This crossword No. 22838 clues and answers were published on Fri 23 May 2003 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 22838 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Make safe application, getting overfed first : DEFUSE
4-across – Differentiate flow : STREAM
9-across – Crucial juncture to clue on purpose? : POINTOFNORETURN
10-across – Nurses start to show sign of affection : CARESS
11-across – Reminder that middle of alphabet gets unsteady income : MNEMONIC
12-across – Language of island issuin’ challenge : MANDARIN
14-across – Throw’s thrown, mould’s moulded and 9’s passed : THEDIE
15-across – See 14 : ISCAST
18-across – Artist takes a line about currency : MONETARY
21-across – Flourish on husks and meal : BRANDISH
22-across – Drink putrid stuff in commotion : RUMPUS
24-across – Perchance to dream amid religious images – pass 9 : CROSSTHERUBICON
25-across – Lecher said to glow : LUSTRE
26-across – Papers not beginning to cover city break : RECESS
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Light entertainment for 10 in play : DIORAMA
2-down – Hurdle in Fenchurch : FENCE
3-down – Patron to trail round the poles : SPONSOR
5-down – Charge for accommodation under hill 4 : TORRENT
6-down – Edited text about traveller without inhibitions : EXTROVERT
7-down – Drink suggests cunning ways to get into skirt : MARTINI
8-down – Marker of time, wearing no monocle, it not all there : GNOMON
13-down – Number needing help to get up is the doctor’s report : DIAGNOSIS
16-down – Solar system receiving gold for the sisters : SORORAL
17-down – Giggle about women, as birds do : TWITTER
18-down – Many have mistaken Lehar for a composer : MAHLER
19-down – Bringing up to run true to form : NURTURE
20-down – Shrill and unrefined, they say, taking care of the Guardian : RAUCOUS
23-down – The state of the compiler – covered in hair! : MAINE
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.