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Merenz, don't forget that some of the ignored letters will be shared between across and down clues. I found it useful to write them in a different colour in the grid - that's what gave me the theme.

Thanks Loge. I suppose I ought to try to write some in the grid. And the double count element ought to help I suppose.

Wish me luck… I’m going in!

PS - Lol re the rugby or football quip. I actually nearly cried when I first saw Lewap’s hint, having thought it might be a hint to the theme and could this crossword possibly get any worse for me 😄

I've now entered the across answers as best I can - even the blooming gallery, which I finally sussed - I seem to have a fair few clashes and more ignored letters than I'm meant to. I note loge's suggestion and will try that - tomorrow. Enough for one day I think. The last time I remember struggling like this was some while ago - something about a Klein Bottle I think!

Over the last two weeks i have (apparently) upset somebody for being too helpful, caused distress by being obstructive with my attempted use of synonyms, So..

Thanks to Lumen for your encouraging responses (#34,#35) to my enquiry at #32. I am a he, and I'm sure I've seen the "vegetable slicer" items on sale at DIY stores.

Apologies to Dylan (#63) for confusing the issue with my clumsy phraseology. I got burnt by a very caustic posting recently, so I'm treading on eggshells in an attempt not to give the game away.

I have continued to ignore all down entries and worked at placing across solutions..

Can I return to my word distribution pattern questions please?

I now have
ROW ONE 4?4?7
ROW TWO 7, ?????????? (inc TEST 5)
ROW THREE ?6 Glib,3 Note,6 Honoured,?
ROW FOUR 5 Classes ???????????? (inc 4 Exam)
ROW FIVE 3 Before,?????????????? (inc 6 Post free, ,5 Sides)
ROW SIX 9 Petrel,8 Joint protectors
ROW SEVEN 5 Learner ??????? 5 Holes
ROW EIGHT 8 The Horror, 9 Game
ROW NINE ?????????????? (inc 5 Gallery,4,2 Spurs) 3 Address?
ROW TEN ???????????? (inc 4 Oven) 5 Bible
ROW ELEVEN ? 6 Primate, 3 Town, 6 Breathing Space ?
ROW TWELVE ?????????? (inc 5 Closer) 7 Streets
ROW THIRTEEN 7 Drownings ? 4 Slave ? Niche

Is my distribution of across entries correct? Some are guesses.

I have for Row One 4 ? 4 7 ?. I'm pretty sure that's right.

Row Two 7 ????? 5
Row Three ? 6 ???? (inc Note) 6
Row Four 5 ? 4 3
Row Five ????? 6 5 ?
Row Six 9 8
Row Seven 5 ??????? 5

And then in reverse for the bottom half.

Agree with Luftmensch on Rows 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7. For the others I have

Row 3: ?? 6 3 6
Row 4: 5 ? 4 ???? 3

That works for the endgame. I hope this isn't getting too close to massive spoilers!

Yes, I agree on Row Four - I forgot the ????

Previous discussion of writer ripping verso clue didn't resolve it for me I'm afraid so maybe a little stronger hint please. Also stuck on White bishop clue. Thanks

Well, it’s been a long weekend ..

Only just catching up with the thread so apologies if this has been covered already ..

1. Am I correct in concluding that at the penultimate stage we are intended to erase all but the 42 cells??

2. For the final stage, is there anything “clever” to find or is it just a case of drawing the obvious 5-letter word in a broadly appropriate place (occupying another c. 42 cells)?

3. A ring??