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Hi roof
Theme anathema to me too!
16a is the last word of 15,16, so I don't see what you mean by not having it?
21 typical "holy person", then A inside aword for "just" (in a legal sense)
16 put a C(onservative) in an abbreviation for one of the days, after a "period of occupancy"; definition "leaves" ( as a noun).
20 the egg might be found in the hair....?

Many thanks Chris

Only just returned after watching two parts of Down Cemetary Road on Apple (the only streaming service we have). My husband insited on watching the second one.

Anyway, I've finished now. I'm not sure why I couldn't get 16ac straight away. It was obvious, but I've not seen the film. Many of the clues are very fiendish. I shall look at the crossword again tomorrow and see if I can work out the parsing for some of the answers.

Now I have to do the washing up!

Similar experience micky and finished after help from geeker.
Totally agree with your comments on “puerile smut” thank you good to know there are others who object to being expected to giggle at the juvenile humour.
Having finished realise there are many contenders for COD 12 and 4 as well as my original 25.
At least we didn’t have to wake up at 2am last night, as someone who has suffered the humiliation of watching England lose five tests in Australia I am so pleased I decided against the trip this year.!






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Having finished realise there are many contenders for COD 12a and 4a as well as my original 25.

I rather liked this typical Paul in as much as I can plod my way through it slowly, things dropping in to place.
I still dont get the parsing on 13a though believe i have right answer as someone who is articulate. I can only see the [usual] gold.
I am quite amused by 16d as it may be having a swipe at a conservative who was outlasted by a vegetable 😀

Sorry I have now seen hint below. Very good.

Edpeckham, 13a is a 4 letter word which can just about mean "and", which bags (i.e. contains) the usual "gold" and the standard abbreviation for the name of a UK medal.

Oops sorry , senior moment !

While 22a did have me listening to some old Tupac, 6d prompted me to go on YouTube and rewatch the video of En aranjuez con Tu amor by the Grimethorpe Collierry Band - I've never seen the film but who doesn't love a bit of orange juice 😉

A very difficult but enjoyable crossword
FOI 5a LOI 1a which was also a COD. I couldn’t fully get 8d but happy I’ve got a right answer. Other COD 24’ 9, 19 and 13a 6d I couldn’t see how 15 & 16 a was smutty but maybe I’ve led a very sheltered life. Now sitting down to watch Spurs stick it to Woolwich Wanderers aka Arsenal this afternoon

Finally, some time to review my answers to yesterday's crossword. I'm happy with them all but still cannot parse a couple, namely 4 ac, 15/16across, 17ac, 22ac and 2d.

I did enjoy doing it. I do like Paul. Personally, I don't mind the smut if it makes me laugh.

My FOI 10ac, LOI 26d, which is also my COD