Saturday Times Crossword

[billyshears]

My lazy wife has yet to go out and forage for a copy of today's paper. Due to the lateness, can anybody give me a few starter answers for when she finally gets round to visiting the newsagents' next door?

[coyn]

You could get off your rear and go to the newsagent yourself billy or is that against your religious beliefs?

[Alibobs]

I am sure Billy is far too busy stuffing the turkey and peeling sprouts, aren't you Billy?!?

Merry Christmas to all Answerbankers!!!!

[Quizmonster]

Surely she's been out and got the paper by now, Billy! In case not - and just this once - 1A is stiffish and 2D is testudo.

[billyshears]

She got it eventually, and I'm stuck on "unwell pierced by weapon, but stable" (8) ???A?C?? and "aunt crumpled up tax demand initially presented without a name" (12) ???T???B?T?D ... and they're not the only ones. But I really should make an effort myself. Anyone in the Essex area available to come round and fetch me a Blandford Fly from the shed?

[johnalex]

1. baLANCEd

[johnalex]

2. Unattributed (anag 'Aunt' + 'TD' for tax demand, leaving 'ribute' ??!)

[Quizmonster]

Where on earth did these two clues come from, Billy and/or Johnalex? They're not in my version of today's 'Times'! So, presumably, my earlier offerings of 'stiffish' and 'testudo' were of little use.

[billyshears]

If by "little use", you mean "no use at all"...then yes. I'm on the large one in the middle of "Books" section. Thanks for those two clues. Now how about "boat user one is floundering in catamaran" (8) ??N????? and "final outcome of plot, for Napoleon" (10) ???????E?? Thanks all ! As you can see....I'm not nearly finished.

[johnalex]

Quizmonster - Not guilty, don't read the Times.

Billy - try CAnoeisT.

Happy Xmas 2U Both, ja

[Quizmonster]

Thanks for that, John. I'm afraid that when someone refers to "Times crossword" it means only one thing to me and that is not "Times 2 crossword" or "Times Jumbo crossword" or any other variety of Times crossword. It means "the Times crossword"...ie the one on the back page of the main segment of the paper and not one of the less demanding offerings.
Best wishes of the season to you, too, John, and a happy New Year.

[lapsapchung]

Unwell pierced by weapon but stable is BALANCED

Now, I'm stuck on the bottom left hand corner, 45d, 48d and the first word of 47a - suretly it can't be JUST can it?

[lapsapchung]

OK, forget that. I often find that asking about a clue makes the answer pop into my head. So just 48d now

Part of answer is entered up? (5) R*S*N

RISEN? RESIN?

[Quizmonster]

"Part of the answer is entered up." The answer is part of the question, in other words.

[lapsapchung]

Thanks Quizmonster - it's easier to see the answer now most of the wine has passed out of my system.....