Listener 4137: Frightened Catherine by Ifor

[midazolam]

An enjoyable Listener début from Ifor (although a setter that I have solved in the Magpie, EV and IQ).

I was wondering why this needed to be a carte blanche as I was solving it, but the little twists justified it. Clever theme that was well constructed. Thanks Ifor

[email protected]

[Mysterons]

One of the unclued entries had a name change in 1948, so is now 'outdated'

[abns]

Oh, I wondered, if it had something to do with that. If that's it I think it's slightly unsatisfying, as I felt the preamble wording implied that the partners no longer corresponded, which (as far as I know) they do.

[JackDeCrow]

Enjoyed this one - it seemed to save its PDMs until very close to the end. Have to say I still don't see how the unused clue explains the missing letter from the title, but very happy with all the rest!

[abns]

Jack - from someone who thought they'd "finished it", I can recommend persevering with understanding the missing letter.

Also make sure you're looking at the right clue (I somehow wasn't even though I'd filled the grid in correctly) - once you are it's fairly clear how they're linked.

[Mysterons]

It's the part in parentheses Jack (think abbreviations)

[bellabee]

as i see it - if something wasn't 'missing' then both items could be constructed in any direction. as it is one of the items cannot be constructed in one of the directions - so that is what really determines which goes where. i liked that bit but thought the other elements were add-ons really [and anyone with prior knowledge would have a good idea from the start what the 2 final requirements were to be, so little 'ambiguity' for those solvers then]. i did enjoy this though - only not THAT much.

[JackDeCrow]

Doh! And, indeed, double Doh! I was looking at the answer, not the actual clue. Many thanks for making me go back and read it again.

[cluelessJoe]

Just as an aside, it occurs to me that we are due a number puzzle next time around
.. so you thought a carte-blanche was bad news!

[Clamzy]

Well cJ at least I won't be plagued with those ****** bars:-)

[TheBear69]

abns, one of the 'convergers' is no longer in common use, or at least is usually referred to by another, shorter word with the same 1st letter

[BlackHugh]

err - I think I have solved everything: all clues apart from the ignored one, the phrase (I'm definitely going for the mathematical one) and the outdated (although still in widespread use - until today I didn't even know it was outdated) corresponding couple including the two clue numbers. The small irritating itches I have though are that I didn't notice any ambiguity about which clue to ignore, I have a proposed (thematic) answer to the ignored clue, the (5,5) didn't give me any help on anything and finally I cannot explain the missing the missing letter in the title.

[midazolam]

you need to solve the one you have ignored....are you sure it is the right one?

[Deviant]

OK, despite my terror of carte blanches, I have solved all of the clues and have everything except which word to put where and the 2 clue numbers - I can think of 3 relevant to the convergence. Didn't think there was any doubt about the clue to "ignore". Think I understand the link between the title and omitted clue.

[Cruncher]

Very enjoyable puzzle. I do like carte blanches. It's very satisfying when they all fit into place and a nice tumble of PDMs at the end.
It is a small matter of personal pride but I did post a message on Poat's Cruciverbalism alluding to the 'double message' hoping that anybody who hadn't explored the redundant letters might do so. From previous memory of his crosswords it seemed unlikely that there would be any redundant material.
Aargh the number puzzle awaits....

[Philoctetes]

Just looking for the two clue numbers and no idea where to start looking. Anywhere on Wiki?

[JackDeCrow]

Funnily enough, Philoctetes, the BRB is extremely helpful in that regard!

[contendo]

No progress in the last three days. The combination of the surplus clue and the title seems to suggest the way forward, but leads me to ask "OK, but how?". In particular how to choose what to do with the unches. The outdated corresponding couple haven't lept from the grid to signal their presence.

[Clamzy]

Contendo - Is that because you are looking for another couple?

[contendo]

Clamzy - No, I'm not approaching it with any preconceptions.

[jamesah]

Very enjoyable. I have only just realised the significance of the two clue numbers! Yet another excellent debut- we are really very lucky.