Across
Mount or fasten a bath with ring (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
You’ll all remember when this Philippine volcano blew up in 1991, causing a world wide temperature drop with sulphurous mist across most of the stratosphere. Well all right, neither did I, constructing it from likely guesses on the wordplay – fasten: PIN, A, bath: TUB and ring: O – and checking its existence.
Man snubbed sullen young woman (6)
Smooth caress? (3)
One's movement on track: replacement for old women's lib (10)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
My last, and a real struggle as a I misunderstood the definition, more properly one of these things derives its movement from tracks. And it’s an anagram (replacement) of O[ld] WOMENS LIB.
Playground belonging to us, source of enjoyment — and of help? (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
A playground is a REC, especially when Bath RUFC play there. Belonging to us is OURS, and the E is derived from the “source” of Enjoyment. In my opinion, source is doing a kind of double duty.
End protest (6)
Centre for leisure — and for schooling on top (4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
This time, centre is doing double duty, requiring you to find the centre of schoOling, and attach it to the top, or LID.
Second dismissal having unwanted effect (10)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
To back a proposition, you second it. And FIRING is a dismissal
Still unwell at home, visited by nurse giving drug (10)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
So a still is a PIC, unwell at home is ILL IN, and a nurse, or E[nrolled] N[urse] visits the ensemble where he/she can do most good.
Nobleman expected to receive king (4)
Accountant returned to blow the rest of the kitty? (6)
Set criminal on underworld! (8)
Suggested getting hammered after getting paid (10)
Bird's leg bone skinned (3)
Problem in photography studied and indeed spoken of (3,3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Both studied READ and indeed AYE provide the sounds (spoken of) for the required words.
Converting current to energy, entirely transformed material (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
So take the word ENTIRELY, change the I (electric current) to an E[nergy] and anagram, transform it.
Down
Stationery item obtained from secretary with a piece extracted (9)
Observed having escaped hit squad? (7)
Go for the King's Head, perhaps, turning up drunk to drink (4,2)
Reserves unlikely attraction for Reading people (9)
23 maybe to become less (4,3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
You’ll eventually discover that 23a is CATNAP. Pretty much the same thing if it’s a verb.
Japanese warrior mostly in uniform twice bloodied, not wounded (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
I’d be grateful if someone else will admit they tried samurai first, but it’s the other one, a NINJA. remove its A, put a U[niform] fore and aft, and add RED for bloodied.
Some female NCO near town in France (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
My first entry, for once spotting the hidden French town, in femALE NCO Near. If you’re writing your answers in, you can put the cedilla under the C.
One in mood smashed up vault (5,4)
Eking out, retaining fodder, in critical position (5,4)
English banker to polish off beef sandwiches (5,4)
Short appeal in support of test case (7)
Better way to act: on impulse, ultimately (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Acting ad lib is IMPROV, to which you add the last of [impuls]E
Instrument in Junkie Blues lies neglected in odd places (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
I knew it had to be UKELELE, but struggled to make it an anagram of junkie blues without the letters of lies. Much easier to cut the odd/even letters of jUnKiE bLuEs LiEs.
Ease with which daughter's restrained until nightfall? (3-3)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
D[[aughter] is contained/restrained in ALLAY for ease.
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