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Thanks to Paul for what was, for me at least, a tricky Prize.

Still haven't parsed all of 22d but, given the crossers, the answer can only be one thing.

Did you find it easy or, like me, at the harder end of the scale?

Let us know in the comments.

Stay safe:-)

Thanks to Paul.

I found this less tricky than Paul's norm and on the gentle side for a Prize. But I struggled with two double definitions which required enough time to disqualify an "easy" evaluation.

FOI 4a, LOI 11.

22 parses as 1, 4 where 4 is in "...a **** it is to trouble the mind's eye..."

My COD is 21 because of a nice misdirection. Runners-up 2, 9, 4d, 12.

No obvious "Pauline" entries, to my slight disappointment.

11 and 23 were the clues that gave me big trouble. 11 quite clever IMO but 23 less inspired. Having said that, most will likely find them easy. 🤣

I've been finding Paul's weekday puzzles extremely taxing, significantly more so than his Prizes. For some months now.

Thanks Geeker.

In 22d I completely misunderstood the use of "topped" in the clue as, usually, it means deleting a letter and didn't look past that.

11a was actually my LOI - it took me an age to see the second definition.

Exactly my experience with 11a!

PS. Is 6d verging on the non-sensical or am I missing something?

I know the wordplay, but is the definition really just "here"?

... I also needed Chambers to check the definition in 14d - I'd never haave connected them otherwise!

Brendan, I parsed 6d exactly as you did. Burned some time on it. Definition "here". I think it makes sense but is rather "infelicitous". 🤣One of several clues I found uncharacteristically clunky for Paul (of whom I've been a fan since he started setting for the Guardian).

Thanks again Geeker,

I thought I must be missing something, as surely the definition can't be anywhere on earth (or beyond?) that happens to fit that wordplay!