Your remark about counting was entirely covered in the preamble, drxx. I was more concerned by bananabean's question at #9 and any answers it may have elicited.
Yes, but was bananabean really asking for the letter rather than the word it's a part of? I assumed the latter (apologies, bananabean, if I led you astray).
I’m baffled by the first clue. The only solution that I can fit into its space seems to have no connection at all with the clue . Everything else fits in the grid, so I hope I don’t need to start all over again