Listener 4149: Toga by Nod

[midazolam]

An enjoyable Listener debut from Nod

A concise preamble for once, straightforward clues and a nice finish to round it off. A few of the clues I had the wrong letter, despite being perfectly acceptable alternatives, which may have been deliberate.

Classic Listener fun. Thanks Nod

[perseverer]

Speravi - trying not to be too specific - regards the wordplay for 16d, the extra letter could come from either of the 2 parts which make up the wordplay

[Speravi]

Thank you, pereverer, for your kind hint - I'll take another look at it.

[Clamzy]

Speravi - If you ever watched the original Startrek you will be familiar with McCoy and his nickname should help.

[BlackHugh]

I'd finished this one Sunday - apart from 22a, which turns out to be in 2008 BRB but not earlier versions!

[contendo]

BlackHugh - If you're still using the 2006 BRB I'm surprised the cover hasn't fallen off, but don't buy the 2008 edition because I see there's a new one due out on 26th August.

[BlackHugh]

contendo - sadly I was using an earlier edition (1993!) as the cover had in fact come off my 2008. But thanks for the info. about another edition - I'll be ordering that when avaiable.

[IainGrace]

Eventually cracked this. Thought we knew what was going on but must have made a mistake when we wrote out the possibilities first time, having got the initial message. Second time lucky (or should that be unlucky?).

[abns]

After a few weeks off I think I must be rusty as I had a full grid and initial advice but then stared at it for hours not being able to work out what to do next. I was actually half way through writing a message on here begging for some sort of hint when inspiration hit and 10 mins later I have a completed grid.

[abns]

Plus I should have got it sooner as, having had a thematic section a couple of years ago we're hoping not to need another one imminently.

[silversolver]

Found this one very difficult - a quick grid fill and decoding of the advice, followed by days of head scratching (whilst on holiday). Fortunately the penny has now dropped and I agree that is was a very nice denouement. My PDM also arrived in the middle of the night like some of the others earlier in this thread.

[ichkeria]

The other way round for me - ages spent struggling with far from straightforward clues (with ropey surfaces). Once the correct extra letters had been determined the advice was pretty straightforward.
High time the "extra letter in wordplay" device was put to bed IMHO.

[Clamzy]

Similar opinion expressed on the other board. We used to have good thematics without them.

[easterfool]

As usual - coming in late - started on Thursday, but I do agree that this was a good one. Clues were kind to me and the usual extra letters came out nicely after a couple of hiccups (hiccoughs). My grandson could have helped me with 16d - unfortunately he was away on holiday! Then I stopped dead. Suddenly an inspiration, followed by exasperation as I couldn't see the way to the last act. Then bang and the pdm hit. Kicking myself like mad for taking so long. How can a new boy set such a good one? - I feel very inferior. Must start the new one soon!