Azed

[swarbrules]

So, i've got 24d but, after that I'm stumped. Are there clues in the clues or, are we looking for random words?

[TheFrogman]

You are looking for random words which can be inserted, always part way through a word in the printed clue, to create a piece of text which makes more sense (as in the example quoted in the preamble). There will invariably need to be spaces added within the 'expanded' element (where the solution has been inserted), the punctuation may need to be modified, and in three instances (18a, 22a and 7d), the spacing elsewhere in the clue will also need to be adjusted to produce the 'undevilled' version.

[scorpiojo]

I'll give that a miss, then ;o)

[TheFrogman]

Can't say I blame you 8)

[swarbrules]

And I'll join you.

[scorpiojo]

:o))

[TheFrogman]

For anyone who is doing the puzzle, I should say that a fourth clue (10d) also requires the spacing elsewhere in the clue to be 'tweaked'.

[Flocker14]

the example given in the preamble ( resulting in the answer PESTO) does not seem to contain a definition - unless it's a meaning of PESTO I've missed or don't know. If there is no definition in the clue it becomes virtually impossible to solve - or am I missing something?

[TheFrogman]

The clues bear little relationship to those in a normal puzzle and take a bit of getting used to. However, there are two things that help:

1. Each clue in its expanded form tells a 'story'.

2. The approximate location of the omitted letters is usually fairly obvious.

So if we take 1ac, 'With holidays imminent, the bad weather is moving, sad', the first half of the clue is clearly 'setting the scene' and it is at the end of the clue that text has surely been lost.

The break has to come part way through a word, and that word 'sad' dangling on the end looks the most likely candidate. So how or where might the weather be moving? 'In', perhaps, but if the break is indeed in 'sad' then the word after 'moving' must begin with an S. If it's a compass direction, the only one beginning with S is 'south'. Assuming we've got that right then we have:

'With holidays imminent, the bad weather is moving sOUTH ???ad', and a bit more inspiration (or a trawl through seven letter words beginning OUTH) gives us OUTHIRE and the undevilled reading:

'With holidays imminent, the bad weather is moving south I read'

(note that the comma after 'moving' has gone - punctuation and spacing can vary between the 'devilled' and 'undevilled' versions.

Hope that helps!

[scorpiojo]

Nope, still not doing it ;o)

[roslyn251254]

go on scorps..... it's not too bad when you get started and froggy's site will help!! I just have a few in the NE to finish

[scorpiojo]

I'll think about it, roslyn ;o)

[offramp_t]

I have finished this, Azed 2291. It is worth persevering with. The answers can be quite fun. Here are two answers.

Clue: 20A
This group of WI members ring for a cuppa themselves (8)

The answer is UNSTEADY
This group of WI members rUNS TEA DYing for a cuppa themselves.
There is no 'definition' in the clue, not even a vague sort-of pointer as to what the gist of the word might be...

18A Rumours of business malpractice make me read. 'Likely to fail' (5)

The answer id GERAH:
Rumours of business malpractice make merGER AHead Likely to fail.