2-Speed Crossword

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Communist in firm belief (5)

4 Realist changed heraldic design (7)

8 Volcanic crater about to swallow tree (7)

9 Sign from unsighted visionaries? (5)

10 Excited seeing leg, not small, in flimsy robe (8)

12 Friend married needs hand (4)

14 Some medicine for writer’s block? (6)

15 Is among those left to fight (6)

18 Refer to some incitement (4) 19 Sides wrangling over author’s issue (8)

21 Scrounger having caught fish returned horse (5)

22 Clematis endlessly battered in weather (7)

24 Dress circle next to stage? No way! (7)

25 South American moves Brazil adopted initially? (5)

DOWN

1 Officer with drunken count is fair target (7)

2 Beelzebub embodies slippery character (3)

3 Unbalanced indeed and so this? (3-5)

4 Sailors seen around before noon (6)

5 Mad monarch in furtive look we hear (4)

6 Restriction initially withdrawn for take-off (9)

7 Feel glum about eating second course (5)

11 Leave Ben without sentimental liaison (2-7)

13 Weirdly sad priest almost gives up hope (8)

16 She of the wiggly ears (7) 17 Round figure? (6)

18 Characters within fleece Lebanese star (5)

20 Bird he introduced to artist (4)

23 Member to equip with weapon (3)

COFFEE TIME

ACROSS

1 Doctrine (5)

4 St Andrew’s cross (7)

8 Volcanic basin (7)

9 Zodiacal sign (5)

10 Light dressing-gown (8)

12 Tropical tree (4)

14 Pharmaceutical unit (6) 15 Withstand (6)

18 Quote or mention (4)

19 Distribute (8)

21 Bloodsucker (5)

22 Atmosphere (7)

24 Winding for wound (7)

25 Carnival dance (5)

DOWN

1 Large palm seed (7)

2 Snakelike fish (3)

3 Unilateral (3-5)

4 Mariners (6)

5 Shakespearean king (4)

6 Mimicry (9)

7 Surrey racing venue (5)

11 Intermediary (2-7)

13 Loses heart (8)

16 Ex-PM May (7)

17 Go around (6)

18 Famous person (5)

20 Moon of Saturn (4)

23 Branch (3)