Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. The spirit of the Netherlands (8)

5. The monster is spilling gore (4)

9. A song from Maria Callas (4)

10. Huge deficit in fuel (8)

11. Drive back the returning leper (5)

12. Harps on about these children (7)

13. Cooking toast in Wogan's cars (7-6)

18. Means to say it's a long time (8)

19. Records of wood (4)

20. The innocence of Botham going back to check the England opener (7)

21. Where you might see a horse running? (5)

22. It's said to stun for a long time (4)

23. A writer from Shetland? (8)

Down

2. Present requiring electricity? (7)

3. Closest Eastern resort (7)

4. It is one to join together a statement (13)

6. Postage changes for the German secret police (7)

7. Joins up tinsel somehow before the end of Christmas (7)

8. The band goes to Los Angeles for a game (6)

13. Marked instead, perhaps (7)

14. It can be used up any time (7)

15. Is the first murder victim a girl? (6)

16. Celebration held by a knight (7)

17. I.e. ring a cook in Africa (7)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Bragging (8)

5. Stride (4)

9. Stalk (4)

10. Reveal (8)

11. Foolish (5)

12. Quiver (7)

13. New order (13)

18. Keep up (8)

19. Near (4)

20. Fail (3,4)

21. Walker (5)

22. Scarce (4)

23. Estrange (8)

Down

2. Exterior (7)

3. Resembling (7)

4. Inadvertent (13)

6. Bother (7)

7. Thwart (7)

8. Consent (6)

13. Climbing plant (7)

14. Airman (7)

15. Allotment (6)

16. Reference (7)

17. Disregard (7)

Monday's solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Piston; 4 Arabic; 9 Secret service; 10 Operate; 11 Bogus; 12 Match; 14 Stand; 18 Rayon; 19 Disrobe; 21 Stiff upper lip; 22 Orders; 23 Stayed.

Down: 1 Pistol; 2 Secretary bird; 3 Omega; 5 Rarebit; 6 Bring into play; 7 Crease; 8 Usher; 13 Conifer; 15 Fresco; 16 Adept; 17 Reaped; 20 Scent.

QUICK

Across: 1 Inhale; 4 Baited; 9 Jurisprudence; 10 Cholera; 11 Niece; 12 Shawl; 14 Cache; 18 Orate; 19 Dictate; 21 Uninterrupted; 22 Dogged; 23 Gender.

Down: 1 Inject; 2 Hard of hearing; 3 Lisle; 5 Addenda; 6 Tender-hearted; 7 Deemed; 8 Break; 13 Wreathe; 15 Jocund; 16 Adore; 17 Vendor; 20 Crude.