Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

I know exactly what you’re getting at, and as you’ve seen they do.

All done now. A nice challenge this week with plenty of devilishly difficult clues.....and plenty of very obscure definitions in the wordplay, but not so in the answers. A veritable treat.

Always an extra challenge when the entries aren't real words, but this was fair and manageable.
Perhaps easier for those with experience of this type of puzzle? Otherwise, there's a temptation to panic.

The theme and device are old standbys. A splendid puzzle nonetheless.

Inquisitor looks interesting, but that's for another day.

I’ve hit heavy weather in completing the grid. In a couple of clues I have the answer and the missing letter but the residue is too long for the grid entry. I assume this is where the clashes come in. Also any hints for 1a and 5a would be greatly appreciated.

You are correct about the clashes and this has a bearing on 1 and 5.
For 1 the definition is at the he end.
In 5 up is an anagrind.

Oops. Up is in 5 d. In 5a look at the first word for the definition. Yarns can be stories.

Thanks SmithSax

Almost complete but for 6d and 20a - possibly also 20d. I have 5 clashes which fit with the message from the omitted letters and another appears to be emerging at the confluence of 20a and 20d. However, my answer to 20d would put MAM into that cell, which would not fit with the results of the other clashes. Nudges, shoves etc warmly welcomed.

Hi Jack,

20d - 3 letter "whale" + missing letter + 4 letter "islands" + "round", all reversed/'about' - definition "part bearing female organs"