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Thanks, Quisling. I often enjoy tackling a 'new' puzzle more than any of my 'regulars'. And yes, I'm sure many of the Forum queries are responded to (with answers or hints) by cold solvers.

PS That sentence wouldn't have taken long to type, but it seemed to be essential for this puzzle.

Pamd, I seldom look at the Guardian Prize thread, so I’m unaware of any difference in convention. I assume that in all prize puzzles verbatim answers are frowned upon. But if I’ve unwittingly transgressed, mea culpa. Please do put me straight

Quisling, panic not! The convention - only a convention, nothing more - is that hints only are given for Guardian/Observer puzzles. If someone asks for an answer, it's perfectly reasonable for them to be given one - Norah has reminded us of this several times. The only 'no answers' thread is the Listener one (and that was because that's what most people wanted when Norah sought views).

I find people on threads relating to “mainstream” newspaper puzzles much worse at replying or thanking than most thematic ones. It should wash over me, but it’s my weakness. I think this site relies disproportionately on a few people such as yourself who never need help but are happy to offer it, and it would be a shame if any of them decided it was no longer worth the candle. I’m perilously close to that point

Quisling, yes, not everyone is grateful for the help that they're given and some people sometimes don't even acknowledge it. It's irksome, but I try not to let it bother me - and it's definitely offset by the appreciative responses from other solvers! And as well as helping where I can, I enjoy some of the chatter and banter on the Forum - on the whole, it's a nice, friendly place to drop into.

I always enjoy trying to cold solve clues from old or random puzzles like those posted by Whetstone or the occasional TLS. By their nature they tend to be the ones that might be a little controversial or tricky.

Probably the longest I have ever spent on a crossword but well worth it .Maskarade is a worthy successor to the master Araucaria. Absolutely brilliant .
Thank you Maskarade.

Phew. Made it in the end, but the last few were a slog. These jumbos are always a long distance run for me, rather than a sprint, but it’s great to make it.

I don't know where I've gone wrong. I've completed all the down clues and everything seems to fit BUT . . . I have two clues that have used RI and no clues that have used RM

I've checked and rechecked every one and can't see where I've mucked up.

I'm then left with 3 "ordinary" clues (I've used all the ?R combos):
22a (Posh car's two birds - (6)) - which looks like an obvious luxury british car marque but can't see how it relates to two birds
34a (Note to look up recording that's not around USA oddly (4,5)) - although I have a couple of phrases that would fit, none seems to fit the word play or definition
60a (End of branches regularly block the way (6)) - again I can see an obvious answer that fits a definition of "way" - but can't see the word play

Your RI clue should be 36d. Look again at your 4d.

If you look up 22a in Chambers you should see two different ones at definitions 10 and 11.

34a drop the “round” from recording, then anagram of USA around the extra letters.

60a last two letters of two words, then a verb meaning stem