Listener 4300: 22 Across By Calmac

[AHearer]

I suppose it had to come -- I mean both the theme and an easy one after a few gems. I am sure there could have been something more exciting by way of an end-game, but thanks anyway, Calmac.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, indeed but this has been tremendous fun, from the sussing of the theme after about ten minutes, right to the end, and it is great to have a relatively easy one to balance some of the tough ones we have struggled through. Most enjoyable, thank you Calmac.

[olichant]

A bit of a doddle (and one or two slightly curious definitions) but it was a relief not to have something as fearsome as the last few weeks'. Thanks, Calmac.

[Contrarian]

Yes, almost all of the misprints seemed to jump off the page, making the grid fill extremely simple.

[Zabadak]

Easy enough, but can't be sure of what's required by the final instruction - just a bit vague for my liking, especially the last word. Come to that, the middle words could be interpreted in at least two ways. Perhaps St Albans will be understanding of a variety of approaches.

[starwalker]

I also struggled with the final instruction. I am just about happy enough with my eventual resolution, but I feel that there should have been more. Thanks Calmac for filling in another small gap in my knowledge.

[jim360]

I thought the last word of the instruction was a little bit redundant, and misleading for that matter. Otherwise a nice puzzle in a week when I'm rather interested in the tennis. I suppose we can expect a few puzzles with a similar theme in all outlets for a while.

[upsetter]

Time to share one of the limitations of Google when battling with Tetris https://www.google.es/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=alatriste%20figura"

[olichant]

Upsetter - ouch, I sympathise. Especially given the LWO blog this week, which showed that the theme crumbled virtually instantly to a different google search...

[flocker]

does one element count twice in the end bit or am I missing something?

[BobHWW]

Just finished this after a nice evening in the pub. Yes the clues were rather easy and the theme a little predictable but good fun nonetheless. I liked the final endgame and I certainly don't consider the last word to be redundant. Thanks Calmac.

Well that's half the year gone and amazingly still all-correct (I think).

[upsetter]

Flocker - yes one element does double duty.

[scooterbug]

If I'm interpreting 29 correctly, "NI" should be "NZ", no?

[scooterbug]

Two other points:

1. One (and only one) of my answers is, technically, an abbreviation, but it is not indicated as one in Chambers (i.e., it is not marked as an "abbrev"). Moreover, this word is used in puzzles with some frequency, and I don't recall its ordinarily being singled out.

2. Would people agree that the abbreviation to be marked in the final grid is included primarily for purposes of symmetry? Its placement seems awkward (though perhaps not technically incorrect), and it's arguably redundant if one has correctly sussed the misprints.

I don't mean to give any hints. I think I get more paranoid with the relatively straightforward puzzles, when the prospect of tripping on a silly oversight seems all the more painful. Thanks.

[upsetter]

To Flocker - perhaps I was being misleading, one element is used twice but doesn't count twice.
To Scooterbug - according the the BRB NZ would be correct but it isn't THE misprint.

[Zabadak]

See, now, that's just what I'm talking about. Scooterbug's solution is very different from my first variation, and possibly different from my second thought, which I concede fits the instruction more satisfyingly than my first one as it accounts for the abbreviation. I also suspect that the title can be taken into account to finish properly, but as to whether that's compelled by the wording - can't tell.

[AHearer]

Scooterbug, I think NI is OK, but using the third rather than the second expansion of the abbreviation in the BRB.

[upsetter]

Thanks AHearer - you put us out of our misery.

[scooterbug]

Understood on 29 now, thank you. Was also dead wrong about the abbreviation among the answers - that part works, as well, so please disregard my comment. I'm still not in love with my interpretation of the final step, but since I seem to have had the correct answer with respect to my other misgivings - without fully understanding why - I suppose I will trust my gut and move on.

Customary Magpie plug - looking forward to the July puzzles. Thanks.

[s_pugh]

Quite a fun puzzle after a few toughies, but like others I found the final instruction and action a bit of an anti-climax.

Still it didn't dampen my mood this morning after opening the paper to find I was listed as a winner of the brilliant Tetris puzzle - very pleased it was that particular one - and a copy of the new 2014 BRB to boot!

[Contrarian]

s_pugh,

Don't hold your breath. I happened to be looking through some of the old puzzles this week, and I noticed that I was a winner back in February, but I've yet to receive anything.