Spectator N0 2603

[Matakari]

Good morning, an intricate bit of solving! I'm stumped by
the following for which I would appreciate some hints.
Thanks in advance!
(Preamble: Puzzle 26 is 6A 18 40 1A 27 40 6A 41 6A 37 40 24 10 40 6A. )

17a Endorsement secured by small firm backing antenatal centres (7) O?IT??S
4d Austrian bread, once cold, put into mostly coarse layers (9) ?RO??A??S
9d Advocates of three-way agreement subsequently pressed by judges? (14) ?R?L?S?R?L?S??
12d The Bard’s to lift up stupid person lying across main road (6) A?A?T? (ABATTU)
25d Old philosophical doctrine uses sin to corrupt maiden (8) ?E?S?I??

[bobbinwales]

yes... see johnpipers posts!

[klazomaniac]

Times is correct.
If you have all the answers to the preamble numbers. You will find that it is an equation. Once you get the answer, It will become apparent !

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, I hope you've cooled down now and can see how the puzzle, the themed stuff works. I think you make life difficult for yourself at times!

[klazomaniac]

Hi NAC, I have subscribed to the Times on line. But I can't find the Listener crossword anywhere. Can you direct me please.

[Neveracrossword]

Klazo, I've never been a Times subscriber, so don't have a clue! I think you should just start a new thread, 'Accessing Listener', or something similar, and I'm sure one of the many subscribers will help.

[klazomaniac]

Ok and Thank you.
I know Prof M does, So i'll wait till he appears and can hopefully point me in the right direction.

[Neveracrossword]

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, Klazo. You could always go on to this week's Listener thread and ask there?

[klazomaniac]

You was helpful with your suggestion. But i'll wait for Prof M (He will put me right). Thanks again NAC :-)

[Neveracrossword]

Ta, Klazo. With any luck, Prof M will look back in on this Spectator thread and help you with your Listener query. (I'm just a very logical person, thinking it's easier to ask about Listener on a Listener thread...sorry!)

[Matakari]

Many thanks, NACW, yes, my head is much cooler now and ready to tackle
the Times Jumbo cryptic crossword. Klazo, thanks also, and I can send you a link for the Listener if you decide to have a go at it.

[klazomaniac]

Thanks again Nac, But I don't know any of the Listener crowd. And I don't think any of them dwell on here all day. So I could be in for a lengthy wait. Prof M has been onto me about getting the Times on a Saturday. I don't usually venture out on Saturday mornings due to my Friday nights out. So I plumped to subscribe. But can only find the daily online crosswords. I was hoping the Mephesto and the Listener would be among them. Not sure what I am doing wrong. But if I can't get them online, I'll cancel my subscription.

[klazomaniac]

Where abouts is it Matakari on the webpage?

[klazomaniac]

And thanks for the offer, I may have to take you up on that if I can't access it.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks for the additional info, Klazo. I think you should be able to get access easily enough,and just need a tip or two on how to actually do that.

Thanks, Matakari, glad to hear you're moving on from the Spectator to the Jumbo. At least there's no theme in that!

[Cloverjo]

Klazomaniac, in The Times go to puzzles > crossword club > specialist > The Listener

[scorpiojo]

Klaz, may I just point out that Professor Maisie is a lady :-)

[klazomaniac]

Thank you cloverjo :-)
It was the Specialist bit that I didn't look through. Got it now :-)

[klazomaniac]

Hi ya Scorps. Prof M is a Man. He uses his Wifes account. He has told me this before. :-)

[scorpiojo]

My apologies :-)

[Neveracrossword]

Klazo, glad you're sorted now and have found your way in to Listener (and will be able to get Mephisto tomorrow).
Thanks, Cloverjo, I like seeing helpful ABers in action!