Azd

[mra1]

Have downloaded this from the site and was going great guns but have been stuck in the middle for ages: 16 across (9) Twinkling gays? They're often in evidence at kirk funerals ???R?INGS;

17 across Plates set out with tortoni, something Khoikhoi relish (13, 2 words)
EXORT???E?ANT

5 down Group myself included about to swear showing right to be in court (11, 2 words) LO????TA?DI; 4 down (6) entry passage deserted room's cluttered DRO???

[mra1]

Right scorpiojo I did put line spaces between each clue and look what happened!!

[Mamyalynne]

After each clue, press 'enter' on keyboard and that starts a new line.

[mra1]

Pressed enter twice each time Mamyalynne - have been typing for nearly 60 years and it's the only way I know to get line spacing!! Help

[Lie-in King]

17a Tortoise-plant - anag 'plates + tortoni' (?)

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tortoise+plant

[Lie-in King]

5d Locus standi - 'cuss' (swear, in) 'lot (group) + and I'

http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/locus-standi

[mra1]

Many thanks - I had screEch owl for 1 down - did not realise you have scriTch

[TheFrogman]

...1d is CRIT in SCH, not 'screech'...

[TheFrogman]

...as you have realised! 4d is D (deserted) + an anagram of ROOMS

[mra1]

Thanks everyone - just thought I would try my hand at it - quite different from Mephisto

[TheFrogman]

Azed does take a bit of getting used to, but because it has a single setter once you get familiar with his style it is certainly no tougher than Mephisto (typically somewhat easier in my view). The clues are almost without exception precise (unless they relate to technology, where he can be a little vague :-)) and scrupulously fair. Do persevere, they really are first rate puzzles!