Double crossword 18/07/2011

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. She maintains service at a high level (3-7)

7. Cuts off and fastens together (5)

8. They are used for crushing insects (7)

10. Write a commentary, but not in a neat arrangement (8)

11. This controls the flow and it's almost uncanny (4)

13. They stop short rest periods, one hears (6)

15. Cover up a cloak (6)

17. Evict some of the obstreperous tenants (4)

18. Long nail to clutch quickly (8)

21. Family title that's held by a knight, we hear (7)

22. Abyssinian ruler deployed guns round the capital of Ethiopia (5)

23. Masters not confused by this medley (10)

Down

1. Like a Scotsman who comes from an eastern country (5)

2. A standard feature of many a garden (4-4)

3. Gold pieces required for far-flung circular tours (6)

4. In the front I erected a row of seats (4)

5. Prominent foreigner seen in the street (7)

6. Could they be boxers' autobiographies? (5-5)

9. Trial in camera? (6,4)

12. What the ballerina performs for her devotees? (3,5)

14. Declares a feeling of tension has returned (7)

16. For a short time impetus is produced without any hesitation (6)

19. A thug will ruin anything (5)

20. A game of cards for a change (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Aggravate (10)

7. Different (5)

8. Cry out (7)

10. Deter (8)

11. Musical work (4)

13. Set (6)

15. Appertain (6)

17. Egg-shaped (4)

18. Knitted jacket (8)

21. Scrap (7)

22. Pincers (5)

23. Habitual (10)

Down

1. Greenfly (5)

2. Sinuous (8)

3. Avaricious (6)

4. Notch (4)

5. Hair wash (7)

6. Biting (10)

9. Woman-hater (10)

12. Blood-feud (8)

14. Persian (7)

16. Fortress (6)

19. Spirit (5)

20. Church recess (4)

Friday's solutions

CRYPTIC - Across: 7 Bottomless pit; 8 Perforce; 9 Eire; 10 Attest; 12 Enlist; 14 Tycoon; 16 Spinal; 18 Flat; 20 Meatball; 22 Driven to drink.

Down: 1 Honestly; 2 Stifle; 3 Emir; 4 Leverets; 5 As well; 6 Liar; 11 Tenement; 13 Starling; 15 Octave; 17 Inborn; 19 Lark; 21 Avon.

QUICK - Across: 7 Hallucination; 8 Distance; 9 Apex; 10 Washed; 12 Native; 14 System; 16 Lounge; 18 Urge; 20 Cemetery; 22 Miscellaneous.

Down: 1 Sanitary; 2 Blotch; 3 Scan; 4 Infernal; 5 Strait; 6 Role; 11 Domicile; 13 Vigorous; 15 Trench; 17 Untied; 19 Ruin; 21 Moan.