Inquisitor 1285

[Neveracrossword]

I am unsure of one answer, would welcome any enlightenment,
23 D. Country's leader eager, lacking energy (7) e?press
I can see 'empress', which would fit 'country's leader', but I don't see the 'lacking energy' part.

[boreas]

Hi Never,

just add an 'e' to the end of empress

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, boreas - why didn't I think of that?! I enjoyed today's crossword.

[boreas]

Yes, but over too soon.
I have a bit of a prob with 18A.
I have the answer and definition, but don't understand how 'third of a mile' gives the first 2 letters.

[Neveracrossword]

I didn't fully understand 18 A either - I thought I was missing some subtlety or other.

[Neveracrossword]

I've just looked up 'li' - it's a Chinese measurement, for about a third of a mile.

[boreas]

I've just looked up 'Li'.
Guess what it means!

[Neveracrossword]

Great minds...

[boreas]

laughing

[Neveracrossword]

....fools seldom differ
This doesn't apply to us, I'm sure.

[boreas]

I think it often applies to me