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Brendan, I was too slow on the uptake there and didn’t see that you had already replied - apologies! Glad we are pretty much to the same effect though…

No problem Rogissimo and, as you say, we're on the same page. I like the acronym Geeker sometimes puts after his thoughts on puzzle difficulty - YMMV You Mileage May Vary

Sorry, Your Mileage......

Thanks Brendan and Roggissimo

I've made quite a lot of progress. Finally getting the theme helped, though I'm still one short. I'm not familiar with this theme. I've found some of the thematic answers difficult to parse. I only got 13ac because I got 22d.

I've still got 5d,8d,23d,24d and 25d still to get and 28ac (is this my missing thematic?).

I can't parse 16d but I think I have the answer, defintion "rope".

Can I have a hint for 5d and 28ac please.

5: defn "without strength", parses as 2 (alternate letters), 4 ("company"), 2 (alternate letters)

28: defn "spirit", parses as 1 ("grand"), 4 ("entertainer")

Thanks Geeker

I had a bit of a rush over dinner and got 5d and all the others apart from 28ac and 24d. I've now got 28ac, which I'd never heard of as a theme word, but have confirmed it on Google. I think I can guess 24d now. I just wasted my time googling the characters from Lord of the Rings.

My FOI was 3d and my LOI was 24d. My COD is 29ac closely followed by 17ac which made me laugh.

I hope it is a bit easier for me next week. Thanks for all your help.

Thanks Geeker; 7d not a word I know.
FOI 4d
LOI 7d
COD 11a Despite the criticism, anything sciency gets my vote!

Thank you Jono @57.

I'd never heard of that Chicago piano tuner problem before but just looked it up - it's good to see 11a's paradox being used for more earthly problems.

I can't imagine how I would respond if asked the 'pigs in China' question at an interview - I suppose a lot depends on context:-)

Jono, Darla, Geeker and all those who enjoy a good numerical paradox, here are 5 classics:-

https://www.theregister.com/2014/05/14/theorums_1_benford/