LONDON TIMES CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1 Being able to be in two minds? (8) 5 Vessel to the east of small bridge (4) 8 Bed a woman (6) 9 Refer to more balanced broadcast for one on board (8) 10 A long way behind with paintings (no time for them) (4) 11 Cheery gent must get sacked. Period (3,7) 12 Without first two grades, take up barbering and fail badly (4,1,7) 16 You might say one oldfashioned tune (6,6)

18 Big singer who might cover all hits by the Killers? (10) 20 Old American person’s home near California (4) 21 I love you interrupting bosses of a hardworking bent (8) 22 Where one might see some transcendentalists fly? (6) 23 Honey is pricey (4) 24 Without female help, state didn’t produce so much (8)

Down

1 Forget about bringing in soldier’s climbing jumper? (4,4) 2 Bit of tear in material that’s about so long (5) 3 I might give some mugs a lift for money (7,7) 4 Experience discrimination (5) 5 Butcher and a pair of Poles sent up one given stick (5,4)

6 A dope case for city bureau (6) 7 Decide my head requires slap on its crown (4,2,4,4) 13 Soap company employee needs rate for distribution (4,5)

14 I’m used when catching crabs, octopus and rockfish at the front (3)

15 Tip for tucking into vegetables or fancy birds (8) 17 Desire base parts for actor Charlie Sheen (6) 19 Where one might find nine in a confused state (2,3) 20 One’s bound to avoid Republican family (5)