Spectator 2566...

[Matakari]

Good evening, it’s Pabulum again for me and things are falling into place at a gentle pace. I’m anxious to crack the theme, but am stuck on some clues for which I would appreciate answers. Thanks in advance!

23 ( A) Boundary abutted Spain (4) : ??T? (METE)
40 ( A ) Highlander all but insanely flinging (7) : ?A??S??
44 (A) Thrash in Argyll? (4) : ?O?? (ROUT)
49 (A) Fools with lost marbles (6) : ?L??E? (ALLIES )
51(A) Rotter upset many (4) : T??? (TROT)

6(D) Short Hibernian lass … (4): ???N (ERIN)
9(D) Thin smoke makes insect perish (6) : B???I?
10(D) One busy nun catching sergeant fish? (7) : E???N??

[Toorak]

9 beedie

[novalis]

25 - yes
40 anagram of insanel
44 - sock
49 - yes
51 - units of weight used to mean lots
6 - Hibernian = Irish - shortened that
9 -3 letter insect + perish
19 - e is wrong - starts with I and last three letters are an anagram of nun

[novalis]

Should have added that the clue for 14 down is missing.

[Neveracrossword]

Doc, the crossword editor, has been told about the missing clue - and is asking Pabulum to come up with one!
Matakari, I hope you fixed your mistakes - and get the grid finished off. It was a good, satisfying puzzle.

[Matakari]

Many thanks, novalis, toorak and NACW! I'm finding the rest of the puzzle quite instructive!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari. There were several toughish clues, but nothing you couldn't manage!

[novalis]

I'm sure you will finish this one with no further help. As NACW says, a couple of toughish clues but manageable. I actually knew the capital and the National Anthem. (Trivia picked up setting and taking part in quizzes.) Fingers crossed the missing clue appears or I may have to attempt a ridge of gravel or sand.

[johnpiper]

How frustrating about 14D
I am not sure i understand the wordplay for 40A could anyone enlighten me?
Or that i understand 1D wherei have T?T?P
or 20a which presumably is ?L?S answer Alas?

[roslyn251254]

20a Atlas is the titan ...lose the T(it)

[roslyn251254]

40a anagram of insanel(y) {most of insanely anagrammed)

[roslyn251254]

1d legless indicates anagram... skip about gaily is the defn
Chambers word wizard good for anagrams

[johnpiper]

Remove one t -I see very droll
thanks everyone

[Farrwest]

Novalis - your reply to Matakari was very useful. However I think I must have been barking up the wrong tree as I still can't spot any of the answers to the 'unclued' You mention knowing the capital and anthem. Any help would be much appreciated!

[Neveracrossword]

Farrwest, maybe a good look at the diagonals will be revealing. The 'three words' indicates it's probably not a short answer....

[novalis]

Capital is Port Vila and anthem Yumi, Yumi, Yumi