THE CROSSWORDS
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 It flies to a little mountain with it (6)
4 Strikebreaker promises to pay for a herb (8)
9 Sought after worker gets married outside (6)
10 He takes a turn at the wheel (2-6)
12 The first man to be a mother (4)
13 Connections as a matter of course (5)
14 Support man with a record (4)
17 Assistants give a portion of food to the workers (7,5)
20 Prone to being long-winded? (9,3)
23 Quits being fair (4)
24 Is taken aback in cavalier fashion? (5)
25 Aide contrived a plan (4)
28 Goes without saying (8)
29 Spring past (6)
30 Accommodating countrywoman? (8)
31 A fire tender (6)
DOWN
1 Spot what is about to run alongside canals (8)
2 People agree in thought (8)
3 Final date in the Julian calendar? (4)
5 One who keeps an eye on the hands? (5-7)
6 Stream of fire? (4)
7 I’ve now become available for inspection (2,4)
8 Capers used in making pickle (6)
11 Resolute in mending slide (6-6)
15 Sailors may take a turn round them (5)
16 He’s riled perhaps, but he does nothing (5)
18 Hesitate to show signs of lumbago (4,4)
19 One has never seen him looking more peculiar (8)
21 A group of soldiers in particular (6)
22 Admits being strangely silent (4,2)
26 Island without a tax (4)
27 Place notice (4)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Boisterous laugh (6)
4 Adversary (8)
9 In full view (6)
10 Sign of authenticity (8)
12 Depressed (4)
13 Comic entertainer (5)
14 Intended method (4)
17 Crucial (3-9)
20 Symbol of cowardice (5,7)
23 Loot from robbery (4)
24 Journal (5)
25 Large long-necked bird (4)
28 Wrong-headed (8)
29 Capital of Colombia (6)
30 In these times (8)
31 Hurt (6)
DOWN
1 Considerable amount (4,4)
2 Voluntary choice (4,4)
3 Join by treaty (4)
5 Take unnecessary risks (4,4,4)
6 Sole (4)
7 Make possible (6)
8 Fascinating (6)
11 Murderously intent (12)
15 US city, D-Day beach (5)
16 Move furtively (5)
18 Decisive confrontation (8)
19 A soak (8)
21 Polish-born French composer (6)
22 Rabbit hole (6)
26 Dispatch (4)
27 Jot (4)