The BIG Saturday Crossword

Cryptic clues

Across

1. Bird wearing

headgear? (5) 4. Stop knitting and put

to sea (4,3) 8. It’s possibly great as a riot control weapon (4,3) 9. Brown from

Humberside (5) 10. Touch down in a

country (4) 11. Cockney face at a

sporting event (4,4) 13. Halt the return of

cooking utensils (4) 14. Be inclined to nurse (4) 16. One giving orders to those who have taken orders? (8) 17. Liberate for nothing (4) 20. Fail to win outside the

ring when slack (5) 21. Certainly not eau de

vie! (4,3) 22. Disconcerted by what

the snake did (7) 23. A thread of material is

left (5)

Down

1. Dishonest

stocktaker? (6,7) 2. One in a scheme having no outstanding features? (5) 3. Constantly finds fault

with horses (4) 4. Typical mode of behaviour of clientele (6) 5. Sinks the coal

vessels (8) 6. Having embarked with the other directors? (2,5) 7. Pressed for a higher

rate? (6,3,4) 12. Pressed to alert the

occupants? (8) 13. Drink fortified wine

back (7) 15. Charged for being

drunk? (6) 18. They are used for watering other flowers as well! (5) 19. Travel with Lisa,

perhaps (4)

Down

1. Discerning (13) 2. Spanish for black

(5) 3. Stupor (4) 4. Hang (6) 5. Example (8) 6. Defence (7) 7. Understanding (13) 12. Maintain (8) 13. Lodger (7) 15. Influence (6) 18. Thrust (5) 19. Observe (4)