Listener No 4423: A Bit Up In The Air By Phi

[AHearer]

A much easier ride than last week's, but with a very neat anagram to settle the final step. I had to work back from the phrase and its anagram to sort out two of the extra words. Many thanks to Phi.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, indeed, a delightful relief after last week's uncertainty that has caused record-length comments on TSTMNBM (the other site!) and troubled comments here. I, too, very much appreciated the 'apposite anagram' and the originality of the device of words with 'two definitions differing by one letter'. What a relief to have no 'extra letters in wordplay' or 'misprints'. Many thanks, indeed, to Phi.

[upsetter]

I didn't think we would be the first - by the way RR - did you ever solve last week's puzzle? Let us know.

[Ruthrobin]

Upsetter, I saw nothing other than what has been suggested on the thread and my first solution, which I later rejected, was only justified by the fact that consecutive doesn't necessarily mean contiguous.

[Hagen]

Indeed a very phine, phun and phair puzzle from Phi, and it was nice to sign off on the final step with confidence and get dinner ready on time. NOT that that's a dig at Poat - on reflection I think it's rather a shame that whatever the treasure hunt endgame proves to be, it's either misfired or gone over most of our heads. Like some others here (and elsewhere), I posted in ill humour last week but the therapy worked and I'm over it now. Setters write these puzzles to entertain us and there's bound to be the occasional mismatch of minds.

Anyway, I probably outstayed my welcome by a large margin last week so unless anyone calls me out, that's it from me until next time. (Ooh! That sigh of relief was deafening!)

[Encota]

Great fun. I too loved the two definition clues - I've not seen these before but hope to see them again soon. Thanks Phi!

[emcee]

Absolutely no argument about the endgame here, as one would expect from a puzzle from Phi's stable.

Straightforward clues and enjoyable. Thanks, Phi.

[HappyUncle]

What a relief to have a genuinely valid, fair and unequivocal endgame this week. It's tempting to call it an entry-level Listener, but that would not be a criticism, as this is the best sort of challenge to inspire new solvers to have a go - and discover how much entertainment there is to be had from one of the true masters of the advanced cryptic (no relation). No money changed hands before the writing of this comment.

[olichant]

I can but echo everything that's been said above. Always good to see a cheerful Uncle. I really liked the two-definition device. SE corner was noticeably more challenging for me, but these things are pretty subjective. Thanks, Phi.

[starwalker]

Late this week due to grandparenting duties/delights. Like AHearer I found myself working backwards at the end in order to clarify everything. Lovely, unambiguous puzzle, but not sure that it could be called entry-level, but certainly designed to appeal to most. Thanks Phi.