Guardian 24,123

[gordonia]

Help needed with these 4 clues.

11 across- Candidate planting a dangerous device in river(8) ??????E?

25 across- Loss of literacy in a former monarch leading nursemaid round pub(8) ?G??????

27 across- Pretend to keep opener in church? Not true!(8) ?O??????

7 down- Coiled python not entirely stifled by girl with sponge (8) ??O???T?

[kayakamina]

11a EX a mine e

25 a Agraphia.....aia gr a ph

27a Cockeyed....cod key ce

7d Zoophyte.....Zoe +pytho(n)

[gordonia]

Thanks very much K,for the prompt response and explanations.

Regards,Gordon

[kayakamina]

Hello G

I've just thought that maybe my answer to 25a needs further explanation.

Nursemaid = AIA

Former monarch= GR

Pub is of course PH

AIA GR A PH = AGRAPHIA - Loss of power to write.

[gordonia]

Hello K, I've just seen the explanation of 25a,and it looks so easy set out like that. If you're up and about,perhaps you could help me with 18 across- Bird in type of opera given name of student(10) S?M?N?R?E? . Thank you.

[snoozy]

I have

18 ac seminarian

with 13 dn Caravaggio

Snoozy