thecrosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 It’s annoying to get bitterness in a note (7) 4 Father goes on foot for fruit (5)

7 Am all right, though in a frenzy (4)

8 Insect with a lot to learn? (8)

10 Playthings? (10)

12 Drive to a meeting place? (6)

13 Tasted, perhaps, and expressed an opinion (6)

15 He has a burning desire (10)

18 It’s fat and very wet (8)

19 This singer is said never to give an encore (4)

20 Choose to take a seat (5)

21 Continue to behave foolishly (5,2)

DOWN

1 Understanding a key file (5)

2 Examine and appear to be in charge (4,4) 3 Possibly get Ray to go round (6)

4 Now is the time to be generous (7,3) 5 Highly praise some pastry (4)

6 Held up, though the road is finished (7) 9 Tourists may go to see something cheekily displayed by ladies (6,4)

11 Flight path? (8)

12 Shorten a game of cards (7)

14 Such brandy can go a century back (6) 16 General rule to be observed in a cathedral (5)

17 Capital punishment? (4)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 City of The Hanging Gardens (7) 4 British principality (5)

7 Extinct flightless bird (4) 8 Theoretical (8)

10 Decorative needlework (10) 12 Suave (6)

13 Intensely cold (6)

15 Apparent (10)

18 Intensely hot (8)

19 Ceremonial splendour (4) 20 Proportion (5)

21 Oppressive government (7)

DOWN

1 Move slightly (5) 2 Serious setback (4,4) 3 Insignificant person (6) 4 Pungent salad plant (10) 5 Unofficial disclosure (4) 6 Diabolically wicked (7) 9 Musically very loud (10) 11 Obstinate (8)

12 Stroll (7)

14 Start out (6)

16 Insincere (5)

17 Engrossed (4)