Saga November 2016

[Wickham1948]

9A: Setter left lover abandoned in a tree (4) I???; 2D: Climber's course covering the introduction to abseiling (5) D?A??; 5D: Highland dancer's call for whisky (5) H?O?H - presumably HOOCH but I don't entirely understand it; 17D: Throw from stage to audience (4) ?A?E - I've seen this given ad FAZE but do not understand. Help appreciated. Thanks

[dannyk13]

9a.Ilex
17d.Faze sounds like phase(stage)

[Toorak]

Faze means to throw and sounds like - to audience- phase (stage)

[Wickham1948]

Many thanks. Can you explain ILEX please; I know it is a tree but the rest of the clue? Also, any thoughts on 2D which is now D?A?E.

[dannyk13]

I(setter) + l(eft) + ex(abandoned lover)

[grasscarp]

Hooch is something that Highland dancers call out (allegedly) when they dance the reel.

[Wickham1948]

Many thanks once again - obviously I had a bad puzzling day and I think that I now understand 2D. Cheers.

[donny48]

2 LIANE (plural of LIANA) - LINE (course) around A(bseiling)

[scorpiojo]

From elsewhere

Your first letter is wrong in 2D.

LIANE (plural of LIANA) - LINE (course) around A(bseiling)

[rodders123]

1a) Beldam not bedlam

[Wickham1948]

Thank you, all of you.

[bald eagle]

Struggling with this crossword, would appreciate some help
14d Melba toast, 5 letter word B?A??
16d Ground rent, 5 letter word ??A?M
18d, Costume abandoned by British swimmer, 3 letter word G??

[dannyk13]

14d.Blame?anagram of Melba

[dannyk13]

18d.Gar(b)

[dannyk13]

16d.Chasm?