Independent Cryptic #1724

2023-03-12

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Across

1a

Take boat for diving then land (8)

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5a

More expensive watch secretly returned for maintenance (6)

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9a

Shed unfashionable stockings worn by upper class (8)

10a

Chat and a fag (6)

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12a

Pavarotti for one bought enormous trousers (5)

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13a

Waterproof loose on our son that's taken back to shop (9)

14a

American bangs me entering pub initially taking offence (12)

18a

What e.g. 8 took from a child needing protection after school (12)

21a

Doctor can rub oil in both eyes (9)

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23a

Small bottle of very acidic beer unfinished (5)

24a

Touching a thousand fish repelled man unloading boat (6)

25a

Old Indian spinner bats ten following the order (8)

26a

Stick jug by sink after emptying it (6)

27a

Logical engineers like 1D (8)

Down

1d

Charming debate held in silence (6)

2d

Scientific study every NATO battalion keeps up (6)

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3d

Current wanted for cultivation of arid region? (9)

4d

Blockbuster about Chinese locksmith with gold filling (12)

6d

One article chamber pot contains something next to stool? (5)

7d

Former priest learning Dutch did survey (8)

8d

Soldier's the one chasing English sucker (8)

11d

Impossible to get wife to stop drifting near bus lane (12)

15d

Brussels rent that is reduced for playwright (9)

16d

Island to rule out bachelor parties (8)

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17d

Local salt on English shellfish (8)

19d

Wolf one wild feral creature (6)

20d

Mountain-climbing fashion-conscious youth dressed in silver perhaps (6)

22d

Sailors on bench both losing weight getting thin fare (5)