Aha, it looks as though I have some wrong crossing answers, thanks very much.
I'm sure I have guessed the phrase - where and how long - but I cannot find it. I'll work over those answers and look again.
I still don't see any connections (or sense) in the "thematic clues" or either of their answers. I know we don't have to explain that, but can anybody?
I've just got round to doing this crossword. I've completed the grid (virtually) ; though there are a couple of clues I'm not happy with :
26d ourari -- OK with our and RI but where does the "a" come from ?
19d report -- rep for cloth but why "ort" ?
36a Prunes rose bush finally and headed blossoms --dehorns
I have then found the place in the top left hand corner (but all the letters are there) but I can make a circular shape leaving out the "O" and similarly in bottom right hand corner for the other missing "O". Is this all that is required or am I missing something in trying to connect the two balls ?
Thank you RossR for your prompt reply.
When you have an explanation it seems so much easier ! I had RI (Rhode Island) as the state ; and. of course an ort is a leftover !