4461

[velkom]

NEVER FOUND A CROSSWORD SO DIFFICULT!!
Probably change papers next week.
26a (9,6) b???????l ??????place of plants and bacteria long lost
28a(8) ?o?????? electrified fence initially described as fine
17d(8) ?u?????? copper lead rod twisted to secure a locker
14d (4,5) r??? ????? after explosion alarmed to find stones in the way
Hope someone can help

[glasman]

17d Cupboard

[Vimto]

26 across, Botanical garden

[hammersgirl]

26a Botanical garden (anagram)

[Vimto]

17 Down, Cupboard.

[MarkRae]

28a I want this to be POWDERED
14d ROAD METAL

Glad it's not just me... ;-)

[writesbad]

14 road metal

[gen2]

Yes Mark, POWERED aroind the initial letter of 'described'

[Vimto]

28 across, yes, Powdered: powered with d, initially (d)escribed.

[j4ne50]

26a.... Botanical garden..... Anagram 'and bacteria long'

[MarkRae]

Thought so - thanks.

[chriscase]

I have powdered for 28a.
Agree it is one of the toughest for a while.

[MarkRae]

Apart from 18a, I still have the entire top right corner to do. Been nearly three quarters of an hour so far...

[chriscase]

The same here. Am struggling with the top right corner too!

[MarkRae]

Just 18a to go now - anybody?

18a Hillside affords shelter like stone? (4) D?A?

[MarkRae]

Sorry, should be 'shelters'

[Farrnorth]

Happy to provide top right corner in exchange for bottom two!
27a That's fuuny! It's a novel (6) l?l?t? Lolita why?
28a Electrified fences initially described as "fine" (8) ?o?d?r?d
Is 23d Tack?

[bulliver]

deaf (hidden in clue)

[MarkRae]

Thanks - hurrah!

[MarkRae]

LOL = laughing out loud + IT + A
POW(D)ERED
(S)TUCK

[chriscase]

Now have 12a impromptu and 7d amorphous if that is any help.