I seem to have had many hard QCs to blog of late so it was refreshing when this one seemed simple - but then 9ac and 10ac had me in knots. 12 minutes in the end but overall I'm quite happy that they weren't all write-ins as I was left with a bit to think about.
I expect some will breeze through with record times - but do let me know if you joined me in a blind alley or two.
I've switched the answer and definition at the start of each clue. Let me know how this works for you.
ACROSS
1. Remedy - nostrum. NO, saint (ST), RUM.
7. Incredible - amazing. A, graduate (MA), ZING.
9. More offensive - grosser. Homophone of grocer. I went straight for grouser - one who grouses so can be offensive but it nagged at me until I realised that grouser isn't 'more' offensive.
10. Piece of cake - brownie. A double definition in the end but I was convinced that it was a girl's name (probably Ann) inside a 4 letter word for uniform.
11. Story - tale. Time (T), ALE.
12. Be sensible - see reason. Before (ERE) inside time (SEASON).
14. Fuel store - gasometer. Anagram (converted) of MEGASTORE.
16. Most important - main. US state (MAIN)e dropping last letter.
17. Trainee - learner. L, EARNER.
18. Ancient city - Antioch. ANTI, old (O), church (CH).
21. Had leading role - starred. Small (S), sailor (TAR), embarrassed (RED).
22. Quickly, put into words - express. Double definition.
DOWN
1. Birds - nightingales. Reference to Florence Nightingale.
2. Immaculate - spotless. Dalmatians may have many qualities but their spottiness is the one they're usually associated with.
3. Others, take it easy - rest. Double definition.
4. Stone - marble. MARE holding (BL)ue.
5. Wrecker - saboteur. Anagram (prepared) of TO USE BAR.
6. Write ones name, indication - sign. Double definition.
8. Birds - greenfinches. Anagram (nuts) of SEEING FRENCH.
12. A school for fathers - seminary. COD for the definition. Anagram (involved) of SIRE MANY.
13. Tree - sycamore. Vexed (SORE) around an anagram (moving) of YMCA?
15. Long angry speech - tirade. One (I) inside TRADE.
18. The first man - Adam. In Can(ADA M)aybe.
19. Prevent - stop. POTS upwards.
I expect some will breeze through with record times - but do let me know if you joined me in a blind alley or two.
I've switched the answer and definition at the start of each clue. Let me know how this works for you.
ACROSS
1. Remedy - nostrum. NO, saint (ST), RUM.
7. Incredible - amazing. A, graduate (MA), ZING.
9. More offensive - grosser. Homophone of grocer. I went straight for grouser - one who grouses so can be offensive but it nagged at me until I realised that grouser isn't 'more' offensive.
10. Piece of cake - brownie. A double definition in the end but I was convinced that it was a girl's name (probably Ann) inside a 4 letter word for uniform.
11. Story - tale. Time (T), ALE.
12. Be sensible - see reason. Before (ERE) inside time (SEASON).
14. Fuel store - gasometer. Anagram (converted) of MEGASTORE.
16. Most important - main. US state (MAIN)e dropping last letter.
17. Trainee - learner. L, EARNER.
18. Ancient city - Antioch. ANTI, old (O), church (CH).
21. Had leading role - starred. Small (S), sailor (TAR), embarrassed (RED).
22. Quickly, put into words - express. Double definition.
DOWN
1. Birds - nightingales. Reference to Florence Nightingale.
2. Immaculate - spotless. Dalmatians may have many qualities but their spottiness is the one they're usually associated with.
3. Others, take it easy - rest. Double definition.
4. Stone - marble. MARE holding (BL)ue.
5. Wrecker - saboteur. Anagram (prepared) of TO USE BAR.
6. Write ones name, indication - sign. Double definition.
8. Birds - greenfinches. Anagram (nuts) of SEEING FRENCH.
12. A school for fathers - seminary. COD for the definition. Anagram (involved) of SIRE MANY.
13. Tree - sycamore. Vexed (SORE) around an anagram (moving) of YMCA?
15. Long angry speech - tirade. One (I) inside TRADE.
18. The first man - Adam. In Can(ADA M)aybe.
19. Prevent - stop. POTS upwards.