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Ukridge, Mattrom, I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be able to complete this puzzle: the complexities of entry already have “ma heid birlin.” But, quite ridiculously, Trapdoor 13 was a no-brainer for me as I have, relatively recently, trod across the same in the Galapagos. The Police circa 1979 applies.

Finally solved 32 (trapdoor) and 26! It's a good job that I solved 32 as I had gone the wrong way in entering the sausage (clue 19), but panic over, I've seen the correct path.

Now only need to understand what the instruction means.

.........i.e. the second instruction resulting from carrying out the first one

I recommend attempting to read each instruction in turn quite early in the solving process - it will help with the gridfill.

I can only assume that my full grid (or the grid on my spreadsheet) is hopelessly wrong as after an animal in the next message I have nonsense (again).

Gitto, at the risk of stating the obvious, check again that all answers seem to be entered correctly. There is only one right way, I think, so you should find an inconsistency. If not, if you have the first four words in the message, try swapping the second and fourth letters of the fifth line (you’ll need the equivalent swap lower down) and see if that helps generate a fifth thematic word.

Just four more clues to crack, i.e. Trapdoor 32 and Spinning 9a, 3d and 16d. Hints would be gratefully received.

0pt0, I’m assuming you know the extra letters.

Trapdoor 32 has been discussed earlier. Wrap is a noun.

9a contains hyphens. Check as in bill.

Bradford’s will help greatly for 3d, both for the governess and the answer.

16d contains the IVR for Chad

This is my second ever Listener and I'm sort of amazed at myself for getting nearly all the clues!


Unfortunately the NE corner has completely stumped me, so I kindly request a hint or two on any of 5a, 9a, 7d, 8d. Thank you!

That’s a remarkable effort, lemon, as these are some of the toughest clues you will see. Do you have Bradford’s Crossword Solver’s Dictionary? It will speed up your solving significantly.

5a parses 1, 5 (including an extra letter),1

9a parses 4 (inc extra letter), 3, 2. Has two hyphens in answer

7d four letter word for outside, containing two different abbreviations for barrel plus the usual concerning (inc extra letter)

8d old word meaning composed a song. Two letter abbreviation for theologian containing word for place (inc extra letter)