Inquisitor 1355

[Gregsdad]

I've been off for a few weeks so this is first Inquisitor for a while so finding the end-game a bit of a struggle. I have the 36-letter observation and I think I know the 3-word phrase - something involving a voracious insect ? - but am struggling with some of the thematic entries and the connections between them. The ones I don't have are "Scotsman's bearing", "Part closely examined", "Poind formerly", and "Bard's brisk". Any pointers would be mucn appreciated. Thanks.

[Gregsdad]

I persisted and got there in the end. Another beautifully constructed puzzle from Lato with a literal depiction to the 3-word ritual !

[Indy-trier]

Hi Gregsdad
I changed bearing to beating and a Scots word for this is LALDY which seems to fit as the first pink down entry in the second row.
For Bard's brisk I thought it might be "brink" -Shakespearean MARGE which seems to fit as a down clue in the 4th row. I only started this yesterday so am nowhere near finished and could be wrong!!
I too am stuck on the others you mention - and also need help with 31A, 42A and 15D.

[Indy-trier]

Sorry Gregsdad, I've only just seen your second post. I would still appreciate some help though!

[Neveracrossword]

I finished this, but no longer have the crossword. If you reminded me of the clues for 31, 42 and 15, I should be able to help. The thematic entries were quite clever - I think I'm right in saying that the pairs are made up of entries close to each other.

[Gregsdad]

Hi Indy-trier

Thanks for your response.

For 31A I have I KNOW, with (O)IK =bloke and NOW = present.
For 42A I have SLEB =S + L(I)E + B
For 15D I have UNSINEWED= anagram of (L) INES in UNWED.

[boreas]

paSt closely examined= scand. (scand is an obsolete word, from the past)

poinT formerly= ord (another obsolete word)

[Indy-trier]

Thank you for your help, Gregsdad and Boreas. Sorted now!