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A very difficult one ( for me, at least). Only about 5 answers so far, including 28a T----T, but I don't understand the last two words in that clue.

I also have an idea for 23d, but it doesn't quite make sense vis-a-vis Cupid, more to do with a deer!

Any ideas, anywhere, please!

This is the hardest for a while, even when you know how it all works. It's a bit early to be giving the game away. The last two words of 28a are just to help the surface, and was Cupid not one of Rudolph's cohort? Good luck

Hardest for a while. All clues done apart from the Hilfiger one. What is going on here? The only H I know is Tommy, and if Dysart is using "Hilfiger's" to convey a US usage it's a bit unfair - such things are normally conveyed by the name of a place. Or am I being thick?

cockie, you're not being thick at all about that being the use of Hilfiger. It was my last one in too, as it happens. If it helps, that part only leads to the first letter of the answer

I am mystified by the endgame to this puzzle, which hitherto I had enjoyed, in that although the 14 cells can be appropriately outlined I cannot see how either of the 2 words (assuming they are TZ) which need highlighting touch a corner. Also, if the obvious change- in the NW quadrant - to show the vessel is made the word crossing its middle letter is not 'real' to my knowledge. Does anyone have some insight as far as either query is concerned please ?

Agree with you about the highlighting, son1, it doesn't make sense to me either. Re the entry to be altered, it isn't in the NW corner, that is a haymaker of a red herring! Look for another 5 cell entry...

Agree about the lovely red herring, crucifer. Re the touching words, do your B and N not touch at a corner?

Yes they do, keepatit! So that clears it up. But I think the highlighting is a bit of a dog's dinner, and spoils an elegant and entertaining puzzle

I quite agree, crucifer. And it's a pity, because it was an excellent challenge. After the elegant red herring that infelicity (and the capricious use of Hilfiger) were a slight letdown

The Hilfiger clue: it was unfair, inaccurate and pretty much insoluble without the crossing letters. I'm surprised the editors let it through. But then, they did let that bloody hare through