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Not too taxing today, except I can’t see what 10a is all about. I enjoyed the humorous 20a.

Too bad about the dog, Brendan. Hope you are able to do the Prize sometime - it was rather fine.

I got a bit caught out by 10a because I thought it had to be spelt with a 'y' in the middle, but I guess that is an optional transliteration.

Hi FemmeNoir

In 10a, one of the repeated words is the answer and the other what to do with before entering which then gives you the definition.

Thanks FemmeNoire, he's returned to his owner now (but I do miss him)

10a - Is a 4 letter "retreat" reversed/"retreat" - definition is "Saudi money".

Thanks, Brendan, for the pointers to parse 1a. Apart from 2d, I had the downs but couldn't sort out 3rd word. Still can't see 2d hence LOI.

Very good again. I can see where the confusion re 4d comes from, fortunately I had 1a first. 20a was my favourite. Enjoyed the rhyming pair; and there’s almost a second pair if you say one of them in a certain way ;-)

Thanks Fop,

2d - Answer is "rubber cushion" (a rather odd but accurate description) and is also a homophone/"outspoken" of "bore" as in 'to weary or annoy with tediousness'.

Hi Jono,

I'm such an idiot! I had thought the rhyming pair were the 2 on the edges, completely missing the 'actual' rhyming pair 🥵

I had 1a as FOI, so no problem with 4d.
Odd anagram indicator in 14d. I can't see the parsing for 20a. Favourite was 7d.
The definition for 1d is, of course, wrong!

Hi Chris,

20a - The definition is "cold" when taken as a whole but when split 5,2,4 would be "covered in ice".