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I'm not sure why but the clue to 10d makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Is woman an acceptable synonym there even for Paul. Or am I being a tad over sensitive?

I had the same feeling, Rocky. On the other hand, setters are increasingly using feminine descriptors in non-gender specific contexts, so I suppose one could say that it cuts both ways. Perhaps in this case the problem is that the use of ‘woman’ here arguably reinforces a stereotype.
I’m not explaining this very well, am I?

No I get what you're saying Rog. I think in Mediaeval times they did refer to those as women. Others may have better knowledge than me on that.

Just the SW to go now. Great puzzle from Paul.

I'm having real problems posting on this forum the last few weeks. It only posts one in three of my efforts and just hangs the rest of the time. This is my third shot at this. Here goes.

Chambers says for the word in question…
1. A person, esp a woman
So I think it’s fine.

There’s an interesting discussion of this on quora, which I won’t link for fear of spoilers. The consensus among apparently reliable people is that it has always been gender-neutral, but that somehow it became associated with women in the popular mind.
So I’m going with ‘fine-ish’. But I won’t go to the……. over it.

Thanks Brendan for the link to the tennis match (your comment 10). It has some resonance with the Guy Goma / BBC interview nearly 20 years ago (available on You Tube) except he handled his predicament with a fair amount of skill. I probably wouldn't have known he was there by mistake if I had been watching live.

Hi everyone

I haven't looked at the crossword yet (or looked through the thread) as we are going out this afternoon, so doubt I'll get much time. I will as usual, attempt the quick crossword over lunch (it has been very difficult this week) and then the quick cryptic. I'll try and find time tomorrow.

Gender-related objection to 10d never even occurred to me...I've always considered the word in question to be associated with women. That must reflect 'popular' US usage, as I've never paid any attention to the field in question. There *is* considerable literature in spiritual/new age sections of bookstores (is "Wicca" related?), but I'm blissfully ignorant of the content.

Enjoy your lunch Roof. Lovely day for it.

I think geeker it is not totally the generic origins of the word. I think to use woman as a generic word for it is a bit offensive in this day and age. As I said I could be over sensitive about it.

Still completely stuck in the SW. Apart from 17d all answers completely blank.

I had a late start. I've managed most, but a bit stuck in the NW. I suspect I may have 2d wrong as I can't parse the end. Is it the place associated with Dr. Strabismus?