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Darla, stick a 3 letter word for a male cat in front of his name and Google that with the word 'song'. It should explain it.

Foreign country, jono! The only time I ever went was on the south coast path from Purbeck - we were picked up there.

Weirdly, there's an old US folk song on the subject of 16, though details differ.

SPOILER ALERT https://tinyurl.com/ywxcm6rd

The last bit of the chorus has become a frequently used phrase over here.

I had no idea other than Roof there were so many Devonians on here. I'm a blow in of the last 9 years but anyone would know Mr Pearce from this part of the world.

Like you Tommytwotone I did a pass on all clues this afternoon, just had another look and have managed seven! So don’t give up will comeback tomorrow full of optimism after tonight’s small inroad. First one in was 7d.

dhope
7d my FOI too

Rogerm@39: I often find that a full grid and the cold light of day (although TBF today has been pleasantly warm) bring the clarity that was previously lacking. It's the half-filled grid and the determination that my 'answer' has to be right but I can't begin to justify it that twangs my neuroses!

Thank you all for the education re 16. I am, like geeker, familiar with the US equivalent, but that didnt prove useful here.

Well, I found this by far the most difficult Guardian crossword to get started on for years. Like some others who have commented here, I went through all the clues without solving one; I don't remember the last time I did that. However, eventually I made a start, and things gradually got easier. However (again like other solvers) I found an unusually large proportion of clues that I could eventually in but couldn't completely parse. For some of those clues when I eventually did fully parse them I really liked them (14 for example) but my COD is without a doubt 5d. I laughed out so loudly when I got that that I was surprised that my wife didn't ask me what on earth it was about. There are still six clues that I don't fully understand, but I've had enough, and will leave it there.