Listener 4197 - Duet for One by Bandmaster

[Philoctetes]

No, I haven't finished it. I just thought I would point out that it is up on the usual site, but under the wrong date, 2012-06-29. Whether this is significant, I cannot tell (It was an old cat, Oswyn's, birthday, but I suspect that is irrelevant)

[jumperjudy]

After a surprisingly long struggle (in retrospect most of the clues seem quite straightforward) I now have a completed grid (although as usual some of the wordplay eludes me). As yet no PDM as to the meaning of the instructions, so time for a break I think.

[ArchieLeach]

I often have trouble with a couple of wordplays - and definitions - sometimes if Chambers Wordgames hadn't come back with a single answer I would be stuck. But this was relatively straightforward - there are enough easyish clues in useful positions to get you started.
If you're having trouble with the instructions don't forget the note in the preamble.

[aputt]

could someone please put me out of my misery regarding the first letter of 'snail born with outsized internal slit in Highlands' please?! thanks, Alastair

[aputt]

PS [email protected]

[crosswhit99]

It's 9 places further on in the alphabet than the last letter

[aputt]

thanks crosswhit! as i suspected- not sure why tho. Ta!

[magichour]

aputt - I have emailed you about the wordplay.

[IainGrace]

Vetuste_ennemi, you flatter us in suggesting that we can't recall Ally's Tartan Army. More a question of erasing it from one's memory bank. Continue to be sucked into this lovely puzzle, having solved about two thirds of the clues and just spent an hour on a run of solutions to the detriment of preparation of dinner.

[taittinger]

Agree with jumperjudy, clues quite straightforward in the end. Also took break, but alas to no avail. Can't follow instructions, so any guidance welcome: [email protected]

[taittinger]

Thanks again for helpful replies. Had already got there; have been convinced it's worth persevering to the finale.

[Alekhine]

Just back from an enforced isolation on a small island. No televison, no Internet, indeed no electricity for six hours of each day. Ah, the peace. Ah, the solitude.

But able to post my thanks now to Bandmaster for a highly enjoyable challenge.

Now to start on 4198.

[Postigod]

As others have already said, a very enjoyable Listener and a tour-de-force of cruciverbal construction. Many thanks to Bandmaster. Like some others, I'm struggling with the wordplay for the snail clue although have identified the extra word, and am also unsure of the wordplay for the discrimination clue, although as every letter is cross-checked I know the answer must be right!

Any hints to [email protected] would be much appreciated.

[IainGrace]

Postigod, did you get an answer to this? How many letters in your snail grid entry?

[Philoctetes]

I hope that, as we are past submission date, I do not get blasted for this. The snail clue. The obscure bit is a Scottish word for "slit", of which one third is unchecked