Last Saturday's T2 Jumbo

[Crystal Tips]

It's no good - I've driven myself mad all week and I just can't get these last two. One Across just gives me gibberish and I've got to finish it before I start all over again tomorrow! If I've gone wrong somewhere, please put me out of my misery.

25a: undulating road:  s?i?c?b?e?

21d:  kitchen utensil:  s?r?e?i?

[pega]

21d   strainer

 

25a switchback

[pega]

1a   Medoc.

5d  electroscope    gives C for switchback

31a explicit    gives  i for strainer

if stuck on any other ?

[Crystal Tips]

Thanks pega - obviously I had the wrong answer for 5d (electrometer - close but not close enough!) which gave me an 'e' where I needed a c. I've also got an i in 21d where I should have an 'e', because I made 36a (soften food by soaking), marinate, which is obviously wrong. What should this be? I've now got ?a?e?a?e.   I was a bit puzzled as to why you gave me the answer to 1a until I realised that I'd mentioned the website "oneacross.com" as being a source that hadn't helped - unsurprisingly which some of my letters being wrong! Anyway, I appear to be rambling - thanks for your help. 

[Crystal Tips]

It's OK - I've realised the answer is macerate - thanks anyway!

[pega]

glad you got it sorted    I meant to give 36a which is macerate.  One Across isn't so good  There is a very good  ONELOOK  Dictionary. do you use it you can put in a sentence and even ? marks for words  like 13d in T2 it takes you to other sites and dictionaries perhaps you know this site its really good. if you get stuck on this weeks will help have done times T2 for years yet to win !