Inquisitor 1217

[RossR]

Is nobody but me having any difficulty with this? I have solved many of the clues but cannot spot any "thematic modification" that would enable me to actually enter anything. Could somebody please offer a small hint?

[doorbell]

all entries are shorter than the answers

[RossR]

I noticed that, doorbell, but it hasn't helped yet.

[Laphria]

I am in the same situation - each answer loses one-third of its letters, but I don't see which third, nor do I see consistent matching of checked cells, nor can I see the relevance of that rule.

[Geoff.T]

For a hint think about Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Geoff

[Telescoper]

I agree. I don't think there's enough information to solve this; not even a clue to what the theme is.

[Telescoper]

As far as I can see the only way to make the solutions fit is to delete every third letter starting with the first. According to the hint from above, I reckon this might be related to the Ancient Mariner "And he stoppeth one of three".

[Geoff.T]

Well done Telescoper. You should be there now ....
Geoff

[Telescoper]

I have to admit that I really detest crossWORD puzzles like this in which the solution that is entered in the grid is not a WORD, but a random jumble of letters.

[Geoff.T]

Each to his own I suppose, but these are not exactly a random jumble of letters and the Inquisitor is always a themed crossword. The perimeter entries gave a big clue. I always enjoy Inquisitors
Geoff

[haggis58]

GeoffT - I am slowly inching forward but I still can't see the perimeter entries. I have two answers (29ac and 10d) but just unable to fathom the two words to enter in each. Any help?

[Laphria]

Haggis - apply the same rule, but to words not letters.

[haggis58]

Laphria - not sure what you mean, e.g. for 10d I have ho?e?ea?t? for england.

[Laphria]

If you solve 29ac (4), the letters you have should allow you to enter the other 2 of 3 in the spaces. For 10d, I had to Google to find the phrase, which I had never heard before, but the letters you have, which are correct, should allow you to guess at the first word to be entered (4).

[haggis58]

I must be thick! Still can't grasp it. For 29ac I have ?o??c?n?le for bell. Second word candle perhaps?

[Geoff.T]

Hi and good morning
You are correct with 'CANDLE'. Think of what might make a threesome with 'BELL' and 'CANDLE' (Think of exorcisms perhaps).
That should set you off to find the other sets. One is a very old children's TV programme, the other a common idiomatic phrase and the third was a new one to me - a quote from a poem)
Geoff

[haggis58]

Thanks Geoff - have now got 29d. Which one is the children's tv programme?

[Geoff.T]

Hi Haggis (it seems funny to say that)
I haven't got the crossword in front of me so I am speaking from memory. The right hand side is the quotation. The childrens TV programme (which is really old - Black and white) comes from a three letter answer. The clue includes an indication of the letter 'G' from good or grand. I think from memory it might be the top across. The TV programme would be ???, ??G and ??????? with the second group of three being the clued word.
Geoff

[haggis58]

Thanks Geoff now have it. Still trying to work out the perimeter answer to the clue "Excuse, satisfactory after moderation"

[haggis58]

Think I've got it assuming the answer is take for.

[haggis58]

Still can't get 2ac and 5d: feel sorry for one grasping cactus = ??t?y?