November 2006 - 15x15 Cryptic Crossword

Clues - Across

1. Get wind of a tiresome fellow as he finishes (6)
4. Members become immersed in religious sect (8)
9. About the end of December, reached Santa's base (6)
10. Approval given to try, try again (4,4)
12. Unhealthy & rainy parts around old Shkoder (8)
13. A fine state to be in (6)
15. Ships mined at sea in trouble (4,8)
18. Like Scrooge, even simple person has obligations (12)
21. Fellow in shelter returning for a top-coat (6)
22. Championing an old-fashioned marriage (8)
24. Dispiriting ministerial performance? (8)
25. Envoy would have a gun in general (6)
26. Eternal king of rock 'n roll? (8)
27. Flowers that are man-made (6)

Clues - Down

1. Catch the tube to the centre of Ruislip to get an instrument
(8)
2. Plant with no fixed abode? (8)
3. Bad weather in China? It's trivial (1,5,2,1,6)
5. Copy mystery man if you want a tip (4)
6. Cheap work for vile-sounding composer? (1O,5)
7. "The Heat's Off": a hard cover (6)
8. Blind vet? (6)
11. Crank who did badly in Lent, for example (7)
14. Associate haziness with a psychic of sorts (7)
16. Creamy dessert out East, also known as main course (8)
17. David's work books (8)
19. Reels about, having had a few in the bars (6)
20. That's noted (6)
23. Cunning hunter beginning to swim in Continental water (4)