Cryptic crossword No 3,773
Fri 7 Aug 2026, set bySisyphus
Special Instructions: Today my mum (12a, 28d, 33a) turns 100. Once this puzzle would have meant something to her, and she’d have solved it easily. Nowadays everything’s a puzzle- but she carries on trying to make the best of it. This is my tribute to Old Mother Sisyphus! Hope it’s also something worth sharing (despite the nina monsters!)
Across
- Came back from the dead in ranks, reportedly (4)
- Picture small Moses basket borne by Welsh river (8)
- Must’ve set out looking for inspiration? (4)
- Time is main issue (6)
- Becomes involved with senior tent by mistake (6,4)
- Early signs of young Arab man appearing with current Shia prophet (6)
- Encourage me over mountain, getting 10d (8)
- Italian heaven’s brief ceremony is over (8)
- Welsh mother inwardly knew direction westwards (8)
- 4x9=1926? (4)
- Desperately I dine on mud, gradually dying away (10)
- Disarmed, he’ll even ask for spirits (5)
- No, only occasionally such rush (2-2)
- Deny burden (5)
- Bad actor’s ‘skill’ is principally a tragic flaw (8)
- Aspect of fortification partly reflection of Cromwellian ethos (8)
Down
- Tablet’s pedal not in good condition (4)
- Departmental muddle involving collection of Rabbis (6)
- One in flight (5)
- Second person delivered by churchyard guardian (3)
- Listens when evening news broadcast does ‘fringe’ coverage (7)
- Scottish woman embraced by Belgian city (3)
- Investigates piano-playing sober (6)
- Sounds organised? Greek character’s in charge (5)
- Hail and farewell to one crossing the great water (4)
- My tribute amazing Rare Earth member (9)
- Silver and gold no good (3)
- Son leaving cold place for hot place (6)
- Cross in recess showing way in (4)
- People grow old and finally wear the faces of Innocence and Experience- a motley crew! (9)
- Album of reminiscences looking forwards as well as back (3)
- A pecan nut originally cultivated in Massachusetts peninsula (4,3)
- Flower you picked up inside died and awakened (6)
- Idealised picture of villain getting married (5)
- Moslem Prince plucked lame bird (4)
- OBE for tree? (5)
Sisyphus has made 2 changes since publishing this crossword.
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