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Many thanks to all those who entered this week’s Clueless challenge, which has proved very difficult to judge.

Double definitions and hiddens seem to have been the weapons of choice for many, but there were also some clever cryptic references and wordplay.

Touches I enjoyed were Geeker’s ‘putzfrau’, Giting’s ‘domestic flight’ and mythological ferryman, Tyke’s ‘Russian tea’, Paul’s ‘Maid of honour’ and ‘Packed lunch’, Darla’s ‘lunch area’, Dorrien’s ‘char(m)’, Mattrom’s ‘Do or overdo’.

My final three were…
Paul@15
Maid of honour to a king (4)

Mattrom@27
The Pope, perhaps has inner sigh of satisfaction lying back with a brew (4)

And … the winner!
Geting@20

Vehicle fueled by hydrogen is cleaner (4)

Nice wordplay and a smooth surface which, perhaps, taps the zeitgeist.

Congratulations to the “Swedish Wasp”, a first win I believe (you realise you now have to set the next challenge on Christmas Day? 😅 :-)

Your prizes are…
Charcoal…
https://youtu.be/_bTFHAdrkrE

Charlie Parker…
https://youtu.be/oIoE5ZSSbHU

Charlie Brown…
https://youtu.be/vzmidvCBeoc?feature=shared

Cheers all!
Ttfn

Very nice Geting - well done! Cheers Jono.

Congrats geting - winner by a mile in my book. Cheers jono.

Great clue Geting. Well done.
Thanks Jono

Oh, I'm thrilled!

Thanks Jono. I'll save my prizes for Christmas Eve (the Big Day here) if that's all right.

As this is a first for me, could someone please confirm:
I copy and paste the blurb, just changing the relevant dates and numbers, and add my chosen word to the list. And post at what time on Monday?

Thanks for the congrats and kind words Tyke, Buddy and Dorrien

geting, yes, just change the dates (and contest number) & word. Post is typically around 6 or 7 pm UK time, but if you want to do it earlier no one will object. You are entirely in charge for this one!

Okay Buddy, thanks

Congrats, geting. Great clue; a smooth surface as Jono commented. Thanks, jono. Feliz Navidad.

Well done, geting. I think we all knew yours was unbeatable.

Thanks, jono.

The char = cleaner definition was often chosen, which won't have pleased malone of this parish. He has sometimes commented in the Pedant or other threads about the outdated nature of cryptic clues using char, deb etc.. My view is that they are part of our social history and completely valid.