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Quite a workout from Boatman, even though I tumbled to the dozen of a kind surprisingly quickly. A pleasing variety of clues made for an enjoyable if occasionally challenging solve, slightly above average in terms of time taken. FOI 15, LOI 6, which is in the running for COD. But I may have to give the palm to 26. Thanks for the fun, Boatman.

When I saw there was a Special Instruction I thought I was going to be in for another very difficult puzzle, following on from last week's behemoth from Paul but, while it was definitely tricky, the SI's actually ended up aiding in the solving of a few of the more knotty ones.

FOI was 7a

FOI of the 12 - were 27a and 29a which I strongly recommend as your way in the SI's

If you do get stuck, there is a hidden in the downs.

Interestingly (we'll be the judge of that Bren), Rog's LOI, 6d, was also mine, mainly because, I didn't know that particular definition.

26d - Whilst the answer is clear and I feel it meets all the criteria of an &lit type clue, the mention if "son" in the wordplay coupled with part of the answer makes me think I'm missing something?

Thanks to Boatman for an excellent way to kick of the weekend.

Leave a post letting us know how you got on - did you find it as tricky as me or did you sail through it?

NB Pam, glad to hear your husband is back from the hospital.

Morning!! Followed your advice re 27 and 29a, thanks. Very tricky so far but enjoyable.

26d - cancel my query.

16a - Just realised I haven't accounted for one letter which, I assume, comes from "familiar textile designer" but can't see why?

Brendan, there's no unaccounted letter. The first 4 letters are your phrase in quotes. See (SPOILER ALERT) https://tinyurl.com/ywpt69jx

This is hilarious...
I did not notice the special instructions, but just dug into the puzzle.
Got about 3/4 of the way through, finding it difficult, extremely irritating, and with unclear parsings.

Then I visited the thread, went back and saw the special instructions. Finished with some effort but less puzzlement.

Thanks to Boatman! Still think it's on the difficult side due to a handful of tough clues/uncommon words.

FOI 7
COD 23
LOI 8

16a caused confusion because I stupidly thought it was a repeat of a special! 🤣

Not my finest cruciverbial hour overall.

Thanks Geeker but I've got 16a as one of the 12.

Brendan, I don't think 16a can be special because it parses as 4 (nick of a UK fashion designer), 3 (homophone) with no missing wordplay. And as a special it would repeat the item in 27a.

My mistake, I had the first SI across clues as a DD (which I still think it counts as) and hadn't noticed the duplication in 16a.

Thanks again Geeker