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mattrom - I don't think it's the pronunciation of the first two letter as such. I think it's the pronunciation of the first two letters in vacuo, separately.

Having said that, although I have 17 / 14 / 8 and understand it, I am still far from completing the crossword, and am even having problems with the straight clues (whichever they are!).

Not for the first time, but perhaps for the first time seriously, I am thinking of giving it up until next month.

I was at that point, Pendragon - after 200 completed - when the brilliant loge came to the rescue. Goodness knows how he worked it out but we are all in his debt. If we can help here, just ask ...

That took a bit of doing, but helped take my mind off a rather challenging diagnosis. On reflection, I think the splits and reversal are legitimate, since what is being replaced in each case is also split/reversed.

Well, I've finished it all now except for one.

I found 2D, 4D, and 11D particularly difficult, and the torture of the already-complex instructions almost unforgivable.

So I am only stuck on the to-be-adjusted 9A .. and, yes, I know a few helpful pointers have already been posted.

But I can't balance a split number, "ee" and a, presumably, watery race. Have I even got that much right?

Are there any further hints for 9A?

And heavy ones please!

I shouldn't have bothered asking.

I have got 9A now.

Thanks.

normal clue
23a Huge trading association ending in liquidation, queen closing large British retailer (6) N?S?A?

kirky - see post 5

Thank you prospero ... i was so busy seeing the thematic help pleas i missed that altogether!

All completed (and exhausted!) except for 5 across where I have .h.w.i. Help appreciated so that I can get on with Corona virus stockpiling!

notrab, it's thematic - hypenated word for a kind of programme upgraded by one ...