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I’m still stuck and would love to complete this as I am a 70s child.
Can I have a hint for 4a please?
Officer overcome by a cut drink (7)
Thank you.

the officer is cop inside a + a 3letter synonym of cut

defn alcoholic drink

Thank you, Scarlett.

To have really re-captured the zeitgeist of the 1970s, it would have been amusing to see the main course as SIRLOIN STEAK, and the words BERNI INN highlighted in the diagonal. The main course used here is far posher than any I ever experienced at that time.

I thought Angel Delight might be involved somewhere, given the title.

Lovely puzzle.

Nothing I try leads me to the answer for 16ac -"Old band follows Australian spies"(5). I have the whole grid filled in and have found the words to be highlighted, but I have one annoying blank cell to fill in! Any help would be appreciated to put me out of my misery.

Hi bigf, facia a variant of fascia.
f (following rather than follows) + a (Australian) + CIA.

Many thanks ginge. I was looking for a word for spies. Back to watching it rain now!

Love the suggestion of the inclusion of Angel Delight. Although I have the high-lighted word, I am having difficulty with the main course and can't think of anything to fit.
As I am still missing 19 (Waterfowl by the banks of Exe river (in air) did have scoter but couldn't make sense of it) & 25(Inability to talk in the manner of abrupt story teller) I have large gaps so some heavy hints would be appreciated, also for 8a (Language experts twice apprehended by American deserters)
Many thanks

MM, Scoter isn't right for 19 - but the answer does begin with S. The definition is 'air', as in a song. You need a four-letter waterfowl, very common, then the usual 'banks' of 'Exe'.


8. The answer is 'language experts', experts in a specific language. 'Twice apprehended by American' gives you 2 x one letter. The 'deserters' are the usual short crossword word.

PS The main course wasn't what I'd have come up with. Do you like sausage rolls? It's a posh version!