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Tough as old boots!

Foi was 1d, and I've finished the left half (but can't parse 23a), but in the right half I have only 14d, 19a, and probably the last 4 letters of 6d, even after reading 101 forum posts! (4d and 17d still missing too, on the centre line).

One or two hints, please? How about 7d: I've already seen a mention of "original inhabitants of an Abbey or monastery" or words to that effect but can't find a way to use monk, nun, abbot prior, etc.

I have an idea for the 2nd word of 7d which would fit "happy day in prospect", but no further inspiration.

Hi pamd
If you have the 2nd word for 7d correct, the first word could be either an adjective meaning "earlier" or a noun for someone involved in an abbey.

And from that 10-letter part of 7d, crossers led me to solve24a, 17d, 22a. So it's "only" the NE corner left to do: 4d, 5d, 6d (I probably have the last 4 letters), 7d first word, and 9a, 11a, 16a.

Any gentle nudges?

@bu,zybee: of course! I even listed it as a word I'd considered! Thanks.

And 7d first word led to 11a and then 4d, though I can only see a definition, can't parse the wordplay.

And 7d first word led to 11a and then 4d, though I can only see a definition, can't parse the wordplay.

Hi Pam,

4d - 3 letter "in"" goes inside 4 letter "waste".

@brendan Ah, yes, obviously, now!