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Thanks Brendan - got 10ac now. I was thrown by the use of e instead of a.

Hi again Roof,

5d is a homophone of "elsewhere" and means "just off the bottom" - anchors a....!

Thanks Brendan

I'm just back after watching the young Montalbano (I prefer him to the older one) and managed to solve 5d straightaway with your helpful hint. Unfortunately, I can't get 4ac, 12ac or 6 and 7d. Could I have a hint for one of those to see if it will get me going.

I don't think my strawberry jam has set, so I'll have to boil it up again. It really is the most difficult jam to make, but smells delicious.

My gastric juices are flowing Roof:-)

4a definition is "sign of support" (act of goodwill) - 4 letter word for "rowing crew" (half the usual number beloved by setters) around front of A + V(essel).

12a definition - "they don't appreciate" - empty A(r)T inside/framed by "French painter"

6d definition - "Ring fan" - anagram of O(ld) Pro Agree

7d My COD - definition - "Elizabeth I say" - 4 letter synonym for "study" around usual abbr. for "Edward" and "Henry".

Many thanks Brendan

I'd managed to get 12ac before your hints, and have now got the rest. I'd got the wrong answer for 15ac. Just 27ac and 23d to do, which I will leave for tomorrow. Perhaps I'll get my brain in gear by then. I need to go to bed now.

I have found this crossword much harder than last week's and still haven't got the references to numbers referred to in much of this chain.

I think the reason you are having trouble getting the number references is because people have over-complicated it. The digits 0-9 with one exception are spelled somewhere in the grid. Some are "run-ons" from answer to another (e.g. 5,18), the others are within a single answer (e.g. 4).

Thanks PaulT

I've now managed to identify 1-8, but 0 and 9 both elude me. I suspect 9 is in 27ac which I haven't got yet. I can't see where zero goes unless it is the exception. I've only found one z.

Zero doesn't figure in the solutions.

Again let me test my understanding, please. I've completed the grid and of nine numerals five bridgesolutions and four are found within. Do othere agree?

If so well done Brendan for a very clever puzzle, I would however have welcomed some indications in the instructions rather than just a cryptic comment in 8 down. Had I not had recourse to this thread I might have finished it without appreciating the whole point!

Please could someone parse 19d for me? Thank you!