2-Speed Crossword

QUICK CLUES Across

4. Pigeon breed (7) 8. Muscle contractions (6) 9. Short fictional work (7) 10. Well owner (6) 11. Chant (6) 12. Dirigibles (8)

18. US river (3,5) 20. Battered prawns (6) 21. Artillery weapon (6) 22. Ferret (7) 23. Vegetable (6) 24. Gashed (7)

Down

1. Pupil (7)

2. Lack of success (7) 3. Spatter liquid (6) 5. Suffered (8) 6. Handles (6) 7. Eyot (6) 13. Water (8) 14. All-over bronzing (4,3) 15. Metal pole (4,3) 16. Educational establishment (6) 17. Glowing coals (6) 19. Motive (6)

CRYPTIC CLUES Across

4. Bird of peace - the variety that’s cool to the end (7)

8. Muscular pains given by many slopes (6) 9. Girl at Number Five writes a little book (7) 10. Smooth guy - from Texas, perhaps? (6) 11. Chant like one after scrap metal (6) 12. Vessels that had some atmosphere about them (8)

18. The Colorado - not the Volga (3,5) 20. Rascal I pursue for sea-food (6) 21. Collision in the billiard room (6)

22. Place to become a beast (7)

23. Too pat a variety of tuber (6)

24. Hit out and belted about a half-century (7)

Down

1. Student shows mark, takes in a little holiday (7)

2. It’s disappointing if a rule is broken (7) 3. A sensation - in the swimming pool, perhaps? (6)

5. I goes and gets twisted painful like (8) 6. Entertains and possibly cures (6)

7. In other words, it isn’t sea! (6)

13. Mad about equipment to bring water to the land (8)

14. Holiday ambition requiring turning out in the sunshine (4,3)

15. Metal bar for stern rulers? (4,3) 16. Gathering of big fish - where 1 Down may be seen? (6)

17. Remains after the fire has died down (6) 19. Explanation about an offspring (6)