The Spectator 1859

[Lezapping]

Thanks to you, Rapparee, my dear "Wat-son", I have found ALL the unclued lights for 2, 14, 15, 18, 22 Down and all the ACROSS ones EXCEPT 41 which is still eluding me!

The following, too, are thrillers for me:

5a: IC?P???A
39a: C??
41a: L?S?S???

8d: ?ME?D?
28d: I?TO?E?
36d: N?T?
31d: S?D?CE ( SEDUCE ?)

Just some further clues or hints, please!
Many thanks in advance, again!

[shaneystar2]

5a anag of ..up on base....
39a Cu(s)p
41a Is thematic ..your 5th letter is wrong
8d E(me)nds
28d Intoned
36d Note
31d Yes ,,seduce

[Lezapping]

Many thanks, Shaneystar2...I had them all except the thematic, but needed to verify them. I see 41a now, too, and I am done with this puzzle...good learning experience for me. Now I go back over and try to work out the rationale behind each answer, some of which always seem quite difficult to justify! Thanks again! Cheers!

[shaneystar2]

Well done dear !
Like all cryptics . a lot also depends on the "mindset "of the compiler . Once you get used to their wordplay you are halfway there .It's worth making a note of the words that various compilers use to indicate anagrams and so on .
Treat yourself to a Bradfords Crossword Dictionary (if you don't already have one ) and of course old faithful Chambers !
I find Bradfords is very useful for cryptics .

[Rapparee]

Well done, Lezapping, for persevering and completing the puzzle. If you are satisfied that all your answers are correct then only the most difficult step remains - send it off and win a prize!

Good luck!

[Lezapping]

Thanks, Rapparee, after lunch today I'll just relax with it, checking it back and might even send it in or get my son who works in London to send it in for me. From this part of the West Indies, the mail service is quite erratic! Anyhow, I am happy to have got it out...perseverance is my name! And thanks again! It was really intriguing once the title clicked!

[Lezapping]

Many thanks, Shaneystar2, for the help and the invaluable advice. I will certainly get the Bradfords Crossword Dictionary and probably the latest edition of the Chambers, too! I have access to the Chambers Reference on line as well as the Chambers Word Wizard which is very useful
I am going to mull over my answers again to see the little tricks the setter has been using! Thanks again! Cheers!

[Rapparee]

Lezapping,

I wonder if you ever found time to tackle Spectator 1858, the circular puzzle with radial answers. Apart from 6 clues which contain a misprint all the clues are normal. I'm sure you would enjoy the exercise.
Some of the answers are unusual words, I admit, but Chambers Word Wizard will definitely help or there is always.......the AnswerBank!

[shaneystar2]

Wow ..didn't realise you were all that way away Lezapping ...lovely to have contact from someone in your part of the world and hope you are enjoying some sunshine unlike us with our April showers ! Hopefully our summer will roll in soon ...but I am not holding my breath :)

[Lezapping]

Rapparee, I must admit that I was a bit intimidated by #1858, the circular puzzle, but might have a second look at it for the practice...Or, when the deadline for submitting same is past, I'll simply ask you for some answers to ponder upon! And since my printer has given up the ghost, I usually get my weekly exercise of calligraphy writing out the puzzles...Cheers!

[Lezapping]

Yes, Shaneystar2, in this island of the steelband and calypso, the sun shines upon us 365 days per year and right now we are also experiencing the best of all the worlds: cool April showers to inspire my poetic activities.Let me share one of my haiku with you and Raparee:
april showers
the poui in its glory ~
carpet of blossoms

Summer shoud be rolling in early this year. At least, I, too, hope so because from June to September I will be in the South of France and I wouldn't like to break the rhythm of the tropical sunshine too much! Pleasure chatting with you all! Cheers! Have a pleasant evening!