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Actually, I think it was his wife's dementia diagnosis that I'm thinking of.

Brendan,

He entered hospice / palliative care about four months ago. That's the story I recall. But he is still alive AFAIK.

Roof,

24a - 7 letter "chirpy thing" + 2 letter "about" reversed/'to make a comeback' - definition is "player"

Hi Brendan

I did lots more then decided to get into the garden now it is in the shade to dead-head my prolific climber. I had got 24ac thank you. But I'mstumped by 5d. I don't think I know the stroke referred to.

I still haven't got 14ac - that may help. I have ??R???? I have an idea for 22ac, assuming the definition is Bob, but can't parse it. I also have to get 16d, for which I have no crossers and 20ac beginning with S, but not the one I've been told the S is wrong. I can't see a wrong S anywhere. I still can't see that hidden.

My husband is calling me to eat dinner, so I must go, but will be back. I'll see if he knows the stroke.

Roof,
14a is funny: defn. "slip", parses as 2, 3, 2.

22a: defn. is indeed "bob", but parsing seems to reveal an error in the clue. It parses as 1 ("Roger") inside 6 ("rather twee"), but letters 4 and 5 of the 6-letter word have to be reversed to give a reasonable solution.

16 parses as 3, 2. Defn. "example of preservation". It thematically goes with 13d, 6, or (25, 19a).

Many thanks Geeker

In fact I had just finished over dinner. Scarcely a theme I think. In fact, I can't parse 13d, but never mind. I've got 22 ac, but despite your hint can't see the parsing, especially as I don't know what Roger means.

There were a couple of words I didn't know in this crossword (21ac, 23d and 1d) and some others that were a bit far-fetched I thought.

My FOI was 9ac. My LOI was 1d, which I almost forgot to do. My CODs were 10ac, 19d, 9ac and 8d.

I'm signing off now.

See you all next week, when I'm hoping it won't be so hot.