THE TAKE-A-BREAK CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS 1. Sounds like one bound on the crest of a wave (4) 3. Made up to appear calm (8) 8. Propose a change of residence (4) 9. Tom cared about a politician (8) 11. Subsides? (7,5) 13. Contract concerning Mussolini (6) 14. New plates may be made of metal (6) 17. Yet always the greater? (12) 20. The wrongdoer makes a final bid to get outside (8) 21. Easy to reach but hard to touch (4) 22. Eat green fresh produce (8) 23. Land in the water (4)

DOWN 1. It should make a Mexican less hot-headed (8) 2. Corrected derives from it (7) 4. Key batsman? (6) 5. Playthings? (10) 6. Play with spirit on the street (5) 7. Tax on goods and service (4) 10. Does coping with dirty habits make him thirsty? (3,7) 12. Releases radios without charge (4,4) 15. When about fifty, she is unequalled (7) 16. Many of us live in this sort of way (6) 18. Spritely - that’s the Spanish and French conclusion (5) 19. As a medal it’s unbeatable (4)

QUICK CLUES

Across 1. Row (4) 3. Makes ready (8) 8. Love blindly (4) 9. Richness (8) 11. Express your opinion (3,4,5) 13. Vault (6) 14. Bet (6) 17. Not for publication (3,3,6) 20. Eastern (8) 21. Continent (4) 22. Harsh (8) 23. Amongst (4) Down 1. Lustre (8) 2. Unaffected (7) 4. Meal (6) 5. Throbbed (10) 6. Renovate (5) 7. Ooze (4) 10. Loosed (10) 12. Cape (8) 15. Bloom (7) 16. Keep (6) 18. Aviator (5) 19. Stud (4)