Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

micky, I always thought of a fairy tale rather than a nursery rhyme.
And for US boomer nerds, it figured in the ancient (going back to 1970s) computer game "Adventure". 🤣

Because only one of them leaves.

Yes, fairy tale was the term I meant to write.

Thanks to Philistine. 18a has rightly drawn much praise; I also enjoyed 3d and 20d, and the new (old) word in the top right corner.
I trust Brendan can see that a good number of would-be solvers greatly value his input here.

Geezer
I remember that wonderful PDM when I discovered what "A hollow voice said plugh".

The game got me interested in computing. I even have a version of Adventure on my phone!

Damn that predictive text GeeKer

Still struggling with three clues but I think we’ll get there. Please don’t stop posting Brendan as your comments help us to persevere.

Hi, all. Bit late to the party. Found this far easier than usual but still enough of a challenge. Agree 18A is wonderful, and that you (Brendan) should continue as usual, please.
Quite a few other enjoyable clues. (If only I could wish my 23 6 (homonymically)!)

I hope Druh is still persevering.

Thanks everyone

Please continue Brendan, you always give the perfect combination of illumination and encouragement.

Struggled with quite a lot of this, partly due to post-summer holiday exhaustion (well, that's my excuse), so very grateful for all the hints here. 8D a useful addition to my vocabulary (as long as I can remember it!), 28A was previously known but well buried. 18A definitely COD although plenty of other good ones.

I thought 7D and 13D was a deliberate pair, clued in completely different ways, that brought a smile; I think the objection to 1A is unnecessarily pedantic with a loose meaning of 'spiralling'. Altogether thanks to Philistine for a good bit of entertainment and some instruction.

Best wishes to all and thanks again for the hints and company