30-MINUTE CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. They need an air cushion when travelling (10)

7. It’s consumed in tea-tents (5)

8. Orchestra observed a wood-instrument (7)

10. A train-driver (8)

11. Very keen to do a turn as a singer (4)

13. Outcast with a song in his heart (6)

15. The price of freedom, perhaps (6)

17. Got up in bloom (4)

18. He sees to a minor charge (8)

21. Ties the rest in knots (7)

22. Love to make an entrance, we hear (5)

23. Alternative choice of size expressed in round numbers (4,2,4)

DOWN

1. An odd lot he provides lodging (5)

2. Blind man? (8)

3. It eliminates a deciding

game (6)

4. Called for part of a ladder (4)

5. They’re stone dead! (7)

6. Side given drink for morale? (4,6)

9. One must be firmly resolved not to be this! (4-6)

12. Aunt Sally, for example, may be easy prey (4,4)

14. It’s root may be made into a stew (7)

16. Cavalryman that may teach us sartorial splendour in part (6)

19. Decreases? (5)

20. You might say it when offering a gift, or present (4)