. We are looking for a "Breakfast food" and "hasty" = RASH and "queen's" = ERS for RASHERS.

7D - Fraser about? Parliamentarian Alexander Graham after speed-addicted Englishman (7,8)
We want the "speed-addicted Englishman," and I had all the cross letters for the NE corner so the name MALCOLM fell into place easily so I'm guessing "Fraser about" = MALCOLM Fraser. "Parliamentarian" = MP and "Alexander Graham" = BELL The answer is MALCOLM CAMPBELL so I don't know where the CA comes from.

8D - Avenging agent seems in trouble (7)
"Avenging agent" is the definition, "seems in trouble" is fodder+anagrind to give us NEMESIS.

15D - Able to wreck Sunda Island in Maryland port? (9)
We want a "Maryland Port," and "able to wreck" is partial fodder and anagrind, "Sunda Island in" = TIMOR to put in ABLE to give us BAL(TIMOR)E

16D - Top player in Mire is hot stuff (7)
I needed a hint to get this as I'd struggled thinking LAVA, FIRE, and other hot things. "16D Mire letters 1, 2, 7. Top player letters 3, 4, 5, 6." from @rhapsody_bri  This is a container clue and I struggle with those. "Top player" = STAR, to be place "in" a word for "Mire" = MUD to give us MU(STAR)D. Well that's a matter of opinion, I don't find mustard all that hot. Ok, maybe the Colemans one is a bit spicy. In New England they mix Colemans mustard with apple sauce, vinegar, soy, ginger and apricot jam or pineapple bits and call it Duck Sauce for dunking your springs rolls into.

17D - Doctor Hahn apt to produce coal tar solvent (7)
"Coal tar solvent" is the definition and "Doctor Hahn apt" is anagrind+fodder to give us NAPHTHA.

18D - After business beautiful girl takes fellow in for some piscine tucker (7)
"Piscine tucker" is our definition, "business" = CO, "Beautiful girl" = DISH and "Fellow" = F to be put together like this" CO(D(F)ISH)

19D - Brown out here in Middle Eastern capital (7)
We want a "Middle Eastern capital" and "Brown" = TAN, "out here" is anagrind+fodder put together like this: T(EHER)AN.

21D - Paderewski Pestered to return some flower in PNG (5)
This is a hidden word clue. "Flower" should always raise a red flag as it's either a flower or a river. We want a river in PNG. "PaderewsKI PEStered to return" we want a river hidden in reverse: SEPIK. A bit of google was needed here.

Done! Mostly! Some holes in my knowledge on a few bits but on the whole I'm pleased with this effort. I don't know if I'll ever be fluent in Heraldry or Medals but really - when is that useful except to solve puzzles or have a job in genealogy and antiques?

The age cryptic by LR #20,393

Ha HA! Done in record time, before lunch and no red pen. You see that pic - No Red Pen. I gots all them thar clues. No tricky theme, straightforward solves, nothing dodgy. I thought 4D was particularly genius and was one of my last clues in the grid. 11D was my last clue, bah geography. I may have gotten through this quickly because it's only 25 questions, but let's go with "Emerging cryptic solving genius" for today.

6A - Robbery delay (4-2)
Double definition: HOLD-UP

7A - Prejudiced parties banned drug...ban didn't begin (8)
"Prejudiced" is our definition. "parties banned drug" where drug = E to be removed from "parties" = PARTIS. "ban didn't begin" is an instruction to remove the first letter from BAN -B = AN for: PARTISAN.

10A - Bible book I cut out in jeans (9)
"Bible book" is our definition. "I cut out" is partial fodder+anagrind, "in jeans" means to put the mixed ICUT into a word for "jeans" = LEVIS like this: LEVI(TICU)S.

12A - Harmful time loop from 11th century (5)
"Harmful" is our definition. "time" = T, "loop" = O, "11th" = XI, "century" = C (as 100, I believe, not the first letter of century) to give TOXIC.

13A - Apologise or return borrowed item? (4,4,4)
Double definition: TAKE THAT BACK. Which make me think of this scene from A Fish Called Wanda.

16A - Doesn't explain night foliage (6,2,3,4)
Would this count as a cryptic double definition? LEAVES IN THE DARK. I was tempted to not put an answer in here, but I'm not cruel and I doubt anyone would've got the joke.

18A - Win gracefully with broadest pogo jumping (2,1,4,5)
"Win gracefully" is our definition. "broadest pogo jumping" is fodder+anagrind to give us: BE A GOOD SPORT. This phrase has lots of options for anagramming, and I particularly liked Adopts Goober and Beards Got Poo.

22A - Fake coastal feature (5)
Double definition: BLUFF.

23A - Gathers corrosion on beating pulse (7,2)
"Gathers" is our definition. "corrosion" = RUST, "beating pulse" is anagrind+partial fodder to give: RUST(LES UP).

24A - Director put State Emergency Service in film music (8)
"Director" is our definition and "State Emergency Service" = SES which is to be put "in" a word for "film music" = SCORE like this: SCOR(SES)E

25A - Fisherman Glen spilled carp guts outside (6)
"Fisherman" is our definition. "Glen spilled" is partial fodder+anagrind. "cARp guts, outside" tells us to take the middle of "carp" = AR and put that "outside" the fodder like this: A(NGLE)R

1D - Study of stamps on Greek letter recently (9)
"Study of stamps" is our definition. "Greek letter" = PHI, "recently" = LATELY for PHILATELY.

2D - Central European craft sank, voila! (9)
"Central European" is what we're looking for. "craft sank, voila" is anagrind+fodder to give: SLOVAKIAN.

3D - Coach flipped over championship caption (8)
"Caption" is our definition. "Coach" = BUS and we need to "flip" that over to make SUB, "championship" = TITLE for SUBTITLE.

4D - Freezing remote parts? (5,7) 
Siberia? Toes or other "parts" frozen? Nope "remote" is a noun here and what part of the remote freezes action? PAUSE BUTTONS. This was a very satisfying solve. My favourite clue in this puzzle.

5D - Sport factoid: One captain is not moving (6)
"Is not moving" is our definition. "sport factoid"  = STAT, "one" = I, "captain" = C for STATIC.

8D - She gutlessly took chromosomes to be attractive (4)
"To be attractive" is our definition. "She gutlessly" means to remove the middle of "she" leaving SE, "chromosomes" = XY for: SEXY.

9D - Pinch festive saint (4)
Double definition: NICK.

11D - Part of London where tea gang got angry (7,5)
"Part of London" "tea gang" = CHA RING (You know, that kind of punning is painful) where CHA is Japanese and Chinese for tea, "got angry" = CROSS for: CHARING CROSS.

14D - Employ Christmas songs outside merry-g-rounds (9)
"merry-g-rounds" is our definition. Employ" - USE, "Christmas songs" = CAROLS to be put "outside" like this: CARO(USE)LS.

15D - Electricity encloses Winslet's recreation area (5,4)
"Recreation area" is our definition. "Electricity" = SPARK which is to "enclose" "Winslet's" = KATE like this: S(KATE)PARK.

17D - Reckless, pointless, heartless Greek characters (8)
I got this wrongly. I'd thought "Heartless Greek" = E, then looked at "Greek Characters" as E as a plural Greek character EPSILONS. What word I'm supposed to mix-up (reckless?) and remove a compass point from (pointless?) then pull its middle out (heartless?) I don't know. Seems a lot of abuse for one word. OK! I see it now! I had to go away and come back. "Reckless pointless" is anagrind and fodder, but we also have to make "pointless heartless" and remove the middle T leaving POINLESS as the fodder to be mixed to make EPSILONS.

19D - The Spanish angle is mischievous (6)
"Mischievous" is our definition. "Spanish" = EL, "angle" = FISH (verb) for ELFISH.

20D - King of guitar questions grills (4)
"Grills" is our definition. "King of guitar" = BB, "questions" = QS for BBQS

21D - Regret turning up with zero foreign currency (4)
"Foreign currency" is our definition. "regret turning up" = RUE but reversed to EUR, "zero" = O for EURO.

Done! that was a great start for the week. Thanks to @LRxword. Looking forward to next week - the last theme puzzle in this short series? What will it be?