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Was so pleased when I completed today’s grid and found the four surplus solutions, but have now got brain freeze. Can someone provide me with help in ascertaining what to do with the *column labels* and thus try to proceed?

Jogamel, you need to focus on the surplus words. Put them in alphabetical order. Divide them all up into two letter parts. Where you can, use each of them in turn as a grid reference, R/C, and see what the letters spell. It won’t always be possible. That’s where you must think outside the box with the last two words

Thank you because it was clear as mud….

Thanks quisling - needed that hint. Stunningly good puzzle but the endgame instructions beat me - I think "referring to" / "read with reference to" would be more accurate than "in combination with". But still, an incredibly satisfying finish, many thanks Triton!

Glad it was some help. I wanted it to be more of a clarification of the meaning of the preamble than too big a hint, but I’m aware I may have overstepped the mark

I think you were OK quisling. It's not cIear in the preamble.
I dropped on the right answers by noticing the letters in the surplus words all featured in the R/C letters.

Well, the first two anyway....

Appreciated, muraría. I should add that preamble cavils aside, I thought this was excellent. Original and fun. I particularly liked the gift

Yes, I enjoyed it too, the gift reminded me of many a wedding list!

Is it possible to give a gentle nudge as to how the 'differing and creative interpretations' work for the second two words?

I've tried synonyms and pondered on cryptic interpretations, looked at variations of paired letters etc.

Thanks.

(I have the location and time although the location doesn't appear to be particularly 'precise' to me!)