daily double

the hard way

ACROSS 1 Be successful and economical in use (2,1,4,3) 8 Badly cared for tree (5) 9 Possibly recalls stocks of wine (7) 10 Girls and men said to be different (7) 11 One who admits he doesn’t have to pay the rent? (5) 12 Its beaches and scenery make it a hit (6) 14 Refined engine driver (6) 17 Growth of production (5) 19 Regains proper form using a rubber (7) 21 Leaps out of bed perhaps (7) 22 I rose prepared to shoot (5) 23 Nonstop flights (10) DOWN 2 Unusual angle for a crank (3,4) 3 Not insignificant regal order (5) 4 Most delightful form of insect (6) 5 Pleasing reception (7) 6 Log time before the end of autumn (5) 7 Roger’s a lot different now he watches the stars (10) 8 Happen to reach a gap in the hills (4,2,4) 13 Change it I can’t - it’s so big (7) 15 US volcano produces wetter weather (7) 16 Craft in which wives seldom excel (6) 18 Admit it’s about being in time (5) 20 Choose to make a fuss over physical exercise (5)

the easy way

ACROSS 1 Diametrically opposed (5,5) 8 Sphere of action (5) 9 Small waterfall (7) 10 Flavouring used in liqueurs (7) 11 Up to the time of (5) 12 A gift by will (6) 14 Melody (6) 17 Come to mind (5) 19 Short passage from book etc. (7) 21 Illegal trading (7) 22 To long (5) 23 Endless time (10) DOWN 2 Initial (7) 3 Obliterate (5) 4 Covered shop-lined passage (6) 5 Violent attack (7) 6 A characteristic (5) 7 British general/prime minister (10) 8 No matter what it takes (2,3,5) 13 Look after (4,3) 15 Managing to keep up (7) 16 Save from hazard (6) 18 Brooch (5) 20 Aquatic beaver-like rodent (5)