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Just got 12. Still struggling with 7 & 8

Hi Barry,

7d - "T Rex" is only 2 letters with 'rex' being the usual abbreviation, and they go inside 4 letter "air" (think 'music') - definition is "mighty" but is one of the 12.

8d - 4 letter "weak people" (often used in politics) reversed - definition is "predicament.

12a - 6 letter "totter" (as in 'stagger') reversed/'back' minus one letter "key" - definition is "bender" (think anatomical)

Irrelevant but funny repetition in the grid. Compare 29d and the 4-letter NW-SE diagonal segment sharing the last letter of 29d. [If that isn't too obscure...] Surely a coincidence.

Geeker, that sounds like the musings of a person who has got very comfortable with looking for NINA's 😂

Brendan, I've gotten into the habit of looking for Ninas. Finding one was on the "bucket list" for a while, and the wish actually got fulfilled.
I still forget occasionally, which can turn out to be annoying.

I'd love to find a NINA Geeger but, thus far, I've had no luck - I live in hope, though:-)

I was really sad when Jack (Guardian; Serpent in Indy and elsewhere; Basilisk in FT) stopped composing and became Times editor effective 2 Dec 2024. Serpent favo(u)red Ninas, many with musical references.

Like some others here, I relish a stiff challenge on a Saturday. I found some of the Prizes before Christmas rather disappointing, and have enjoyed getting my teeth into something chewy in the last couple of weeks. Moaning about "unfairness" makes me want to ask: where's the rule book for compiling crosswords? It's a free crossword, which someone has worked hard to put together. If it's not to your taste, find another one.
I did the Inquisitor 1888 in the i a few days ago. When I finished it, I was overwhelmed by a sense of joy at the beauty of it. It was tough, and I had to admire the ingenuity of the compiler. OK, that one wasn't free (cost me 20p to photocopy it at the library), but it was more than worth it.

Did you see the Nina in this week’s Ludwig?
I wasn’t sure what it was doing there as it didn’t seem to relate to the theme.
My (conspiracy) theory is that the Ludwig puzzles this year will contain hidden messages that somehow relate to the new tv series which will soon start filming for release in the autumn. Of course this may be nonsense… 😀

Thanks, Brendan