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I think I might be have finally sorted out my problem

I'd put the "war zone" answer where the "small price for boat" answer should go. I've now swapped them around and all the pieces of the jigsaw finally seem to be slotting into place.

Still have to fully parse the "small amount of petrol" and the "no cheating" clue, to make sure I've got them right but, fingers crossed, I might have this finished soon:-)

So having figured out the dance clue I went back to a blank grid and systematically worked through it. As I suspected a couple of my 4 letter solutions were off but became clear as I went. All done now.

Okay, can I just double-check my parsing for the 2 clues I referred to in my last post.

No cheating ..... - I've got a 4 letter "market" although I suppose it must be "hoop-la market" otherwise I can't see why that game is in the clue, then the 2 theme letters followed by 2 letter "note" - definition is "no cheating" (but isn't the answer is 4,4?)

Small amount of petrol ... - I think it's 2 letter "small amount of petrol" then the theme letters with the definition being "court's surface"

If I get the okay on these I can finally say I've finished.

brendan - I have both those solutions as you do - and it surely should be 4-4 for the no cheating word(s)

Many thanks Prospero for the confirmation.

Thanks also to Maskarade for a wonderful puzzle.

I think it relates to the bird atop of the famous building rather than an abbreviation, does it not?

Am two solutions short of completion and would greatly welcome a hint on the following:
Cold in the head in country’s outer part (6)
And
Shade plants are hopeless outside (6)
Any help much appreciated
Thanks

Hi Willianseal,

The wordplay in both clues is the same.

Cold in.. - the crucial part is "country's outer parts" (doesn't have to mean just the first and last letter) - definition is "cold in the head"

Shade... - same as above with "hopeless outside" - definition is "shade plant"

Hi everyone

I've been too busy today to resume until an hour ago when I added two more answers including the bossy woman. I got the answer yesterday but couldn't parse it, but now I can.

I'm very frustrated that I haven't managed to solve 2ac. I had assumed it was an anagram of Virgin sneered. I have several crossers, but can't think of anything. A hint would help me fill in a few others.

I still haven't sorted out my French mole. I have all the other 5 letter answers and the last one should be ??U?E, but I have no idea. A hint please.

I'll see if I can make more progress, but at least I got the greenhouse sorted - all the bubble wrap removed and the floor swept. My wonderful daughter was a great help.

Hi Roof,

I think you meant 8a and you're right, it is an anagram just like you said - the answer plays on the fact that while Virgin still have planes (and pilots) and spaceships (and astronauts) they used to run another transport business but no longer, hence "former employees"

The French mole clue is also the name of a brownish grey colour.