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Thanks Roof, Xwordfan, Prospero and Zozozo. Now I can put it away. I must say I found today's Azed easier, but then I'm very used to his cluing style.

I've had quite a bit of fun and games with this challenging
puzzle, but, in sight of the winning post, my progress has halted! Could some kind soul give me a leg-up with the two
13 Across clues? On the left hand grid, unless I'm mistaken, part of the answer possibly repeats part of the clue, and in
the right hand grid will be where the extra letter will be added, I believe. (whatever that letter is).
I've attempted all the Guardian special puzzles for many years, many by Araucaria and his replacement,
Maskarade, but this latest effort is definitely one of the trickiest.

The left hand one needs the extra letter

Think athletics...

For the right the definition is from time to time. The rest of the clue defines the component words

Many thanks, Zozozo - at least i now have the athletics one.

Merry Christmas! I'm still trying to tie a few loose ends up, so without letting the cat out of the bag, can someone please help with these?
4 Down on the R/H grid - Can't work out the government scheme.
23 Down on the R/H grid - Expression of surprise can be one of two words in this case, and I wanted the one that ends in "O", but circumstances dictate the "R" one which
is inappropriate, given the layout.
1 Down on the R/H grid - Have solved the necessary word
but unable to insert this as no further additional letter appears to be apposite.

Before I even start this: I've managed to print one grid from the online paper. Is the other grid identical?

4 with the extra letter inserted you get a bird
23 the one ending in r is correct - a biblical measure
1 the only solution I could find was 5 2 rather than 7

In reply to Aspria, yes both grids are identical, and if, as seems to be the case, anyone wanted to send the completed puzzle in, they would have to photocopy the
grid already there!

Many thanks, Rocketman!

Thanks again, Zozozo. I'll be pleased to use that word for 23 Down and that will negate my obsession with a bird noise possibly made by the Greek! Even so, with the few
remaining "top-up" letters I have. when applied to that particular clue, I can make either a piece of string or a bulb.
I solved the bird one, thanks, but regrettably, still haven't
solved 13 Across Pt.2, despite the extra letter from the recently inserted bird.