Ft Christmas Crossword

[Dominique_J]

I've just printed this off. Seven squares in the grid are highlighted in red.

The instructions state "The seven highlighted letters will reveal the theme and they precede thirteen thematic lights. The remaining nine thematic lights are featured there. None of these twenty-two clues contains a thematic definition."

Please could somebody translate this into plain English for me? What are 'thematic lights' for goodness sake? It says 'nine thematic lights are featured there' - where is there???

I must say this is this first time a crossword has go me wound up before I've even started!

[dannyk13]

Themetic means that there is a theme to those nine lights.

[Dominique_J]

Thanks for the answer, dannyk13, but I'm none the wiser. It what sense do the seven letters 'precede' thirteen thematic lights? I still don't get where 'there' is.

[Mamyalynne]

I dislike preambles that confuse and my plan with this one, if I ever get into gear is to start the crossword and see where it takes me.

[Fishcox]

Yes - it's wound me up too

[Dominique_J]

Sound advice Mamya!

[Mamyalynne]

26d looks a good starter

[Dominique_J]

I can't get 26dn - I don't know any Contraltos. I've got 5dn, though.

[dannyk13]

I would try to get the seven highlighted letters and go from there.

[dannyk13]

Dominique. this might help you:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_operatic_contraltos

[Mamyalynne]

26/20

Agreement from German - Ja
Contralto - C

+ anag. ask Gould

Jack Douglas

[Dominique_J]

Thanks again, Mamya. I'm not sure if I want to Carry On any further with this...... :-)

[Mamyalynne]

Understood

[Dominique_J]

Just got 4,26.

[Mamyalynne]

You're flying now.

[Dominique_J]

I'm not flying. I don't like Gozo's clueing at the best of times.....

[goodgoalie]

He seems quite prolific:
http://bestforpuzzles.com/people/j.html#Tom-Johnson

[Mamyalynne]

He is, but that's not always the word you mutter whilst solving;-)

[goodgoalie]

I reckon it's Dean Mayer's turn tomorrow to set the Sunday Times Christmas Crossword - that should make AB light up like a Christmas tree!

[Dominique_J]

Just got 6dn. Jacobean tribesmen (10) - illustrates perfectly why I don't like Gozo's clueing,

[Srlh]

I’m still lost...what’s a Jacobean tribesman?