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The Thematic clues were too easy, and quickly gave the game away. Also, I don't see the point of missing the clue numbers, as these were immediately deducible - if this had been a carte blanche it may have offered the degree of difficulty normally associated with a Listener. A pleasant stroll, now I can look forward to this afternoons beer festival, followed by the footie - if I'm still awake!

Congrats Gitto

Until this year I used to rant about the dumbing down some weeks. I had thought that the standard had improved greatly in 2018, but perhaps I am dumbing down myself.

I think this is a great introductory Listener. Many fine clues and Didn't mind the thematics.

Given all that, we are failing at the final hurdle, having found only 5 of the 6 extra words. Finding it hard to justify the entries we have for the last 2 clues.

With what does NICK associate?

COLIN - both diminutive names

Thanks, is MATELOT extra?

Don't think MATELOT is extra (See Chambers)

Any thoughts about extra word in last clue?

Woodlouse, I believe that Madge is the extra word in the final clue.

I thought Madge was the definition. I can't match MAVIS or FALCON.

I think there's room for different approaches. In some puzzles the theme falls early and in others it comes late. I often fail to get the theme until near the end in cases where others have got it from the title alone. In this case I was pretty sure of the general theme anyway just from the setter's name. As I prefer not to get the theme straight away I chose not to look at the thematic clues until I had filled most of the grid.

Woodlouse, one of the replacements is a name that could be generally defined by the extra word in the last clue.

I have just seen WOMAN in the last clue is the word to match M....