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Hi Jolan
I've just printed the clues off.
I can see #1 and #4 and will sit in the sun to
ponder on the others.

Hi Tony. How great to 'see' you again. I've wondered where you've been. Thank you for your kind wishes. So far, the eye is fine, though I must wait for a few more weeks until all has settled down.

Mea Culpa. I must apologise for the punctuation in No. 1. Therefor,e I'm sure you've got it right. Dunno how that comma crept in. Ximenes is my long-time hero and I almost always try to "say what I mean" and, in the strict sense, that comma (I think I put it in as a misleader) does not allow me to make that claim. Mind you, many setters DO use punctuation as a misleader. I should have left it out. Best wishes and ta for keeping me on the 'straight and narrow'. J

Hi Jazzy (x). Good for you.

My 1 must be wrong, though I do think it works. I feel that using punctuation to mislead is half the fun. Maltby (of Harper's) always points out that it should be ignored.

As he puts it, "mental repunctuation of a clue is the key to its solution."

i agree with Aristo in regard to punctuation. i did have what i thought was a passable answer for #1 but then saw a different meaning for the definition part and got a hopefully better answer.
not got #3 yet and i have to go out for a while, looking forward to reading results.
thanks a million again Jolan.

whoopee! i just got #3 (all done).

OOh I think I now have #5

Thanks again, Jolan for a great set of clues. Enormous fun.
Here are my attempts
1. Pinch of snuff, initially dry (5) swipe?
Snuff initially – s + wipe (dry) = swipe to pinch?
2. Boasts of old relatives accommodating very active beginners (7) avaunts?
Relatives – aunts with va (beginners of “very active”) gives “a va unts” = old word for boasts?
3. Remedial application of (hot) sand – another treatment to anoint ear (9) arenation?
Anagram of “anoint ear” gives arenation – treatment with hot sand?
4. Weapon unearthed in Simla? This is quite likely (5) lathi?
Lathi - old Indian stick is in the clue.
5. Orders to shoot? (6,6,6) Lights, camera action?
Orders given prior to a cinema shoot?

Hope the vision is back to 20/20.
Thanks again.

Hi Jolan

Good clues as always- I missed your trademark though!

My suggestions:

1- Swipe- first letter of snuff and then wipe (dry)
2- Avaunts- old word for boasts. First letters of very active in aunts.
3- Arenation- a treatment with hot sand, An anagram of anointear.
4- Lathi- an indian club I think- hidden in smiLA THis.
5- Lights, camera, action-use of shoot as on film set.

Better than today's Guardian- you should do this professionally!

All the best

DJA