Guardian Prize Crossword Saturday April 15Th 2017

[Davidam]

D

Vague Greenlander turning tail close to decrease, (10)

I have quite a few but not quite enough to start putting in. Any hints for a faltering start? I hate these 13 part theme excuses for a proper xword but am having a prejudiced go!

[Lie-in King]

Diminution - 'dim' (vague) + 'Inuit' (turning tail; the 'it') + 'on' (close to)

[Lie-in King]

I found it easier to answer them all then start filling the grid - you need 10 x 10-letter entries & 4 x 9-letter entries & to get them, you have to pair these -

1 x 3-letter + 1 x 7-letter
2 x 4-letter + 2 x 6-letter

1 x 5-letter + 1 x 4-letter

Place the remaining 2 x 3-letter answers, using the start letters of the 10-letter answers as checks - there's only one way they work.

[Tilly2]

L-I-K it's supposed to last you until the evening of Easter Monday!

What are you going to do now?

(Thank you. That is really helpful. You're a star)

[Lie-in King]

Hi Tilly - oh, I couldn't let it sit festering that long! Glad that was helpful though :-)

[Tilly2]

My excuse is that I have been watching a giraffe being born, gardening and cooking dinner.

I have a few more answers now. Thanks for telling us how to fit them in.

[fiction-factory]

I've never seen a giraffe gardening or cooking dinner, Tilly

[Tilly2]

FF, you haven't lived!

April has made the BBC news :-)