Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Roof. The final version of 12d might be clued 'Geriatric teacher could paint a bit' (3,6).

Are my letters correct now then for 15ac w*d*k*r?

Barney, the D is wrong

Doh! D in the wrong place. Got it now

That was fun. The PDM for the theme came fairly early and with the “relative positions” prompt in the preamble it was pretty plain sailing. Took time out to visit the pair of swans on the farm reservoir. The pen has had a torrid time the last two years. She lost her long term mate to a power line in 2020 then all her cygnets to predation and a sudden freeze. Last year she had a new young cob but the “toy boy” did not help her to produce fertile eggs and it was a barren season. This year she has another new partner, older and bigger. He is currently on the nest while she is feeding and gathering more nest material. 8 eggs already and she may not have finished laying given that he is minding the clutch.

Hi noeyedeer

I've collaborated with my friend in Sheffield and we've filled in a lot, but still have a sugnificant number of gaps, Including 21ac, 33d, 34ac, 40ac and 60d. I also haven't got 5 and 6d. My biggest concern is that I have some two letter themes repeated. Should I have?

I did find time to prune the lower half of my fuchsia, but when my back started hurting it was time to come in for some tea and simnel cake.

Yes Brendan, it is perfectly edible. I cut the burnt top off and decorated the top. In fact it is delicious - I can taste the brandy and rum that went in (250ml).

Hi Roof,
They are definitely not repeated. I found it useful (essential even) to look at a map, as their positions relative to each other in the grid are broadly accurate ;-)

Sounds yummy Roof 😛

21a - This is a homophone a word the Australians use to describe something that is "smashing" but the "isle" in in Scotland - thematic pair are last 2 letters.

34a - I didn't really of this guy as poet but more a writer of fables - 2 letter "river" )a specific one) and 3 letter "waters" both reversed/ebbing

40a - Straight anagram

60d - See mine and Jono's @27 and @28

33d - Double definition of both an "earthenware dish" and a "rich brown spicy sauce" made from vinegar, wine, tarragon, brown sauce and a dash of Tabasco! Thematic pair are the 2nd and 3rd letters.

Sincere apologies Roof,

40a - Is not an anagram - it's a word meaning "inlay" and can also go aver "silver" in a common saying.