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Peer Review 522

Welcome to our friendly competition to compose a cryptic clue to be judged by your fellow contestants.

You may enter as many clues as you like. Everyone is welcome, particularly new entrants. Feel free to explain your clue, if you think it will help, or ask another entrant to parse their clue.

However, please don't comment on the clues before voting closes.

Clues should be posted before 12 noon (UK time) on Friday Jan 7th, when voting opens. Voting closes at 8pm (UK time) the same day.

Entrants should vote for their favourite clue, indicating that entrant's name and clue number. The entry with the most votes wins and its composer sets next week's competition. The setter has the deciding vote in the event of a tie. The setter will declare the winner and award an online prize.

This week's challenge is:

SKYLARK (7)
or
SKYLARKING (10)

Have fun and good luck!

Space station nearly lands on royal couple and old guy (7)

SKYLA(b) + R (queen) + K(ing). Guy is archaic for joke or lark

2 needs to be a down clue for the "lands on" to work

Blithe spirit ascending, perhaps? (7)

Brodsky and Larkin, side by side, embody Shelley's blithe spirit (7)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Brodsky

A blue joke?(7)

High flyer from news channel on a spree (7)

Heavens! Philip spouts nonsense (10)

Selfless K. Kiraly's set up songbird. (7)

anag of K KIRALY*S-I

*volleyball legend Karch Kiraly, pun on "set" in volleyball

A down clue

Lid's off cooler at SCG, with game being up in the air (7)

Esky = Australian brand of portable cooler, and essential equipment for sports fans.