Guardian Cryptic 28/1

[sslinks]

Crossword buddies have gone on holiday and I cant finish this on my own.

8a Associate that would be AWOL, say, during the morning (5) _ _ _ _ Y

11a One drilling home run leads to start of celebration (7) _ _ _ _ O _ _

13a Reptilian back is reasonably cold, say (5) _ _ C _ O

1d Plunger is what's chewed up by royal vice, perhaps? (7, 4) D _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ T _ O _ (think the second word is probably "stool")

2d Spirit of great many people (5) G _ _ _ _

4d One raising tot without preferred incentive (7) I _ P _ _ _ S

I am fairly sure about letters given. Any help greatfully received.

[johnalex]

4d Impetus

[johnalex]

2. Ghost

[hobbitess]

1d Ducking stool

[dzug]

8a CRONY fits but I cant work out why or think of an alternative

13a GECKO ditto

Others I'm sure are introit, ducking stool, ghost and impetus. Expanations available if needed.

[hobbitess]

13a gecko?

[dzug]

a gecko is a lizard

[johnalex]

13a OK+C+EG <<< (Gecko)

[JerryB]

A bit of straw clutching, but to explain gecko -

Gecko is a lizard as the rest of you have pointed out.

Turn it round (lizard back) = okceg

Reasonably = ok

Cold = c

Say = eg, as in for example

[sslinks]

Thank you. You are all stars.

"Introit" and "ducking stool" I understand.

"Crony" I half understand. CRY is morning say (ie mourning) but "on" for AWOL" draws a blank.

I got "Gecko" Butr apart from "OK" backwards meaning "reasonably", I do not understand at all. Especially as "reptilian" is an adjective.

DZUG? Can you send me the explanations for "Ghost" and "impetus"?

All of you are welcome to my place for Wine, beer, twiglets, ice cream and loads of crosswords every Sunday as crossword buddies.

Thanks

[dzug]

One = I /raising tot = sum written upwards/preferred = pet

g = great (abbr) host = many people

[woodb]

AWOL is an acronym, so taking away morining leaves CRONY.

[sslinks]

woodb. You are a star. I hate having the answers and not knowing so many thanks.

[mmh]

have got all the above, but am stuck on END BOX ... (5,2,3,4)

any ideas, pleeeeese?

[dzug]

knock on the head