STROBE was first one in (look away if you suffer from epilepsy!), closely followed by SLALOM, and then all but the two longest downs starting on the first line, to give an excellent start. 3d and 5d each needed a couple of checkers before revealing themselves, but everything else seemed to flow in nicely.
I am driving to Edinburgh later today where I will celebrate my 70th birthday with the ‘outlaws’ on Monday. As a consequence, I may be slow to answer any comments whilst ‘on the road’, but I am sure that the other bloggers will step in to help any that need it. I am really looking forward to a few days away from the routine of lockdown, but promise to remain careful and socially distanced. You all stay safe, and I hope to see you in a couple of weeks.
Across
1 Saint has garment, something flashy (6)
STROBE – ST (saint) and ROBE (garment). STROBE is short for a stroboscope or stroboscopic light source – something flashy.
4 Race with some not quite finishing, all collapsing (6)
SLALOM – Anagram (collapsing) of SOM{e} (not quite finishing) and ALL. SLALOM has a Norwegian origin, and is usually applied to zigzag skiing or canoeing events against the clock.
8 Resinous substance in part of cricket field (5)
PITCH – Double definition. In cricket, the pitch is defined as the ground between the wickets.
9 Time in good Beds town for one who indulges (7)
GLUTTON – G (good) and LUTON (Bedfordshire town, Beds town) into which has been inserted T{ime}.
10 Only first three characters in college getting pass (3)
COL – First three characters in COL{lege}. A COL is usually a saddle-shaped pass in a mountain range, if I remember my ‘O’-level geography correctly.
11 Once again look at ornament at back of study (9)
READDRESS – DRESS (ornament) behind (at back of) READ (study). We all remember contestants on University Challenge who were either READing or STUDYing PPE or similar subjects. Is there a difference between reading and studying in this sense?
12 Band in street slightly indecent? (6)
STRIPE – ST (street) and RIPE (slightly indecent). I wondered at first about RIPE = indecent, but it works perfectly well when applied to language!
13 Exclamation of surprise coming to distressed Indian City (6)
MYSORE – MY! (exclamation of surprise) and SORE (distressed).
16 Her co-star played in a musical group (9)
ORCHESTRA – Anagram (played) of [HER CO-STAR]. Nice surface.
18 Nothing in Times for young man (3)
BOY – BY (times, as in 4 by 2, or 4 x 2), containing O (nothing).
19 Skilled worker with visual representations is a knight (7)
ARTISAN – ART (visual representations) followed by IS A N (knight in chess notation).
20 Cat in pool (5)
KITTY – Double definition, the first a feline, the second as in a pool or fund of money held in common.
22 Traffic around India produces angry outburst (6)
TIRADE – TRADE (traffic) containing (around) I (india).
23 Stands tall when entering ship (6)
STALLS – TALL inside (entering) SS (ship).
Down
1 Dad’s knocked over fluid (3)
SAP – PA’S (dad’s) reversed (knocked over).
2 Chatterbox, not quiet – noisy type (7)
RATTLER – {p}RATTLER – noisy type, not quiet – remove the leading P (quiet).
3 Suffer in difficult situation and feel the squeeze? (2,4-7)
BE HARD-PRESSED – Cryptic hint at the answer – to be in a jam.
5 Domestic container absurdly taken all over the place (7,6)
LAUNDRY BASKET – Anagram (all over the place) of [ABSURDLY TAKEN].
6 Water underground comes from toilet here (5)
LETHE – Hidden in (comes from) {toi}LET HE{re}. The Lethe is a river of the underworld causing forgetfulness in all who drink of it.
7 Star with money rebuilt religious community (9)
MONASTERY – Anagram (rebuilt) of [STAR] and [MONEY].
9 Girl secures ring in the end (4)
GOAL – GAL (girl) containing (securing) O (ring).
10 Russian who is out of this world (9)
COSMONAUT – Cryptic definition.
14 Like a revolution in space travel (7)
ORBITAL – Another cryptic definition
15 Crazy upset brings shock (4)
STUN – NUTS (crazy) reversed (upset).
17 Provide food and drink in broken crate (5)
CATER – Anagram (broken) of [CRATE].
21 Son’s taken after you for sure! (3)
YES – YE (you) and S{on}.
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