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The Special Instructions state "Letter counts are for the total number of letters in each case (ie 4 or 6, not 1-3 or 5,1)."

However 33a is given as 3,4; 3d as 5,3; and 14d as 3,8. Are these just Grauniadisms?

I think the special instructions are only referring to the 26 answers which have the extra letter at the beginning or the end. The three clues you refer to aren't of this group and are two words as stated.

I hope this is clear and helps.

Thanks PuzzledPom
However 37d is 5,3 but given as 8!

I believe it refers to 33 total double words. 26 of the theme, 3 noted so another 4 hidden. At least that is what I finished up with.

Thanks jafo. That seems to work (but still leaves unexplained why he didn't hide all the double words!)

Chrise I know seems strange. I don't even know who this maskarade is that pops up every time there is a holiday, but they can be quite a struggle.

I'm about halfway through and making steady progress but finding it all somewhat plodding and joyless. The days of well-crafted Araucaria holiday puzzles are long gone unfortunately.

Here's all you need to know about Maskarade:

Tom JOHNSON
Tom Johnson, a retired teacher, has compiled crosswords for The Spectator under the pseudonym Doc since July 1981 and has edited The Spectator crossword since January 1999.

Tom compiles puzzles as Anorak in the New Statesman magazine, Didymus in Prospect magazine, Maskarade in The Guardian, Gozo in the Financial Times and Busman in the Toughie series in The Daily Telegraph.

He also sets cricket-themed puzzles for Wisden Cricket Monthly. Over the years has compiled puzzles for about a dozen puzzle magazines, and has compiled puzzles for every issue of the Puzzler magazine, reaching his 2000th puzzle in the January 2009 issue.

Tom is also interested in public transport and is the author of Malta Bus Handbook: Buses of Malta and Gozo

Thanks Tintin, I did not know that. Considering I have a house in Gozo, as well as Malta (where I live).

I need a little help please.
For 13a From next Iron age (11) I have an answer that ends in x, but if this is correct, my answer for 10 - Pupils of equal ability disturbed master (6) is wrong because I think that is an anagram of the last word.

Any pointers?