Listener 4136 - Cross-reference by Nudd

[starwalker]

Rapidly closing in on this having now got over two thirds of the grid filled, but not yet the thematic creation. I particularly liked 23D, but perhaps that's just me. A fun debut (I think). Many thanks Nudd.

[Zabadak]

A pleasant enough solve, with none of the serious head scratching form last week. I was puzzled at first by the beginning of the phrase, and indeed worked out the means of entry long before the prototype. Clever (I think - I'm not sure there can be that many) of Nudd to find so many examples and fit them in the grid. 32 down was nearly a mistake on my part - beware!

[trux]

All done, and if that's the case, then this must be an open invitation to wannabe Friday Clubbers ... you won't get a better opportunity to join ... very quickly twigged what was going on, then just had to fill up grid - I agree with Z that there can't be that many (but then again not so few either) ... whole thing left me rather cold, but fortunately weekend will not do so (or at least that's what they forecast) ... so it looks like it'll have to be boating on the lake instead !

[AHearer]

An easy grid fill, I thought, but I have to go back now and check some of the wordplay -- I'm sure the entries are correct, but just for completeness... Overall quite good fun. I, too, would be interested to know how many 'specimens' there are in all.

[dr b]

Pretty straightforward; like Z I was entering the double clues long before the phrase became clear. After last week's thematically packed grid, this one was a bit of a letdown, but all in all a pleasant solve.

[TheBear69]

I think 32d borders on being unfair...the wordplay is nonsensical to me.

Otherwise I found this a fun and well-constructed solve.

[contendo]

Like others I got the treatment of the double clues before solving all the misprints. I thought that would make it a quick run to the finish but I still have some way to go. I thought 30A was fun.

[easylistener]

Got the grid filled so in that sense an easylistener but yet to sort out the hint and theme. Only have 8 letters of the hint so must have missed some along the way. Hmm?

[Zabadak]

TB69: 30d works fine once you work out what sort of clue it is and don't jump top conclusions about the unchecked letter.

[Zabadak]

...to conclusions - fat fingers syndrome strikes again.

[AndrewG-S]

A well constructed puzzle with an entertaining theme. Took a while to work out last bits of wordplay and the misprints. Thanks Nudd.

[trux]

Re: 30d - agreed Z, but it doesn't make much sense after modification ... whereas elsewhere I thought that misprints had been handled well - and double clues were very economic (even if my favourite was probably the quite wordy 1D). Thanks, Nudd.

[Paula]

If only I were not hosting a BBQ last night, I would have joined the Friday club. Obviously not too difficult but thoroughly enjoyable. Now back to 4135 where I have a completed grid but getting tired of looking for the travellers!

[bobbycollins]

Just popped in to bookmark the link. Saving it up for an hopefully quiet afternoon in work.

Paula, they are all going in the same direction....Bradford's will help.

[bellabee]

i think the surface reading for the down clue [32?] works ok after modification but only as an abbreviation. i felt this was really well constructed and working out all the loose ends was quite tough i thought.

[pushmi-pullyu]

What can I say? Very enjoyable. I'll leave it at that.

[bellabee]

like busses!

[easylistener]

Grid filled AND thematic creation found! Woo Hoo! ...But is it really worth the effort now to go back and fiddle about to find the hint? I doubt it!

[Paula]

Thanks Bobby but I don't have Bradfords. Going to town this afternoon & will look in Waterstones - is 2009 the latest edition?

[trux]

Bellabee - re 32d (yes, 32d - there is no 30d) : I am reliably informed from an ideal source that the first word becomes a Scottish isle - thereby also justifying the "such" in an "& lit" kind of way ... clever stuff !

[bobbycollins]

Paula, there is a 2010 edition but not sure if it is hardback - which I would strongly recommend. I have just had a decko on Amazon and it is a snip at £7.03. Afraid that I will no longer be paying Waterstone prices.

Thoroughly enjoying this one, which is just up my street. Taxing without frying the brain.

Footy season crumbling for my teams, but it is after all only a game. IntotheBlue and I witnessed Fleetwood Town get stuffed by Wimbledon last night, and ended up discussing last week's puzzle (we were behind the goal with the screamers, who included his wonderful wife).