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Thanks aristo, I'm definitely hooked. Love the clueing style (perhaps my liking for 13d is because the word is not in common usage here (Glasgow, it may well be elsewhere in the UK)). I'll definitely start "backtracking" when I get the chance.
PS on your posted recommendation 1 of my "Xmas" presents from me was Tom Holt's "The Walled Garden" which is next once my current read is through.

"The Walled Orchard".

"The Walled Orchard" is a sequel "Goatsong", but I think the two might be available in one volume now, with the former title. Is that what your edition is?

Sequel TO,. of course.

Yes,over here the 2 are together in "The Walled Orchard".

It seems everyone went through the same mental gymnastics as I did.

@Aristo #10 - re one's feelings about V-day.
Several guys I know have trouble saying it. Comes out as "Halloween".
I'm in that camp. Go figure the psychology behind that !

More on the above:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaretto#Legend

Finally got there except for the last 3, which doesn't worry me (much).
Thought I was being clever and selected 21 dn as the answer, but Feb is not when they do their thing, unlike others of their kind.
Ginge, I really recommend the last two Harpers puzzles. I needed some help with both but you won't. There was also one a while back based on punctuation marks, which was fun.

15 ac shrubs have their (male) catkins in february

Ok, I have a few non-harpers clues that a friend made up... they are similar to the harper's. would anyone like the challenge?

Go ahead. Hit us with 'em.