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Woodlouse, and everybody else.

Due to it being a totally unique puzzle, answers are NOT allowed in the Listener thread. Please in future adhere to this policy

I have finally de-ciphered the meanings of the set D answers and very amusing they are. As has already been stated by others, it is a pity that we are not required to show in some way that we have reached this stage. Nevertheless, this has been a very good puzzle and a lot of fun.

Thanks Norah for the stay of execution.

I am still struggling with this, though I think I know 1 down(not how he is usually known!) but I cannot get a string of continuous unchecked letters across from columns 2 to 9 unless 4d and 12d are A clues, which I do not think they are. Can someone put me right?

eenk

4Dn is a C clue. 12 Dn is a D clue

The logical working out of how certain jumbled entries (A Clues) had to be, and then arriving at the 10 letter phrase (4 2 4) reading across from left to right, gave me my entry into how to arrive at the thematic word.

For instance, the first letter has to be from 2Dn which is an A clue, and because 25, 28, 32, 34, 36 Ac are all entered normally i.e. they are NOT A clues.

Once you have the letters of 2Dn, you should know which letter the wordplay has omitted. Logic dictates that the entry at 2 DN has certain letters already given by crossing entries e.g the first, second, and sixth. The 4th letter has to be shared with the entry at 13Ac. So, you can narrow down the choices for what goes at column 2 row 5. It has to be a letter shared with 15Ac.

Similarly, you can work away at Column 3 Row 4. It has to be a letters shared by the chariot and intend (both A clues) AND further indicated by how A clues work. Only one letter will fit there. If you continue this process across the page, you will see that the choices are very limited, ESPECIALLY if A clues are involved, because you know it has to be the letter omitted by the wordplay.

Once you have the (4 2 4) phrase. The letters which overwrite it are dictated by the fact that real words must appear. The first 2 are blindingly obvious, and then the third becomes so. In order that 4Dn makes sense, only 3 letters can go there A, D or T. Only one letter will fit in 20 Dn and 7 Down . You end up with a word which I did not recognise, but I was helped out by the first 6 D clue entries. Read them out loud quickly.

Turast,

Thanks for your detailed reply. I now realise that I have “unchecked” with “unclued”, so I shall soldier on with the benefit of your help.

Thanks Mattrom and Gitto - I don't know why I didn't see some of those - I think I had been thinking too hard after some of the other clues!!

Now completed with all the groups and everything understood - made me laugh in the end!!

Hello all,

I could do with a little help to get over the line on this one.

Bottom left mainly. A hint for 28a and 36a would be much appreciated, if anybody is still following this thread. Also 16d?

Thanks

28ac definition is first two words and I wondered if it should’ve been numbered (4,2)

36ac last letter of company, then word for adviser inside “is”. Definition is last two words.

16dn is in set B and definition is Indian Army

I enjoyed this one and as others have said there is some amusement in set D

Gitto at #24 I didn’t notice anything significant about set C other than to work out which ones were in set D!