Saturday Times Prize Crossword 25011 Saturday November 19th 2011

[Julest1]

One I can't get and three I don't understand from this very hard puzzle.

Can't get this:
Proudly possess no mean blow drier (5)
Checks should be b-n-t though n is a guess and could be a, so maybe blast or boast? But why?

Answers that baffle me:
Water no matter what that's fed to baby cuckoo (6,3)
I think it's 'Botany Bay' but no idea why. There is a cuckoo called a banded bay but then cross letters are all wrong...

Contract might be bringing wounded child closer (3,3,2,6)
It's 'put out to tender' but why?

Real saints enthral Catholic before charming female (9)
It's sorceress, no idea why.

[Lie-in King]

22d Boast - b(low) (no "mean" [low]) + 'oast' (drier for hops)
10a Botany Bay - 'any' (no matter what) (in) anag (cuckoo) 'to baby'
13a Put out to tender (contract) - 'put out' (wounded) + 'tot' (child) + 'ender' (closer)
28a Sorceress - R(oman) C(atholic) + 'ere' (in) 'so' (real) + ss (saints)

[Julest1]

Wow that was fast and comprehensive. Thanks Lie-in King.

[Lie-in King]

Happy to help, Julest1 & welcome to AB! :-))