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When I was into US-style crosswords (through mid-'90s, before discovering UK cryptics) the four-letter "case" in 25 was one of the most frequent solution words, to the point of triteness.

I don't know Kite's age (Jono might) but 10a had a moment briefly in the late 90s.

darla, 10a was everywhere in NYC around that epoch.

Darla, second one down …
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Hi everyone

After a late lunch, I started at 2.30pm and was hopeful when I got a couple early on, but solving has slowed considerably. I certainly still have a number of 10acs, but then I'm ancient. I was very pleased to get 21d, but struggled with 21ac as I didn't know the word for clay (or chalk as Chris says).

I'm not sure what I have to take a letter out of in 24ac. I'm completely baffled by 13ac. Can I have a hint please and for 17d. I have no crossers for the latter. I thought it was an anagram, but can't make it work. I still can't get 19d, but hope it will become obvious if I get 24ac.

It's been a lovely day here in Exeter, but the temperature is falling fast.

I hope you get better soon Geeker.

roof, defn. of 13 is "annoy". Parses as one letter ("son") inside ("absorbed by") a (4,3) expression that could mean "being unsupported maybe" :-)

I have either the flu or a terrible cold, which hit overnight Tuesday. I still feel rotten today, but it seems to be improving. Thanks.

17d is one of the more straightforward clues. Definition "disorganized", parses as 1 letter ("European") inserted into ("inside") a 7-letter word for "lacking transportation".

Many thanks Geeker. Colds/flu are wretched, so I feel for you. We had our annual flu and covid jabs earlier today.

I've just witnessed a wonderful sunset, but it faded fast.

In fact I got 13ac myself. It made me smile. But I don't understand why I didn't get 17d. I think I didn't identify the definition.

I think I have 24ac, but I can't quite parse it. And it gives me an answer for 10d I can't parse, though I think I now understand the relationship to 2d.

So that just leaves me with 1d and 9ac. Any hints please, so I can put this behind me.

1d is a "first letters" clue, definition "clobber".
9ac: definition "flyer", it's a reversal "return" of a "short" (abbreviated) slang term for "conventional".

Roof, I've been fortunate with health the past 7 or 8 years. Never got Covid and hadn't even been ill (aside from negative reactions to shingles vaccines). This flu/cold/whatever has been an unpleasant shock. I did not get a flu jab this season because I got the latest Covid shot in early October. Perhaps that was a mistake.

Thanks Geeker

I've got them now. I have found this crossword surprisingly difficult. Though when I've got some answers, I was surprised I found them so difficult. There are however, some where I'd question the definition, and some where I'm still not sure of the parsing.

FOI was 18ac, which you would expect from a member of U3A. LOI 9ac. COD There are a few - 13ac, 7ac and 25ac.

Well, look after yourself. I've certainly had some rotten colds in the last year and we both had Covid in July/August. That was a nasty shock.

I may not get much chance to do all the crossword next week as we are going to the theatre in the evening. We'll see.