Inquisitor 39

[judypark]

I have completed about a third of the numbered clues but have no idea of the theme, any help gratefully recieved.

[cruciverbali]

The theme is digraphs (def 2)

Cruciverbalist

[judypark]

Thanks very much, I'll keep beavering away at it.

[cruciverbali]

Do come back if you need hints to any specific clues !

[judypark]

Thanks cruciverbali, I understand that digraphs are a pair of letters resulting in a single sound ie. ph? Am I on the right track? I think having 19 A may be the biggest help, all I have so far is ?o???a???t??? I do enjoy the challenge of these crosswords but it's so frustrating when you come to a complete standstill.

[cruciverbali]

Yes, but that is definition (1) at the above link - it's definition (2) which applies to this puzzle. It's also highly significant that there are 13 pairs - 12 with thematic definition clues (each containing a misprint) and one which can be deduced from the title and the two unclued thematic entries. So, you need to
(i) Solve as many ordinary clues as possible
(ii) Deduce one or two thematic entries and try to find their respective clues, bearing in mind the misprints
(iii) Match each thematic entry/clue with a digraph
(iv) Use all the above to continue solving
(v) Observe that the 12 correct letters from the misprints give a place connected to the 13th digraph

Cruciverbalist

[cruciverbali]

Yes, but that is definition (1) at the above link - it's definition (2) which applies to this puzzle. It's also highly significant that there are 13 pairs - 12 with thematic definition clues (each containing a misprint) and one which can be deduced from the title and the two unclued thematic entries. So, you need to
(i) Solve as many ordinary clues as possible
(ii) Deduce one or two thematic entries and try to find their respective clues, bearing in mind the misprints
(iii) Match each thematic entry/clue with a digraph
(iv) Use all the above to continue solving
(v) Observe that the 12 correct letters from the misprints give a place connected to the 13th digraph

This is a great puzzle !!

Cruciverbalist

[cruciverbali]

Sorry, didn't mean to repeat myself (but it is a great puzzle !)

C

[judypark]

Many thanks C for taking the trouble to explain. The only two thematic answers I have are Kavanagh and Florence and I cannot link these. Help! I'm unsure of what is required for the 2nd definition.
The poor dog has not been walked since I picked this up and it's baked beans on toast again tonight. J.

[cruciverbali]

You are very welcome Judy - I do feel sorry for the dog, though I expect the beans on toast will make it up to him/her.

Kavanagh is clued by Shaw part with a misprint, Lawrence (not 'Florence') by Waiter with a misprint.

The second definition points to a very well-known brand of Tea.


C

[judypark]

Thanks C. I had the answer "florence" as that was the name of Shaw's mistress, ie "Shaw tart". Am I correct in thinking there is a writers theme?
Don't worry about the dog, she has a big bag of Puppy Pedigree in the pantry, it's us who are on meagre rations. J.

[cruciverbali]

Hi Judy

Waiter does correct to Writer to signify DH Lawrence, but he is the only writer in the thematic entries, which are pretty diverse. Their only link is that they all contain a digraph, eg DH, QC

Hope this helps - let us know how you get on.


C

[judypark]

Eureka, the penny has finally dropped. 3 thematics to solve now. Lush's address (Bush's?) Reserved (deserved?) and I have no idea of Backs side. Still stuck on 1A I have ?i??et? and 1D ??ss?? Are these letters correct? Even if we don't complete this it has been a great learning curve. Makes the AZED and Mephisto seem like a stroll in the park. J.

[cruciverbali]

Yes, Lush corrects to Bush, but address refers to addressing a person and not a residence. You should be left with I, K, M, N, O, X, Y and Z to allocate to digraphs. The remaining misprints are as follows:


Reserved ----> Reserves

Backs side ------> Bucks side (think Association football)

You have the correct letters for 1 Across and 1 Down, defined by feeble and coarse dress respectively.

Now you're in the home straight, maybe you even have the place name alredy ?


C

[mad max]

I had ground to a halt on this one, but thanks to your thread and cruciverbalist have been able to complete
(don't quite understand the SE at end of place name though)

[judypark]

Hi Mad max, glad you had benefited too as you have helped me out in the past. Without C's help I could not have have completed more than half of this little swine.
C , your last post has enabled us to answer another couple, so our thanks for that. I doubt we would have finished this anyway, but no matter. I don't really like champagne and already have a cupboard full of Olive Oil. It is the challenge that counts and we have learned so much from your advice and for that I thank you.
Hers to Inquisitor 40.
Judy.

[judypark]

Oops, meant to say, Here's to Inquisitor 40. On a brand new computer tonight, first replacement in 6 years installed by my prodigal son James today, fortunately a computer techie ex-pro. He is off to Sheffield Uni on Sunday. It only cost me a home-made quiche for lunch, small beer tonight, 30 coat-hangers, single duvet covers. associated bed-linen, bath towels and a pot plant ( to make it look like home)
No empty nest syndrome here, he has spent the last few years travelling in SE Asia and OZ so it will be a breeze having him only 70 miles away in Sheffield, (we are in Leicester) certainly less worrying than having reports of Tsunamis striking. James was camped on Phi-Phi beach when is struck, or so I thought, he had actually moved on the day before and travelled to the other side of the island to attend a Full Moon Party; Of course, I didn't know this. That was the longest bloody day of my life until he phoned me. He lost a lot of friends.
I'm rambling now, this is what crosswords do to you.
Sleep well,
Judy

[cruciverbali]

You are both very welcome .... only a few hours to wait for No. 40 !!

In the meantime, why not take a peek at this week's Listener, as this has not been quite as tricky as usual over the past couple of weeks.

Max, the SI after Canterbury denotes South Island

Have a good weekend !

C

The Listener Crossword

[mad max]

cruciverbalist, thanks makes sense now ( I put the e instead of the I from mimi) look at this weeks listener ! Im still trying to work out how to enter the central region clues in 3947 mad max

[cruciverbali]

Yes, I remember King did require some thinking 'outside the box' .

C

[judypark]

IT IS FINISHED !
Cruciverbali, you are a star.