This crossword No. 23648 clues and answers were published on Wed 28 Dec 2005 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 23648 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Call notes of an uncertain nature : DUBIOUS
5-across – Where pitchers can be found for a pound : BULLPEN
9-across – Big brother? : ABBOT
10-across – Drunk at a secret saloon, perhaps : ESTATECAR
11-across – Merriment disturbs quiet river, causing a shambles : SLAUGHTERHOUSE
13-across – I fled country : IRAN
14-across – Isle formerly cut off in a harsh way : SEVERELY
17-across – Go after river trade : INDUSTRY
18-across – Murphy’s stand-in has a soft drink : SODA
21-across – Surely search in combination with skill : UNQUESTIONABLY
23-across – Unavoidably obliged to tip home counties’ dustmen : NEEDSMUST
24-across – Dirt, say, swirling round edge : GRIME
25-across – Suitable starting point to hide a monarch? : OAKTREE
26-across – Feature lively little bunch : NOSEGAY
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Measure up for nest : DRAY
2-down – Rehash American boy’s harmony to conceal a beastly noise : BUBBLEANDSQUEAK
3-down – Perhaps to do better on green issue … : OUTPUT
4-down – … look at the fume : SEETHE
5-down – Wager the empty colour has improved : BETTERED
6-down – Such a child has only this present to open : LATCHKEY
7-down – Supporter of images created by computer in guild : PICTUREMOULDING
8-down – One who’ll tend to guard, for example, a plant? : NURSERYMAN
12-down – Decreasing to faint hint of sound? : DIMINUENDO
15-down – Adviser to judge fools in case at hand : ASSESSOR
16-down – Puritan accepts corrupt project : PROTRUDE
19-down – It’s on twig? : COTTON
20-down – Witch serving soldiers food : HAGGIS
22-down – Drink causing a lot of larks? : BEVY
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.