Listener 4197 - Duet for One by Bandmaster

[Philoctetes]

No, I haven't finished it. I just thought I would point out that it is up on the usual site, but under the wrong date, 2012-06-29. Whether this is significant, I cannot tell (It was an old cat, Oswyn's, birthday, but I suspect that is irrelevant)

[vetuste_ennemi]

Well spotted. I checked half an hour ago and thought it was a bit later than usual.

[starwalker]

I haven't finished either, but I am enjoying it very much. As per usual from Bandmaster, very fair but not necessarily easy, although I have still no idea what is going on or what the final outcome is going to be. Of course, all this may change, but I doubt it.

[Walterloo]

Not finished either but I have enough of the further instructions to have an idea about something. And I'm looking forward to following it through. If I'm right.

[Zabadak]

Brilliant! Now all I have to do is finish it!

[Walterloo]

A late finish but it was worth it. I'm going to keep this short for fear of cheesing off anyone who hasn't solved this yet, but this is an awesome, astonishing achievement for Bandmaster. Thanks B.

[TheBear69]

I agree with you Waterloo...a superb Listener - challenging throughout but quite approachable.

[Zabadak]

This really is a "keep right on to the end of the road" which at one point I thought might be part of the theme. So many layers to play with, and each (mostly) satisfying. I do find myself with a substantial piece of the puzzle which, were I competing, I wouldn't send in, which seems a pity, and I spotted the object of the very last instruction long before completing the whole. But these are minor quibbles. A very engaging puzzle with a very original feel.

[Texasetes]

I don't often try to complete a Listener in one sitting, but I just couldn't put this one down. Whenever I thought about going to bed something in me said: "Oh, you've almost finished - give it another five minutes". So I did. Finally it's done, and now the sun is approaching the horizon. Do I care? Not a bit.

This is a fine example of grid construction based on a clever idea. Not ultra-hard, but a challenge, and very entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Bandmaster.

[silversolver]

Quite brilliant! Thank you Bandmaster for a superb and entertaining puzzle.

[midazolam]

Wholeheartedly agree, a fantastic PDM. One of the best of the year so far. Cheers Bandmaster

[upsetter]

Can't get "Snail born with outsized internal slit in Highlands" otherwise all finished. Grrrr

[pushmi-pullyu]

Blimey! You guys are something else. Coming to it half an hour ago my first reaction was to throw it away, which of course I didn't, but I'm awestruck that you've managed to finish it. I have two answers so far and of course no idea what to do with them. Good job it's raining.

[upsetter]

Schoolboy error resolved - is there a Saturday morning club?

To Pushmi-Pullyu - keep at it and prepare for the cascade of PDMs

[pushmi-pullyu]

Thanks for the encouragement Upsetter - I can't say the cascade has started, but I am making a little bit of progress.

[Mesnilpat]

I'm making slow progress, a few clues solved but no PDMs - yet. Having read previous posts, I'll stick at it. It's far too wet for gardening anyway.

[tilbee]

This was much easier than appeared at first glance. Have completed grid and have met all conditions required for submission. However there seems a major part of the instruction that appears optional ? Will have another look since sure I must be missing something.

[perseverer]

Took a couple of hours for the final penny to drop, but yet another absolutely brilliant construction.

[trux]

Most enjoyable, and with a great deal to admire in the precision of the construction. Many, many thanks, Bandmaster - this for me was one of the best of the year so far.

[Zabadak]

Tilbee: I agree on the "option" feel to this one, though I think you'd be very brave to send in the grid with the final instruction completed without the confirmation the "option" phase gives.
The point of this one was highlighted admirably by Texasetes: once you get into it, it leads you on (and on) with a kind of cruciverbal generosity: you just want to see how the next step works, and then do the one after that.
I'd love to see anyone managing this with the published paper, a pencil and a rubber only. Doubt it's possible.

[tilbee]

Zabadak: For 'completion' I have now resolved the 'option' which did indeed confirm my original solution (using the original paper copy of course !).