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Hi BM,

14d - There are a few letter pairs that are thematic and make words but only one that can go in the front and is geographically correct.

51d - Yes, middle 2 letters.

14d - if you've already got 8d and 10d then you'll see one that fits right between those two:-)

Ah cheers :). Had forgotten the geographically appropriate aspect as I approached my final grid completion. Thanks so much! Xx

Thanks Buzzermaster, glad you got it all sorted:-)

Sorry if this has already been covered, 151 posts is too many for me to read.

Enjoyable puzzle. 2 loose ends for me.

78a - is the pre addition answer an Australian party - I can't find any justification for this? I have i and g as the unchecked letters.

I am a bit bemused by the 5 French and German words. Apart from the Spanish name and the English actor, I only have 1 word that wouldn't be allowable in any regular crossword as far as I can see, and that is the entry for VA.

I can see the NM entry could count as 2, but as that's a well used phrase in English, I can't see why that would need to be flagged. Anyone identify any other French or German words?

Thanks

Hi SH,
78a. Your letters are correct. The Aussie party part is confirmed by Collins. See the discussion at around posts 112-120. Agree the German word is in the VA entry. I’m afraid I didn’t note the French words.

SH, remember that the French words can be before adding the two letters.

Thanks both. The discussion at 112 to 120 sent me to lexico, must remember to use that as well as Chambers going forward.

And I see the French words in the before adding answers now.

Well thank you all! I have just come across this puzzle (August 😅) and was truly struggling and on the verge of surrendering when I came across this forum- just what I needed, gentle hints, not too many spoilers. I The timer suggests I have spent 57 hours on it - probs should have been doing the ironing or something….

Crackerjack, better late than never!

Welcome to the Forum:-)