2-Speed Crossword

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Person observing Lent more briskly (6)

4 Taking second mate while still tied up (6)

7 Fate returns to temper … (4) 8 … a motorway message that’s harmonious (8)

9 Mother’s quarrel with dog (7) 12 Damage by Cockney to branch (3)

14 Nark GI somehow with gardening operation (6)

15 Hear in addition to preserve bird (6)

16 Crude return to conflict (3) 18 Need a long time to see southern town (7)

22 Attend to member of government (8)

23 Heather left in

Gateshead (4)

24 Archdeacon ever seen in thin overcoat (6)

25 Summons he has to twist (6)

DOWN

1 Line upon line bringing trouble at home (6, 3)

2 Last craftsman? (9)

3 Soldiers do what is necessary to counter-attack (5)

4 Cheese French leader gives to lawyer (5)

5 Attack butter (4)

6 Runner between two successive stones by the way (5)

10 Is upset over novel strength (5)

11 Girl for growing things (5) 12 Medieval scientist confused with St Michael (9)

13 Speech that must be delivered by one (9)

17 Conscious of being dynamic (5)

19 More suitable kind of taper (5)

20 Pitch and toss … (5)

21 … in place of deputy (4) COFFEE TIME ACROSS 1 Quicker (6)

4 “Marrying” when already married (6)

7 Frame of mind (4) 8 Friendly (8)

9 Large dog (7)

12 Part of body (3) 14 Spraying with shot (6) 15 Tropical bird (6) 16 Hostilities (3)

18 Town in Oxon (7) 22 Clergyman (8)

23 Fish (4)

24 Thin wood coating (6) 25 Squirm (6)

DOWN

1 Domestic strife (6, 3) 2 Footwear manufacturer (9) 3 Respond (5)

4 Short (5)

5 Animal (4)

6 Middle distance runner (5) 10 Muscle (5)

11 Plants (5)

12 He hoped to turn base metals to gold (9)

13 Long speech by one person (9)

17 Existing (5)

19 More appropriate (5)

20 Cast (5)

21 Failing (4)