June 2025 Puzzle Solution

Across: 1 Anagram (to perform surgery on) of pelican = IN PLACE (ready), 5 Japanese ruler (SHOGUN) contains (to protect) 1st letter (capital) of (T)ochigi = SHOTGUN (forced), 8 The opposite (ie the other way round) of (H)usband containing (snorting) drug (COKE) = CHOKE (stop), 9 Anagram (change) of pOSITIONAL minus 1st letter (refrain from introducing) = ISOLATION (withdrawal), 11 Anagram (worked) of LIAI(son) minus son (without issue) + HYPNOTIST = INHOSPITALITY (unwelcoming attitude), 13 Hidden (part if it) in siblinG ATE AUbergine = GATEAU (dessert), 16 Anagram (an alternative form) of METERING = REGIMENT (organise), 18 OB (alumnus) + deliver (SERVE) + (D)iamond) = OBSERVED (saw), 19 Reversal (on the way back) of DAIRYMen minus en (wanting a little space) = MYRIAD (a great number), 24 Promiscuous (MIXED) + homophone (reportedly) of satisfied a group of golfers (MET A PHOR) = MIXED METAPHOR (inappropriate relationship), 26 Last letter (ultimately) of sh(E) + a case (VOCATIVE) = EVOCATIVE (striking), 27 Outer letters (extremely) of ExciteD containing ( to receive) award (MBE) = EMBED (plant), 28 Outer letters (exhausted) of DefendeR + being lIVING minus ‘l) (left out) = DRIVING (running), 29 Anagram (awkwardly) of SEATED + last letter (end of) beD = SEDATED (relaxed). 

Down: 1 Philosophical self-help book (I   CHING) containing (accepts) (T)ension = ITCHING (irritating), 2 Hold up (PROP) + HET (the with 1st letter to last, ie cycles) = PROPHET (teacher), 3 When (AS) containing risk (BET) = ABETS (helps), 4 Reversal (turn) of anger (RILE) contains (over) team (XI) = ELIXIR (something life-enhancing), 5 DD with the 2nd being a whimsical reading of SHOW A LEG, 6 Hidden ( it’s a factor in) into PILGRIM Yearning = GRIMY (mucky), 7 Not (NON) + church (CE) = NONCE (paedophile), 10 American serving (GI) inserted into (in) anagram (affected) of ITALY = AGILITY (Quick-wittedness), 12 ACNI reversed (backed) = INCA (Indian), 14 Academicians (A x 2) containing (carrying) books (B x 2) = ABBA (group), 15 A + voting system (PR) + A + Chinese president (XI) + (A)dvanced = APRAXIA (disorder), 17 Toll (RING) containing (covering) EA(ch) + DaY minus middle letter (spent inside) = READYING (preparing), 20 Setter (I) replacing (shows up for) ‘a’ in batting (IN) practice (HaBIT) = INHIBIT (check), 21 Dreadful (DIRE) reversed (returns) inserted (found in) alternative letters (occasionally) of aDdEnDa = DERIDED (scoffed at), 22 Times (Tx2) about ENE (mobile provider accepting new) + last letter (finally) of regulation(S) = TENETS (opinions), 23 (S)oprano + went (PEED) = SPEED (stimulant), 24 Hidden (comes from) liMA ORIginally = MAORI (New Zealander), 25 A + 1st letters (from the outset) of Half-arsed Escape Attempt Doomed = AHEAD (leading).

Here are the 20 hidden words associated with moving house:

SOLICITOR, SURVEY, BOXES, CLEANING, REMOVALS, CONVEYANCING, DEPOSIT, CONTRACT, STRESS, PACKING, CHAIN, EXCHANGE, TRANSFER, FURNITURE, DECLUTTER, DOWNSIZING, OFFER, VALUATION, VIEWING, DEEDS