THE TAKE-A-BREAK CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS 1. Headlands to protect shoulders? (5) 4. Australasia alas is missing but a bit of Europe is left (7) 8. Ran shakily round derelict site becoming more repulsive (7) 9. Perform pettishly – the deed is done (3,2) 10. Trial of brute strength (4) 11. Rakish fellow, following the old saying, finds a woodcutter (3,5) 13. Posh kind of emporium (4) 14. Certainly not there – but nearly there! (4) 16. Irregular state of little workroom when Norma enters (8) 17. An awful lot of cargo for an ancient ship (4) 20. Hire Nellie to find her (5) 21. Questionably cooked? (7) 22. Goes into a huddle – like a bird with almost no place to go? (7) 23. Tree of many a summer? (5) DOWN 1. Local tin-stone yields collection of heavenly sparklers (13) 2. Sets taken up by models (5) 3. Sensation of utmost irritation (4) 4. Gone away – taken the road at last (6) 5. Makes erratically for the butcher’s place (8) 6. Poorly designed car wrecks tree – go back to the drawing board! (7) 7. Unravelled rope re-applied, giving perfect arrangement (5-3,5) 12. Announcer, often needs pushing to work (8) 13. Shady in the extreme! (7) 15. Sets out for the hills (6) 18. Drew the line in royal manner? (5) 19. A good thing to have on the end of your fork (4)

QUICK CLUES

Across 1. Due (5) 4. In addition (7) 8. Coach (7) 9. Zest (5) 10. Touch (4) 11. Trader (8) 13. Munch (4) 14. Let it stand (4) 16. Maintain (8) 17. File (4) 20. Sluggish (5) 21. Frankness (7) 22. Beg (7) 23. War horse (5) Down 1. Rusty (3,2,8) 2. Angry (5) 3. Crew (4) 4. Margin (6) 5. Wisdom (8) 6. Far (7) 7. Irascible (5-8) 12. Disparage (8) 13. Vanity (7) 15. Sweet (6) 18. Solitary (5) 19. Responsibility

(4)