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Thanks both for the nudges on 7, 9 and 17.

It would be a good idea to change the heading on this thread as the number is incorrect.

Sorry, Baretta and all, my fault...
My brain is knots, so will cook supper and come back to this later...

I have the answer that provides the theme (22,23) but I am failing to see how to apply it.

I have the bottom right filled in with the exception of 26. It seems clear that this would be a thematic solution b/c whatever the answer is, it must not be a real word. The wordplay is pretty obvious, but again - since it is not a real word, I have no idea what to enter.

You have to substitute a word for a 22 for a word for a 23 (which has a very broad definition) into the affected clue. In 26 the 3rd, 4th and 5th letters are a place-name which is a 23 and have to be substituted by a three-letter for a 22. "A long mop" is an anagram of the entered solution.

...and 9a and 17a are affected clues, so how have you entered them? Also 11a.

Ah, thanks - I see it now.

To answer your question, I haven't solved those clues yet.

Baretter, the clues are not all anagrams like 26. You need to think of a word for what you have guessed to be the definition e.g. 9ac, definition = prisons, so, C for cold + a plural word that can mean 23, then replace that with a word for 22 which fits with the crossing words. The original word will not fit with the crossers. Do all the non-theme ones first.

Having said all that I still don't have 13dn!

Btw, I was stumbling on 26 b/c I was convinced the definition before modification was going to be a 9 letter word that happens to share the first 4 letters of the correct 8 letter definition before modification. I.e. I was thinking of one you'd find outside rather than the one you'd find inside (if that makes sense - sorry, trying to not spoil it for others)

Sorry, that should have started Bosun.