An interruption means I only have a rough estimate of time at 16 minutes so this seemed a bit of a work out. Plenty of interesting word play to unravel and two long anagrams at 4 and 7dn taking some time. The right hand side seemed tougher than the left (but I don't want to get into politics). All thoroughly enjoyable - thanks Hurley.
ACROSS
1. Path - course of action - either as a decision or as the route one takes for an activity (e.g. walking). Glib (PAT), foolis(H).
3. Citrous - like lemons - the Oxford dictionary has this as the alternative spelling for citrus. Anagram (chopped) of IS CUT OR.
8. Morale-booster - that gives confidence. Me (ME) holding exam (ORAL) in front of rocket (BOOSTER).
9. She - woman. U(SHE)r.
10. Runic - referring to old characters. Single in cricket (RUN), in charge (IC).
12. Bracing - invigorating like Skegness. British (B), sport (RACING).
14. Devious - underhand. (D)emanding (E)xtremely (V)aluable, credit notes (IOUS).
16. Ditto - the same. Song (DITTy) turning the last letter from Y to love (O).
17. Inn - hostelry. Popular (IN), northern (N).
20. Spitting image - lookalike. Anagram (off) of GAMING SITE TIP. The 'needed' makes the surface work and also could be in the sense that the anagram fodder 'needs' to go 'off' to get the answer.
21. Retreat - den (but a man cave sounds far more macho). Referring to (RE), pleasant surprise (TREAT).
22. Onus - burden. Supported by (ON), America (US).
DOWN
1. Pampered - over-indulged possible by or in a man cave. Covered walls (PAPERED) including male (M).
2. Torn - double definition.
3. Cobweb - spider's creation. Firm (CO), we (WE) found inside books (BB).
4. Tooth and nail - with ferocity. Anagram (cruelly) of HALT DONATION.
5. Optimist - one expecting the best. Surgery (OP), (T)railed (I)n, film (MIST).
6. Spry - nimble. Agent (SPY) about right (R).
7. Old school tie - neckware. Anagram (rearranged) of CLOTH LOOSE ID.
11. Novelist - Jane Austen perhaps. An unusual device - leading couples of (NO)t (VE)ry (LI)kely (ST)ory.
13. Goodness - double definition.
15. Signet - ring feature. In de(SIGN ET)ernity.
18. User - addict. Not seeing any odd numbered letters in bUm StEeR.
19. Darn - mend. Publicity - ad - reversed (DA), Royal Navy (RN).
ACROSS
1. Path - course of action - either as a decision or as the route one takes for an activity (e.g. walking). Glib (PAT), foolis(H).
3. Citrous - like lemons - the Oxford dictionary has this as the alternative spelling for citrus. Anagram (chopped) of IS CUT OR.
8. Morale-booster - that gives confidence. Me (ME) holding exam (ORAL) in front of rocket (BOOSTER).
9. She - woman. U(SHE)r.
10. Runic - referring to old characters. Single in cricket (RUN), in charge (IC).
12. Bracing - invigorating like Skegness. British (B), sport (RACING).
14. Devious - underhand. (D)emanding (E)xtremely (V)aluable, credit notes (IOUS).
16. Ditto - the same. Song (DITTy) turning the last letter from Y to love (O).
17. Inn - hostelry. Popular (IN), northern (N).
20. Spitting image - lookalike. Anagram (off) of GAMING SITE TIP. The 'needed' makes the surface work and also could be in the sense that the anagram fodder 'needs' to go 'off' to get the answer.
21. Retreat - den (but a man cave sounds far more macho). Referring to (RE), pleasant surprise (TREAT).
22. Onus - burden. Supported by (ON), America (US).
DOWN
1. Pampered - over-indulged possible by or in a man cave. Covered walls (PAPERED) including male (M).
2. Torn - double definition.
3. Cobweb - spider's creation. Firm (CO), we (WE) found inside books (BB).
4. Tooth and nail - with ferocity. Anagram (cruelly) of HALT DONATION.
5. Optimist - one expecting the best. Surgery (OP), (T)railed (I)n, film (MIST).
6. Spry - nimble. Agent (SPY) about right (R).
7. Old school tie - neckware. Anagram (rearranged) of CLOTH LOOSE ID.
11. Novelist - Jane Austen perhaps. An unusual device - leading couples of (NO)t (VE)ry (LI)kely (ST)ory.
13. Goodness - double definition.
15. Signet - ring feature. In de(SIGN ET)ernity.
18. User - addict. Not seeing any odd numbered letters in bUm StEeR.
19. Darn - mend. Publicity - ad - reversed (DA), Royal Navy (RN).