The Guardian Cryptic Answers - Thursday, 25th August 2011 There are 16 across clues and 13 down clues for the The Guardian Cryptic crossword on Thursday, 25th August 2011. View the answers below.. Also try..All The Guardian Cryptic AnswersAll PublicationsThe AnswersNumber# Clue Answer AAcross 1: Saw horse returning, carrying devout GermanEPIGRAMAAcross 5: Short column with smooth outlinePROFILEAAcross 10: Scrap a section of the Riot ActIOTAAAcross 11: Split pine contains hard knotCLOVE HITCHAAcross 12: Flower presented to model taking stage in "Big Softie"GENTLEAAcross 13: It may be shot at Ambridge bashGAME BIRDAAcross 14: Got better grass outside BuryRECOVEREDAAcross 16: Men go away, saying: …GNOMEAAcross 17: … "It's more unusual to find diamonds in river"ODDERAAcross 19: Old soldier to inform on harsh working environmentSWEATSHOPAAcross 23: Drapes dog with satin dressCURTAINSAAcross 24: Repairs torches with the other handRIGHTSAAcross 26: Lethargy evident when swimmers return to longshipSLEEPINESSAAcross 27: Relief from a long illnessALMSAAcross 28: Slander peers as "unreliable"ASPERSEAAcross 29: Grey-haired church official with little ponytailELDERLYDDown 2: Sound at end of voicemail message?PHONEMEDDown 3: See 12GIANTDDown 4: Fuse air conditioning on islandACCRETEDDown 6: Feel sorry for setter — we hear it's cold and dampRHEUMYDDown 7: See 18FAIRBANKSDDown 8: Flag officer hung up linenLOCKRAMDDown 9: Polish dial of Irish wristwatch repeatedly?TONGUE TWISTERDDown 15: Indicate where to open presentOVERTHEREDDown 18: One perching in tree saves old actorDOUGLASDDown 20: Spray a lover, then look upAEROSOLDDown 21: The best workmenOPTIMALDDown 22: Numbers it amongst "likes"DIGITSDDown 25: Acute accentGRAVE