Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Escuan, you have to get the theme before you attempt the manipulation. Perhaps you have an error in one or more of your 'correct' letters. There are two words to the theme, the first word being a name in it's possessive form. The second is a seven-letter common noun.
Once you have the theme you'll see the relevant 40 letters in the grid, but you'll need to carry out the manipulation to clear up some ambiguities in the highlighting. Applying the first three words of the instruction may not be immediately obvious.

I think my problem with this puzzle is that although I have an almost complete grid, bar 35dn, 5 dn, 23ac and 20 acr. I only have definitely located 8 of the thematic 13. These do not seem to make sense. Any advice anyone?

Simon

All 4 of those are in the thematic 13.

35d- Incorrectly entered letter is E- should start with W instead. Def Long ago all that
5d " " E- should end with G instead. Def waterway in the centre
23a "" O- penultimate letter should be r. Definition nuking device
20a "" G. 2nd letter should be N. Definition Troops' troupe

If you need a nudge let me know

Thank you for that. My sequence now...

i?dnsrimaege

Which seems meaningless.
Hmmm!

I can only say that the second word I have is 7 letters, not one of which matches the same position in your last 7.

.... but, of course, yours aren't sorted.
Still don't agree many of them though.

Ah. Ordering wrongly. Once ordered all made sense
Thanks for help

In my view, s.s., your E is wrong, but you need another I, another D, and a W.

Phew! Finished at last. Just need to justify the E misprint in 2Dn. Can anyone help? I even made the construction - my other half just thought I was sad when I said what it was! Happy to help if anyone else is still struggling.

I think 2dn is STAL(E) out (ie an archaic term for stale).

I've got the theme, and the instruction, but still can't find the hidden words.