Answers to Crosaire No: 14101 - 12 Mar 10

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I blew it again! I had trouble with the wording of the clue for GAMBLER, and ended up putting in GAMBLES. In retrospect, GAMBLER was the right choice. I was also a bit hesitant about LEEK (considering LEAK) but opted for the correct answer there at least. Other than that, I would have finished in about 14m. Some novel clues here today though, I thought.

Today's Crosaire Aria
30A: LEEK
As it's rugby international season, here is an appropriate Aria. I lived in Wales for a couple of years, so the Welsh are my alternate team to support. I remember going with a friend of mine to see Ireland play Wales in Cardiff Arms Park. As I lived in Wales, I bought the tickets, so we found ourselves waving the green, white and gold among a sea of red and white in the Welsh supporters' terraces. Luckily, the match ended in a draw, so we got out alive. Here's Max Boyce singing his famous Hymns and Arias live at Treorchy Rugby Club back in 1973. In Wales, all anyone cares about is beating England. Sound familiar?

The Clue of the Day
35A: Publish a couple of fathers back on site (9)
This clue has a very inventive wording to point us at AD-VER, the first part of the answer, ADVERTISE. A couple of fathers (namely "Rev" and "Da") back (AD-VER) gives us ADVER. Then we tack on an anagram of "site" (TISE) to give us ADVERTISE. Very nice ...

The Lookup of the Day
10A: POLONIUM
Polonium was discovered in 1898 by Marie and Pierre Curie. At first they called it Radium F, but it was later named after Madame Curie's native Poland (Polonia in Latin). This naming was actually a political maneuver, as at the end of the 19th century Poland was partitioned between Russia, Prussia and Austria. Marie Curie hoped that by naming this new element POLONIUM it would draw attention to the plight of her homeland. Polonium, in all its forms, is highly toxic. In fact, it was polonium that was used to kill the Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006.

Here are my answers. As always, I welcome comments and explanations. Thanks!

Across
1: FREE RANGE
No charge (FREE) for firing here (RANGE) = FREE RANGE: no battery (hens) either.
9: TEE-HEE
Get ready to drive (TEE) him perhaps, 'he', sounds like (HEE) = TEE-HEE: that's a giggle.
10: POLO-NIUM
To be played on horseback (POLO-) is the "start" of the answer = POLONIUM: polonium.
Polonium is one of those naturally radioactive elements that don't hang around for very long before decaying ...
11: L(A)UNCH
In a meal (L-UNCH) a (A) = LAUNCH: down the slipway.
12: FLEE-CE
To run away (FLEE-) is the start of the answer = FLEECE: in a woolly way.
14: LEAD
15: DIRG-'E
With the bars, 'grid', back (DIRG) 'e ('E) = DIRGE: sounds sad.
16: REG(I)ON
In the middle of the goner (REG-ON) I have (I) = REGION: a place.
18: BYE-BYES
Farewells for a sleep for a little (one).
21: S(H)INGLE
In one (S-INGLE) one H (H) = SHINGLE: all ashore.
24: THE RED
Just a shade (THE RED) overdrawn (IN THE RED).
26: W-ITCH
To scratch (-ITCH) is the "last" part of the answer = WITCH: brooms-tick for this one.
30: LEEK
Water may get through (LEAK) sounds as if = LEEK = the bottom of the ship (KEEL) back.
31: RA-IN-ED
Era'd perhaps = E(RA)D = RA IN ED = RAINED: and that was not so fine.
Some nice letter-play ...
32: HIT-HER
On strike (HIT) the girl (HER) = HITHER: tell to come (as in 'come HITHER').
33: AM-BRO'S-I-A
Seems am (AM) brother's (BRO'S) I a (I A) = AMBROSIA: food for the gods.
Hmm ...
In Greek mythology, AMBROSIA is either the food or the drink of the gods ...
34: CA(D)RES
Worries (CA-RES) about five hundred (D) for = CADRES: the bodies.
35: AD-VER-TISE
A couple of fathers, 'Rev' & 'Da', back (AD VER) on site (TISE) = ADVERTISE: publish.
Lovely clue, very different ...

Down
2: R(OOTL)E
Round "about" (R-E) the broken tool (OOTL) = ROOTLE: dig.
ROOTLE appears just to be nothing more than another word for the verb "root" ...
3: E(V-OK)ED
In the river, 'Dee', up there (E-ED) five all right (V OK) = EVOKED: called up.
4: A RIDER
5: GAMBLER
Any "better" is a GAMBLER ...
6: RE(MAD)E
In the lough (RE-E) you'd be insane (MAD) to be = REMADE: created once more.
7: THIN-KING
A spare (THIN) monarch (KING) = THINKING: a-musing occupation.
8: RED-HANDED
As in "the Red Hand of Ulster" ...
11: L-ARCH
If under fifty (L) one of the overheads (ARCH) = LARCH: wood ("would" sound).
13: CITY
Mend a (MEND A) not in the country (CITY) = MENDACITY: one such that's lying.
MENDACITY is the tendency to be untruthful. Really, it is. You can believe me ...
17: A BIT THICK
Not very well (A BIT SICK) with a lisp = A BIT THICK: it's hard.
I am not sure about "hard" mapping into A BIT THICK though. Anyone?
19: EVENT-IDE
It happens (EVENT) to "die" in a mess (IDE) = EVENTIDE: of late.
20: EIDER
22: INC-A
Incorporated shortly (INC) with a (A) = INCA: one formerly in America.
23: AWK-WARD
To draw up (-WARD) is the "last" part of the answer = AWKWARD: not at all easy so.
25: E-LEVEN
An eastern (E) loch (LEVEN) = ELEVEN: the side.
Loch Leven in Scotland is an old friend, and was a Lookup of the Day back in November of last year ...
27: TREBLE
28: HIT OUT
One can't keep it in (-IT OUT) is the "last" part of the answer = HIT OUT: such striking advice.
29: SERIES
A goddess (CERES) sounds as if = SERIES: comes by instalments.

Reveal-An-Answer
Need just one answer to get things moving? Here is my solution to today's puzzle, in a hidden format. To reveal any particular answer, highlight the whole line containing the relevant clue number.

Across
1: FREE RANGE
9: TEE-HEE
10: POLO-NIUM
11: L(A)UNCH
12: FLEE-CE
14: LEAD
15: DIRG-'E
16: REG(I)ON
18: BYE-BYES
21: S(H)INGLE
24: THE RED
26: W-ITCH
30: LEEK
31: RA-IN-ED
32: HIT-HER
33: AM-BRO'S-I-A
34: CA(D)RES
35: AD-VER-TISE

Down
2: R(OOTL)E
3: E(V-OK)ED
4: A RIDER
5: GAMBLER
6: RE(MAD)E
7: THIN-KING
8: RED-HANDED
11: L-ARCH
13: CITY
17: A BIT THICK
19: EVENT-IDE
20: EIDER
22: INC-A
23: AWK-WARD
25: E-LEVEN
27: TREBLE
28: HIT OUT
29: SERIES