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Hello fellow puzzlers! Haven’t posted for a while but tune in every week. This puzzle is a beast! My husband keeps telling me it’s supposed to be enjoyable as I’m cursing my way through so many clues! I’m determined to finish but only about half way at the moment….. I find some of the final clue words are so obscure they don’t appear in my paperback chambers or online crossword solvers, or in my brain 😳😂 anyway, would love a bit of help!

I was equally stuck with 12d (and still am) does the pre theme word more often appear as two words or at least hyphenated?

Also - 1a, I think I have a 5 letter ostentatious jewellery but don’t get the sides swapping or how on Earth to make a word once the theme letters go in! So I think my 5 letter word is wrong! Hoping getting that or 1d might help me in the north east corner. Also need help in south east corner so a clue/hint for any of the following would be marvellous! 49d or 50d or 75a.

Thanks all - certainly keeping me entertained this long weekend!

75a - stout think in terms of a type of beer. Then overall it's a haulier.

A hint for 15ac please. Are my letters correct w*o*k*r. Hope thats not too much of a spoiler.

your O is not correct. What thematic item is to just to the right of the one in 1D? (I suspect you plugged in the one to the south?).

Thanks Buddy. Now still can't get 15ac but will keep thinking

Thanks Docrum!

barny, it's a cryptic def, and not a very good one I think. If you cut your throat doing this, you're doing it all wrong.

I'm with you noeyedeer. It is a beast and there are no definitons for the word once you include the two letters, which I think is unfair.

I'm about half way but struggling over every clue. I took the precaution of writing down all the possible two letters from the theme, but it doesn't help much. I can't get 12d despite the hints. I have the same letters as Rocky7 and haven't managed to work out where the theme letters go.

But I can explain 1ac. It is the 5 letter word you are thinking of but the sides ar from left ro right and the theme letters are in the middle. I've been expecting them at the starts or the ends.

Similarly, I haven't got 49d, but I have got 50d and 75ac. I see you have the latter now. 50d definition is musical style. The clue splits Way (4), service (2) and brighten up (4).

Best of luck

Got the north west corner, now just south west to go and a few odd ones in the middle - getting there slowly!

Completely agree Roof! We’ll have earnt ourselves a cup of tea and a slice of simnel cake (afraid mine is shop bought!) after all this!! I might swap tea for wine mind you! Thanks for your tips, I’ll have another look