Mephisto

[foxspur]

8 down Rash opening to kick off (7). I have ?OO?DIE
9 down In contrast it must hide opening of buds (8). I have ?NT?NS?S
All help appreciated

[Wharton]

8d do or die

[scorpiojo]

9 antheses

[vakayu]

sorry scorpiojo anthesis

[foxspur]

Thanks, Wharton and scorpiojo. With the best will in the world I can't see do or die as an eight letter word!!

[bibblebub]

that's because it is 7 letters, as you have put in the clue

[Wharton]

You've indicated (7) letters
door = opening
die = kick off
do-or-die = rash

[scorpiojo]

You're welcome.

No prob vakayu thanks for correction

[scorpiojo]

bibblebub are you a Banana Split?

[vakayu]

sorry again scorpiojo I would not have got it at all if not for you.

[scorpiojo]

No need to apologise, I won't win if I get it wrong lol

[vakayu]

Thank you kindly for understanding.good luck.

[scorpiojo]

Thanks. Not sure they'd let me win again though!

[bibblebub]

tra la la

[scorpiojo]

:-D

[Wharton]

Oh look!! There's a squirrel.

[bibblebub]

darn, missed the opportunity to have just put Bingo

[Wharton]

What's that, Lassie? foxspur dropped his apology down the old mine-shaft?

[scorpiojo]

:-)