Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Hi aristo et al, I just assumed they had to appear in order since I haven't heard of "it, the theme" before and so I've no idea of how it worked in practice.

aren't these things normally consecutive if you ignore any dark squares.
if it's non - consec' - would you count the last column as 3 reading bottom to top?
will have to think on it.

Hi Trevor, I may have picked up aristo wrongly but I took his comment to mean 4 consecutive squares containing 2 "n" s, an "i" and an "a" in any order.

However, as much as I enjoyed this puzzle crossword wise, I'm settling for my 12 "Nina" s (other than 1a) as I've no wish to transform it into a "Wordsearch" puzzle which I can't abide, generally.

Mattrom is correct. I'm positive the preamble meant straight lines as horizontal & vertical.
The number is verified by 40 D; it's the artist's trademark:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Hirschfeld#Nina
Some humour in paragraph 4.

Fair point syzygy, I did say the theme was alien to me, however in puzzles such as "the listener" messages are quite often "hidden" diagonally and in themed shapes such as "circles".

from the preamble, i don't see why diagonals or 1 across don't count?
anyways, my feeling is 12 - same as Ginge - but i am including 1 across.

4 upsydowny's (i think ginge made this 5?)
5 leftright's (including top line)
...and a few diagonals (left to right)
2 down,
1 up

the wind is howling and the pub shut earlyish so i would like more ale but i'm still half- cunt.

Granted, the preamble could have been a little clearer, but I stand by my point @25.

Sorry the link broke. This site has problems with some. A simple solution is to
Select (click & drag) to highlight the whole link
Right click for the menu
Left click Open Link in New Tab
or try this: http://preview.tinyurl.com/qdckthy

Paragraph 2 explains it & 40D verifies it.
Paragraph 4 has the anecdote:

In Hirschfeld's book ...
... She answered that she had found only 11 of 39 NINAs and would not give up until all were located.

I'm afraid some of you may have succumbed to that. (-;

Here's my solution:
http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-WQdeO9wXEHaXFtX3NySklaOWs/view?usp=sharing

Ginge has the correct count for the H & V instances. 1A doesn't count as it's not "hidden", & I suspect the diagonals (blue) were accidental & could have been avoided with a rewrite. Good eye though, Ginge.
http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-WQdeO9wXEHR3VNbnJpVTB1ZnM/view?usp=sharing

Well, it was fun & I have several of the same clues starred.

@Trevor #27 - I'm loath to ask what the other half is. )-8

We'll know for sure next month.

oops, bit of a Freudian slip there Syzygy, i meant to say i was half cut. oh well, in vino veritas.
ok, you've convinced me, i reckon you are right. the last time i disagreed with you (and Aristo' i seem to remember) over one of these i was proved wrong - something to do with X's?

ps. for some reason i had put Panan instead of Panin for 28d which also threw my count. sloppy.

I was wondering how he would know about that for sure next month, trevor; I thought you two might have arranged a meeting. :) I must say I was a bit startled by your comment.