Jockie (and anyone else) - I would say it is virtually impossible to work out the relationships by looking at the numbers without getting the phrase first. Much better to focus on the phrase. I sympathise with your position Jockie. I could easily have been in the same position but had a fortunate moment of inspiration on the 9.
Done with 34 minutes to spare. I take my hat off to Elap, and to all those who got there a d——d sight faster than I did. A phenomenal piece of setting. No more sums until late August, for which much thanks.
Jockie, this is one of those puzzles where there's almost as much pleasure in following others' progress as in the completion. I, too, find myself hat-less to Elap's deserved benefit. I can imagine creating the occasional word puzzle, but this? Never. What a joy.
I have a full grid except for 7 down, the message and the instruction. So far it's been fun, but now I can't see what to apply the instruction to. I've investigated all sorts of possibilities in Set 2 but nothing jumps out. Hmm.
Not everyone welcomes the numerical puzzles, but for me this was the most impressive Listener I've come across, a sustained challenge in ingenuity and creativity. Terrific!
After three days of trauma I know have a full grid. My message seems to be 2,5,5,5,5,1,5,4, but not a clue what it is supposed to mean!!! I do not think that I have restarted a numerical before as many times as this one has required.