the crossword

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Inform and illuminate? (9)

8 It’s not easily carved by one in a confused

state (5)

9 Sweet little couple having a row (7) 10 Poor sot swallows gin perhaps or this (6) 11 Reasons for which people fight (6)

12 A superintendent too poetic about poetry (8)

15 It may be simple to engage one’s attention (8)

18 Nothing in a trick to alarm (6) 20 Corrects the final part in a script (6) 21 Dim-sighted King in bed (7)

22 They fasten hair (5)

23 Token of sincerity - and nervousness (9)

Down

2 Man - or possibly woman (5)

3 I will employ abuse (3-3) 4 Beautiful homes - and ruins! (8) 5 Heavenly drink produces trance (6) 6 Set off on horseback? (7)

7 He pretends their copy is spoiled (9) 11 Very well, do better friend! (9) 13 Involved in forming a new dateline (8) 14 Exercise period (7)

16 Is usually hard on the outside but edible (6)

17 Chemical evidence of cannabis s

moking? (6)

19 Spot and point to how birds eat corn (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Realistic (9) 8 Unaccompanied (5) 9 Administration of law (7) 10 Cunning (6)

11 Caption (6)

12 Clearly stated (8) 15 Self-centred (8) 18 Serviceable (6) 20 Self-assurance (6) 21 Scorn (7)

22 Follow as result (5) 23 Admonish (9)

DOWN

2 Provoke (5) 3 Assemble (6) 4 Mishap (8)

5 For informal wear (6) 6 Communication (7) 7 Insincere (9)

11 Freed from captivity (9) 13 Odd (8)

14 Silly (7)

16 The hottest season (6) 17 On few occasions (6) 19 Alliance (5)

PUZZLE 15111