thecrosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 A cut in decimal rates (10)

8 It’s about time (5)

9 It turns out to be how one may hold another’s property (2,5)

10 Poverty led to being irritated (7)

11 Go by car or Thomas will be back first (5) 12 Ceremonial trial rearranged about the middle of January (6)

14 Good man maps out marks of official approval (6) 17 Pole at the Highland Games (5)

19 It flowers vividly if such a change is made (7) 21 Rival bird is not on time (7)

22 A number had a row, having imbibed (5) 23 Workers’ reward for doing nothing? (7,3)

DOWN

2 Intent listener sent astray (7)

3 Make slow progress on land, fast in water (5) 4 Water nymphs in a sad muddle (6)

5 Try at first to entice (7)

6 Innocent rise up and start the break out (5) 7 Shows fright and begins the journey home? (6,4) 8 Agreed to do business or shrank from it (10) 13 A high post or I’m a liar (3,4)

15 Cosmetic surgery’s result concealed by mother (7)

16 Insult by leaving a tip (6)

18 Cleaning aid some people hunt for (5)

20 Club porter (5)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Killjoy (3,7)

8 Funds (5)

9 Wretched (7) 10 Adhesive label (7) 11 Artificial waterway (5) 12 Mental pressure (6) 14 Twelfth sign of the zodiac (6) 17 Jewish minister of religion (5) 19 Clad (7)

21 Indication (7) 22 Accumulate (5) 23 Delicate adjustments (4,6) 2 Previously (7)

3 A pause for rest (5) 4 Provide (6)

5 City of Pakistan (7) 6 Spiny plant (5) 7 Everywhere around (2,3,5) 8 Afterthought in writing (10) 13 An English cheese (7) 15 Indisputable (7)

16 Attic room (6) 18 Instructions (5)

20 To aim (5)