Spectator 2152

[djawhufc]

Hi all

Doc this week- hopefully the Cricket reference is a ruse!

All the best

DJA

[AHearer]

Quite a tough one, given a few obscure words and the method of entry. I can't say I envy the checkers their task.

[professorplum13]

Any hints/clues on how to start "filling" the grid please?

[maurice]

I'm in the same position: got nearly all answers in their unmodified form, & not the foggiest how to adapt them! Been staring at it for many hours now. Never needed a tip so badly!

[barryjbutler]

Cheers Daniel. This is an odd one.

[taylorscotland]

Glad to discover I'm not alone. Have (most of) the answers, an empty grid and the sour taste of defeat.

[professorplum13]

Doc - you are so right- it's just not cricket! What a challenge!

[flobbo]

Perhaps 20ac and 4 d down might help but I can't get them.

[roslyn251254]

4d is hidden in the clue

[saladdodger]

Thought I'd finished but 27d is now wrong! Rethink!

[djawhufc]

I thought it was ob

A river and ob(it)

[Neveracrossword]

Can someone who's done this help me with 35 Down?
14 cut reading in the Hebrew Bible (3) ?r?

I have 14 and I know how to enter the answers - but I've been stuck on this small one for so long, I'm beginning to wonder if my 'r' is even correct!

[mathsman]

Neveracrossword, swap you the answer to 35 for a HINT on how to enter the answers in the grid; send me your e-mail address.

[Neveracrossword]

Mathsman, I worked my way through the dictionary and found the answer to 35. I have only email address, so I don't give it out - sorry! I got into this puzzle by getting 4 D and adding the instruction given in the first line of the preamble.

[mathsman]

neveracrossword.

Thanks

[mathsman]

Sorry, neveracrossword.

I have looked at entries against T. Unless the latest Chambers has another definition I can't see how any of them help. As to the first line of the preamble (The unclued lights (and 4 Down + N)) I can't see how that relates either. Am I alone in missing the connection? Perhaps not having the answer to to the clue numbered (4 Down + N) could be a handicap.

[shaneystar2]

Thanks as ever Daniel .
Mathsman I'm still staring at a blank grid too.I have answers to various clues and in spite of that I'm none the wiser and 4d still eludes me .I realise that T is the twentieth letter of the alphabet but still can't see the wood for the trees.I must be having a very senior moment :)

[Helveticus]

Doc's puzzles are usually straightforward, but this time...

It took a while before the penny dropped about how to enter the lights, but once you see it, it is quite simple, albeit a little time-consuming (Chambers is not required). I am stuck only on the intersecting clued lights 39A and 33D. Can anyone give me a hint to one of them?

[mathsman]

Helveticus,
I'm sure that your first observation is correct, but I'm afraid that that doesn't really help. Despite your reluctance to supply even a hint let me give you hints to help with your problem: the answer to 39A is defined by the first word; if you have the answer to 14, think of an example of that answer, cut off its tail and you have the three-letter result.

[Cloverjo]

Helveticus, it's a word for ambassador, made up of the name of a US railroad company and most of the word "cheek".

Can anyone help with 31a please?

[shaneystar2]

Its bévue Cloverjo. As I said I have some answers and am willing to share but have no idea what I'm doing otherwise :)