Daily hard — 2026-09-09

Across

1. 3. A fortified place or refuge, often for troops. (10)
2. 7. Singers of 'Just Married' in a Venetian boat tour (10)
3. 10. Painting technique using pigments mixed with water. (10)
4. 11. Vapour or gas, often produced by burning (4)
5. 12. Companies ensuring the safe delivery of cargo (8)
6. 17. Pertaining to the abstract units of sound in phonetics (12)
7. 21. Long bones found in the lower leg, between knee and ankle. (6)
8. 22. Brightly coloured bird known for mimicking speech (6)
9. 23. Legal term referring to a right that must not be breached. (9)
10. 24. Marked with an impression or design (7)
11. 25. Spin-off series featuring a Seattle radio psychiatrist (7)
12. 26. Term for a community-based approach to problem-solving (7)

Down

1. 1. Where artisanal ales are often brewed in small batches (12)
2. 2. Describes substances that absorb moisture from the air (11)
3. 4. Device named for its twisting mechanism, crucial in sailing (10)
4. 5. Famous people in the world of fashion and entertainment (10)
5. 6. Lacking openings for light and air (10)
6. 8. Common skin condition for manual workers (9)
7. 9. Preserved animal feed made from green forage. (6)
8. 13. Type of poisoning linked to bacterial decay. (8)
9. 14. Variety includes sage and onion or chestnut flavour. (9)
10. 15. Bird species known for their cheerful songs and acrobatics. (4)
11. 16. To come about; to be the case. (6)
12. 18. Title character in a classic novel and epic film. (3)
13. 19. Inhabitants of a state famous for its football teams and fairs. (7)
14. 20. Creamy fruit often smashed on toast or made into dip (7)