Listener Cross word 4058

[starwalker]

This week's offering is Whirly-Birly by Sabre.

After a run of fairly straightforward puzzles, we have what at first glance looks like a typical Sabre offering - not an "unch" in sight.

So, head down and away we go. Let's hope that there are not too many early cries for help. I have always found Sabre to be very logical and fair, and often surprisingly generous.

[midazolam]

Nice to round off an enjoyable weekend away in London with this. The trickery of the cipher balanced with some straightforward clues made this an unambiguous, delightful challenge. At last we have had a good crossword without PDMs, highlighting and head scratching finales. Thanks Sabre

I wonder if this is the least number of bars in a 12x12 barred crossword (excluding carte blanche)?

[daagg]

I'm afraid my dictionary is 1993, and it does have the root word, so I'm quite happy with my answer. Is anyone going to claim first hand experience of all ten thematic items? I think I can only manage six of them.

[teuchter2]

I am totally struggling with 14 across which is hindering my completion of top right corner. Apart from that I am done.

[7lattens]

I am also struggling with this one - I have P and G but no TIPS so at least I do still feel thematically correct !!!

[x_word_fan]

Re14a Def is first word - entrances are the first of ... in the 2 letter abbrev. P? - no "G" in the ans

My problem is 23a any hints

[x_word_fan]

I think I see 23a now if the second part of the word has a chess connotation???

[x_word_fan]

Ignore that last post - sorry - still struggling

[robinruth]

X_word_fan, go with that chess connotation!

[x_word_fan]

Thanks robinruth - I had just realisedthat after I posted - funny how often that happens - now all finished after a worrying few minutes before I realised I had carelessly entered 3 E's in 21d.

Didn't see the significance of the title though.

[daagg]

I think the second word of the title is key.

[robinruth]

Thanks Daagg, I had completely missed that and had decided the title was rather a let down (after attempting to encode it then disencode it).

[Deviant]

OK. Finished that. Unimpressed, to be honest. Clues & theme fair enough, but nothing to write home about. At least it's fairer than the word search last week - which I must now go back to. I have a completed grid etc & I've seen the various 'hints' but can see no 5 letter variant on the theme (which I assume is a 6-letter word starting with 'P'). Ah well.

[daagg]

I think the theme is a synonym for the word you are thinking of. The 6-letter accessory is primarily related to this synonym, although it might feature in the place you have in mind.

[Mysterons]

Hint: "You are an habitual criminal, who accepts arrest as an occupational hazard, and presumably accepts imprisonment in the same casual manner."

[jamesah]

Another great crossword from Sabre with some brilliant cluing. I have one slight quibble- 26 across. I don't see how the definition in the clue and the answer are synonymous(although both are synonymous with another word). I can't think of a sentence where one word could be replaced by the other. Any comments?

[robinruth]

Jamesah - the answer is in the Chambers' list of definitions for the 'definition word' so it passes the test! It is certainly a difficult one but the word play gives it doesn't it?

[7lattens]

Why am I struggling on 16A - it appears a straightforward clue !

[shelouse]

Late start this week as weekend v busy. I quite liked it. Daagg, I regret to admit to eiight, in the course of a much travelled and misspent life.

[robinruth]

Shelouse, I was going to accuse you of excesses but went back and counted and reached eight too!
Deviant, send me an email at [email protected] if you are still despairing and want a bigger push.

[daagg]

Now the Whirly-birly's done, though the puzzle's just for fun - not quite ere the set of sun. But nearly!